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What is Neighbourhood Watch? How can I get involved?
Neighbourhood Watch is the largest voluntary crime prevention group in the country with over 10 million members. Neighbourhood Watch started in the UK in 1982, in Mollington in Cheshire, where residents found that since the start of the scheme the level of crime substantially reduced.
What Do Neighbourhood Watch Schemes Do?
It is a popular way for people of all ages and backgrounds to get involved in preventing crime in their community. Schemes usually start with people sharing crime prevention advice and activities, keeping an eye on each other's property, improving home security and building two-way communication with the police.
They are a deterrent and therefore help to reduce crime and make communities safer places to live.
What Do I Get out of being in a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme?
The chance to help tackle local issues which concern you; help improve the community in which you live and the quality of life for all its residents. You also have the opportunity to attend training sessions organised by Cambridgeshire County Neighbourhood Watch Executive Group run in conjunction with Cambridgeshire Police.
How Do I become Aware of Incidents?
If you have chosen to act as a scheme Co-ordinator, your Police Community Contact Officer will ensure you are made aware of urgent incidents by a Voice Mail communication or an e-mail. How you receive them is up to you. You may also receive newsletters informing you of crime trends in your area. If you are a member of a scheme, your co-ordinator should pass information on to you.
Have Neighbourhood Watch Schemes ever helped reduce crime?
Yes, it is a proven fact that in areas where Neighbourhood Watch Schemes are active, crime rates are lower; particularly vehicle crimes, house burglaries and garden shed thefts.
How Can I become involved?
Your Police Community Contact Officer will give you details on how to join an existing scheme or set up a new one if there isn't one in your area. Telephone 01480 456111, state where you live and ask to speak with your Police Community Contact Officer.
For further information:
www.neighbourhoodwatch.net |
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