Neighbourhood Watch

A local neighbourhood watch is a group of like-minded neighbours getting together to help reduce crime and make their community safer.

The aims of Neighbourhood Watch are: 

·       To prevent crime by improving security, increasing vigilance and maintaining a caring community.

·       To assist the police in detecting crime by encouraging prompt reporting of criminal or suspicious activity.

·       To reduce undue fear of crime by providing accurate information about risks and by promoting a sense of security and community spirit.

·       To improve communication between police and the community.

How Neighbourhood Watch works 

·       Schemes are run by their members and led by a resident volunteer co-ordinator, whose job it is to get people working together and make sure things get done.

·       The co-ordinator liases with the police and acts as a voice for the community. Some schemes also have a committee that meets regularly to plan which problems to target and what actions to take.

·       Schemes are supported by the police, the local authority and their local Neighbourhood Watch associations.

·       Neighbourhood Watch schemes vary in size – they can be large, covering most of the houses on an estate, or they may involve just a few houses.

How to join or set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme

To find out about Neighbourhood Watch schemes in your area or to discuss setting up a new scheme, you should contact your local Neighbourhood Beat Manager (NBM) or Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) or call one of the contacts below:

Devon and Cornwall Community Watch Association Chair:

Julie Dowton

Tel: 01840 261351

E-Mail: juliedowton@btinternet.com

Force Active Communities Co-ordinator, NHW Lead & Support Officer:

Sandra Calvert

Tel: 01209 711156

E-Mail: Sandra.CALVERT@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk