THE future of Harrow Neighbourhood Watch is in doubt after a probe of its affairs found it guilty of serious breaches of charity law and its own constitution.

A Charity Commission report upheld a complaint by Pinner resident Herbert Goldberg, who discovered major irregularities.

An investigation found that chairman Keith Rookledge and his three-strong committee had failed to present themselves for re-election or hold an annual general meeting for five years, in breach of the constitution of the scheme, which was adopted in 1999.

The report also admonished the group, a registered charity, for failing to submit annual accounts to the commission.

A commission spokesman said: "We received a complaint in March and have advised the group to start maintaining its accounts and adhering to its own constitution.

"To remain on the charity register it would need to comply with these requests."

The administrative disarray was unearthed by Mr Goldberg, of Wakehams Hill, when he tried to register himself as a Watch co-ordinator.

He said: "There is an all round lack of transparency. Mr Rookledge has refused to reveal who serves on the committee, he won't hold fair elections with other candidates invited, and charity trustees have not been properly appointed.

"Neighbourhood Watch belongs to the public, but if people think it's a secret society, they won't get involved."

Mr Goldberg has lodged a separate complaint with the London Neighbourhood Watch Association and a grievance officer is investigating, with a report expected later this week.

London Watch chairman David Eaton said: "There is something going wrong at Harrow but it's not a matter of skulduggery.

"The committee is a small group of dedicated people, working for the community for no financial reward. There is just too much for them to do on their own.

"If a solution is not found we will, reluctantly, have to to take a more active role."

Mr Rookledge was unavailable for comment.