A FELTHAM man who returned from work to find four burglars ransacking his house has turned his bad experience into a community website.

Mike Foston, 45, of Cranleigh Road, has launched an online hub called Feltham West.info after his ordeal.

It is full of safety information and advice for Feltham West residents, and also lists police appeals for witnesses following crimes committed in the area.

The IT worker said: "My wife came home first and realised what was going on so she went around the back door, there were four people in and around the house. I got in a few minutes later and as I pulled out I saw them climbing through the front windows to get away.

"I went after them, I dived for one of them but ended up going straight through a neighbour's fence and he got away, I was left bloodied and with a ripped shirt. Although I felt really angry about it we were also really lucky because they didn't manage to take anything. It could have been a lot worse".

Mr Foston said he and his wife Sam, also 45 and a nanny, were very impressed with the help they received from the police after the incident on October 27, so decided to turn the experience into something positive.

He said: "I was left thinking I wanted to do more than join the neighbourhood watch, I wanted to do something to help people".

Mr Foston created the website, which is officially supported by the police, and has had more than 1,000 views since it went live in mid November.

If the model proves to be successful, it could be rolled out across the other six wards in Feltham.

Mr Foston develops and manages the site on a voluntary basis and spends up to eight hours a week writing for it and promoting the facility among the local community.

PC Nigel Treacy said: "He has done this, and manages it in his own time, with the help of one of the Pcso's on the safer neighbourhood team.

"It's mainly to spread crime prevention advice with people amongst other things. I think it’s a great story by somebody doing their bit against crime".

Detective sergeant Aine Collins said: "If anybody has any information around burglaries then they can contact the burglary squad at Brentford on 0208 247 5940".

Anyone wanting to see the site for themselves can visit www.felthamwest.info

What do you think? Should there be more websites run by members of the community for the community?

Let your Feltham journalist know by emailing jessicathompson@trinitysouth.co.uk