An innovative initiative to use politeness to combat a rise in burglaries is being backed by the Mayor of London.

Canbury residents were urged to put their reserve to one side and say hello to people in the street, to raise community awareness following a spate of domestic break-ins.

Now Boris Johnson has given the Meet and Greet campaign, organised by Canbury residents’ association Brag, a £1,000 grant that will help roll the scheme out to other wards and boroughs.

Nicola Duffey, of central Canbury Neighbourhood Watch, said: “The money was very exciting, and to get the recognition from high up that we were doing something good was a huge pat on the back.

“We are encouraging the community to become more aware and take ownership of an issue that is not going away.

“I am very pleased we started the campaign when we did, and I am very pleased with people’s reaction.”

She said organisers would survey residents to learn from the pilot scheme, which will be brought back for the Olympics.

The campaign was one of three to receive grants from the Mayor’s Team London funding scheme.

Mr Johnson said: “Often, it only takes small chunks of cash to provide a much-needed boost.

“Whether it is a street party, clean-up or lunch for the elderly, these projects are harnessing the tremendous community goodwill that exists in our city, getting people volunteering their time to improve the lives of others.”

Last month Kingston police revealed gangs of South American thieves were being flown into the country to target properties in the area, helping fuel a 30 per cent rise in burglaries.

Inspector Warwick Saunders of the Canbury safer neighbourhood team said: “We anticipate it will be a useful project, and we fully support it and the initiative to do this.

“We are going to monitor it for three months, and if it proves successful in reducing crime and antisocial behaviour we will look to expand it to other wards.”