Neighbourhood Watch Woodingdean
A new Neighbourhood Watch scheme has been set up in Woodingdean. It is being run by local volunteers.
The Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Federation states that the main purposes of the Neighbourhood watch is to *'promote good citizenship and greater public awareness through Neighbourhood Watch groups, increase public participation in the prevention and detection of crime, reduce the fear of crime, improve police/community liaison and increase community safety.
Neighbourhood Watch is about making sure that no one has to feel afraid, vulnerable or isolated in the place where they live. It’s about people looking out for each other, crossing barriers of age, race and class to create real communities that benefit everyone.'*
Residents are being encouraged to join the scheme and a letter sent out by John Paul Amos, Chairman of the Woodingdean Neighbourhood Watch states
'I have recently taken on the role of coordinator for the Woodingdean Neighbourhood Watch(NHW) and would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to join the local scheme.
Neighbourhood Watch is a method of developing close liaison between households in a neighbourhood and the local Police. The aims are to help people protect themselves and their properties, to reduce the fear of crime by means of improved home security, together with greater vigilance, fast and accurate reporting of suspicious incidents to the Police and by fostering a community spirit.
There are benefits to joining the scheme. You will become familiar with crime prevention ideas that will help you keep your home and belongings safe. The extra security which belonging to a scheme offers might even mean that you can get a premium discount from your insurance company. Throughout the year you will receive three updates from your local committee. As well as safety and security advice, these include latest crime figures for Woodingdean and you will be informed of any bogus callers, scams etc. in the area, when we receive this information via the Police. This information is much easier and quicker to pass to you if you have an email address, or an 'email buddy' with an address. There will also be meetings each year held for coordinators and members and an annual general meeting each March. You might like to consider becoming a coordinator for a few houses, or encourage friends in Woodingdean to become coordinators, so we can cover as many roads as possible.
To join the NHW Scheme there is a one-off £1.00 per household subscription. The money goes towards the hire of a room for coordinators' and members' yearly meetings and stationery, etc. There are no other charges or membership fees.
If you do decide to join, and I hope you will, please complete the formhere and return it to me at the above address, or deliver to Warrens Hardware on the Parade, together with the £1.00 subscription. You will receive a receipt for your money. As a member you will receive a welcome pack containing confirmation and a window sticker. Also available are 'Gate Post' signs which cost £1.00 that can be affixed to gates, walls etc., as an extra deterrent to criminals, and UV marker pens for £1.00 to mark smaller items with your post code.
When joining the NHW, if you are on email you will automatically be registered for the monthly Ewatch Report from Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Ray Harrison and also for Community Messaging. You can opt out of this if you would rather not receive this information. Your information will only be used by Sussex Police and Neighbourhood Watch. The Police are extremely supportive of the Woodingdean scheme and we work very closely with the local Police Community Support Officers. They would be very grateful if you would let us know about any CCTV system you may have on your property, as this is a powerful support to them in solving crime.'
A copy of the letter and application form can be found at I have recently taken on the role of coordinator for the Woodingdean Neighbourhood Watch(NHW) and would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to join the local scheme.
Download a copy of the original letter and the application form here
For further information about Woodingdean Neighbourhood Scheme contact
John Paul Amos
Telephone: 01273 303322
Mobile: 07920401018
