Neighbourhood Watch

 

www.londonyard.com

Neighbourhood Watch - FAQs

Here it is at last.  Neighborhood Watch.  An up front, positive information distribution and crime prevention service.    Cast your eye over these topics for the low down on the scheme.

 


 
Who runs the scheme?
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The scheme is run by these people.  
Local Coordinator: 
Ann Wightmore

42 Vermeer Court

Rembrandt Close

London E14 3XA

 

Tel : 
Fax : 
Email : watch@londonyard.com 
Web : www.londonyard.com
Metropolitan Police Co-ordinator
Mr. Brian Mitchell
Bethnal Green Police Station,
12 Victoria Park Square,
Bethnal Green,
London,
E2 9NZ
Tel : +44 (0)20 8217 4174
Email : 
Web : http://www.met.police.uk

 

What are the aims of the scheme?
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  • To be the flagship of Neighbourhood Watch schemes in the Isle of Dogs by forming close partnerships with the Metropolitan Police, other Neighbourhood Watch schemes, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and local residents.  
  • To build a better quality of life by reducing crime and fear while increasing safety.
  • To always respect the rights and privacy of individuals.
  • To place the emphasis on modern internet technology to deliver information of all sorts. 
  • To mailshot crime prevention information leaflets on a quarterly basis and provide regular updates.
  • To provide the police and other watches with the "best-of-breed" support, technical assistance and excellence in distributing information that may effect or be useful to the residents or police in scheme areas.
 
Why do we need Neighbourhood Watch anyway?
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Neighbourhood Watch was formed because of the increase in crime locally, particularly muggings and stabbings along with anti-social behaviour problems.  The Isle of Dogs, by comparison with other boroughs is relatively crime free, however, there are issues that need addressing and this is what Neighbourhood Watch aims to do.  
Neighbourhood Watch is about protecting our homes by taking adequate precautions to deter would be thieves and by watching out for each other.  Indeed, if everyone knew their neighbours well, burglary would not exist.  
That doesn't mean interference or intrusion, just being mindful of suspicious activity, being a good witness and a good neighbour.  
In a Home Office paper entitled "Solving Residential Burglary", the report noted that "It is striking that the majority or primary detections (77%) were due to either offenders being caught at or near the scene of the crime, or resulted from investigations based on evidence from witnesses at the crime scene."
So what am I supposed to do?
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Neighbourhood Watch means looking out for each other.  It means looking out for your neighbour, their homes, their family and their children.  They will look out for you.  Children, young people, the elderly and people who have had their homes broken into recently all benefit from having an extra eye kept on them.
The police issue alerts every so often via a system called Ring Master.  A synopsis of non confidential information will be emailed to you if you add your name to the mailing list on the left.
When does the scheme meet?
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The scheme will meet regularly, about three to four months where you can raise issues relating to safety or crime and have something done about it.  You will need to add your email address to the list on www.londonyard.com to receive regular information and bulletins.

 

What do I do if I've seen something strange going on?
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Scheme members should look out for anything happening in the Neighbourhood that seems suspicious or unusual and then report this to the Police.  Some things you see may help the Police solve or prevent a crime and so stop someone becoming a victim.
When you see something that concerns you, dial 999 and let the Police check it out.  You must never put yourself at risk. 
Isn't this just a curtain twitching charter though?
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Never.  Neighbourhood Watch is not about being nosey or interfering in other people's lives, it is about building a better community fabric by being aware of unusual activity, by raising your concerns and being a better neighbour.  One of our aims is to respect absolutely an individual's right to privacy.
Where can I get more of the pamphlets / marker pens issued before?
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All of the pamphlets, stickers and pens are available free, gratis and for nothing from your Neighbourhood Watch Co-Ordinator, see above.
Why don't you distribute the pamphlets electronically?
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We will try to make as much of the information distributed manually available on line.  Online distribution is much more effective, less time consuming and more readily updateable than traditional mailshot distribution.  Mailshot distribution will continue though because not everyone has access to the internet.
So what other advantages are there?
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  • You should claim your discount on home insurance from your Insurance Company or agent.  Since the scheme is new, they may not list it so please give the the Metropolitan Police's contact details above and they will check the validity of the scheme with the Police.
  • Free cycle etching for anyone with a bicycle
  • Free home office leaflets on how to reduce various types of crime.
  • Free property marking pens.
  • Free digital photography of your valuables on request.
 
Can we get any statistics on local crime?
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We are trying to get highly localised data on crimes reported near here.  We intend to publish month by month statistics and perform trend analysis so you can see how crime is affecting you and your locality.
 
So what other information is there?
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There are plenty of other good sites for more information, but here are the main links.