Home Office Crime prevention advice
Valuable crime prevention advice and Neighbourhood Watch information from the Home Office.
NHWN Members' Biographies
The new national body of volunteers which represents all Home Watch & Neighbourhood Watch has been given the title of the NEIGHBOURHOOD & HOME WATCH NETWORK (England & Wales) and is the official body which will engage with the Home Office, ACPO and the APA at the strategic level.
Should you require any further information please contact your regional representative. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information if you are unsure as to who represents the NHWNetwork in your region.
Chair NHWNetwork (England & Wales) - Marion Lewis
Marion Ann LEWIS, Chair
East Midlands
Married in 1975, I moved from Portsmouth to the Market Harborough area of Leicestershire in 1977 with my husband. We have two daughters and have run our own Architectural Illustration business since 1984 working for clients across the globe.
My involvement with Neighbourhood Watch began as a scheme co-ordinator in 1986 and in 1998 I was elected Chair of my local NHW. We have raised over £50 000 to fund various projects including launching Countryside Watch, School Watch, the ‘Chill Out Zone’ website for young people and the Harborough Be Safe scheme to help the elderly and vulnerable in our district.
Following the launch of the first County NHW association representing all members in Leicestershire & Rutland in 2006 I have held the office of Secretary and represent NHW on the committee of Leicestershire & Rutland CrimeStoppers. In March 2007 I was elected Chair of the East Midlands NHW Forum and was honoured to be elected as the inaugural Chair of the Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network (NHWN) for England and Wales in July 2007.
Chair NHWNetwork (England & Wales) - Marion Lewis
East of England
Born 1936 Islington London . From school in 1952 I enlisted with the RAF for a three year apprenticeship as a Ground Wireless Fitter, then served a further 22 years and in 1976 retired as a Chief Technician.
My next lasting job was as a Customer Service Engineer supporting military computer hardware within europe and the near east until 2001.
Member of Neighbourhood Watch since it came to my area as a co-ordinator for part of my village. I represent Mildenhall Network at Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch Association of which I am chair and I am also chair of the Eastern Region Neighbourhood Watch Partnership.
Member of local Crime Prevention Panel and received Caring in the Community award from Forest Heath District Council in 2008.
Interests include DIY, electronics, dog obediance training and agility.
London
I retired from the Metropolitan Police in 1999 after 31 years service. For the last seven years I was the community Inspector for Putney and Roehampton in South West London. During this time I developed an interest in Neighbourhood Watch, and when I retired, I was employed by the National Neighbourhood Watch Association as a training officer.
In 2003, I was a founder of the London Neighbourhood Watch Association and elected chair in 2006. I am an executive member of the local borough association in Wandsworth, and was mayor in 2006 – 07.
I have maintained an interest in crime prevention and work closely with the police and local authority tackling doorstep crime and crimes involving the elderly and vulnerable.
London - Jim Maddan (Vice Chair)
North East
I have been a member of the Neighbourhood Watch for 19 years. For the past 4 years I have held the position of Chair of the Central Committee, and have been Chair for the North Sector for 9 years.
During my working life time I served in Her Majesty’s forces for 4 Years. When I returned home, I joined the nursing profession.
At the age of 42 Years, I returned to college and gained a teaching qualification, which enabled me to carry on working in my chosen profession for a number of years.
I have 4 children and fourteen grandchildren aged between 25 and 3 months, and I have been married for 44 years.
North West
I was appointed the Chair of the Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch Association at our AGM at the beginning of October 2008 and am the NHW Coordinator for the villages of Gamblesby and Unthank in Cumbria’s Eden Valley. I retired in 2001 as Chief Executive of The National Computing Centre after a career in Research, Marketing and Business Development with Pilkington Glass and BT. Since that time I have worked as an independent consultant, been involved as a Mentor and Area Co-ordinator with the Princes Trust in Cumbria, played a part as a Trustee in an award winning sustainable refurbishment of the Gamblesby Community Centre, developed my allotment and garden and played a lot of bowls. Apart from gardening and bowls my main interests are my family, snooker and Mozart. I am honoured to represent the North West on the National Neighbourhood Watch Network.
South East
David has been involved with Neighbourhood Watch since 1983, first in the London Borough of Bromley, then in Kent from 1994, becoming Secretary of The Weald Neighbourhood Watch Association where he served until 2005.
Then in addition to his local duties, took on the responsibility of Secretary of Kent County Neighbourhood Watch Association (KCNWA), which is a Company limited by guarantee, with board of Directors. He also represents KCNWA on the regional group.
David is a fully vetted Kent Police Volunteer dealing with enquiries and issues relating to NHW, at Kent Police HQ, alongside the County Force Watch Liaison Officer.
In July 2007 David received a Chief Constable’s Certificate of Merit for his Voluntary Contribution to communities of Kent.
South West
After moving to Cornwall in 1976, I became interested in local issues, especially the conservation and protection of Bodmin Moor. Several years ago, I became secretary to the Bodmin Moor Landowners and Cornwall Commoners Associations whose aims are to preserve and protect the moors and maintain traditional upland farming.
My involvement with the Neighbourhood Watch began twelve years ago both as a co-ordinator for my local rural community and as the District representative for North Cornwall. Three years ago, I was elected Chair of the Devon and Cornwall Community Watch Association and I represent Devon and Cornwall on the South West Regional Forum.
I am a member of the Devon and Cornwall CrimeStoppers Board, an Independent Custody Visitor, and I chair the North Cornwall Youth Offending Panel.
Community participation in preventing crime is the key to an effective partnership between the police, local communities, and NHW.
Wales
Educated in Newport, attended Teachers Training College, served in the RAF as a member of aircrew, before 40 years as a schoolmaster, latterly as head of department.
Secretary of Newport Schools Football Association; served as a youth leader and referee.
Retired, then attracted to NHW when community hit by a spate of burglaries. With friends, set up a watch becoming area coordinator, then chair of Newport Crime Prevention Panel.
Attended a meeting in Birmingham to become a founder member of National Neighbourhood Watch Association, serving three years on executive committee.
Formed Newport NHWA, serving first as Chair and since as secretary. Formed Gwent NHWA.
In 2002 received Norwich Union Life Achievement Award for outstanding services to NHW.
Other awards include certificate for outstanding services to the police in the operation of their duties.
In 2006 elected Chair of All Wales NHW Development Group.
I am a member of a very active Newport Senior Citizens Forum and, as Treasurer of Hatherleigh Community Association, promote NHW and bring members of our community together
West Midlands
My name is Mirabelle Queenie Smith (because Mirabelle is such a mouthful I became Queenie - easier to remember). I was born in coventry 73 years ago and have lived here all my life, married for almost 54 yrs we have 2 sons 7 grand children. I am a florist by trade but can turn my hand to almost any thing. I am proud to be the longest serving NHW co ordinator in Coventry and a founder member of our association and have been chairman for 8 years – I love my work. It is with pride that I Chair my local street and area (Coundon) of Coventry and started ‘Allotment Watch’ as the allotment secretary and run the site. In my position I link into the Neighbourhood Watch officers. In 2007 I received a lifetime achievers award from the Constabulary and i am very proud of my blue lamp award.
Yorkshire and Humberside
Born and raised in Barnsley South Yorkshire, married with 2 stepsons and 2 lovely grand children. I worked for 18 years with the Ambulance service, firstly with the West Riding and then the South Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance service before retiring in 1989 through ill health.
I became involved with Neighbourhood Watch in 1999 and have enjoyed being part of it since.
I am Chairman of the South Yorkshire NHW Association which covers Barnsley, Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster. I am also vice Chairman of the Barnsley Liaison Group that covers the whole of the Borough of Barnsley.
I chair Barnsley Tenants and Residents Federation. I think it is very important that all groups in the communities work together with NHW taking the lead. I’m very proud and privileged to be a member of the new Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network for England & Wales.
Yorks & Humber - Barry McGowan
