CALLS for neighbourhood watch groups to be launched in Tranent have been made after concerns about a number of recent crimes – while a group of volunteer ‘night-time patrollers’ has also been set up.

A meeting with Police Scotland is expected to be held for people interested in starting neighbourhood watch schemes after the issue was raised at a meeting of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council.

Community councillor David Thomson had earlier posted a survey on social media asking for people’s views of policing levels in the town.

He raised concerns with community officers at a meeting of the community council last Tuesday.

Mr Thomson said that concerns about what he described as a “recent crime spree” were raised at the meeting.

He said: “As a result the officer in attendance has agreed to take our concerns to the area commander with a view to having increased uniformed patrols in the area.

“Also discussed was the possibility of the police organising a meeting with interested community members who would like to set up neighbourhood watches.

“This was a practice that existed in the Tranent area some years ago.

“The officer will advise us of any proposed meeting in due course.”

Meanwhile, concerned residents in the town have launched the Tranent Night Time Patrollers Facebook page with a view to setting up regular patrols of the streets by volunteers.

The new group, which is still in its early stages, is looking at putting patrols out at night in pairs to raise the alarm if they spot suspicious behaviour.

They are hoping local businesses will support them and are appealing for anyone who can volunteer to take part to sign up.

The group said it aimed to pair volunteers up and send them out on a rota basis with high-visibility jackets, radios and equipment to take photographs of anything suspicious.