Following the recent involvement of Sutton Council in the activities of Neighbourhood Watch, the latest NW newsletter asks residents to look out for dog messes that have not been cleared up.

They are expected to write down the place, date and time where the fouling occurred' with a description of the dog and its owner. This should then be reported to the council's animal warden service, with the owner's name and address, if possible.

Before transformation to the London Borough of Sutton Neighbourhood Watch Association, NW members were only asked to help their neighbours in the fight against crimes like burglary and vandalism.

If we are now expected to report each other for offences like dog fouling, this could destroy the community spirit that Neighbourhood Watch has previously encouraged.

CHARLES JOHNSON

Rosewood Grove

Sutton

December 12, 2001 10:30