WSNHWA

Neighbourhood Watch Roles image The following lists the basic tasks which Coordinators, at various points in the NHW network, are asked to address.

As with any voluntary undertaking, while there is a minimum which is required if the system is to function at all, no-one should feel under any pressure to do more than this.

However, many co-ordinators want, and are able, to do more so some additional possibilities are listed below the basic roles to illustrate what else could be done if desired.

The Scheme Co-ordinator

Is the foundation of the NHW network and acts as the focal point for the 12 -15 households in the Scheme.

The basic tasks asked of them are as follows:-

Keep an up-to-date list of their members contact details and inform their Area Co-ordinator (AC)

Pass on information e.g. NHW Newsletters and warnings about crime to their members

Pass on any ideas, comments or concerns from their members to their AC or NPT if no AC in post.

Register as a member of the W&SNHW Association (where there is no AC to represent the Scheme) to facilitate communication and obtain Public Liability Insurance cover for Scheme members

Additional Possibilities Ideas for other tasks - to be undertaken at the volunteer's discretion - include:

Scheme Co-ordinator Additional Possibilities

Welcome new neighbours and offer them an opportunity to join the Scheme

Encourage more households to join the Scheme or set up one of their own

Maintain the Scheme's NHW signs

Maintain regular contact with members to find out about their concerns etc

Keep members interested and informed for example by generating and distributing a local newsletter and other publications. The NPT will help by providing relevant information.

Ensure that all members have current NHW and crime prevention literature

Develop an effective means of internal communication for gathering and disseminating information, ideally using a cascade system based on telephone or personal contact (NB. E- mail can be used without the need for a cascade approach).

Maintain contact with the local NPT and the NHW AC, passing on any information they receive as soon as possible.

Encourage others to record details of and report incidents/suspicious events. Set up 'Call a Friend' schemes (groups of local neighbours who keep a particular eye out for a vulnerable household)

Look after neighbours, especially the vulnerable Encourage members to secure their homes effectively against burglary and theft

Encourage neighbours to let others know when they are away and advise about how to make homes look lived-in at all times

Encourage members to note the serial numbers of their electrical items and security mark their property using the post-coding system.

Monitor and evaluate the Scheme's achievements and reporting these back to the community.

Area Co- ordinator

The Area Co-ordinator is the next level in the NHW network and acts as the focal point for around 8 to 10 Schemes.

Their existence really makes a difference in the ability of the Police and the NHW Association to communicate efficiently with all NHW members.

Without them, County-wide NHW communications would have to go direct to all 3000+ Scheme Co-ordinators (SCs). The basic tasks asked of ACs are as follows:-

Keep an up-to-date list of their SC's contact details and inform their NPT of any changes

Pass on information e.g. NHW Newsletters and warnings about crime to their SCs

Pass on any ideas, comments or concerns from their SCs to the NPT and/or CAC as appropriate.

Ensure registration as a member of the W&SNHW Association to facilitate communication and obtain Public Liability Insurance cover for Scheme members when on NHW business

These tasks will be facilitated by the ACs attendance at meetings.

Area Co-ordinator Additional Possibilities

Arrange regular meetings of their Scheme Co-ordinators

Help to find new or replacement Scheme Co-ordinators

Keep abreast of local crime, filter information and pass it to the NPT

Provide support to help their Scheme Co- ordinators develop & implement their ideas Attend meetings as appropriate

Liase with neighbouring Area Co- ordinators

Develop an effective means of communication for gathering and disseminating information

Ideally using a cascade system based on telephone or personal contact (NB. E- mail can be used without the need for a cascade approach).

Represent Schemes at e.g. local Police forums/briefings and in the Association

This page updated Nov 2011

Community Area Co- ordinator

The Community Area Co-ordinator (CAC) acts as the focal point for around 15 or more NHW Areas across, for example, a market town and its surrounding villages.

Their existence really makes a difference in the ability of the Police and the W&SNHW Association to communicate efficiently with all NHW members.

The basic tasks asked of CACs are as follows:-

Keep an up-to-date list of their Area Coordinators' (AC's) contact details and inform the NPT of any changes

Pass on information e.g. NHW/NPT Newsletters and warnings about crime to their ACs, also any ideas, comments or concerns from their ACs to Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT)

Take an active interest in W&SNHW Association matters

Arrange regular meetings with Area Co- ordinators & invite NPT to attend.

These tasks will also benefit from the CACs attendance at meetings organised by the WSNHW Association.

Liase with neighbouring Community Area Co-ordinators

Ensure that every Scheme is registered - directky or through ACs - as a member of the W&SNHW Association to facilitate communication and obtain Public Liability Insurance cover for Scheme members when on NHW business