What is Home Watch?

Home Watch (also known as Neighbourhood Watch) involves residents coming together to create safer communities in which to live. It operates through a network of district associations and schemes that:

• are run by residents and are supported by the police
• are set up using guidelines approved by Norfolk Constabular vary in size
• are maintained by a Co-ordinator and sometimes a small committee who manage the scheme and liaise with police and partners
• take steps to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour

 

Why is Home Watch necessary?

The police have a crucial role to play in preventing crimes occurring but they cannot succeed on their own. They rely on local people to share responsibility for tackling the problem.

This is where Home Watch members can help by telling the police promptly about any suspicious incidents. Action can then be taken to prevent a crime from occurring or even lead to the detection and possible prosecution of offenders.

Empowering residents in this manner can also do a great deal to reduce their vulnerability to crime and to reduce any undue fear of crime.

However, many people need advice and guidance on what to do. Home Watch offers a way for that information to be provided. All these activities are more likely to be effective if the community act together. Home Watch gives people an opportunity to get to know and help each other better.

Finally, the police and local communities need to be able to express their concerns and exchange information freely. Home Watch makes such communication easier and more effective.

 

What makes a scheme successful?

It is important that members are fully aware of the objectives of Home Watch and the part they are expected to play in achieving them. Members need to be informed about local problems to enable the appropriate action to be taken. Their commitment and active support is vital and that is likely to be more forthcoming, if the scheme tackles issues that are of real concern to them.

There needs to be regular communication with members about the scheme’s activities and, of course, the role of the Head Co-ordinator in managing the scheme is crucial. It has to be recognised that the scheme is a community initiative, which is supported by the police, but not run by them, so success depends on what the members make of it!

 

Setting up a scheme

If you would like to become a Home Watch Co-ordinator and set up a scheme where you live, then you can contact us in the following ways:

You will be provided with a pack that contains all you need to know about establishing a scheme. You will also receive information to give to your neighbours. Once you have this, you will be in a good position to talk to your neighbours to see if they are interested in setting up a scheme.

If sufficient households are willing to participate, all that remains is for you and your dedicated Norfolk Constabulary representative to organise a meeting with your interested neighbours. You will he able to discuss the advantages of belonging to a Home watch scheme and get answers to any questions the group may have.

 

What does Home Watch involve?

Scheme activities vary widely and are decided by the members. At its most basic level, membership involves being aware of what happens in your community, taking simple precautions to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime, being alert to anything suspicious and being prepared to take appropriate action.

More active schemes do much more than this. Their members organise awareness campaigns and practical projects.

This might involve action to make homes and cars more secure; marking property to make it less attractive to criminals; co-operating with neighbours to keep an eye on empty homes; and creating a community in which young people are diverted away from and not towards crime. Some purchase equipment, such as marking kits and time switches that are loaned to members

Street signs and window stickers are displayed in Home Watch areas. These serve as both a warning to unwelcome intruders and a reminder to local residents that a scheme is in operation. Most schemes have regular meetings and some produce a newsletter to keep members informed and involved.