Local Crime Reduction Inititatives

HELP REDUCE CRIME IN YOUR AREA BY SETTING UP OR

JOINING A HOME WATCH SCHEME

What is Home Watch?

Home Watch is a scheme that was originally brought from the USA in 1982 by the then Chief Constable of Cheshire and first tried out in the rural village of Mollington to help residents become more aware of their surroundings and the goings on in their street. By noticing unusual activity and reporting it to the Police, it was hoped, and has been proven, that theft from homes and businesses, along with car crime, can be significantly reduced.

The scheme immediately led to a reduction in crime and more criminals being arrested. As a result of this success, Home Watch has been introduced all over the country and taken up by countries all over the world.

Why do we need more

Home Watch groups in

South Manchester?

· Greater Manchester Police alone cannot fight crime, they need help from communities.

· Home Watch is an excellent way for local people to play an important part in helping GMP make their communities safer and reducing the fear of crime.

· It helps communities build up good relationships with local organisations, in particular the police.

· There are currently 178 active Home Watch groups in South Manchester, with others likely to be established. However, we need to cover the whole area, and there is no reason why we should not be able to achieve this aim. All we need is volunteers to co-ordinate the groups and get the schemes up and running.

How does Home Watch work?

· When a new group is established, the South Manchester Watch Scheme Administrator, will visit the group in a convenient home and describe how they can watch out for their neighbours and help make their communities a safer place to live.

· One member of the group will need to volunteer to be group co-ordinator - like a secretary to the group and act as the liaison point for the police and local agencies.

Co-ordinating a group is a very simple task and it takes very little time. Co-ordinators will be given full support and their basic duties will include:

- Encouraging local residents to fully take part in the scheme

- Circulating information received from police to residents and vice versa

- Organising and attending the local Home Watch Scheme meeting. This can be monthly or yearly, depending on the particular group

- Liaising with the local Watch Scheme Administrator

· Members of Home Watch schemes may also receive

cheaper home insurance.

· Each Home Watch area is marked by one or more signs, mainly a triangular sign with a Home Watch logo on it and the words 'Home Watch'. These signs are very well known to the criminal fraternity and act as a deterrent.

· The group will automatically be entered onto a Crime Ring System, which provides members with local crime information.

· Newsletters will also be distributed to Home Watch members along with other crime prevention information

and advice.

what next?

You need to discuss your ideas with your neighbours and see if there is a general interest in setting up a Home Watch scheme in your street. Then arrange a date for a Home Watch co-ordinator to come and see you all.

for further information click on the link below:

http://www.gmp.police.uk

and search for your local home watch scheme