Q.

 I've read the 'Step by Step Guide' to starting a Neighbourhood Watch Group and although I understand the process, I'm not sure that my area is ready for such a move. I don't want to make a fool of myself by distributing questionnaires only to find out that nobody is interested. What do you suggest?
A. In most cases, the initial idea to start a group originates through a casual conversation between friends concerned with crime and safety issues in the community. Before committing yourself to paper, you may find it beneficial to 'spread the word' through further conversations. In our experience, you are likely to find more support than you think! When you feel comfortable that there is some support for the idea, you can distribute the questionnaires (and you may well have recruited someone along the way to help you do so).
Q. Over the years, my area has become really run-down; kids create havoc in the street and a known drug dealer lives just up the road. There's no chance for us to start a group here is there?
A. Our experience tells us that in any residential community, the vast majority of people, young and old alike, are decent and honest. Those few who are not however, often make daily life unbearable for the rest of us.  In most cases, the majority of residents dislike the situation but feel powerless or afraid to do anything about it. Neighbourhood Watch is an ideal vehicle for bringing these like-minded people together in order to improve the quality of life for the community. Together, you CAN make a difference!

The difficulty you are likely to experience is in getting people to stand up and make those silent voices heard. Quiet chats with neighbours may well reveal that there are more people who think just like you, they may just have been waiting for someone else to make the first move.

Once you are confident that you have some support, if you decide to go ahead, we would recommend that you act quickly; there is safety in numbers and it is advisable to give the 'bad guys' as little time as possible to react before the group is launched. Neighbourhood Watch is entirely non-confrontational and we would not want anyone to become vulnerable. It may not be difficult to 'single out' an individual, but it is much harder to take on a group of 50 like-minded residents! In any event you should involve HANWaG and the Police at the earliest opportunity so that they are in position to give you the support you need.

If you still have reservations, we would be happy to put you in touch with one of our existing Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators who can share with you their experiences of setting up a group in similar circumstances. They can also tell you about how Neighbourhood Watch has changed their lives for the better.
Q. How much does it all cost?
A. There are really 2 types of costs:
a.  Initial Set-Up Costs
The initial set-up cost for a new group is typically £50, comprising £40 for 4 Neighbourhood Watch signs and £10 for Lifetime HANWaG membership. Clearly the cost will increase if more signs are required.
b. Running Costs
Running costs will vary from group to group but expenditure is likely to include newsletter production costs (if applicable), postage and telephone charges (for communication with the Police etc, and HANWaG Annual Membership (which includes third party liability insurance for Neighbourhood Watch signs). In most cases, a contribution of £2 - 3 per year from each household will adequately cover the cost of an active group. Households may well save more than this each year in home insurance premium reductions as a result of Neighbourhood Watch membership.
Q. Do we have to have Neighbourhood Watch Signs?
A. Neighbourhood Watch signs (and indeed Neighbourhood Watch window stickers) are evidence that a Group exists and that neighbours watch out for each other in that area. The signs form an integral part of an area's defence against criminal activity and we would suggest that there is little point in establishing a Group if potential criminals don't know it exists!
Q. I have a question that you haven't covered. Who can I ask?
A. Simply contact us and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have