A CONTROVERSIAL scheme that aims to turn 2,000 residents into the eyes and ears of Harrow Council has been approved.

The “neighbourhood champions” project will see trained volunteers reporting problems in their community ranging from anti-social behaviour to potholes.

The council has been accused of promoting snooping but leading councillors insisted the initiative was not spying when they gave it the green light last night.

Councillor Susan Hall, responsible for environmental services, said: “I'm quite insistent, because of some of the ridiculous reporting that's gone on in the media, this is not spying.

“This is reporting what goes on in your street. It's not about what is happening in the neighbours' houses.”

She told the Harrow Times the council will be prepared to push for Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) to tackle problems reported by volunteers.

She said: “We are pushing for ASBOs in any event. People are fed up with bad behaviour. People do want to take back their communities. We want to help them do that.”

In December last year, the council backed an ASBO application against Celia Edge, of Lyndhurst Gardens, Pinner, after she was accused by a resident of being a “neighbour from hell”.

A five year order was granted by Harrow Magistrates Court.

Cllr Hall said: “We will always get drawn in if there's an anti-social behaviour edge to a dispute. What you have got to remember is that these are going to be one off cases.

“The main thrust of this is about what people see when they go out of their front doors.”