Home Watch or Neighbourhood Watch schemes are nationwide voluntary community partnerships where neighbours come together, along with the police and local partners, to build safe and friendly communities. But it is not about curtain twitching - members of a Watch work together to reduce criminal activity and anti-social behaviour whilst building a community spirit. Far from replacing or doing the work of the local police, a Watch merely seeks to provide a service that complements their work. To learn about the Watch schemes in the UK www.ourwatch.org.uk
Our Home Watch scheme works in partnership with, and has the support of the Dorset police Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT). www.facebook.com/dorsetpolice/
We also collaborate with other local watches including Ferndown where we have a Community Office open in Pennys Walk from 10 to 12 noon each weekday. Available for advice and the purchase of safety and security products – see the product list here.
Our key objectives, in partnership with Dorset police; are to strive for a reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour; increase awareness of security; encourage neighbourliness and closer communities. Ideally we would like 100% membership and it is our aim to continuously work towards achieving this goal.
We rely on volunteers who work as street coordinators, they distribute quarterly newsletters, annual traders lists and collect annual subs of £2 per household. They will also try to resolve problems and give advice or provide onward referrals.
Our members can opt to receive Dorset Alert messages by either email or telephone. These messages typically warn of incidents and problems that are occurring in the area.
So if you live in our parish and you are not already a member of Home Watch please let us know you would like to become a member by using the Contact Us page.