About Neighbourhood Watch
Ethos
Neighbourhood Watch is one of the biggest and most successful crime prevention schemes ever. It is about
getting together with your neighbours to reduce local crime and disorder and make your neighbourhood a safe and better place to live, work and play.
Community spirit and good relations are principles at the heart of Neighbourhood Watch. Neighbourhood Watch
aims to bring local people closer together who share common goals; to tackle crime and disorder and to keep an eye on each other's property.
Purpose
The original function of Neighbourhood Watch, when it was established by the police in 1982, was to tackle household burglary.
This remains a primary function of Neighbourhood Watch, particularly in Bexley as burglary is one of Bexley Borough Police's four Strategic
Priorities for 2008. Nevertheless, Neighbourhood Watch is not only about crime prevention, it also aims to foster 'good neighbourliness'
and a strong community spirit.
Operational Structure
Each Watch covers one street and has one Street Coordinator and possibly a deputy.
Bexley is split into 21 wards and every six months the ward Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT), the NHW coordinators and
a representative of the NHW Management Committee meet to discuss solutions to problems found in their local area and
any concerns over crime and disorder. You will receive a letter informing you of the date of your ward meeting a few
weeks beforehand.
The NHW Office and Management Committee is also there to support your Watch's activities. The contact details for our office
can be found on the back page of the handbook.
Starting Up A Neighbourhood Watch
- Check if there is a scheme already running in your street by clicking on Watches, and if not
Contact Us and we will provide information on how to set up a scheme.
- Contact your neighbours to establish their interest, if so a meeting can be arranged to kick off your Neighbourhood Watch.
This initial meeting would normally be held in a local community hall or even a house in the street. This meeting
is run by members of the Neighbourhood Watch Management Committee, assisted by the local Police.
