As the coordinator of the Neighbourhood Watch scheme for Saunders Road, Reliance Way and Weymann Terrace (the area of the old bus garage in Cowley Road, Oxford), I want to say a public thank-you to Thames Valley Police, to Oxford City Council and to the 140 members of the Neighbourhood Watch scheme there.

We had a particularly nasty graffiti incident (both racism and homophobia) on fences, bin stores, bike sheds, walls and windows last weekend.

Thanks to the prompt action of my neighbours and the swift response of the police, significant progress is being made in the investigation.

City council officers, particularly Malcolm Baughan, excelled themselves in getting all the graffiti removed the next working day after it was applied.

This is an fantastic example of how effective teamwork between Thames Valley Police, Oxford City Council and local residents can be.

Well done and thank you to everyone!

Tony Brett, Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator, Saunders Road/Reliance Way/Weymann Terrace, Oxford