And the group is hoping for a large turn-out of people willing to help at its meeting next Tuesday night at 7pm in the town's Salvation Army Hall.

Neighbourhood Watch member Paul Massey said this week: "This is a big issue as over recent months we have lost a few coordinators. We have seen a gradual haemorrhage of people going.

"People ask why do we need coordinators when Shepton Mallet is a relatively safe place to live?

"People don't think it is a major issue. But now we need to replace all these coordinators who have gone in a number of areas in the town to help us carry on keeping this town a safe place."