What Is a Neighbourhood Watch?
A Neighbourhood Watch is a method of developing close liaison between households in a community, the police and authority.
The Neighbourhood Watch scheme is based on the concept of good neighbours. It is a self-help Crime Prevention Programme aimed at reducing threats to you and your neighbour’s property. Deciding to organize or join a watch means you have made a positive commitment to act against crime in your community.
Neighbours are encouraged to join together to keep watch over each other’s property and to report suspicious people and occurrences to the police
It involves:
1: Neighbours getting together to know each other and working together in a programme of mutual assistance;
2: Residents are trained to recognize and report suspicious activities; and
3: Implementation of crime prevention techniques such as home security, Marking of Property, etc.
Each scheme is a community initiative, which is supported by the police but not run by them. Success depends on what the members make of the scheme, but Neighbourhood Watch gives people the chance to get to know and help each other better, particularly the more vulnerable.
