Neighbourhood Watch in Derbyshire

Neighbourhood Watch is the best known and most effective example of the Police and Community working together in partnership to prevent crime and build safer and stronger communities. There are now over six million households covered in the UK and within Derbyshire there are now 1,660 schemes registered covering approx. 114,000 houses.

The Derbyshire Neighbourhood Watch Association is the county body representing Neighbourhood Watch groups within Derbyshire. It serves as a best practice guide and seeks to assist local Neighbourhood Watch groups and schemes to reduce crime and disorder and promote safer communities. 

To set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme within your area contact your local Police Station or alternatively you can contact Sarah Jackson in the Community Safety Department at Headquarters on 01773 572221 or email sarah.jackson.3602@derbyshire.pnn.police.uk

Here are a few tips for setting up your Neighbourhood Watch scheme:

• Set your aims and objectives - decide what issues you want your Neighbourhood Watch to tackle. Each area has different issues to address. It might be bogus callers or car crime for example. You may also wish to undertake work to improve your local environment.
• Appoint the local coordinator - the coordinator of your Neighbourhood Watch is a key part of an effective scheme. Their role would include maintaining the scheme, working with other coordinators, the local police and the local authority.
• Neighbourhood Watch activities - once you have a coordinator in place and the support of the police, you can then undertake activities to ensure the scheme runs smoothly and efficiently. These would include supplying stickers and other crime prevention advice, circulating newsletters and encouraging members to report suspicious activities to the Police.  

Benefits of having a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

• Insurance statistics show that houses in active schemes have a one in 344 chance of being burgled compared to the national average of one in 35. If you put the correct locks on windows and doors your chances drop to one in 350. 
• Working together as a group helps to make your community a safer and friendlier place to live. 
• As a group you have a stronger voice. 
• It encourages people to be caring neighbours 
• It improves the communication between residents, the local authority and the Police.  

Useful Contacts

• Sarah Jackson - 01773 572221

• Derbyshire Police - 0345 123 33 33

• Crimestoppers - 0800 555 111