The Neighbourhood Watch Concept

Neighbourhood Watch is a popular way for people of all ages to get involved in their community. It brings groups of local people together to address local crime and other community issues.

Wherever you live, you are part of a community. It may be large or small, in a town or in the country. It might be a housing estate, a rural village, a block of flats, a suburban road or a seaside resort. Unfortunately, regardless of its size, your community may be a likely target for the criminal.

It is easy to shrug 'it off and assume that it won't happen to you or that nothing can be done. In fact, a great deal can be done to prevent crime. But the police cannot do it alone. Each of us has a vital role to play by becoming actively involved in crime prevention. Residents of a community possess a very specialised knowledge of their Neighbourhood Watch even the local "beat bobby" may find hard to achieve. A police officer might not recognise someone in your garden as a stranger but your neighbour would. It is this kind of awareness and willingness to help that is the basis of Neighbourhood Watch.

By letting the police know of anything suspicious you see or hear, you are helping to reduce the opportunities for crime to occur. The more difficult it can be made for the criminal, the more likely it is that crime can be reduced.

Before going on holiday, many people ask their neighbours to keep an eye on their homes while they are away. But just consider how much more confident you would feel if you knew that you and your neighbours were looking after each other's homes throughout the year. This is what Neighbourhood Watch means. Going to work, going to the shops, out for an evening or away for a weekend - you would always be able to enjoy that sense of security and peace of mind because a Neighbourhood Watch scheme operates in your area.

Neighbourhood Watch is one of the biggest and most successful crime prevention initiatives ever. Behind it lies a simple idea, and a central value shared by millions of people around the country.

Getting together with your neighbours to take action can cut local crime.

Everyone knows that the police are there to fight crime, but they need your help to do an effective job. Neighbourhood Watch is all about an active partnership with the police. Neighbourhood Watch schemes can:

Neighbourhood Watch is not just about reducing burglary figures - it's about creating communities who care. It brings local people together and can make a real contribution to improving their lives. The activity of Watch members can foster a new community spirit and a belief in the community's ability to tackle problems. At the same you feel secure, knowing your neighbours are keeping an eye on your property. couple

There are other benefits to Neighbourhood Watch schemes too. You will become familiar with crime prevention ideas which will help keep your home and belongings safe. And the extra security which belonging to a Neighbourhood Watch scheme offers might even mean that you can get a premium discount from your insurance company.

The success of Neighbourhood Watch has led many schemes to extend their activities. They: