This week is National Neighbourhood Watch Week and a great opportunity to celebrate some of the great work being done by these volunteers on behalf of the community.

Warwickshire has around 5,000 Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) scheme co-ordinators that represent over 50,000 householders across the County.

Coordinators carry out local projects and help to keep members of their schemes aware of local crime issues. Warwickshire Police send out information by telephone, fax, and email or text messages to schemes by a computer based messaging system. In the last 12 months 806 such alerts have been sent out. Messages are also posted to The Warwickshire Safer Neighbourhood Teams web site: www.safer-neighbourhoods.co.uk

David Whitehouse, Head of Community Protection at Warwickshire Police said: “We really value the work of Neighbourhood Watch and their work with our Safer Neighbourhood Teams”.

If anyone is interested in finding out more about joining Neighbourhood Watch or joining a local scheme they should contact their local Safer Neighbourhood Team or email watch@warwickshire.police.uk

Local activities in North Warwickshire have included a crime prevention Roadshow visiting vulnerable people in five areas on the Fillongley beat. On Saturday 7th June 2008 the roadshow themed “Police and Neighbourhood watch - Crime prevention advice' took place.

Following a number of bogus distraction and burglary incidents, targeted against the vulnerable people, local Beat Officer PC Andy Hopkins launched the prevention initiative to improve the personal and premises security of the vulnerable residents. Many of the residents often feel isolated from community meetings and do not ask for help or assistance to protect themselves or their property.

With the help of NHW volunteers and Police Officers (PC King, Community Protection, PC Beaty and PC Smith a West Midlands Police Officer and NHW volunteer) the Roadshow visited residents offering crime reduction literature, smart water, stickers, alarms and other crime prevention devices. The aim being to reach those vulnerable people to relay the crime prevention message, provide crime prevention devices to prevent them from becoming a victim and reduce their fear of crime. 120 residents were spoken to. Many crime prevention items were supplied including 38 Smartwater property-marking kits and 76 mini alarm kits for sheds.

The event was a tremendous success and praised by residents who attended and their family members. They appreciated the time officers had taken to provide advice. A number of NHW co-ordinators have received enquiries about setting up other groups in surrounding areas.

PC Andy Hopkins said "We are keen to follow up on the success of this scheme and plan other follow up events on other areas, where NHW members can link up with PC’s and PCSO'S to spread this type of scheme. We have learned what worked well and how we could improve next time round."

Ron Potter the Chair of North Warwickshire Neighbourhood Watch was extremely enthusiastic about the Roadshow and said "A great day was had by all. The event was very well attended and enjoyed by those who came to see us. We plan to do other events like this as NHW have an important part to play in the community helping to provide help and support to those most vulnerable."

Neighbourhood Watch are also highlighting the importance of businesses in combating crime in communities. Over 5,000 businesses of various types are members of the scheme in Warwickshire. This includes commercial business, shops, public houses, hotels and rural businesses. Warwickshire Police are currently working with the National Farmers Union to promote membership of the rural watch scheme which currently has over 500 members. Peter Guillaume, Business Crime Prevention Manager for Warwickshire Police said: “These schemes are really important to keep businesses engaged in combatting crime. We get some very good feedback from members who value the information they receive”.

For further information on Business Watch: Peter Guillaume on tel. 01926 415181

This week also sees the launch of a Truck Watch scheme in the midlands. The scheme involves adjacent Police Forces, Warwickshire, West Midlands, West Mercia and Staffordshire and National Police lead TruckPol to combat road freight crime. The Midland Forces will share and circulate crime alert information to freight distributors.