Does neighbourhood watch exist?

I BELONGED to a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in the UK - does anything similar exist here? D.N.

The concept is still seen as typically “Anglo-Saxon” but is catching on in France, where certain towns now have schemes in place called “Voisins Vigilants” or “Participation Citoyenne”. Former Interior Minister Claude Guéant put out a circular last year encouraging the formation of such groups. They involve volunteers in a residential area forming a partnership with the police and gendarmerie to report suspected crime, especially in relation to burglaries. Ask your mairie if anything similar exists in your area, or is planned - and, if not, perhaps you could suggest helping to set one up?