When you think of Neighbourhood Watch, you might imagine nosey neighbours peeking through curtains. However, today’s Neighbourhood Watch is a proactive, community-led initiative dedicated to reducing crime and improving neighbourhood safety. With partnerships between local authorities, police, and other organisations, Neighbourhood Watch plays an essential role in keeping communities secure and protecting residents from modern threats.
At Phonely, we’re proud to now be affiliated with Neighbourhood Watch UK, an organisation which is trusted by millions of households. This partnership aligns with our mission to protect communities from digital phone scams. But how exactly does Neighbourhood Watch work, and why is it still crucial today? Let’s explore.
What is Neighbourhood Watch?
It is a community-driven initiative where local residents collaborate with each other, local authorities, and police to help prevent crime. These groups are built around trust and support, fostering safer environments by staying vigilant and reporting suspicious activity.
Key benefits of joining Neighbourhood Watch:
- Crime prevention: Members help deter theft, anti-social behaviour, and burglaries by being the extra eyes and ears of the community.
- Suspicious activity reporting: Members can report unusual behaviour directly to local authorities for faster responses.
- Community cohesion: Stronger community ties are forged through collective efforts to protect the neighbourhood.
- Raising awareness: Groups share tips on how to stay safe, from securing homes to using widely available tools to assist.
- Increase confidence: Help people feel safe and confident in their homes and when out in the community, instead of scared and apprehensive.
Common crimes Neighbourhood Watch helps to prevent
Neighbourhood Watch groups play a critical role in reducing various types of crime, both traditional and modern. The crimes most frequently addressed by them include:
- Burglary: As one of the most commonly feared crimes, Neighbourhood Watch helps reduce break-ins by encouraging residents to lock windows and doors, use spy holes, and install security systems. Recent surveys indicate burglary remains a top concern for 67% of UK residents.
- Vehicle theft and car crime: Keeping an eye on suspicious behaviour in residential parking areas can help prevent vehicle theft and vandalism. In fact, 55% of people fear becoming a victim of vehicle crime.
- Anti-social behaviour: By reporting minor disturbances, Neighbourhood Watch helps reduce loitering, graffiti, and noise disturbances, making communities more pleasant and safer.
- Phone Scams and Online Fraud: Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. In the last 13 months, nearly 500,000 consumer fraud cases were reported in the UK, with losses totalling £2.5 billion. Neighbourhood Watch helps spread awareness and tips on how to avoid phone scams and online fraud.
How does Neighbourhood Watch work?
Neighbourhood Watch groups coordinate closely with police to stay informed about local crime trends. These groups help promote security measures such as installing home security systems, using door chains, and adopting technologies like CCTV.
Joining or starting a group is free and it’s easier than you might think. Here’s how you can start one:
- Speak to your neighbours: Find out if others are interested in forming a group. Building support from local residents is the first step.
- Register your group: Officially register with Neighbourhood Watch to receive essential resources, support, and crime prevention materials.
- Set up a communication channel: Use a platform like Nextdoor or create a WhatsApp group to keep members connected and share alerts about suspicious activity.
- Coordinate with local police: Inform your local police about the group’s formation—they often provide additional advice or support.
- Meet Regularly: Schedule regular meetings to discuss ongoing safety concerns and ways to improve neighbourhood security.
How Phonely supports Neighbourhood Watch members
As a digital voice provider, Phonely offers services that help protect members from rising threats like phone scams. Our CallGuard feature blocks suspicious numbers, uses an anti-fraud introduction, records calls and offers live human intervention, helping to reduce scam calls that target vulnerable members of the community, particularly the elderly and vulnerable.
Phonely’s collaboration with Friends Against Scams ensures we stay updated on the latest fraud tactics. In addition, we continuously work with Age UK and Alzheimer’s Society to ensure relevant protection for older and vulnerable residents, who are often prime targets for scammers.
Doorstep scams to look out for
Doorstep scams—often referred to as “distraction burglaries”—are among the most common types of fraud targeting the elderly. According to Age UK, 85% of doorstep scam victims are over 65 years old. Here are some red flags to watch out for:
- Rogue traders: Scammers might claim they’re in your area for work, offering services like roof repairs or garden work at discounted rates. They may use pressure tactics like saying they have leftover materials or that the offer is only available today.
- Fake charity collectors: Scammers may pretend to collect for charity. Always verify the charity’s identity using a number or website you trust, not the one the collector provides.
- Too-good-to-be-true offers: Be wary of anyone offering services at unusually low prices. Legitimate businesses do not typically go door-to-door pressuring residents to make a quick decision.
- Fake consumer surveys: Your visitor may ask you to complete a quick survey. The intent is so they can get your personal details or eventually persuade you to buy something you don’t need or want.
- Hard luck stories: An individual with a hard luck story may knock at your door and ask you to help them by giving them money. The story told to you will be fake and intended to deceive you out of your money.
Staying safe from phone scams
Of course, scammers do not always visit your home, they call too. Phone scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can protect yourself. Here are some essential tips:
- Use Phonely’s CallGuard: This unique service blocks fraudulent callers from every angle possible, giving you back the confidence to answer your phone.
- Register with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS): Though it doesn’t block all calls, TPS can reduce the volume of nuisance calls from legitimate companies trying to sell their products.
- Stay informed: Scammers frequently update their tactics. By staying connected with Neighbourhood Watch UK, Friends Against Scams, and Phonely, you can stay ahead of potential threats.
- Educate vulnerable family members: Make sure elderly relatives understand how to identify scam calls. Phonely liaises with Age UK to spread awareness and offer resources to protect the most vulnerable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Neighbourhood Watch still a thing?
Yes! It is more relevant than ever, with modern groups focused on both physical safety and preventing digital threats like phone and online scams.
How can I set up a Neighbourhood Watch?
Follow the steps outlined in this blog to start your group or visit the Neighbourhood Watch UK website.
Where can I get Neighbourhood Watch stickers?
You can get stickers from the Neighbourhood Watch shop or ask your local authority for advice.
What does being part of a Neighbourhood Watch mean?
It means working together with your neighbours to make your community safer. You’ll share information about local crime and help prevent issues like theft and scams. It’s about creating a sense of community and shared responsibility for everyone’s safety.
Does Neighbourhood Watch cost money?
Joining or starting a Neighbourhood Watch group is usually free. The only potential cost might be stickers or signs for your area, but these are optional and sometimes provided by local authorities. These stickers and signs can be a great deterrent to potential criminals, showing that your community is vigilant and protected.
Where is my local Neighbourhood Watch?
Finding your local Neighbourhood Watch is easy. You can check if there’s already a group in your area by visiting the postcode checker. This handy tool allows you to find and join existing groups or start your own if there isn’t one nearby.
What is the Nextdoor app UK?
Nextdoor is a popular social network for neighbourhoods, that offers a platform for neighbours to communicate about the goings-on in their community.
Conclusion
Neighbourhood Watch continues to be a trusted way to reduce crime and build stronger, safer communities. By partnering with Neighbourhood Watch, Phonely plays a part in protecting your home from both physical and digital threats. Whether you’re looking to start a local group or improve your scam defences, stay safe with Phonely and Neighbourhood Watch UK.
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