Setting up a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

Click the link below to view a process flow chart for setting up a new Neighbourhood Watch Scheme:


How to set up a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

  • Email [email protected]
  • Speak to your neighbours to find out whether other neighbours are interested in forming a Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) scheme. A minimum of four (4) households are a suggested starting point.
  • Nominate a Local Co-ordinator for the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme who will act as a point of contact.


The Role of a Neighbourhood Watch Local Co-ordinator

In order for the scheme to be successful, it is important that the Local Co-ordinator is a motivated and enthusiastic individual, who will be willing to act as the main point of contact with the Police and other NHW members.  Whilst this need not be an onerous or time-consuming role, the individual must be prepared to volunteer enough of his/her time to ensure the scheme is properly organised and relevant information is shared amongst scheme members.  This may appear to be a lot of work, but sharing information could be done by something as simple as email / closed social media group. Obviously, it depends on the individual, but the role of the Co-ordinator can usually be completed in as little as half an hour per week. Alternatively, the scheme may decide to appoint a Deputy Co-ordinator who shares the workload. 

The Local Co-ordinator / Deputy will need to:

  • Act as main point of contact with the Police and the rest of the scheme
  • Encourage other members to be vigilant and contact the Police to report any suspicious behaviour
  • Pass information from the Police to other watch members
  • Keep a check on vulnerable residents and those that are away from home
  • Encourage members to implement crime prevention methods around the home


The Role of a Neighbourhood Watch Member

  • Be alert to any suspicious behaviour or activity in your local area
  • Report information to your local Co-ordinator and in serious cases to the Police
  • Monitor peoples homes whilst they are away
  • Implement basic crime prevention techniques
  • Support the scheme Co-ordinator in distributing information to the rest of the group

How to set up your Neighbourhood Watch Group

  1. Email your name, address and phone number to: [email protected]
     
  2. Your local police Neighbourhood Watch Officer will give you a call
     
  3. Talk to your neighbours, ask them if they are interested in joining the neighbourhood group
     
  4. Complete the registration with your Police Co-ordinator. You will then start to receive regular updates
     
  5. Once your group is registered you will receive:
    Window stickers - up to 2 per house, and
    Lamppost signs - up to 4 per group
     
  6. We’ll send you regular updates and crime prevention advice that you can pass on to neighbours
     
  7. By sharing crime prevention advice and looking out for each other. You can really help to reduce crime in your neighbourhood

Neighbourhood Watch #letsstayconnected

Page last reviewed July 2023