PCSP promotes Neighbourhood Watch across Causeway Coast and Glens Borough

Mon, December 14, 2015

PCSP promotes Neighbourhood Watch across Causeway Coast and Glens Borough

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) held the first of its Neighbourhood Watch coordinator update meetings across the borough this week.

Meetings were carried out to give Neighbourhood Watch coordinators throughout the borough, an update on information and to promote Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

The coordinators act as a link between the community and local police. Their main role is to act as first point of contact for all members of the scheme and to receive and distribute information.

The scheme is a partnership between local communities, Police and PCSPs which aims to help people protect themselves and their property, reducing the fear of crime.

Neighbourhood Watch can make a real difference to people’s lives and has many benefits, including:

Providing a visible sign to others, that members of a community are looking out for each other.

• Offering regular, accessible and timely sharing of information with police and other relevant agencies to allow actions to be taken when problems arise.
• Building community spirit and confidence to deal collectively with problems.
• Providing opportunities to source relevant home security advice and information.
• Preventing crime and reducing fear of crime.
• Giving a better quality of life – enabling communities to feel safer.
• Sharing information on insurance companies which offer discounts to householders within a Neighbourhood Watch area.

Causeway Coast and Glens PCSP Chair, Councillor James McCorkell has welcomed the development and support provided to Neighbourhood Watch schemes across the borough.  At the first of the meetings, Councillor McCorkell stated;

“Neighbourhood Watch schemes bring great value to the local area and it is the PCSPs aim to encourage and support the further growth of such schemes. This is a very effective way of making a real difference aiming to reduce the levels of crime, and the fear of crime within local communities”.

Research has confirmed that the aims of the Neighbourhood Watch scheme is working, as 86% of people who live in a Neighbourhood Watch area expressed that they feel very or quite safe in their local community. Almost all schemes reported that crime and antisocial behaviour had decreased since the establishment of the scheme. (Neighbourhood Watch Evaluation Survey, July 2012)

To get involved in creating a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in your area or for more information, contact Causeway Coast and Glens PCSP at pcsp@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk or call Limavady on 028 777 60304, Coleraine on 028 7034 7031, Ballymoney on 028 2766 0254, Ballycastle on 028 2076 2225.

Alternatively, contact the Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) on non-emergency telephone number 101 or log ontowww.nidirect.gov.uk/neighbourhood-watch.

ENDS