Crime Prevention and Community Safety Advice
From Constable Danny Godfrey - Community Safety Unit, East Kilbride
As told to Jay Effdee
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COMMUNITY ACTION AGAINST CRIME
Apropos section two in the current e-zine: The Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. Statistics show that, properly organised and managed, this type of scheme can, and has been seen to, significantly reduce crime. As individuals you have an important role to play in creating a safer local community. This is all about being a good neighbour and a responsible citizen. You know the area and the people in it who are most vulnerable. Become involved - do something positive. POPULAR There are over 150 Thousand such schemes throughout the country - all making a positive contribution , not only in helping reduce crime but in bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds. |
Example of 'Additional Activities'
A scheme operating within a large council estate in Lancashire encountered similar problems to those currently happening in Calderwood: Burglaries : Theft from Gardens : Strained relationships between the elderly and younger community members : Anti-Social Behaviour and so on. Simply by extending their Neighbourhood watch activities to include walking the neighbourhood. This has reduced the crime rate, but, and perhaps more important, has significantly reduced peoples' fear of crime. Their scheme used the following key points: 1. Follow police guidelines 2. Provide a visible presence 3. Establish specific times for 'walks' 4. Never walk alone 5. Establish and maintain contact with a 'home base' 6. Observe but DO NOT intervene 7. Keep Information sheets and forward to the police 8. Maintain regular contact with the police. |