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Neighbourhood Watch

It is a fact that Neighbourhood Watch works, and is growing into one of the largest volunteer-run organisations in the country. NHW is the best known and most effective example of the community working together to prevent crime, reduce fear of crime and to improve the quality of life. Over 155000 NHW schemes operate throughout the UK. Here in Long Melford we have nine.

Each scheme is generally led by a volunteer co-ordinator whose job is to get people working together. Close contact is maintained with the local police to share information and advice. Being a NHW member has many practical advantages; for example you can feel more secure, knowing your neighbours are always keeping an eye on your property.

But Neighbourhood Watch is not only concerned with fighting crime. It is also about creating the community spirit experienced during the millenium celebrations. My own watch organised a very successful street party, and has plans afoot to do it all again in 2002 to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

The future of NHW looks very bright with the creation of a community portal called www.neighbourhoodwatch.net. Its aim is to take the NHW movement into the Internet age and to provide resources for a vast online community to fight crime. Here in Long Melford we can and do play a small part in this organisation.

There is also an on-line forum run by the Anglesey Neighbourhood Watch on behalf of all schemes across the country, at www.neighbourhoodwatchforum.com

Pauline Ansell
Southgate Gardens NHW Co-ordinator
01787 883354

page updated 19th October 2008