Harrogate & District Neighbourhood Watch Association

What is Neighbourhood Watch?
Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) is a countrywide voluntary organisation initially formed in the UK over 30 years ago to work with the police in order to reduce crime and the fear of crime. The successful early introduction of schemes in Mollington, Cheshire, led to a rapid expansion throughout the country.
Harrogate and District NHW has been in existence for over 20 years and now embraces over 900 schemes covering 505 sq. miles of North Yorkshire including Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Ripon, Pateley Bridge and the rural villages – a total of over 18,000 households.

Aims of Neighbourhood Watch:
Cut crime and the opportunities for crime.
Help and re-assure those who live in fear of crime. Encourage neighbourliness and community spirit.
Promptly report, to the police and neighbours, suspicious and criminal activity.
Improve home security and personal security
Increase and encourage vigilance.
Develop an effective working relationship with your local Safer Neighbourhood Police Teams and other agencies, such as Fire & Rescue.

Surveys about NHW:
Recently there has been extensive UK-wide research into the question “Does NHW impact positively on crime reduction?” Summarising the results of the survey:
NHW Schemes were found to be effective in 79% of cases when compared with similar areas without schemes.
NHW Schemes are generally highly valued by the public, who appreciate them not just for their impact on crime but also for the re-assurance they provide and for the ways in which they encourage greater community spirit and cohesion.
In another survey, when questioned, four out of five people who were not already in a NHW scheme indicated that they would join if there was one in their area.

How to set up a NHW Scheme:
Consult with your neighbours to see if they want to be involved.
Log on to the H&D NHW website on www.nwatchharrogate.org.uk for more information.
Contact H&D NHW on info@nwatchharrogate.org.uk and/or your local police Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) who will assist in the set up, explaining what is involved, the benefits to be gained, and help arrange a set- up meeting locally.
Schemes can be as small or as large as you wish.  They are usually influenced by the geography, small cul-de-sac or larger estate, a whole street or just a few houses.
A scheme is lead by a co-ordinator appointed at the set- up meeting. They help people work together and are the communicators between the police and the residents.
Co-ordinators are registered on the police ‘Ringmaster’ database, which is used as the communication link between the police, NHW and co-ordinators.  Messages can be received by e-mail (preferred), telephone or text for passing on to their neighbours
Identify the locations for the free NHW lamp-post signs – a deterrent to the potential criminal.

Benefits of being a NHW member:
The satisfaction of assisting the police in fighting crime and reducing the fear of crime.
Being the ‘eyes and ears’ of the police - No one knows the locality better than the residents and they can recognise and report suspicious incidents.
Identify and provide assistance to elderly and vulnerable neighbours.
Statistics suggest that areas with NHW schemes are significantly less likely to suffer from crime than those without.
It costs nothing to join a NHW scheme.
Discounts are often given by household insurance companies to members of a NHW scheme.

Harrogate & District and North Yorkshire Police are amongst the lowest crime areas in the country but we must not become complacent. Because we are considered to be living in a relatively wealthy area with major road access, there is growing cross-border crime; therefore the police welcome the reporting of suspicious incidents. Similarly, Harrogate and Knaresborough have been identified as ‘hot spots’ for doorstep crime and bogus callers. In rural areas there is a seasonal increase in poaching, often linked to other criminal activities. NHW aims to keep residents informed and aware of criminality and risks, and work with the police on finding solutions and minimising risks.

It is recognised that NHW and police colleagues will never totally eliminate crime but NHW can make an effective contribution in deterring such instances and through vigilance and reporting they can significantly improve detection rates.  If you are not a member of a NHW scheme at present or yours has become inactive, now is the time to give serious consideration to forming/refreshing one in your locality.

Remember: to prevent crime is everyone’s responsibility

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

To find out more about Neighbourhood Watch you can email us at info@nwatchharrogate.org.uk. You can also contact us through the Police Community Safety Officer during business hours on 01423 539347 or any member of your local Neighbourhood Policing Team.

To make contact with the police dial 999 in an emergency or 0845 6060 247 for all other calls.

TO PREVENT CRIME IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY.