This week is National Neighbourhood Watch Week (14th – 22nd June) – an event to celebrate one of the UK’s biggest and most successful crime schemes.
Residents across North Wales are being encouraged to sign up to a Neighbourhood Watch scheme as it aims to make it even easier for members of communities across North Wales to work together to help reduce crime.
This year’s National Neighbourhood Watch Week will focus on fraud and cybercrime and will encourage people to stay safe online and not become a victim of web-based fraud.
Neighbourhood Watch have traditionally been about helping people to feel safe where they live. However, this does not just relate to physical spaces – your ‘online neighbours’ can be a big part of your community and social life. Not to mention that your neighbours and the people around you can have a big influence on the way you navigate the ‘online world’, and share their skills and knowledge with you and vice versa.
“People often don’t want to admit that they’ve been defrauded – they feel embarrassed, or just put it down to experience, particularly if they didn’t lose a large amount of money,” said Inspector Julie Sheard, Community Safety Department, North Wales Police.
“But we don’t believe people should suffer in silence. It’s only by spreading the word as widely as possible that we can help to defeat fraud.”
“Whilst fraudsters may not have an obvious presence on the streets, like burglars or bogus callers, neighbours can still help to protect each other from becoming victims of fraud.”
With over 4,600 watch schemes and 17,800 members across North Wales Neighbourhood Watch is an invaluable source of information to the police and provides a network which officers can keep communities informed about various activity in their area.
Inspector Sheard said: “We really value the work of Neighbourhood Watch and their work with our Local Policing Teams. Volunteers and co-ordinators put in thousands of hours every year, working with their local policing teams and other partners to act as the ‘eyes and ears’ within the community. Their work is extremely important in helping to reduce crime and the fear of crime.
She added: “It’s a great crime deterrent and I would urge more residents to get involved and play their part in helping to make north Wales an even more unwelcome place for criminals.”
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick said: “The responsibility for beating crime doesn’t just lie with the police but with all of us and the best way is for us to all to work together.
“As a society we need to help the police catch criminals and prevent crime and the Neighbourhood Watch scheme is a great way to keep your home and your community safe as well as help the police reduce crime.
“There are already thousands of residents and businesses who have signed up to Neighbourhood Watch schemes across North Wales and they are already reaping the benefits of being part of a community united against crime and looking out for one another.
“You too can be part of a crime fighting community and make your street even safer by joining a Neighbourhood Watch scheme or even setting one up yourself.”
If you would like to join an existing scheme in your area, or start from scratch, you can do so by signing up to OWL (link to Owl), or alternatively visit the Our Watch website (www.ourwatch.org.uk).
Useful resources if you believe you have been a victim of fraud or cybercrime:
- Action Fraud is the UK’s national fraud reporting centre and the place for you to report fraud or scams, or to get advice if you’re unsure what to do. Visit Action Fraud’s website (www.actionfraud.gov.uk) for more information or call 0300 123 2040 or via textphone 0300 123 2050.
- The Home Office is running a campaign called ‘Cyber Streetwise’, aimed at helping people to stay safe online. It provides lots of useful tips and advice on how to protect yourself. Visit their website here (www.cyberstreetwise.com)
- Get Safe Online is a not-for-profit organisation that provides advice and support on protecting yourself online. They have an easy-to-navigate and really useful website at www.getsafeonline.org
- If you are concerned about a trader, sales technique or a product you have purchased, you can contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 050 06 (English line) or 08454 04 05 05 (Welsh language). You can also contact your local Trading Standards Team via your local authority.
