BEGINNERS GUIDE TO NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
In essence a watch scheme is the bringing together of responsible members of local communities in partnership with the police, to prevent and deter crime.
The first scheme was started in Mollington, a small
The effectiveness of the Watch concept is beyond doubt. Success stories, although anecdotal, abound. Watch schemes, however, do more than just reduce crime. They help to link communities, strengthen local ties with the police and foster an atmosphere of good neighbourliness and community spirit.
CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT
It is the co-operative effort of our Neighbourhood Watch members working with the police that is so important. Obviously our society cannot afford to have a police officer stationed on every street corner 24 hours a day. Consequently, much of the work done by police has to be responsive- they are not usually called until after the event.
This is where Neighbourhood Watch comes in. Neighbourhood Watch members are usually in a better position that police to notice unusual goings-on. Even the local beat officer is unlikely to spot the stranger in the street, but local people will, especially in one of the more active and established Neighbourhood Watch areas.
WHAT IS INVOLVED
In brief, to be a good neighbour. That means being alert to what is happening in the local area - and responding to it. It means keeping your eves open and taking a note of anything or anyone you feel is suspicious or out of the ordinary. You should report your observations to your local co-ordinator or to the police. Naturally, if you see an incident that requires immediate police action - DIAL 999
The sort of suspicious events that should be reported are:-
Strangers knocking at unanswered doors or peering through windows and vanishing around the back of the premises.
A person trying the door of a car which you know does not belong to them or trying several car doors.
Strangers who are loitering around childrens play areas or schools and approaching children.
Open windows in houses which you know or believe the occupier to be away.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
If you do spot a suspicious incident, it is important that you record accurate details of what happened along with description of the people involved and any vehicles that you saw at the scene. Write these details down as soon as possible and pass them to the local co-ordinator or to the police. Try to observe everything that you can - even the smallest details may be important.
DO NOT PUT YOURSELF AT RISK - NEVER TRY TO TO "HAVE A GO".
You may have heard of the Citizens Arrest and may be under the impression that, if you see an offence being committed, you are entitled to intervene and arrest the miscreant involved. This is not so. The law says that a member of the public can arrest - and if necessary use reasonable force to detain - any person who is in the act of committing an Arrestable Offence. Do you know what an Arrestable Offence is?
Arresting criminals is a matter for the police. Neighbourhood Watch will serve the cause of Crime Prevention far better by OBSERVING - RECORDING - REPORTING and putting the police officer into the right place at the right time.