Housing advice - crime and safety
Neighbourhood Watch
This community led initiative is an excellent method of
developing close liaison between households, the local police and
the local authority. Each scheme is a community initiative, which
is supported by the police.
The aim is to help people protect themselves and their
properties, to reduce the fear of crime and improve their local
environment by:
- Improved home security;
- Greater vigilance;
- Fostering a community spirit;
- Improving their environment.
What does Neighbourhood Watch involve?
Individual schemes all have different characteristics, depending
on the area in which they are situated and their objectives.
However most schemes have some things in common.
- Schemes are set up with the co-operation of individual police
divisions. Tayside Police, Western Division has Community
Crime Officers available to engage with Neighbourhood Watches.
- Schemes are run by their members through a co-ordinator and
supported by the police and in many areas by a local Neighbourhood
Watch association.
- Success depends on what the members make of a scheme.
Neighbourhood Watch gives people the chance to get to know and help
each other better, particularly the more vulnerable.
Anyone interested in forming a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in
their area, or would like further information of such a scheme,
should contact Association of Scottish Neighbourhood Watches
(AoSNW) on 01786 450145, email info@aosnw.co.uk or visit www.aosnw.co.uk.
