UKI Public School has become involved with the Neighbourhood Watch program.

At the official launch on Friday the school became the second school to become part of the School Watch program.

Uki Public School principal Jeffrey Robinson said he was very keen to be involved in the program from the start.

“I just jumped on it. I thought it was a great thing,” he said.

“I want increased police presence in the school.”

Mr Robinson said he had been frustrated with how crime affected the school.

“We only get a few break-ins a year but we spend so much money on repairing damage,” he said.

“I don’t want to put a dirty great big fence around the school.”

He said being part of the program was a badge he wore with honour.

“It’s just a positive thing all round,” Mr Robinson said. “The kids and parents take note of what’s happening when they are across the road at the shops.”

Neighbourhood Watch Combined Groups secretary Gordon Levenson said the program was a great way for various sections of the community to fight crime together.

.“There’s been a lot of break-and-enters into schools and bullying and abuse of school teachers,” Mr Levenson said.

“We don’t want to see the school burnt down or trashed.”

Uki Public and Banora Point High schools are the only two in the state to be involved in such a program. “It is our own initiative here in the northern rivers,” Mr Levenson said.

He said he was not advocating people take matters into their own hands.

“We encourage the community to report any suspicious activities and for kids to talk to their teachers, parents or the police.”