Neighbourhood Watch
Neighbourhood Watch works by developing close links between households in a neighbourhood, the local police and the local authority.
It aims to help people protect themselves and their properties; to reduce crime and the fear of it by means of improved home security, greater vigilance, accurate reporting of suspicious incidents to the police and by fostering a community spirit.
Schemes are community-based projects run by residents. The borough currently has more than 330 roads covered by a neighbourhood watch scheme.
Groups can vary in size, depending on the area and what people want. They can target local concerns and take action to prevent them. Individual members can decide how active they want to be in the scheme. You can become a committee member or even co-ordinator of a group - or your part could be just keeping an eye on your neighbours' houses while they're away. Well-run schemes can have a big impact on local crime.
Schemes receive support and service from the police and the Welwyn Hatfield Community Safety Partnership and are a great way of building community relations. Also, by understanding what crimes most concern and affect local people the police can focus on these specific problems .
For more information on setting up a scheme, please contact the Hertfordshire Constabulary Welwyn Hatfield Watch Liaison Officer on 01707 638 735. Alternatively, you can email WGCHatfieldCSU@Herts.pnn.police.uk