HOME OFFICE News
Release (114/2008) issued by The Government News Network on 18 June 2008
Doorstep crime,
anti-social behaviour and engaging young people are the key areas
of focus for the second national Neighbourhood Watch Week. This
week Vernon Coaker launched a brand new Neighbourhood Watch
website and a volunteers' toolkit, jointly funded by the Home
Office and Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). The
toolkit is designed to provide support, training and guidance for
around four million UK households that are members of a
Neighbourhood Watch scheme.
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said:
"I have seen first hand that impressive results follow when
local people join together with the police and other partners to
fight crime. The Neighbourhood Watch movement plays an absolutely
crucial role in strengthening these local crime fighting
partnerships and I am delighted to offer my support as the week of
action gets underway.
"Whilst Neighbourhood Watch is thriving in some communities,
I want the website and online toolkit to help Neighbourhood Watch
members make their neighbourhoods feel safer everywhere. Everyone
involved deserves congratulations and I look forward to seeing
positive results over the next 12 months."
ACPO lead on Neighbourhood Watch Chief Constable Frank Whiteley
said: "Neighbourhood and Home Watch remains the largest
voluntary organisation in the country. It has a major role to play
in reducing crime, fear of crime and bringing communities closer together.
"Neighbourhood Watch week offers an ideal opportunity to
highlight the good work done by Neighbourhood Watch and to
encourage others to get involved in a practical way that will make
a difference to their local community."
The Chair of the Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network, Marion
Lewis, said: "Millions of households are part of
Neighbourhood and Home Watch. Schemes exist in cities, towns, and
villages across the country, and we know that three-quarters of
people who are not members would join a scheme if there was one
where they lived. We want to see Neighbourhood Watch spread to new
places and involve new people. Neighbourhood Watch Week provides
us with the opportunity to highlight the benefits and remind
people about the impact they can have on the safety of their own
street when they come together as neighbours. Further information
can now be found on the new national website : http://www.mynhw.co.uk."
As part of Neighbourhood Watch Week, which runs from 16-20 June,
local and regional meetings and events are taking place across
England and Wales. The events are designed to involve local people
in the movement's aims and to provide advice and guidance on
specific local issues.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Regional event details follow below:
* Blaenavon, North West Wales: Friday 20 June, 10am-3pm: A
multiple display with local police, Citizen's Advice Bureau
and Trading Standards. Contact Keith Sweetzer at
keith.r.s@ic24.net for more information.
* East Kent, Thanet: training sessions and workshops by
Neighbourhood Policing teams and community groups on beating
doorstep crime. Contact Watch Liaison Officer Terry McCormick on
01843 222 214 for more information.
* Ashford, Kent: 16-20 June: Daily presentations to different
Senior Citizen Groups on Nominated Neighbour and Help the Aged
Handy Van schemes.
* Dover, Kent: a multi-cultural day has been organised as part of
the Talk To Us Campaign.
2. The Neighbourhood Watch website can be found at http://www.mynhw.co.uk/.