A schoolboy from Sunderland has earned praise from Home Secretary David Blunkett for his role as the UK's youngest Neighbourhood Watch leader.

Nikki Blenkinsopp, 12, helps neighbours to tackle crime and make the streets safer on his housing estate in Southwick, Sunderland.

He has 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.

Notebook and pen

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."

The St Aidan's RC School pupil has been deputy Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator in his street for the last two years.

When he goes out armed with a notebook, pen and a stack of Neighbourhood Watch badges, the youngster is on the lookout for wrongdoers.

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

"It makes me really angry when I see someone trying to break into a car, steal from a shop or daub graffiti on property because it ruins the community."

Nikki lives with his grandmother Maureen Blenkinsopp, aged 60.

She said: "He is a caring child and he just wants to do something to help."

'Community involvement'

Fellow Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Rosalind Copeland, who lives next door to Nikki's family, said: "He's a great lad, a real credit to his family and this area.

"He spends every spare minute helping me deliver leaflets and always keeps a lookout on the area. He loves getting involved in helping the community."

Chief Inspector John Brady, of Sunderland City Police, said: "We would love it if more people would get involved in fighting crime like Nikki.

"Neighbourhood Watch gets us results and can make your community a better place in which to live, work and visit."