18
Mar
2015
By Calvin at 16:14 GMT, 10 years ago
A good news story for crime prevention in Hertfordshire.....
During February the number of households signed up to Neighbourhood Watch in Hertfordshire topped 80,000.
Over the past year, Hertfordshire Constabulary working in partnership with HertsWatch, has achieved a greater than 20% increase in membership across the county, with more than 15,000 additional households coming on board.
Evidence suggests that crime tends to be lower in areas where Watch schemes operate. Scheme membership not only makes homes more secure and residents better informed but can also deter anti-social behaviour, reduce home insurance premiums and encourage a greater community spirit amongst residents.
Watch members receive regular updates in the form of Online Watch Link (OWL) messages from their local police. These may be about local crime trends, fraud alerts, crime prevention tips and safety advice. Often the messages contain appeals for the public to provide information to help solve local crimes, find missing people and report anti-social behaviour issues in their local area.
Watch members also have the opportunity to take part in online surveys and participate in online “Live Chat” meetings with their local policing team, enabling members to raise concerns and suggestions and have their say in helping to set local policing priorities.
Julie Lloyd, Community Safety Manager from the Crime Reduction Unit said: “Neighbourhood Watch is one of the biggest and most successful crime prevention initiatives ever. Now involving more than 80,000 households in Hertfordshire, it is based on the simple idea that you and your neighbours can help to reduce crime and create a safer and better place to live, work and play. By being a good neighbour you can help make your community more secure by looking out for your neighbours; keeping an eye on their homes when they are out; watching out for those who are elderly or vulnerable; and receiving and sharing crime prevention advice to help keep you and your neighbours safe and your homes and property secure.”
Chair of HertsWatch, Sue Thompson, said: “The Watch schemes in Hertfordshire provide an invaluable service to the Constabulary and we are keen to expand our membership even further so that every household in the county can enjoy the security offered to communities where scheme membership is high. The schemes are run by volunteer Watch coordinators in each area, so members can volunteer to take on as little or as much as they want to, whilst enjoying the sense of community and security that membership provides.”
If you would like to find a local Watch scheme in your area, please visit www.owl.co.uk and type in your postcode.
TCPW Comment This is great news for the county, but remember that membership of a Neighbourhood or Home Watch is just one part of a plan to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of crime. It is important to follow the guidance offered by the police and Watch co-ordinators and to ensure that your home is properly secured.
