Gardinia Windows is now supporting Neighbourhood Watch Schemes in the Huddersfield area.

The UK’s first Neighbourhood Watch was set up in Mollington in Cheshire in 1982 following the success of a similar scheme in Chicago in the United States. Many more schemes followed throughout the UK.

Now 10 million people are now claimed to be members. The neighbourhood watch schemes covers many aspects of criminal behaviour.

Objectives of Neighbourhood Watch:

• To prevent crime by improving security, increasing vigilance, creating and maintaining a caring community and reducing opportunities for crime by increasing crime prevention awareness.
• To assist the police in detecting crime by promoting effective communication and the prompt reporting of suspicious and criminal activity.
• To reduce undue fear of crime by providing accurate information about risks and by promoting a sense of security and community spirit, particularly amongst the more vulnerable members of the community.
• To improve police/community liaison by providing effective communications through Neighbourhood Watch messaging systems which warn Co-ordinators of local crime trends which they can disseminate to their scheme members, and by members informing the police of incidents when they occur.

Schemes:

Neighbourhood Watch schemes are run by their members through a Co-ordinator and are supported by the Police and in many Divisions, a local Neighbourhood Watch Association.

Schemes can vary in size. A volunteer resident Co-ordinator supervises the scheme and liaises with the Police, they receive information and messages to keep them in touch with activities, and some have marker kits, alarms and other security items, which are available to members. It must be recognised that the scheme is a community initiative, which is supported by the police, not run by them, so success depends on what the members make of it.

The Police can’t deal with the problems and issues arising from crime and anti-social behaviour alone; they need the help of the whole community. Neighbourhood Watch provides a way for local people to play an important part in addressing this balance and making their communities safer.

The Co-ordinator:

An alternate design to the Neighbourhood Watch sign.

The role of a Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator is to set up and maintain a Neighbourhood Watch scheme within a specific street, neighbourhood or area. They will need to be in contact with the crime prevention co-ordinator at their nearest police station who will help clarify what is involved and the initial steps to take. Whilst each crime prevention co-ordinator may develop specific procedures, the following are suggested as the main duties which co-ordinators will need to manage.

• Encourage vigilance amongst scheme members and actively encourage the early reporting of suspicious incidents to the police.
• Receive crime information from the Neighbourhood Watch messaging system and distribute these messages to scheme members.
• Encourage scheme members to be aware of and put into practice crime prevention measures, such as property marking and security devices.
• Keep a check on vulnerable households and provide advice to members about dealing with callers at the door.
• Circulate newsletters and other relevant information to scheme members.
• Welcome newcomers to the neighbourhood and invite them to be part of the scheme.
• Supply each scheme member with Neighbourhood Watch and crime prevention literature, such as Neighbourhood Watch window stickers and incident report cards.

These are the main tasks which would be expected of a co-ordinator, tasks will vary according to the needs of each individual neighbourhood.

Ward & Area Co-ordinators:

Some larger communities will also appoint Area and/or Ward Co-ordinators forming a hierarchy who sit above other co-ordinators. The roles of the Ward and Area co-ordinators are not necessarily authoritative (may vary around the country), but they provide structure and cohesion for larger and more active watch schemes. These are typically more active roles to assist the other co-ordinators, organising co-ordinator meetings and neighbourhood meetings as well as being an extra link to the local Police. Like all other co-ordinators these roles are completely voluntary and therefore unpaid.

Most of these senior roles are taken by people who are in their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Although they bring experience and maturity to Neighbourhood Watch some may identify it as a weakness as there is a lack of participation from younger generations.

The UK Neighbourhood Watch Trust:

The UK Neighbourhood Watch Trust was established in 2006 to promote secure, confident communities through its website Click here. The site includes news, views, resources and forums, as well as a facility to search for your nearest Neighbourhood Watch group. If you register you group’s details on the site, you can create and edit a Group Home Page for your group or association.

More information on Neighbourhood Watch Schemes can be found on the West Yorkshire Police Website.