Watchword
..
Neighbourhood Watch (posted 10 June 2009)
Southend Neighbourhood Watch is a voluntary community safety organisation designed to promote community spirit within the Borough. The idea is to improve community safety and reduce or prevent crime and anti-social behaviour by acting in a neighbourly manner by developing close liaison between households in a neighbourhood and the local police. It aims to help people protect themselves and their properties and to reduce the fear of crime by means of improved home security, greater vigilance, accurate reporting of suspicious incidents to the police and by fostering a community spirit.
Objectives of Neighbourhood Watch
- To prevent crime by improving security, increasing vigilance, creating and maintaining a caring community and reducing opportunities for crime by increasing crime prevention awareness.
- To assist the police in detecting crime by promoting effective communication and the prompt reporting of suspicious and criminal activity.
- To reduce the fear of crime by providing accurate information about risks and by promoting a sense of security and community spirit, particularly amongst the more vulnerable members of the community.
- To improve the quality of life for members
Contact us on southendnhw@aol.com or telephone (01702) 464199 if you would like to be part of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in your area. If there is an established scheme in your area we can put you in contact with the Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator. If there is no scheme in existence we can advise you and assist you to establish a scheme. Obviously, as the title suggests, Neighbourhood Watch relies on participation of the neighbours who live in area, whether this is a close, a road or a block flats.
Message in a Bottle scheme
Neighbourhoood Watch is also responsible for the supply of the Message in a Bottle scheme also known as the emergency information scheme. The Message in a Bottle scheme is aimed at older and vulnerable people living alone and has already proved a great success in the UK and further afield in countries such as Canada and Australia.
The “bottle" is a small plastic container, which is kept in the fridge and contains details of the person’s next of kin, medical condition, allergies, medication and doctor. This information can be easily found in an emergency and acts as a simple but effective lifesaver.
Inside each bottle there are two special stickers known to the emergency services. These are put up in the person’s house, one on the outside of the fridge door, the other inside their front door, but they can be easily found in an emergency. The door sticker should be located where it cannot be seen from outside
The scheme is fully supported by the Southend Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, Southend Police, Essex Fire and Rescue Service, and the Ambulance service.
For information about the Message in a Bottle Scheme contact Community Engagement Officer Mick Holland, Telephone 01702 464199 e-mail southendnhw@aol.com
Forthcoming Neighbourhood Watch Meetings
Bournes Green Neighbourhood Watch Association Tuesday 7 September 2010 small church hall, Holy Trinity, Southchurch Boulevard, commences 8 pm
Central Neighbourhood Watch Association TBA
Eastwood Neighbourhood Watch Association 6 September, 6 December all at Eastwood Community Centre, 7.30 pm
Prittlewell & Westborough Neighbourhood Watch Association Tuesday 10August, Committee Room 6, Southend Civic Centre
St Laurence Neighbourhood Watch Association
Shoebury Neighbourhood Watch Association inaugural meeting TBA
Southend Foreshore Watch Monday 5 July 2010 at Leigh Sailing Club, 8.15 pm
Southchurch Neighbourhood Watch Association inaugural meeting TBA
Thorpe Neighbourhood Watch Association inaugural meeting TBA
Westcliff and Leigh Neighbourhood Watch Association , MEETINGS SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE