Neighbourhood Watch Week

Neighbourhood Watch week is now in full swing, and it’s a great opportunity both to celebrate and to learn more about the excellent work that Neighbourhood Watch groups perform across the county. Firstly, I’d like to thank all the coordinators who give up their own time to run Neighbourhood Watch groups and liaise with Essex Police and partner agencies to help keep their communities safe. Neighbourhood Watch coordinators play a key role by helping share relevant information about local crimes and, together with Essex Police Crime Prevention Tactical Advisors, by advising us on how to protect ourselves and our belongings from criminals.  Crime prevention is crucial. I have been holding specific forums with key stakeholders to address rural crime and business crime, as well as bringing together all the Essex Police Crime Prevention advisers. Alan Johnson, Chair of the Essex County Neighbourhood Watch Association, has been highly involved in many of these discussions, providing the essential Neighbourhood Watch perspective. Since being elected as Police and Crime Commissioner, I’ve attended meetings with Neighbourhood Watch coordinators in several parts of Essex, including Loughton, Benfleet and Tendring, and I’ve found local members to be enthusiastic and well informed.   Some funding for Neighbourhood Watch groups comes from my office, and I am delighted to be able to increase this for 2013-14 to help develop the work of Neighbourhood Watch. Together with Essex Police, I am  evaluating some computer software systems which have the potential to speed up the flow of information through the Watch groups, and ensure that their work can be even more joined up and effective.  This is an exciting opportunity, and I hope we’ll be able to roll out the software this summer. The Essex Police team responsible for neighbourhood policing is led by ACC Maurice Mason, Chief Superintendent Luke Collison and Chief Inspector Jason Scrivener.  Much of the day-to-day work is undertaken by Insp Ian Gennery, Sgt Paul Lamb, Sgt Nathalie Carr, Jenny Stocking and a team of excellent Essex Watch Liaison Officers.  I am grateful for the enthusiasm they have all shown to develop this important area of crime prevention, which is one of the areas of focus in my Police and Crime Plan. You can read the plan here. If you want to contact your local Neighbourhood Watch group and join up, you can search for details at the following website: http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/ Alternately, you can contact the Essex Watch Liaison Officer for your area by dialling 101, and talk through the possibilities with them.  Their details are: Basildon and Thurrock: Terry Fowles Chelmsford, Maldon, Braintree and Uttlesford: Brenda Cross Colchester: Angie Pearson Epping, Brentwood and Harlow: Colin Freeman Rochford and Castle Point: Clive Mayhew Tendring: Paul Teague Southend: Kevin Blake Throughout the week, there are also several Neighbourhood Watch events taking place at the following locations, so do consider going along to the one in your area:                     Tuesday June 18, 2013 Southend University Hospital, Southend (outside old main entrance), 2pm to 4pm;                    Wednesday June 19, 2013 Hamstel Road (near Central Avenue junction), Southend, 2pm to 6pm;                               Thursday June 20, 2013 Sainsburys, Asda and Tesco in Colchester;                          Saturday June 22, 2013 Friars Library, The Renown, Shoebury, 10am to 12 noon.