I was slightly alarmed by the news that Harrow Council is recruiting 2,000 residents to join a network of ‘Neighbourhood Champions’. Their job will be to keep an eye out for evidence of graffiti, fly-tipping, littering and excessive noise, posting tip-offs on an anonymous website. What if the scheme is successful and other councils follow suit? Are we to become a nation of curtain-twitchers?
The reason I’m concerned is that I know from my own case how easy it is to fall into this role. I have already become a kind of self-appointed policeman in my local area and heaven help my neighbours if I’m given any sort of official recognition.
For instance, the other day I spotted a dog owner allowing a Yorkshire Terrier to defecate on the strip of pavement outside my house. I shot out of my front door like a cannon ball, demanding to know when the mess was going to be cleaned up and pointing out that it was an offence not to do so.
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