Blacket Neighbourhood Watch
A useful ‘eyes & ears’ network
Neighbourhood Watch Schemes are established to benefit both residents and the police, not via any type of ‘vigilante-style’ actions, which form no part of the Neighbourhood Watch approach, but, in general, to help keep crime to the minimum by fostering suitable preventive and follow-up measures. Neighbourhood Watch schemes operate, in part, by providing a supplementary 'eyes and ears' network and a useful line of contact - and two-way flow of information - with the local police.
How you can help yourself and others
Members are, for example, encouraged: to be alert about suspicious behaviour in the district that may indicate criminal intent and to see that such behaviour is promptly reported to the local police station; both to be security conscious and also to undertake simple measures, such as inscribing significant items with their name, postcode and house number, to aid possible subsequent return of any stolen property; to ensure, where burglar alarms are fitted, that the police know the names of key-holders (unless there is an automatic police contact via any burglar alarm monitoring contract). Residents are also encouraged to report to the local police as soon as possible all instances of crime on/adjacent to their properties. It is also helpful if they alert the local Group Co-ordinator (see below).
Getting a discount?
The effectiveness of good Neighbourhood Watch programmes is evidenced by the fact that a number of insurance companies offer premium discounts to policy-holders in a Neighbourhood Watch area.
Scope and people
Blacket has had a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme since 1988, initially as a separate self-regulating organisation but operating, since 1996, within the overall scope of the Blacket Association. It covers the 'five streets' of Alfred Place, Blacket Place, Blacket Avenue, Dryden Place and Mayfield Terrace. An Area Co-ordinator, who is a member of the Blacket Association Committee, acts as a link in the information chain between the Police and the Watch, and makes a report to each meeting of the Committee, where follow-up action can be pursued if thought useful. The Area Co-ordinator is assisted by a team of Group Co-ordinators drawn from the residents in each street.
Keeping in touch
The Neighbourhood Watch police officer issues a monthly newsletter and relevant police messages to the Area Co-ordinator, who passes them on to the Group Co-Ordinators. If of concern to the neighbourhood, these are then circulated to all residents.
Contacts
The present Area Co-ordinator is Alison Mowat
Some Useful Numbers
Police (in emergency) |
999 |
Local (St Leonards) Police Station (non-emergency) |
662 5000 |
Crimestoppers (to give information anonymously) |
0800 555111 |
Advice on crime prevention via the Community Safety Officer |
221 2050 |
Lothian & Borders Police website www.lbp.police.uk
