MAKE YOUR COMMUNITY A SAFER PLACE
In addition to making your own home a safer and more secure place in which to live, you can also help to make your street or community a safer place for everyone who lives there by setting up a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.
Insurance industry statistics show that houses in active Neighbourhood Watch Schemes have a 1 in 350 chance of being burgled compared to the national average of 1 in 35. The local police are dedicated to increase the number of Schemes in our area as they value the help that they receive from members. (Please note that the averages are for the UK. But the point is that the schemes DO WORK)
The Neighbourhood Watch principle is not meant to be intrusive, quite the opposite; it is meant to be reciprocal and is at its most effective when neighbours are not available to safeguard their own property themselves. Get into the habit of letting your neighbour know when you are going to be away and where you can be contacted should any emergency arise. This will happen with your neighbour’s perception of any unusual activity associated with your property and will give you the peace of mind of knowing someone is keeping a weather eye on things for you whilst you are away.
Each neighbour benefits in turn and eliminates the lapses that might otherwise arise in
the security of their own property through absence. Whatever arrangement you come
to, do not be tempted to volunteer information about the comings and goings of your
neighbour or yourself to a total stranger. It is phrases like “it is no use knocking
there, they are out at work all day” that invites trouble.
The essence of neighbourly co-operation is knowing where to draw the line between
interfering and concern.