What is Neighbourhood Watch ?
It
is a group of neighbours looking after each other’s
property and helping the Police in Crime Prevention and
Crime Reduction.
Burglary
in Tarleton is less than half the national average. According
to a survey carried out when compiling the “Village
Plan”, 86% of residents have never been a victim
of crime. However, it did show that some residents have
a significant fear of crime. Remember also a crime is
committed when we least expect it.
There
are now over 155,000 Neighbourhood Watch schemes in operation
throughout the UK involving an estimated 6 million households.
All of them make a positive contribution to crime prevention
and community safety.
We
have over a dozen schemes operating in Tarleton but would
like to extend the coverage to ensure everybody in the
village has the opportunity of joining one.
Why
should one join? What does it cost? What is involved?
The
purpose of being a member of a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme
ensures that you have the benefit of being part of a group
of neighbours who have made an effort in helping to prevent
crime in their area. You may also receive a reduction
on your home contents insurance.
All
it costs is you time to become a scheme member –
that is time to seek and receive advice on home security.
A Crime Prevention Officer will assess the security of
your home and suggest ways of improving it. The decision
to take the advice is up to you.
What
is involved? If you wish to start a scheme in your area
discuss it first with half a dozen or so of your neighbours.
If you are all in agreement then contact the Crime Prevention
Officer, Dianne Hignett, on 01695 566353 (direct line)
and leave the rest to her. On the other hand you may wish
to join an existing scheme – again contact Dianne
and she will arrange it, if possible, for you.
How
does it work? A Co-ordinator is appointed to be responsible
for each scheme. Their job is to ensure that the scheme
runs smoothly and acts as the contact with the Police.
Everybody in the scheme signs up to the Police’s
own “Ringmaster” system. When applicable,
a recorded message is sent out to all the Neighbourhood
Watch members that may be affected. You can receive this
message in any way you choose – telephone, fax or
e-mail.
Crime
reduction and crime prevention are most successful when
they involve everybody, not just the Police. You too can
be more involved.
RELATED
LINKS
POLICE & COMMUNITIES TOGETHER (PACT) WEBPAGE
