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CELEBRATES NATIONAL NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH WEEK
RESIDENTS across Hertfordshire are being encouraged
to join in, sign up and celebrate Neighbourhood Watch
as part of National Neighbourhood Watch Week.
Events and activities will be happening across the
county to mark the week (June 14 – 20), which will
showcase the positive outcomes Neighbourhood Watch
can have and give people the opportunity to sign up
or create their own watch.
There will also be the chance to find out about some
of the other watches you can join, like Dog Watch
for dog walkers, Rural Watch for those who live in
rural areas, Farm Watch or Business Watch.
Hertfordshire Constabulary's Chief Constable Frank
Whiteley is the national lead for Neighbourhood Watch.
Neighbourhood Watch can cut crime, and the opportunities
for crime to happen, and encourage neighbourliness
and closer communities.
David Aylett, Neighbourhood Watch Project Officer
said: “This week is a perfect way to mark all the
work that is done by all those involved in Neighbourhood
Watch, from paid staff to the invaluable help we have
from our volunteers and residents.
“It is also a great way to find out more for anyone
who wants to get their communities involved or join
an existing watch.
“We're celebrating Neighbourhood Watch because it
is a brilliant tool in helping to keep the county
safe and is instrumental in passing vital information
to the police.
“There are some misconceptions about what Neighbourhood
Watch does and that it is about curtain twitching,
but it isn't. It's about communities working together,
and with the police, to help beat criminals and spread
messages of crime prevention advice.”
David continued: “The Neighbourhood Watch co ordinators
and I are really looking forward to this year's wide
variety of activities and would encourage everyone
to come along to their local events to see what Neighbourhood
Watch is all about. We hope to see you there and that
you will join as a watch member.”
In Hertfordshire there are over 8,200 Neighbourhood
Watch schemes and a further 400 plus other watch schemes.
The Neighbourhood Watch schemes cover some 45,000
homes across the county, which is estimated to be
some 150,000 people. The total number of houses signed
up for any watch scheme is just under 50,000.
Members across all schemes are kept up to date with
crime prevention messages, witness appeals and advice
by OWL (Online Watch Link). They are sent free messages
by phone, text messaging, fax and email. Anyone in
Hertfordshire can sign up to OWL, check to see if
you are in a Neighbourhood Watch or create one by
visiting www.owl.co.uk and clicking on the Watch Finder
link.
Tring became the first town in Hertfordshire during
2008 to have virtually every residential area covered
by a scheme. And Kings Langley in Dacorum has just
become the first Neighbourhood Watch Village because
they have similar scheme coverage.
Brenda Griffiths, Hertfordshire Police Authority Lead
Member for Neighbourhood Watch, said: “The work done
by all those involved in Neighbourhood Watch across
Hertfordshire plays a tremendous part in reducing
crime in our towns and villages.
“We are indebted to all those involved and I am pleased
that a week like this publicises that very important
work. I would just like to encourage anyone who is
not involved in a Neighbourhood Watch scheme where
they live to sign up and get involved so we can have
even more impact together.”
For a full breakdown of events in your area and to
find out who your watch liaison officer is, please
see the related article in the Now in Herts section
of our website.
June 2010
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