Crime - Neighbourhood watch
Neighbourhood Watch schemes are a way for local people to get together and to help with regards to community safety issues and make their neighbourhood a safer place. They can vary in size, depending on the area and the problems which they need to address.
Neighbourhood Watch schemes often begin with people sharing crime prevention advice, keeping an eye on each other’s properties, and learning to communicate effectively with the police.
Individual schemes all over the country can point to reductions in crimes such as domestic break-ins in their area, or other important benefits such as a reduced fear of crime and improved community spirit.
The following information will be of use if you wish to establish a local Neighbourhood Watch.
In order to establish a NHW all that is required is;
One willing volunteer to be a conduit for information of benefit to the residents in the area, or to the authorities regarding concerns. (Coordinator)
A handful of neighbours who would like to participate in NHW.
A watch has then been established.
The NHW members require to do nothing, other than be aware of community safety issues in the area. The members will receive information regarding crime and other matters in their area, and will also have the ability to communicate to either the Police or East Renfrewshire Council any concerns that they have.
The Coordinator’s role is to keep the members informed, in whatever manner or frequency that the coordinator decides. What we have found is that 98% of our coordinators are on email, which means that all Crime Alerts issued by the Police or Trading Standards go out within 24 hours of the crime happening. The coordinator would then forward this email to their members, if someone was not on email and it was relevant a note could be dropped through the door.
We also provide an information input for coordinators and any other person assisting, one hour sessions every six weeks. These can be taken up in there entirety or dipped in and out as modules. However it must be emphasised that these are not compulsory, and are offered like everything else in NHW free of charge.
At present NHW covers the entire length and breadth of East Renfrewshire and we currently have 80 coordinators, with in excess of 6200 members. We also have places of worship and businesses as members, as they are at the heart of the community.
We are in partnership with East Renfrewshire Council, Strathclyde Fire & Rescue, Strathclyde Police and East Renfrewshire Chamber of Trade and Commerce.
If you are a member of a NHW, most insurance companies offer a 10% reduction in your household insurance.
For further information on the East Renfrewshire Neighbourhood Watch Association call the Community Policing Department at Giffnock Police Office on 0141 532 5770 or visit the East Refrewshire Neighbourhood Watch website.