What is the Welwyn Garden City Watch?

How does it work?

Information is a powerful tool.  The City Watch works by sharing data, which allows you to be more informed about known culprits and situations.  There are four key parts to the scheme:

Data Collection/Photograph Sharing

By being a City Watch member you will have access to information on known thieves and other individuals carrying out criminal activity in the area.  This includes photographs of persistent thieves and troublemakers.  Having these details means that criminals can no longer enjoy the anonymity and freedom to target businesses.  This allows you to be prepared to respond to potential situations as well as track their movements and share information back.

The Radio Link

Members can be linked together by a radio system and therefore can receive or give information instantly.  This allows members to broadcast details of any incidents (e.g. someone acting suspiciously or causing alarm) to other scheme members. 

The Radio Link can create an environment where:

• You no longer feel in isolation and can rely on the support from others when managing a ‘real time’ crime problem
• Staff are confident and prepared
• You can help in emergency situations or other minor incidents.

CCTV

CCTV can play a major part in crime prevention and detection.  Welwyn Garden City is expecting in the future to place cameras in areas that are currently not covered. 

Combined with ‘on the ground’ Radio Link information, CCTV can track criminals and assist the apprehension of offenders.

Exclusion Notices

The City Watch can issue notices against a person or persons who has committed crime against a business or whose behaviour within the area is unacceptable. The person then cannot enter any members’ premises for a specified period of time. 

In addition, the evidence collected by members could also be used to ultimately get Anti Social Behaviour Orders from the courts.