Members of safer neighbourhood teams want to introduce a new crime prevention service to counter dwindling police resources.

Groups in Harrow and Brent hope to see the ‘Online Watch Link’ (OWL) system implemented in their boroughs.

This programme, which is already used in several places across the UK, including seven London boroughs, connects people through a sharing online platform.

It was devised by Gary Fenton, who runs Hertfordshire-based technical and creative company Direct Path Solutions.

Speaking to safer neighbourhood boards at Harrow Civic Centre last night, he explained that the programme has the potential to significantly combat crime.

“OWL makes people feel safer, improves engagement and helps catch offenders,” he said.

“It increases public perception of the local police presence and can be used as a mass and direct communications tool.

“Local communities can get involved – and get results. I’ve seen it on numerous occasions and it’s great when things work out.”

Those who sign up to the service are connected to various ‘watch’ schemes in their area.

They can then access alerts to possible crimes or scams, as well as to things such as missing people and flood warnings.

Mr Fenton explained that police officers can also send out online messages and conduct live surgeries through the platform.

He added that it is used to carry out police surveys, which can be used to gauge public concerns and priorities.

It is used in Barnet and was recently introduced to the new west London borough command unit (BCU) covering Ealing, Hillingdon and Hounslow.

Harrow, Barnet and Brent will form a BCU later this year.

Notwithstanding the fact that Mr Fenton is essentially selling a product, the safer neighbourhood teams were impressed by what it can offer.

They explained that the next step is to engage local authorities and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and hopefully secure funding contributions for the licence, which costs £3,000 per borough per year.

“This [meeting] is the first step,” said Subhash Sampat, chairman of the Harrow Safer Neighbourhood Board.

“We will work tirelessly to get this onboard but it all depends on the support we can get.”

He expressed disappointment at the lack of council presence at the meeting and called on the “decision-makers” to step up.

“If we can get the money for just one year to start with, that will be a win.” added Faiz Nazerali, member of the board

Local authorities have no obligation to support the programme and Mr Fenton explained that “it’s different for each borough”.

“Each council has a different opinion on it – some haven’t shown any interest at all, others are very receptive and are funding OWL,” he said.

Like the safer neighbourhood teams, he is also lobbying MOPAC over possible funding.