The future of Neighbourhood Watch in Humberside

We are delighted to announce that all the organisations that support Neighbourhood Watch Groups in the Humberside Police area have come together to form a Humber Watch Association.

This will allow each organisation – in Hull, East Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire (NEL) – to come together in sharing of good practice; develop a collective approach to addressing issues affecting local Neighbourhood Watch Groups; improve possible access to funding and develop long term strategy to increase wider community participation across the region.

The formation of a Humber Watch Association will help them to develop more effective working with the police and for strategies to be aligned to keep communities safe and involve the public in creating safe neighbourhoods.

The constituted association will also allow the community representatives to proactively contribute to both national and local events promoting Neighbourhood Watch, encouraging both existing new schemes and encouraging new growth. Whilst assisting each area in coordinating events during national Neighbourhood Watch week and times of the year when community safety messages are appropriate or to tackle crime trends.

The move to a wider partnership follows national guidance from National Neighbourhood Watch which states “Neighbourhood Watch Associations are key in maintaining the impetus of the Neighbourhood Watch movement at local level. Their role includes providing guidance and where necessary, policies on the details of how Neighbourhood Watch operates within their area. This includes things like deciding any processes new schemes need to follow and maintaining a good working relationship with the police at force level.”

Glyn Atkinson, Chair of Marshall Avenue and Little Michael Street Neighbourhood Watch, Member of the NEL Safer & Stronger Communities Strategy Group and Vice Chair of Humber Watch Association representing NEL said: “I am delighted to be part of the newly formed Humber Watch Association, covering the neighbourhood safety needs of four local authority areas. I believe that the role that Humber Watch could potentially fulfil will greatly benefit community safety, and with some pooled resources decrease demand on the police, by lowering criminal and anti social behaviours with combined campaigns”.

Inspector Tim Harvey, Neighbourhood Watch lead for Humberside Police said: “The assistance provided to police by Neighbourhood Watch groups across the force area should never be under-estimated, as they plays a significant and vital role in keeping communities safe and reducing crime. I am sure that having the Humber Watch Association will help in coordinating activity to keep communities safe, empower residents in keeping them and their properties safe and increasing the flow of community information about crime and anti-social behaviour being passed to authorities.

“I am keen to see Neighbourhood Watches grow across the area and would strongly encourage residents to get involved by joining existing groups or forming new groups if they don’t already exist.”

If people are interested in finding out more about forming or joining a Neighbourhood Watch group, and you live in the Hull area, please call the Neighbourhood Network on Tel: 01482 826061 or email: office@nnetwork.org.uk.  If you live in the other areas of Humberside, please contact your areas group contact, listed below:

• North East Lincolnshire – North East Lincolnshire Area Network of Neighbourhood Watch Groups

Telephone: 01472324944              Email:  steven.lynn@nelincs.gov.uk         Website: http://vanel.org.uk/nelwatch/   

• North Lincolnshire – North Lincolnshire Neighbourhood Watch Association

Telephone: 01724 244634             Email:  tracey.coyne@northlincs.gov.uk       Website: http://www.saferneighbourhoods.net/partnership-community-develo/n-lincs-neighbourhood-watch-as/   

• East Riding of Yorkshire – East Riding Council

Telephone: 01482 391013             Email:  Maureen.yates@eastriding.gcsx.gov.uk Website: http://www2.eastriding.gov.uk/living/crime-and-community-safety/neighbourhood-watch-groups/