Neighbourhood Watch

Citation

Orwin, T. (2000), "Neighbourhood Watch", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 30 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2000.01730faf.002

Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch

How did it all start?

Back in 1982, a small group of people who lived within the area policed by the Cheshire Constabulary decided that they could do something themselves to help reduce crime in their area. They felt that crime prevention was not the sole responsibility of the police and the council, but that they too had a responsibility, and so Neighbourhood Watch began. From those early beginnings it has grown to become a very large and successful organisation which is recognised nationally and internationally.

The aims and objectives are:

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  crime prevention;

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  crime detection;

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  reducing the fear of crime; and

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  improving community relationships.

Crime prevention

Scheme members are encouraged to identify their property.

Across the country, many police forces store a large amount of property which has been recovered as the result of a crime. Perhaps it was found to be in the possession of a known criminal or maybe it was just found. However it makes its way into the hands of the police, unless there is an identifying mark on the property, it is likely to stay with the police for some considerable time. Once marked with the postcode and house number it is easily identifiable and can be returned to its rightful owner. More importantly, the postcode provides the evidence that is needed to prove that the item is stolen. If "Joe Bloggs", the suspect burglar, is found to be in possession of a "Sony" television set with a postcode on it that is not his own, the evidence is there. If, however, the postcode is not there it then becomes extremely difficult to identify and therefore prove the offence. Postcoding helps to prevent crime as it deters the burglar and it helps to detect crime as it provides the necessary evidence.

To begin with, we look at the items that are often stolen during a house burglary; the TV set, the hi-fi, the camcorder, etc. Ultra-violet pens are the most common way of marking these items; they are simple to use and do not require any special equipment or skill. Writing on the back of the item, where it will not be in direct sunlight or be subjected to frequent cleaning, the postcode and house number are recorded.

Having marked the basic electrical goods, members are asked to mark items in the garage and garden shed, the lawn-mower and power tools, fishing and golf equipment and so on. They can be postcoded by using an etching tool or other permanent markers that are on the market. This may deface it but that does not usually matter with garden equipment and tools. These are all valuable items and yet when left in an insecure shed or one that is only secured with a cheap padlock, they are easily stolen.

As well as property marking, there are many other ways that scheme members are encouraged to help with crime prevention. Booklets on general crime prevention are available, there are leaflets on specific topics of crime prevention and the local officer is happy to visit properties to give advice on making it more secure. This would include advice on effective door and window locks, making arrangements when away so that the house looks lived in, the effective use of the TV and radio to give the appearance that the house is not empty, and the old classics, like telling the milkman and the postman so that milk is not left outside for a week and post does not build up at the door. Advice is also given on how plants can help or hinder. For example; a Pyrocantha makes an effective fence cover with the added bonus of having thorns to dissuade the trespasser. However, plants that grow too high can provide perfect cover for the burglar if in the wrong location. All this would be discussed with the local officer in order to reach a compromise. When looking at outhouses, garages and sheds, advice is given on alarm systems that work on the movement of the shed door. These can be obtained quite cheaply and yet can save a large amount of money, time and inconvenience if they prevent a burglary.

Crime detection

Neighbourhood Watch is part of a crime fighting partnership. It is no longer the sole responsibility of the police; other agencies have become part of this partnership and are working together to make a difference. Neighbourhood Watch members take on this responsibility, which means that they act on what they see or hear. This does not mean, necessarily, that they have to confront suspicious characters, but it does ask that they do something, depending on the individual circumstances. It may be enough to simply record details and pass them on to the local officer, or it may be necessary to phone the police there and then. Common sense also has to play a part.

To aid in the information exchange, Neighbourhood Watch schemes across the country are linked to police stations by various communication methods, where they receive "intelligence"-based information. This information helps to keep the scheme aware of the criminal activity in the area and so aid the scheme in its crime fighting activities.

Reducing the fear of crime/improving community relationships

Working together towards the prevention and detection of crime brings the community together and brings with it a feeling of security. The end result of a scheme that is working well to prevent and detect crime, is a neighbourhood that has a good community spirit and one where there is a strong sense of security.

Setting up a scheme

To set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, contact your local police station. The first step, which is usually carried out with help from the police, is to canvass the area where the scheme is to be set up in order to gauge the level of interest. Assuming that there is enough interest, a meeting is held in the local area where street members are invited to come along and listen to a local police officer and/or Neighbourhood Watch representative who explains what is involved. It is customary at these meetings for the police to show crime statistics and discuss local problems.

The people at the meeting decide whether or not to set up a scheme and, assuming that one is set up, they are issued with the Neighbourhood Watch door stickers, crime prevention leaflets, etc.

Regular contact between the police and the scheme co-ordinator (the person who has volunteered to run the scheme) helps to keep the scheme active. Crime information is passed to the co-ordinator whose responsibility it is to pass it on to his/her neighbours. Many regions have their own newsletter, which is produced by volunteers. It helps to keep the communication network alive and, of course, faxes and e-mail are also used.

In conclusion, Neighbourhood Watch works by bringing back the old fashioned values of community spirit, people talking to each other and to the police with information which to them may seem irrelevant, but to the police may just be the final piece needed for the jigsaw.

Neighbourhood Watch is about doing something to make the place where you live a better place to live in.

Toni OrwinWoman Police Officer Kettering