Background

Neighbourhood Watch is a nation-wide, community-based, voluntary organisation, which aims to deter crime and improve security in a neighbourhood. It is supported by central government, local authorities and the police, who believe that it does help them to reduce crime and the fear of crime and to make communities safer. Most home insurance providers also ask if customers are members of a neighbourhood watch scheme and take account of membership in setting insurance rates.

History

About six years ago, Parish Councillor, Gillian Gibson, brought a group of volunteers together and they set up the Curry Rivel Neighbourhood Watch, which now covers large parts, though not all, of the village. The Parish Council continues to support the watch and has funded its modest administrative expenses.

Administration

The watch has divided the village into a number of sectors, each the responsibility of a neighbourhood watch co-ordinator. In each sector, a number of neighbourhood watch representatives have been appointed to take responsibility for those properties which they feel able to cover. The representatives receive neighbourhood watch messages from the police, either by e-mail or telephone, and, pass them, when relevant, to the occupiers of the properties for which they are responsible. Representatives may also receive information from their co-ordinator; and they inform the co-ordinator of any incident relevant to neighbourhood watch in the properties for which they are responsible, as well as making sure, if appropriate, that the police and other interested parties have been informed of the event.

Management

The Curry Rivel co-ordinators meet once a quarter, to review progress and plan future activities. The Police often attend these meetings, to give advice and information. The Parish Council is also represented at the meetings and the Councillor who attends reports on neighbourhood watch to each meeting of the Parish Council. Parish Council meetings are attended by a neighbourhood watch co-ordinator, in support of the Councillor. Curry Rivel co-ordinators have held one meeting with watches in neighbouring villages.

Future

The duties of neighbourhood watch representatives are not onerous and should not take more than a few minutes per month. The responsibilities of co-ordinators are not much more demanding. We need more representatives and co-ordinators if the watch is to be extended to the whole village. Anyone interested in helping to maintain this valuable service to the community should contact the current chairman of co-ordinators, Michael Cook, on 01458 253997.