COMMUNITIES have been advised to “protect themselves or get robbed” by a neighbourhood watch member.

Ammar Hasanie, who lives in Clayhall, warned others across the borough to follow the example of fearful homeowners and patrol streets to deter would-be criminals.

The 47-year-old father is a member of Clayhall SOS, a neighbourhood watch team that has been running for 10 weeks. Members patrol streets on bike, foot and by car on a daily basis and keep in touch via Whatsapp groups.

He advises people in areas like South Woodford and Woodford Green to follow suit in light of recent robberies and assaults and bring neighbours closer together.

Mr Hasanie says: “People need to protect themselves or get robbed. South Woodford and Woodford Green are affluent areas and that’s where these people are targeting.

“We need to bring old community values back. Talk to your neighbours. There is a lot of harmony and people are uniting. I’ve lived in my road on Clayhall for 15 years and didn’t know my neighbours until now.

“We have got to be vigilant and do what we can to protect ourselves because no one else will. We have got to do something about it.”

Taxpayers felt they had to form the group to actively deter criminals.

Mr Hasanie says: “Being a resident of Redbridge and fearing for our lives made me want to start the group.

“We weren’t sleeping at night. To say we were petrified is an understatement. We thought we need to step in and do something, rather than watch from our windows.

“It’s not a matter of if but when we will get robbed and we are waiting our turn. We are not the Bronx but people are scared and putting their homes up for sale.

“We can’t leave the house anymore without double locking it. We have upgraded the alarms but you don’t feel safe in your own house.”

Mr Hasanie goes out twice a week on patrol but he dedicates a lot of time talking to police and councillors about the community’s concerns.

He says that patrols are having an effect, with people reporting number plates of those suspected of dealing drugs and suspicious activity of potential burglars.

However, the neighbourhood watch project has engulfed Mr Hasanie’s daily routine.

He says: “It’s taken over my life. I am not concentrating on work.”

Mr Hasanie rubbishes claims of vigilantism, saying Clayhall SOS members educate others rather than seek conflict.

The 47-year-old says: “Vigilantism is a false statement. We are not approaching them and not carrying baseball bats. Prevention is better than crime. We are raising awareness.”

Homeowners in Wanstead and Snaresbrook established a Whatsapp group in response to fears over burglaries. Like Clayhall SOS, members keep in touch via social media and patrol streets to prevent crime.

Mr Hasanie wants figures like Wes Streeting, Labour MP for Ilford North, and Cllr Jas Athwal, Labour leader of Redbridge Council, to back Clayhall SOS.

Cllr Athwal says: “I have had many interactions with Clayhall residents over the past few months at community meetings and on the doorstep.

“I fully support Ammar and his committed community team and I look forward to working with all the groups to clamp down on crime and protect our neighbourhoods.

“We can only do this if we work together.”