With the ever-increasing demand on police resources, officers in Ringwood are encouraging residents to help fight crime by setting up Neighbourhood Watch schemes.
In some areas where schemes have been introduced, residents have seen a reduction in antisocial behaviour and other crimes, as NHW often acts as a deterrent to criminals.
Across Hampshire there are almost 5,000 watch schemes involving more than 151,000 households. These are managed by more than 6,000 volunteer co-ordinators.
Ringwood police community support officers Tracey Cooper and Sam Knight are urging residents to think about the values and benefits of Neighbourhood Watch.
PCSO Cooper said: “Setting up a scheme is very straightforward. Residents need to choose a well-defined area in which the scheme will operate – that is, a close of houses, a road, part of a road between two junctions, etc.
“Once the area has been defined, neighbours within that area are canvassed to establish the level of interest. When that’s established, the scheme requires someone to co-ordinate and arrange a meeting for the residents.
“The next step is to telephone your local Safer Neighbourhoods officers to request and agree a suitable date and time for the meeting and advise all residents.
“A Safer Neighbourhoods officer will attend the meeting and present the theory of Neighbourhood Watch to residents, who may then decide whether or not they wish to start a scheme.”
Anyone interested in joining or setting up a scheme should contact PCSO Cooper or Knight by phoning Ringwood police on 101 or emailing ringwood.snt@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
