A London council is recruiting 2,000 residents to report on their neighbours and join a growing network of “citizen snoopers” in the capital.

“Neighbourhood Champions” will be expected to pass on evidence of graffiti, fly-tipping, litter and excessive noise.

View from the hill: Harrow is seeking “Neighbourhood Champions” who will report anti-social behaviour using a special website

They could eventually be trained to report child abuse, domestic violence, racial harassment and other “hate crimes”.

The plan is expected to be approved this week in Harrow. The council says the scheme, which has the backing of the Met commander for the borough, will increase pride in the community.

But critics today raised fears over civil liberties, warning that it is the latest example of a surveillance society.

Susie Squires, of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: “Community spirit and looking out for your neighbours is one thing, but snooping is another. Residents are already able to report nuisances as part of normal procedure. Taxpayers are sick and tired of being spied on. This creates distrust.”

Harrow is the latest London borough to ask residents to report bad behaviour. Islington has been running an environmental watchdog scheme since 2002 — with up to 1,200 recruits including children. Hillingdon claims to have 4,800 volunteers.

Harrow's volunteers will log on to a special website to report suspicions. Details will be passed to council departments and enforcement action could be taken against offenders. Participants will be vetted and trained with the help of the police and council. Councillor Susan Hall, Harrow's spokeswoman for environment services and community safety, said: “This is about extending more influence to our residents to help us deliver cleaner and safer streets.

“We have already invested in anti-social behaviour and cleaning teams, but the reality is that we are not always in a position to know when problems suddenly crop up.

“I believe the Neighbourhood Champions network will help us to deliver cleaner and safer streets. We often talk about the loss of community spirit in our neighbourhoods — I think this is a great way of reclaiming some of that.”

Chief Superintendent Dal Babu, Harrow borough commander, said: “Harrow's Neighbourhood Watch scheme is one of the largest in London and plays an important role working alongside police to fight crime. I am sure that the Neighbourhood Champion scheme will be equally successful in helping to make Harrow a better place.”

The council said a poll of residents had found 87 per cent backed it and 25 per cent expressed an interest in getting involved. The minimum age for recruits is expected to be 18.

The council, which plans to set aside £100,000 a year to run the scheme, admits volunteers could be targeted by neighbours “particularly if they are viewed ... as providing feedback on criminal activities”.

Source: This Is London.co.uk, Nov 9 2009