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The Edlington Safer Neighbourhood Team first trialled a pair earlier this year after they loaned them from a local Army regiment, but at nearly £3000 each their budget could not stretch to a permanent pair of Night Vision goggles.

That's where the local Residents Association and Neighbourhood Watch came in. They secured funding from three different sources; the idea was to give the police a pair they could keep.

Margaret Adamson from the local Tenants and Residents Association helped get the money.

"The minute we saw them, we thought 'we want these' – we were very selfish and thought we could do with these in our village."

The cash was brought in from bodies like A Better Community, The Edlington Community Organistation, and St Leger Homes. It was a surprise to Margaret and her team that they ended up with much more than then hoped for.

View through Night Vision goggles

"We're very pleased and we're so thankful that people have gone along with us on our whim that we want them – and we've actually ended up with three pairs!"

The sharp eyes of the law

The Night Vision goggles are on permanent loan to the Police in Edlington but they will be used all over the West of the town, shedding light onto crimes in Conisbrough, Cusworth and Sprotborough.

Sergeant Richard Vernon has been using them to great effect already.

The three pairs are getting regular use, especially down Edlington's dark alleyways. The backs of houses can be a magnet for crime.

"Criminals always favour dark areas and that is why we wanted these because it gives us the upper hand," says Sergeant Vernon. "The message I would send out is - don't think that because you can't see us, we're not watching you."

Seeing green

The green hue that you see looking down the lens is exactly what you see in the movies. It illuminates a pitch black alleyway so well you can even recognise faces. As well as the more hardened criminals, they're also being used to spot anti-social behaviour and environmental crimes.

People power

Maureen Tennison from Edlington’s Neighbourhood Watch says it is important the Police use them as much as possible.

"The back alleys are rat runs, it doesn't just cover crime, it covers fly-tipping and everything."

Many people would say the police should fund this equipment themselves, rather than relying on the community to do it for them. However, residents say it shows that they are not going to sit back and let criminals have it easy.

Sergeant Vernon knows he is lucky to have such a committed group in Edlington.

"They’re a fantastic aid. We're really grateful to the organisations that have helped us get this equipment."