Vandals target crime busting boy

Nikki Blenkinsopp has helped catch an arsonist

A Sunderland boy praised by the Home Office for becoming the UK's youngest Neighbourhood Watch leader has himself been targeted by criminals.

Home secretary David Blunkett said Nikki Blenkinsopp, 12, set "a good example" by mounting his own security patrols around his home.

But he fears he has been targeted himself, after a window was damaged in a neighbour's house, in the Southwick area.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said two men and a woman, aged 19, 20, and 30, have been arrested in connection with an attack.

Arrests were made after a window was broken

On Wednesday Nikki did not turn up for lessons at St Aidan's RC School in Ashbrook, Sunderland.

Alene Branton, who is the senior co-coordinator for Neighbourhood Watch in Sunderland, says she is angry at the "mindless minority" who are making life a nightmare for people in Southwick.

She said it is up to Nikki and his parents to decide whether he should continue with his anti-crime patrols.

She said: "Nikki must come first. He and his parents will have to think very carefully whether they want to remain involved.

"Sometimes publicity can have adverse effects. We are not responsible for what other people think.

Car thieves

"What Nikki did was very brave and echoes what we think about people standing up for what they believe in and standing up in court, should it be necessary."

Nikki has already helped catch an arsonist who set fire to an empty house and thieves who were breaking into cars near Sunderland's Stadium of Light football stadium.

He has also collected signatures for a petition calling for better street lighting.

Praising the youngster, a Home Office statement issued on behalf of Mr Blunkett said: "Local people have an important part to play in the fight against crime. It sounds as though Nikki is setting a very good example."

'Publicly spirited'

Earlier Nikki said: "I'm doing what's best for my neighbours, friends and family."

Chief Inspector John Brady of Northumbria Police said: "Where this was very distressing for those concerned, it passed and we took immediate and effective action.

"It appears to have happened after compliments were paid to a young man who...acts in a publicly-spirited manner by helping people in his area.

"Northumbria Police accept the contribution which Neighbour Watch schemes make to crime prevention.

"It's sad that others are not of the same opinion."