EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Neighbourhood Watch United Kingdom

Neighbourhood Watch United Kingdom

Introduction

Neighbourhood Watch is aimed at creating local communities working together to prevent crime, reduce the fear of crime and improve quality of life.

Problem

How can local crime be reduced?

Description

Neighbourhood Watch focuses on reducing local crime and establishing an active partnership with the police. The main element, therefore, is the active involvement of local people in the project.

The project has three central objectives:

to cut local crime and opportunities for crime;
to help and reassure those who live in the neighbourhood;
to encourage neighbourliness and closer communities.

Approach

People's awareness of local crime problems is raised by means of formulating Neighbourhood Watch schemes, targeted at specific local safety and security issues. A scheme is normally led by a volunteer co-ordinator and a committee meets regularly to plan which problems to tackle and what action to take. They keep in close touch with local police to share information and advice.

The umbrella organisation National Neighbourhood Watch Association, NNWA was established in 1995 and promotes, supports and represents the Neighbourhood Watch movement. It develops NNWA policy, programmes and best practice and aims at making Neighbourhood Watch a centre of excellence for community safety.

Results

Over 155,000 schemes operate throughout the United Kingdom, covering up to 25% of all households.
Neighbourhood Watch´s main success lies in bringing people together and creating a strong sense of community.

Contact info

National Neighbourhood Watch Association
Phone: +44 2077723348
info@nnwa.org.uk

Project start date

01/01/1980

Links

National Neighbourhood Watch Association Home Office Crime reduction

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Security & crime prevention > Tackling crime

Keywords

Enforcement & civil intervention