The Havering Neighbourhood Watch Association

The First Step

If you are interested in setting up a scheme, the first step is to speak to your neighbours and find out if they are interested. The more residents there are who want to get involved, the more successful a scheme will be. But not everyone in a street or neighbourhood needs to join a scheme for it to work. It will work as long as there are enough residents to keep an eye out for each other’s properties without to large a gap between them and to liaise with you and the police.

Working with the Police

The closer the links with the police, the more effective a scheme will be, so we recommend you contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) to let them know you are interested in starting a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. You can find their details under safer neighbourhood police menu. They will talk to you about the role of NHW coordinator and help you to sign up members.

The Coordinator

Each scheme has a coordinator who acts as the key contact point for the scheme. They liaise with the Police, scheme members and the general public – for instance, people who are interested in joining the scheme – as well as non – member residents when necessary. A scheme may have more than one coordinator as long as members and police know who the key contacts are. The coordinator ensures a smooth flow of information and communication between the police and scheme members.

Size and coverage of your scheme

There are no hard and fast rules about the size of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. This can vary depending on the geography of the area. A good rule is to think about which houses can see each other, so that they can keep an eye open for any suspicious activity. But some schemes do not fit into this model, such as long straight roads, blocks of flats and rural areas where houses are widely spaced, so just choose what works best for you!

Organising the Launch

Decide the best venue to hold the launch, such as a local church hall, scout hall, school or in your street/home/garden. We have found the best time during the week is 7pm to 7.30pm allowing people time to get home from work, alternatively a weekend during the day may work better for your launch. With the help of your SNT they will help to arrange a mutual date and time for yourselves the police and the nhw association to attend to help launch your new neighbourhood watch. The invitations for the launch will be through the SNT they will help you deliver these for your launch. The event is covered by Public Liability Insurance arranged through the Neighbourhood Watch Association by the N/N/W.

The Launch

You will be supported at your launch by your local SNT and the neighbourhood watch association, a short talk will be given by the Police and NHW about NHW and then each member attending will be given a copy of the members guide which include a nhw window sticker to display at their front door. You will of course have an opportunity to speak to your local Police S.N.T and your newly appointed co/ordinator and also get to know your Neighbours.

After the Launch

Your SNT will pass the details of your newly formed NHW over to the Police Neighbourhood Watch Liason Office to register the Watch. Once registered the Havering Neighbourhood Watch Team will erect your NHW Street Signs and you will also receive your unique NHW number which allows members to have upto 10% off their house insurance. Once you are up and running you will find that you have a good working relationship with your local SNT whereby they send you information of interest to pass onto your NHW and you will also send them any concerns you have. This is something that will grow organically over time between yourself and your local SNT for mutual benefit. You can also ring the Havering Neighbourhood Watch at any time for any advice regarding your NHW or how to expand into other areas. Please see the relevant drop down menu’s for more information.