Community Watch Conference Success

A new concept in community-based policing activities has been further developed with the first annual Neighbourhood Watch conference being held.

The Northern Ireland Policing Board together with the NIO Community Safety Unit (CSU) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have held Northern Ireland's first such event to present the results of a recent survey into the effectiveness of the scheme.

The survey, published in December 2007, showed that Neighbourhood Watch Schemes could help people feel safer in their local neighbourhoods, with a greater sense of community and a perceived lower level of crime.

At the conference, Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators, CSP Co-ordinators, CSP Chairs, local PSNI and DPP Members examined the results of the survey and considered the recommendations on the future development of Neighbourhood Watch.

Speaking about the conference, Board Member and Chairman of the Board's Community Engagement Committee, Alex Maskey MLA said: "This research was commissioned because we wanted to find out more about what impact Neighbourhood Watch Schemes have in reducing crime, the fear of crime and how they improve relationships between local communities and the police.

"The research shows fairly clearly that Neighbourhood Watch makes a positive contribution to our communities - local people living in areas with Neighbourhood Watch Schemes said they felt their communities were safer and have lower levels of crime."

He commented that it is important that to use the information coming out of the research so that Neighbourhood Watch Schemes can continue to benefit communities.

"This conference gives everyone involved the chance to consider the research and apply it to the future development of Neighbourhood Watch," he said.

Tony Kavanagh from the NIO's Community Safety Unit reaffirmed the commitment of the NIO to the scheme, and said: "There are currently over 300 Neighbourhood Watch Schemes incorporating in excess of 30,000 households and this conference has provided the opportunity for discussion on the future development of Neighbourhood Watch.

"I am encouraged by the number of attendees who have participated in this event. It is important that members of the community continue to work in partnership with each other and the police to combat crime, anti-social behaviour and address the fear of crime because without them Neighbourhood Watch cannot be a success."

Speaking for the PSNI, Safety Superintendent Andy McQuiggan said: "The results from the research are extremely encouraging and can only have a positive impact on local communities. By working with local residents we have a great opportunity to help reduce crime and the fear of crime across Northern Ireland.

"Neighbourhood Watch Schemes are an important part of our Neighbourhood Policing Framework and we are keen to develop more schemes with our partners and neighbourhoods."

Neighbourhood Watch was launched in June 2004 and there are now 320 accredited schemes across Northern Ireland. It is a regional initiative which offers communities in Northern Ireland the opportunity to positively influence community safety in their areas and reduce crime, the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhoods.

The scheme is administered and funded by the Community Safety Unit in partnership with the PSNI and the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

(BMcC)