While Dubbo’s Eyewatch program was one of the first in New South Wales to be activated last year, one private group has surfaced on the social network site with a similar concept.

This came as the New South Wales Police Force gave talks on Facebook-targeted program Eyewatch at last week’s annual Commissioners Conference.

Dubbo-made Neighbour Hood has grown to 147 members since its creation last Monday, with updates on situations in the northern and eastern suburbs.

Eyewatch Project Manager Chief Inspector Josh Maxwell said in response that forces should be brought together.

“From a crime perspective, we would like to have them engage with us because it gives them the opportunity to be heard,” he said.

“Eyewatch on Facebook is the process of us bringing everyone together when we couldn’t previously.”

The Daily Liberal made contact with the creator of Neighbour Hood but did not receive a response.

Chief Inspector Maxwell informed interstate areas on the NSW initiative as part of larger discussions concerning police and social media.

“The groups affected by the floods actually increased, and within the western region Narromine has close to 100, they’re going gangbusters,” Chief Inspector Maxwell said.

Dubbo Eyewatch currently sits at 17 members, and anyone wanting to take part can go to the page and request to join the group.