Why don't you..?
Why don't you…get involved in Neighbourhood Watch?
Would you like to work together with others to make your neighbourhood a safer and better place in which to live, work and play? Woking Association of Neighbourhood Watches (WAN) is on the lookout for new Co-ordinators to help ensure Boroughwide coverage and you might be one of the people that could help to fulfil this important community role.
What is Neighbourhood Watch?
Neighbourhood Watch is one of the biggest and most successful crime prevention schemes ever. It relies on residents keeping their eyes and ears open and reporting any unusual or suspicious behaviour to the police for them to take the appropriate action.
What do Neighbourhood Watch Members do?
Members of Neighbourhood Watch Schemes work together to keep an eye on each other's properties and tackle any crime-related issues that arise in the neighbourhood. Some people opt to become Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators which can involve writing and distributing newsletters, welcoming new neighbours, hosting meetings and passing information from Surrey Police to Watch Members.
How many Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators are there in Woking?
At present, there are 244 Co-ordinators in Woking Borough. This is an impressive number, but both Surrey Police and the co-ordinating body, called Woking Association of Neighbourhood Watches, are keen to double this number in forthcoming months to ensure that all areas of the Borough are covered by Neighbourhood Watch.
What are the benefits of establishing or joining a Neighbourhood Watch Group?
Neighbourhood Watch Schemes help to minimise crime and disorder. Not only this, but they can build community spirit and good relations by bringing local people closer together.
As an individual, you can learn more about crime prevention and home security to help keep your home and belongings safe. You might also get a discount on your home insurance.
How can you get involved?
If you are keen to get involved with Neighbourhood Watch, please contact PC Tracy Spencer, Crime Reduction Advisor for Woking on 07967 988387 or
0845 125 2222 or email spencer3744@surrey.pnn.police.uk
You may also be interested to know that WAN now has its own page on the community website, Window on Woking that can be found at www.windowonwoking.org.uk/sites/wokingwatch
Comment from a Co-ordinator
Local lady, Ann Taylor, has been a Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator for over twenty years and her efforts earned her the title of Community Safety Volunteer of the Year Award 2006/2007. She was nominated for this award by police officers who were so impressed by her hard work and commitment that they felt she deserved formal recognition by the Surrey Police Authority.
Ann thoroughly enjoys her role in the community and believes that it is incredibly worthwhile: "Neighbourhood Watch encourages people to contact the police to make them aware of unusual or suspicious behaviour in the area, such as strangers cold calling households. Being part of a scheme isn't difficult - anyone with an interest in their area can do it - and it can bring people together and restore community spirit."
[Picture caption: Ann collecting her award from the Chief Constable of the day, Bob Quick.]
