As the organisation’s website explains, “Neighbourhood Watch is a grassroots charitable movement. It is the largest crime prevention voluntary movement in England and Wales and has upwards of 2.3 million members. Schemes are run by volunteers across England and Wales supported by volunteer Associations, and by Neighbourhood Watch Network, the national umbrella organisation for the movement.”

Neighbourhood Watch schemes in Berkshire and managed by the Thames Valley Neighbourhood Watch Association. In its website, it summarises the main aims of the many local groups that exist as follows:

• To enable members to reduce the opportunities for crime and to make it more difficult for criminal activity in their neighbourhood.
• To reduce the fear of crime, and pass on crime information and other important messages from the police and Neighbourhood Watch
• To encourage the reporting of crime or suspicious activity directly to the police or through CrimeStoppers.
• To foster a caring, neighbourly attitude to improve the wider resilience and friendliness of the areas we cover.
• To help inform the public at large how to stay safe and improve the safety of our communities.

Proposed neighbourhood Watch scheme in Upper Lambourn

New schemes are constantly being set up and there are currently plans for one in Upper Lambourn. This is being co-ordinated by Anne De Saxe. Local residents should have received an information pack through their letterbox before Christmas. Please respond to this if you are interested in finding out how the scheme works and encourage others to do so.

You can contact Anne De Saxe for more information on 01488 646 339 or anne.desaxe@btopenworld.com. If you’re returning forms by hand to her home, Lynchwood is in Upper Lambourn Road, north of Folly Road and opposite Jamie Snowden Racing.

Further information on setting up Neighbourhood Watch schemes

Please see this article on Lambourn.org.

Volunteer support

The Neighbourhood Watch Network often organises events to promote various aspects of its work or matters that it feels local communities should be aware of. A recent one concerned the BT Digital Switchover which will be happening across the country and affecting some of our most vulnerable in the community.

For more information on future events and how you can get involved, please email emma.drozd@ourwatch.org.uk.