Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch schemes were introduced in 1983 and the setting up of such schemes can have a substantial effect on reducing crime in the local area.

It enables local people to help reduce crime, help with solving crime by reporting anything suspicious as well as fusing links between people living in the community. The Metropolitan Police consider that this has been one of the most successful innovations in combating crime introduced in recent years.

Where To Get Information
Your local police Station is the first point of contact to obtain information if you wish to set up a scheme. The Crime Prevention Officer can give guidance and the beat officer will give day to day guidance, advice, liase with the Street Co-ordinator and obtain meetings. The local police station will have Neighbourhood Watch stickers for you.

What does it do
Neighbourhood Watch involves people working together to notify the police of anything suspicious, vandalism, suspect vehicles. It is organised on a group basis - each group having its own defined area to watch.

An area co-ordinator is appointed by the members and it is that persons responsibility to liase with the individual street co-ordinators also appointed by the members. The area co-ordinator will call meetings with the street co-ordinators, arrange for advice and talks from the police and generally give guidance. The street co-ordinators will keep in touch with their members, help with property marking, maintaining records of members, distributing regular newsletters and providing encouragement and support.

It is not part of the members' duties to patrol the street.

The police will make themselves available to give members advice on security in the home, property marking and the latest crime prevention initiatives.

In Sutton there is a thriving and successful network of Neighbourhood Watch schemes. Regular newsletters are sent to members and there are regular ward meetings which everyone is invited to attend.

Neighourbood watch has recently undergone considerable publicity as more areas are being encouraged to set up schemes. The scheme is being re-launched under its new Meercats logo.