Residents are being urged to sign up for Ilkley’s Neighbourhood Watch as the scheme celebrates its silver anniversary.

Police officers will be offering advice on setting up local networks at Ilkley’s South Hawkesworth Street car park today until 3pm, and handing out crime prevention leaflets.

The Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) will be joined by West Yorkshire Police’s new crime-fighting mascot, Detective Duck, who was designed following a competition for schoolchildren.

Chloe Dummer, project officer for the force’s local policing department, said: “Neighbourhood Watch has played a major role in the prevention and reduction of crime over the years and is a true example of partnership working between the force and the communities of West Yorkshire.”