Residents in Dorset are taking to the streets for a week of action to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. Thousands of people up and down the country are joining forces with crime-fighting professionals for a week of community action.
“Not in My Neighbourhood Week”, which runs from Monday 2 November, to Friday 6 November 2009 aims to promote what is being done locally to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and encourages the police, public services and communities to work together to keep our streets safe.
Resident organisations, neighbourhood policing teams, local authorities, Neighbourhood Watch, anti-social behaviour teams, drug and alcohol action teams from across England and Wales are leading the efforts to inform local people of what is being done in their area.
Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said:
“We can only tackle crime and anti-social behaviour by working together and that’s what Not in My Neighbourhood Week is all about.
“An enormous amount of work is being done every day to make communities safer and when people see this for themselves, it in turn makes them feel safer and encourages them to get involved.”
In over 80 areas across England and Wales, local residents can get involved in their neighbourhoods to tackle crime and disorder.
Bridport Section Police Community Support Officers are promoting Home Watch Schemes and Crime Stopper awareness. Home Watch (larger schemes may be known as Neighbourhood Watch) was first introduced to Dorset in 1983 when the first Home Watch Scheme was set up. Since then it has grown to such an extent that there are now 4,568 Co-ordinators across Dorset.
Although Dorset is still one of the safest places in the country in which to live with one of the lowest crime rates in the country, Dorset Police are committed to reducing it even further, but it needs the support of the community. Home Watch provides an important way for people to play their part in making Dorset Safer and making Dorset Feel Safer.
Home Watch has four main objectives:
- To Prevent Crime By improving security, increasing vigilance and protecting the most vulnerable members of the community by encouraging a caring community spirit.
- To help with the detection of criminals By promoting effective communication.
- To reduce the undue fear of crime By providing accurate information about risks, supporting victims, promoting a sense of security and a caring community.
- To improve Police – Community relations By fostering regular contact and liaison.
How Can I Find Out More About Home Watch in my Area?
To find out more about setting up a Home Watch scheme in your area, contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team:
Marshwood Vale: 01305 226912
Beaminster: 07891 470831
West Bay & Burton Bradstock: 01305 226930
Bridport Town: 01305 229610
Lyme Regis: 07500 816312
