AN AMAZED new Neighbourhood Watch member today told how she watched as a thief break into her own car - and then helped the police catch him.The woman from Ipswich, who does not want to be named, heard a noise and looked out of her window to see a shadowy figure lurking between parked cars in the street outside.

AN AMAZED new Neighbourhood Watch member today told how she watched as a thief break into her own car - and then helped the police catch him.

The woman from Ipswich, who does not want to be named, heard a noise and looked out of her window to see a shadowy figure lurking between parked cars in the street outside.

She promptly dialled 999, and gave police a running commentary of the offender's antics breaking into three cars, until they arrived and caught him.

She said: "I heard a metallic clicking noise which sounded unfamiliar and looked out to see a man in the shadows, and thought he must just be getting into his car.

"But then he stood up and started looking round, which I thought was suspicious. I rang 999 and he then got in the car and put the light on inside. Then he got out and walked down the road to my car and I was amazed when he broke into that – it's such an old banger! He was rummaging around and I thought he would take the radio which hasn't worked for two years!

"Then he went back to the original car and the police arrived so he crouched down and hid. But I was still on the phone describing what he was doing, so I directed them to him."

Anthea Pipe, community liaison officer for Neighbourhood Watch said the Neighbourhood Watch scheme was only set up on September 24, and has 47 members.

She said: "Neighbourhood Watch heightens people's awareness of what is going on around them. If this lady had not been involved in this new scheme, you have to ask would she have looked out window and done what she did?

"Neighbourhood Watch also develops a very good community spirit."

The heroine agreed, and said: "It has started our group off quite well!

"We live in an age when we don't speak to our next door neighbours because we don't know who they are, but that's changing now thanks to Neighbourhood Watch."

An Ipswich man has been charged with theft from a motor vehicle on October 8 and is due to appear before Ipswich magistrates.

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For details on how to set up your own Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, call Anthea Pipe on 01473 383142.