The fight against crime and anti-social behaviour cannot be won by the police alone.

It is a community and education responsibility. But first and foremost it is a matter for parents to deal with.

In other parts of the world this issue has been looked at and the forces of law and order can draw on the skills of a veritable army of volunteers.

The most welcome news is that Haworth is to spearhead the long-awaited volunteer police scheme.

It is due to become one of the the first places in the region to set up the initiative which is part of the strategy of West Yorkshire Police.

Obviously training will be given, a risk assessment carried out and measures introduced not to put the volunteers at risk.

But for a village like Haworth such a scheme will re-open the police station, which will also become a contact point for other organisations such as the CAB, Job Centre and Library service.

Inspector Tony Walker says policing in this country is undergoing a massive change, with the government looking into the use of volunteers in all services. People are being given more responsibility and a voice.

Haworth, he hopes, will be at the forefront of this change.

Paul Brooks, one of the people involved in planning the initiative, says it will be up to the community to make this work. It will be a success if the public wants it to be.

It most certainly deserves to succeed.

Once again this area is in the vanguard of community responsibility. Where we lead, others will surely follow.

Last week the national press and television focussed on a scheme under which shoppers leave a thumb print on a receipt to prevent card fraud. Keighley did that a year ago.