Introducing… Neighbourhood Watch in the Chilterns

Neighbourhood Watch has been working hard to make itself more relevant to meet challenges of changing society, public services, crime types, communications and technology. So if neighbours behind twitching curtains is your impression of Neighbourhood Watch, then it’s time to look again!

National Refresh and Relaunch 2016-2018
Neighbourhood Watch in the Chilterns
Resources

Arguably, the need for Neighbourhood Watch is even greater than when the first UK Watch scheme was set up in 1982. Neighbourhood Watch was founded on the premise of bringing people together as neighbours and communities to help prevent crime. This resonates very strongly with Chiltern Community Forum, which exists to provide a platform for interaction between residents and neighbourhood policing, and to encourage residents and communities to work together to develop greater resilience.

Both of the Forum’s partners, Thames Valley Police and Chiltern & South Bucks Community Safety Team, work in partnership with Neighbourhood Watch.

Thames Valley Police Neighbourhood Watch web page

Chiltern District Council Neighbourhood Watch web page

National Refresh and Relaunch 2016-2018

In 2016, Neighbourhood Watch undertook a ‘brand refresh’, with an update to the iconic Neighbourhood Watch logo and brand. In 2017, it became a CIO – a Charitable Incorporated Organisation – and changed its name to the Neighbourhood Watch Network (NWN). And in 2018, it launched its new strategy, Into The Future – 2018-2021.

Boasting more than 2.3 million members, and with a brand recognised by 94% of people in England and Wales, there’s no doubting the power of the Neighbourhood Watch organisation. The overarching aim of the 3-Year Strategy is to build on these strengths, by:

1. Providing a great service to Neighbourhood Watch members – by supporting and developing existing schemes.
2. Growing the charity – by attracting new members and schemes and engaging them in Neighbourhood Watch campaigns.
3. Extending reach – by developing focused work to promote Neighbourhood Watch in areas of high crime, deprivation or need.

Each of these strategic aims is underpinned by specific objectives, which can be explored in detail here: Into The Future – 2018-2021. These are all designed to re-invigorate the charity into an even more relevant and more diverse organisation.

Neighbourhood Watch in the Chilterns

David Alder, Neighbourhood Watch Multi Scheme Administrator, Chiltern LPA, writes:

“We have a strong presence in the Chilterns area, but, faced with constant challenges, we need our coverage to be higher. We hope all those concerned for community security and general well-being will actively support our efforts.

There are three aspects to our local development strategy. Firstly, the simple concept of ‘either-siding’. A Scheme is good in itself, but all Schemes are stronger if surrounded by other Schemes on each side. So, all Coordinators and members have a vested interest in helping to encourage neighbouring roads to join in. It’s common sense.

Secondly, rather than leaving Coordinators to work in isolation from each other, we are encouraging them to meet up occasionally to share ideas and discuss local common issues. That’s just common sense too.

Thirdly, we are experimenting with adding extra information for Coordinators, so they can help neighbours more on a range of topics. This is particularly aimed at elderly and vulnerable residents, and works with the Street Associations concept launched by Bucks County Council. This is a significant step towards a more caring community. Again, just common sense.”

For queries on Neighbourhood Watch, please contact David Alder, Neighbourhood Watch MSA, Chiltern LPA, on chilternnhw@gmail.com or call him on 07795 412956.

Resources

In line with its objective to develop more relevant communications, Neighbourhood Watch Network has developed an excellent website, www.ourwatch.org.uk. We strongly recommend interested people to browse.

This includes a range of Toolkits, covering topics such as Scams and Older People, Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery, Child Sexual Exploitation, Burglary, and Loneliness and Vulnerability.

Its Knowledge Base includes information about joining a scheme, setting up a scheme and a whole range of other topics.

You can follow Neighbourhood Watch Network on Facebook and Twitter.

You can also sign up to receive Neighbourhood Watch Alerts and E-Newsletters.

Thames Valley Police Neighbourhood Watch web page

Chiltern District Council Neighbourhood Watch web page