Web : Wiltshire NHW

WHAT IS NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH?

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH has the biggest voluntary membership of any UK organisation, growing since the introduction of the first Scheme at Mollington, Cheshire in 1982 to the current total of over 165,000 Schemes covering up to 25% of all households.

Behind its success lies the simple fact that getting together with neighbours and working with the Police can help solve and deter local Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour and remove the fear and feelings of powerlessness they can engender.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEMES CAN

· Cut Crime and Disorder and the opportunities for them

· Help reassure those who live in fear of Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour

· Encourage neighbourliness and closer communities

HOW DOES THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SYSTEM WORK?

The system is based on Schemes which vary in size from just a few houses to whole estates: in Wiltshire the average size is around 15 households.

Basically, members simply agree to be alert to signs that criminal or anti-social behaviour is or might be taking place in their locality and to warn each other and the Police.

Many Schemes do more, meeting regularly to discuss issues and/or to learn about local crime trends and ways and means of combating them.

Local Police (in the form of Neighbourhood Policing Team representatives) will often attend: many produce regular NHW Newsletters on a monthly or quarterly basis which Scheme Co- ordinators circulate to members.

The Scheme Co- ordinators are members who have agreed to act as the contact point for their Scheme and usually determine, by their degree of enthusiasm, how active members are beyond the basic task of watching and reporting. It is hoped

- this is all voluntary, remember!

- that they would also seek to maintain membership in the face of changes in occupancy within their Scheme.

Wherever possible, NHW Schemes are grouped under Area Co-ordinators - covering on average 25 Schemes each in Swindon and just over 7 elsewhere in Wiltshire - who play a similar role with respect to Schemes as Scheme Co- ordinators do with respect to Scheme members.

The Police may liaise through Area or Scheme Co-ordinators, depending on the issues involved and other circumstances, relying on the voluntary NHW network to disseminate information as appropriate.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If you are interested in hearing more about Neighbourhood Watch or would like to set up a local Scheme or volunteer to be a Scheme or Area Co-ordinator where there’s a local vacancy please contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Alternatively, you can Email the W&SNHWA

Visit the Wiltshire Police website and fill in the online form - use this link:
How to join