Neighbourhood Watch recruitment

With minor crime on the increase during these difficult economic times, the value of the Neighbourhood Watch organisation is becoming more obvious. Sadly, though, many people still do not take reasonable precautions to avoid being a victim of petty crime. Even minordamage can be expensive to repair, and whilst garden implements might not be perceived as particularly valuable it would be a greatnuisance to have to go out and replace them.

Most effective precautions are really very simple such as locking a garden shed, closing windows when away from home and notleaving tempting items on display. Remember: most crime is opportunistic. You can obtain useful advice on simple precautions by contacting the Crime Reduction Officer (CRO) who will be very happy to give advice and provide a wide range of leaflets. The CRO for the area is Alison Smith who can be contacted by:

Phone: 101

Email: Alison.Smith4@ThamesValley.pnn.police.uk

And wouldn't it be nice if a neighbour seeing something unusual happening on your property 'phoned the police? All too often people are too embarassed to interfere, but this simple action could save a lot of heartache for someone. Would you report unusual or suspicious activity? This isn't being a nosey busybody, it's looking after the community and its interests.

Neighbourhood Watch (NW) is simply a formal extension of this idea with superb backup from our Community Police with advice, leaflets and an annual meeting of all the Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators in the area. Do you know who your nearest NW Co-ordinator is? Would you like to be one? It's not at all onerous and all your questions can be answered by contacting the Neighbourhood Watch and Community Messaging Administrator, Carol Rudd:

Tel: 01235 556937 Email: carol.rudd@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk