The Policing and Community Safety Partnership for Newry Mourne and Down area are urging local communities to work with them to help reduce burglary through the formation of Neighbourhood Watch Schemes.
The Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators have come together for the first time since the formation of the new Newry Mourne and Down District Council on Tuesday 15 September 2015 to discuss issues of crime prevention, burglary, inter-scheme communication. They also met with their new local neighbourhood and local policing teams and hear inputs from the PCSP Chairman Cllr Mickey Larkin and Area Commander Superintendent Simon Walls.
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Down PCSP Chairman Mickey Larkin with Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators.[/caption]
PCSP Chair Cllr Mickey Larkin said: “Neighbourhood Watch is a partnership between local communities, PSNI and Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSPs). Neighbourhood Watch raises awareness of crime, keeps communities informed and encourages local residents to report activity in their neighbourhood which is suspicious or disruptive.
“It is also about bringing people closer together by developing a stronger community spirit. There are 182 schemes already up and running in Newry, Mourne and Down area Schemes promoting confidence within communities that something positive can be done to prevent local crime and improve the quality of life in the area. I am delighted to meet so many of our co-ordinators at what I hope is the first of many neighbourhood watch events.”
“Newry, Mourne and Down Commander Superintendent Simon Walls said: “We understand that crime can be frightening and isolating and we want to empower local residents to play their part in keeping their own neighbourhood safe. Anyone can belong to a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme and play a part in its achievements.
“A scheme can cover just one street or part or all of an estate and requires a Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator. The coordinator acts as a link between the community and local police and they are the first point of contact for all members of the scheme to receive and distribute information.
“We have seen how successful we can be when we work in partnership with the community and I would encourage any member of the public who is interested in working with us to reduce crime in their area to contact us.
“Anyone who is interested in the role of NHW Coordinator can also contact their local Neighbourhood Policing Team on 101.”
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