Community spirit helps fight crime
Hammersmith & Fulham residents are helping the police to fight crime
by setting up local Neighbourhood Watch schemes according to Cllr Greg
Smith, the new cabinet member for crime & antisocial behaviour.
There are 15 watches in the borough and the number is steadily rising
as local communities appreciate the benefit of the schemes. One of the
newest groups to be formed is the Felden Street and Swift Street
Neighbourhood Watch in Fulham.
Felden Street resident and group co-ordinator Cathy Robertson says a
spate of vandalism back in November was the catalyst for the community getting together.
"About a dozen of us all had our tyres punctured one evening",
explains Cathy. "There had been a few problems before this as well and when we all bumped into each other at the garage we realised we had
been systematically targeted. We decided there and then to get
together to do something about it."
The Felden Street and Swift Street Neighbourhood Watch now holds
regular meetings with up to forty people at each. They get regular
updates and support from the local safer neighbourhood team and things
are starting to look up.
Cathy continues, "We get good practical tips and advice from the
police on how to prevent crime and we think it makes a difference.
It's early days but it seems to be working and there's the added bonus
of building a bit of community spirit."
Cllr Greg Smith cabinet member for crime & antisocial behaviour says
the council will now work with the police to promote the benefits of
Neighbourhood Watch schemes across the borough.
Cllr Smith says, "Whilst Neighbourhood Watch groups are no replacement
for tough and robust policing, I applaud the clued up residents who
come together to help keep criminals at bay. Neighbourhood Watch is
community led and a real chance for residents to discuss localised
problems with the police. Neighbours who get together to highlight
problems can really help the police fight, and ultimately cut, local
crime."
The council's summer burglary campaign highlights the benefits of
neighbourhood watch schemes as well some of the practical things
residents can do to deter criminals.
To find out if there is an existing scheme in your area, or if you are
interested in starting a scheme, call 020 8753 2810.
July 5, 2006
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