Neighbourhood Watch
Neighbourhood Watch is one of the biggest and most successful
crime prevention schemes ever. It is based on simple ideas and
values that are shared by many people.
Neighbourhood Watch is not just about reducing crime – it is
about building community spirit and good relations. It brings local
people closer together with common goals; to tackle crime and
disorder and to keep an eye on each other's property.
'Getting together with your neighbours to reduce
local crime and disorder in the bid to make your neighbourhood a
safe and better place to live, work and play'
There are also other benefits of joining a Neighbourhood Watch
scheme. For example, you can learn more about crime prevention and
home security which will help keep your home and belongings safe.
You might also get a discount on your home insurance.
North Wales Police is committed to supporting the development of
schemes throughout North Wales and particularly in areas with
identified crime problems.
We will encourage the formation of associations, constituted to
support and develop Neighbourhood Watch schemes, and will work in
partnership with these voluntary associations to achieve their
objectives.
Our objectives in supporting and assisting Neighbourhood Watch
schemes are:
Enhanced community spirit and closer liaison between police and
public.
Heightened public awareness of the need for security.
Reduction in crime opportunities.
Reduction in the fear of crime.
Reduction in anti social behaviour
How does Neighbourhood Watch work?
There is no set structure for Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) schemes.
A scheme can be large, covering most of the houses on an estate, or
it might involve just a few houses. It depends on the area and what
the members want.
A scheme is generally led by a volunteer co-ordinator, whose job
it is to get residents together and ensures that things get done.
As well as the co-ordinator, there may be a small committee which
meets regularly to plan the activities that the scheme is going to
undertake. Members will be able to let the committee (or the
co-ordinator) know the issues that concern them most and suggest
ways to tackle these at regular meetings. By getting a picture of
local crime, for example by conducting a fear of crime survey, the
committee can then form an action plan to tackle the problems.
A scheme works effectively when there is a strong relationship
with the local police. The co-ordinator has an important role to
play in sharing information with the police about suspicious
activities in his/her neighbourhood such as bogus callers,
anti-social behaviour or vandalism. All Neighbourhood Watch schemes
should be registered with their local police.
Similarly, the police have a role in sharing information about
recent crimes in the neighbourhood so that members can stay
vigilant, and have the opportunity to take appropriate precautions
to avoid becoming victims themselves.
Setting up a scheme
Anybody in a neighbourhood, however large or small can set up a
scheme. The first step is to speak to your neighbours and find out
if they are interested in starting a scheme. The more residents
there are who want to get involved, the more successful a scheme
will be. But not everyone in a street or neighbourhood needs to
join a scheme for it to work. It will work as long as there are
enough residents to keep an eye out for each other's properties and
to liaise with the police.