A new qualification for volunteers and guidance on how Neighbourhood Watch groups can help their communities is just some of the help coming up during 2010.

“Safety Net Associates are really excited that this new National BTEC Qualification and the National Neighbourhood Watch Academy will join and enhance the other Advocate National Academies that we provide in, Restorative Justice, Victims and Witness, RIPA, CSP/A&E Data Sharing (previously CDRP Academy), Neighbourhood Justice and the Foundation Academy.  The philosophy of the academies is that all multi agency partners engaged in Neighbourhood Justice are professionally qualified and share a similar language enabling them to operate in closer partnership.  This incorporation of a major third sector volunteer based organisation is really the cherry on the cake for joined up qualified professional neighbourhood justice working.”

During Neighbourhood Watch Week, which ran from 14 – 20 June, Neighbourhood and Home Watch volunteers took to the streets for a series of events to highlight the benefits of being in a Watch scheme. 

The Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network (NHWN) supports over 170,000 groups across England and Wales helping approximately 7.9 million households who volunteer to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour and improve community life for all.

Supporting Neighbourhood Watch Week, Home Office Minister for Crime Prevention James Brokenshire said:

“Community spirit is at the heart of the Big Society we envisage. It means that tackling crime and antisocial behaviour is not just a job for the police and government, but where local people can come together to help each other and work with the authorities.

“Initiatives like Neighbourhood Watch, one of the largest volunteer organisations in the country, have the ability to help millions of people feel safer in their homes and build a bigger, better and stronger society.”

The BTEC Intermediate Award in ‘Advocacy for Community Organisers’ is designed to address the skills needs of volunteers within community organisations such as Neighbourhood & Home Watch and staff from public bodies who support them. 

ACPO lead for Neighbourhood Watch Matters, Chief Constable Frank Whiteley said:

“Watch schemes are a superb complement and support to police in cutting crime and anti-social behaviour, reassuring local residents and promoting safety.  The police service recognises the important role that such groups play in communities and forces are actively encouraged to engage with and support local schemes.

“Successful partnerships have already been established between neighbourhood policing teams and local Neighbourhood Watch groups, and I hope that this week’s activities only strengthen and encourage these to grow.”

National Neighbourhood Watch Week also provides an opportunity to reflect and share best practice from members since the movement began in 1982.  The ‘Showcasing Neighbourhood and Home Watch Achievements’ document contains a series of case studies outlining how 37 Neighbourhood Watches have helped their communities by reducing crime and encouraging residents to look out for each other.

 Marion Lewis OBE, Chair of NHWN said:

“The new guidance illustrates some of the reasons why Neighbourhood Watch continues to hold a fundamental position within our communities.  Working alongside local neighbourhood policing teams and with other local partners, Neighbourhood Watch has become an independent, credible and effective voluntary sector organisation focused on improving the quality of community life”.         

During 2010-11 NHWN will be delivering these and many other initiatives, including the relaunch of their website which promises to be more accessible and interactive.  NHWN has relocated the charity to new offices in Leicester and employed three staff.  The staff are in place to help expand the membership into new neighbourhoods and to make Neighbourhood Watch an attractive movement to the next generation.

New information for current members and interested members of the public is available on the Network’s website www.mynhw.co.uk.