AN electronic neighbourhood watch scheme is proving effective in the fight against crime in Wrexham.

The web-based initiative involves organisations, businesses, schools and individuals registering their e-mail addresses and postcodes, which enables them to receive a tip off when there is an incident or crime wave in their area.

Flintshire and Wrexham Community Safety Partnerships is harnessing the power of the Internet in the fight against crime.

Ecomms was set up in December 2002, and the local scheme - the first of its type in Wales - now has more than 800 members.

The system is based on raising awareness of criminal activity.

If there is a spate of vehicle crime in an area, Ecomms will e-mail registered individuals and organisations and also attaches the necessary crime prevention advice.

The system is particularly useful for sending out topical information swiftly.

Recently a dangerous batch of Ecstasy tablets were distributed in nightclubs.

Schools who were members of Ecomms were e-mailed a picture of the tablet, which was then posted on school notice boards as a warning.

The dangers of drink-spiking have also been highlighted.

Ecomms is run from Wrexham Police Station and is jointly funded by Wrexham and Flintshire Community Safety Partnerships.

Community Safety officer PC Peter Barrett said: 'I'm very excited about this scheme. It is such a good way of getting pertinent information to the public.

'We don't want to raise the public's fear of crime.

'Ecomms is very much designed to provide reassurance.

'If criminal activity has been quiet in their area - we'll let them know that too.'

Ecomms has received a positive feedback from users.

One said: 'I am a team manager in adult social care and deal with vulnerable older people, so I welcome news for any part of North East Wales which I can then pass across to teams of social workers.'

More details about Ecomms is available on the website www.ecommsnwp.co.uk.