Neighbourhood Watch

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Introduction

Neighbourhood Watch originated in the United States in Oakland in 1966, under the title 'Home Alert'. The scheme was co-ordinated by a police district commander and a civilian director. Participants were expected to attend regular meetings, display window stickers, mark their property and to act as the 'eyes and ears' of the police.

History

Some of the elements of Neighbourhood Watch can be found in England shortly after the Norman invasion, in the system of "watch and wards", which consisted of a watch of up to sixteen men. They would be stationed at the gate of every walled town between sunrise and sunset. The 'hue and cry', which was the obligation of residents to pursue criminals, and 'frankpledge', the collective responsibility among communities to prevent crime in their areas is also strongly reminiscent of Neighbourhood Watch.

Probably the first Neighbourhood Watch to be set up in this Country was in 1982, at Mollington in Cheshire.

Essex

There are currently 4,600 Watches throughout the county, and an estimated 10 million members throughout the UK.

The Community Safety Department of Essex Police has been working in partnership with Neighbourhood Watch for the past few years, assisting in the foundation of a County Association.

The Association has proved to be invaluable in restructuring Watches throughout the County, and also as a support and source of assistance.

The Association consists of nine representatives who are drawn from each of the divisions, plus an elected Chairman who meets with the Chief Constable on a regular basis. The Chairman also sits on the National Neighbourhood Watch Association. There is therefore, a means of passing communications from the top down and vice versa.
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The Community Safety Department has provided much assistance to the Association in several areas of work. The message in a bottle scheme, aimed at the elderly and vulnerable was launched recently, and a countywide NHW web site was launched in April 2001. This will link members to each other and permit the rapid exchange of information.