A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
In essence a watch scheme is the bringing together of responsible members
of local communities in partnership with the police, to prevent and deter crime. The first scheme
was started in Mollington, a small Cheshire village, in 1982. From
that one initiative schemes have
spread like wild fire to every corner of the country.
At the last count there were more than
115,000 watch schemes around the U.K.
There are many different names for these schemes - Neighbourhood Watch,
Village Watch, Home Watch, Community Watch etc., but whatever the
name they
all share the same goal, that of reducing crime and so improving the quality of life
for local inhabitants.
The effectiveness of the Watch concept is beyond doubt. Success stories,
although anecdotal, abound. Watch schemes, however, do more than just reduce crime.
They
help to link communities, strengthen local ties with the police and foster
an atmosphere of good neighbourliness and community spirit.
CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT
It is the co-operative effort of our Neighbourhood Watch members working with
the police that
is so important. Obviously our society cannot afford to have a police
officer stationed on every
street corner 24 hours a day. Consequently, much of the
work done by police has to be
responsive- they are not usually called until after the
event.
This is where Neighbourhood Watch comes in. Neighbourhood Watch members are usually in a
better position that police to notice unusual goings-on. Even the local
beat officer is unlikely to
spot the stranger in the street, but local people will,
especially in one of the more active and
established Neighbourhood Watch areas.
WHAT IS INVOLVED
In brief, to be a good neighbour. That means being alert to what is happening in
the local area
- and responding to it. It means keeping your eves open and taking a
note of anything or
anyone you feel is suspicious or out of the ordinary. You should
report your observations to
your local co-ordinator or to the police.
Naturally, if you
see an incident that requires immediate police action -
DIAL 999
The sort of suspicious events that should be reported are:-
Strangers knocking at unanswered doors or peering through windows and vanishing around
the back of the premises.
A person trying the door of a car which you know does not belong to them or trying
several car doors.
Strangers who are loitering around children’s play areas or schools and approaching children.
Open windows in houses which you know or believe the occupier to be away.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
If you do spot a suspicious incident, it is important that you record accurate details
of what happened along with description of the people involved and any vehicles that
you saw at the scene. Write these details down as soon as possible and pass them to
the local co-ordinator or to the police. Try to observe everything that you can - even
the smallest details may be important.
DO NOT PUT YOURSELF AT RISK - NEVER TRY TO "HAVE A GO".
You may have heard of the Citizens Arrest and may be under the impression that, if
you see an offence being committed, you are entitled to intervene and arrest the miscreant involved. This is not so. The law says that a member of the public can
arrest - and if necessary use reasonable force to detain - any person who is in the act
of committing an Arrestable Offence. Do you know what an Arrestable Offence is?
Arresting criminals is a matter for the police.
Neighbourhood Watch will serve the cause of Crime Prevention far better by
OBSERVING - RECORDING - REPORTING
and putting the police officer into the right place at the right time.
