Polite residents are making everyday greetings the latest weapon in the fight against crime.

The Meet and Greet scheme is challenging people to overcome their natural reserve and say hello, good morning and good evening to strangers in the street.

Two residents’ associations came up with the idea to increase community awareness after burglaries in Canbury doubled to six between July and August.

Police helped fund leaflets telling 1,500 local residents about the scheme, which aims to increase awareness of who lives nearby, before giving home security tips in Christmas week.

Glen Keywood, of the Brag residents’ association, said he received a mixed response during the first five days of the pilot, with half of people returning his greeting.

North Kingston Julian Williams, 49, assumed Mr Keywood was a politician when he first approached, but said he might now give greetings a go himself.

South African Peter Clark, 63, said: “I think it’s an excellent idea. I have people who live in Yorkshire and they are more likely to say hello to people than here.”

Courteous refuse collectors have also joined in, waving to locals and putting bins back in an identical position in all properties to stop would-be burglars guessing which homes are empty.

Nicola Duffey, of central Canbury neighbourhood watch, said: “It’s not the easiest of things to make yourself do, but it’s interesting the reaction you get.

“Most people do not know their neighbours. They have lived in the neighbourhood for x number of years and don’t know their neighbours.

“One elderly person said ‘you are the first person to say hello to me in the street for years’.

“The beautiful thing about this campaign is it’s very easy and cheap to roll out anywhere. It’s about igniting the passion in the community that people have for their streets.”

The scheme will be rolled out again during the Olympics, when residents fear empty homes could be targeted.

Canbury councillor Andrea Craig said: “It’s a fantastic idea. It’s a community-led thing, a result of their understanding there’s a pressure on resources and they want to help, take power and make a better community.”

Our man Martin George had a go at 'meeting and greeting'...

I may be the perfect Englishman - at least, I never talk to strangers on a train - so I thought I would make the perfect meet-and-greet guinea pig.

It took a bit of courage to approach the first stranger in Burton Road and offer a slightly nervous ‘hello’ as she approached, but the fact she replied gave me confidence, despite her tone of suspicion.

I had the odd knock back - a surly teenager in a hoodie studiously ignored me, mobile phones were used to avoid rather than facilitate communication - but most people seemed happy to return a cheerful ‘good morning’.

Soon I was marching towards people with a spring in my step - early eye contact, a smile on my face and a confident greeting: my victims’ responses started to mirror my more positive attitude.

By the time I reached the Co-op in Kings Road, I felt like a pro, and I left each brief encounter with a grin on my face.

Whether this scheme will cut burglary remains to be seen, but it will certainly help make Canbury a friendlier place.

Five tips for a successful meet and greet

* Say ‘good morning’ rather than ‘hello’
* Make early eye contact - you are not trying to ambush them
* If you are confident, they will be too
* Greet them with a smile
* Don’t scare them