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Neighbourhood Watch first began in America as a community based
initiative to combat crime and disorder in some neighbourhoods.
In the 1980's the first scheme in the United Kingdom came into
existence at Mollington in Cheshire . Members of the local community
had become concerned at the increase in crime and began a scheme in
partnership with the Police. It was then known as the Good Neighbour
Scheme. It rapidly became an effective deterrent and the crime rate
fell significantly.
Very quickly other towns,
villages and communities, as well as the Police and the Home Office,
recognised the benefits of such schemes, not only in reducing crime but
also as a means of developing and sustaining community spirit. In 1993
the decision was taken to change the name to Neighbourhood Watch thus
bringing into line all schemes throughout the country.
The ethos underlying
Neighbourhood Watch is support for the vulnerable in society and, in
particular, improving quality of life for all by reducing crime and the
fear of crime.
Each scheme is different, in
the way it is run, the area it serves, and the people who form it, but
all share that common aim of improving and sustaining the quality of
life in their community.
From that first scheme,
Neighbourhood Watch has spread throughout Britain so that today it is
the largest voluntary organisation in the country.
As Neighbourhood Watch has developed and grown local and national associations have come into existence.
The National Neighbourhood
Watch Association, with offices in London , is actively supported by
the Home Office. It provides a national voice for Neighbourhood Watch.
The Harrogate and District
Neighbourhood Watch Association was formed in 1990 as a registered
charity and covers the whole of our district including Harrogate ,
Ripon, Pateley Bridge , Knaresborough, Boroughbridge and all the
surrounding areas.
The Association is a
voluntary body whose main aim is to see that Neighbourhood Watch
Schemes operate in the most effective manner possible. It is not a
management body. Its role is to encourage the formation of new schemes
and to make existing schemes as effective as is practicable, both in a
crime prevention role and in community enrichment activities.
The Association organises
training sessions for Co-ordinators and their Deputies, holds an Annual
General Meeting and publishes a regular newsletter.
The Association's Executive
Committee meets regularly with the Police and District Council
Community Safety Officers and is represented on Harrogate &
District Safer Communities Partnership.
The Association also acts as
a co-ordinating body bringing together representatives from other
voluntary organisations and commerce.
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