July 2026: Neighbourhood Watch schemes

Neighbourhood Watch - What is it?

Neighbourhood Watch, sometimes known as Home Watch, is nationwide and one of the most successful crime prevention initiatives ever. The idea behind Neighbourhood Watch (NW) schemes is that neighbours come together to build community safety awareness and promote neighbourliness. They are led by volunteer coordinators who work with their neighbours and the local PCSO and police officers to address any local crime issues and undertake crime prevention activities. Coordinators receive information from the police to pass on to neighbours and encourage their neighbours to pass information about anything suspicious to police. Schemes can be large, covering for example, most of the households on an estate, or they might involve just half a dozen houses. Amongst the advantages of joining established NW schemes are that they are proven to reduce local crime such as burglary, vandalism, car thefts and thefts from cars. Better community spirit is also fostered, and crime prevention advice can be efficiently and quickly circulated throughout a community.

How do I get involved?

To find out if there is already a NW scheme in your area, go to www.ourwatch.org.uk and enter your postcode. If there is a scheme that already covers where you live you can ask to join it and the coordinator for the scheme will be in touch with you.

If there isn’t a scheme nearby, you can consider setting one up. You can do this through the "ourwatch" website by clicking to create a scheme. Alternatively, send an email to the mailbox for the Cheshire Neighbourhood Watch Association: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Cheshire Neighbourhood Watch Association was constituted in 2016 to promote and support NW schemes across Cheshire, and they work in partnership with Cheshire Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner. Assistance is available to residents wishing to join a scheme, to coordinators wishing to re-invigorate their existing scheme, and for those wishing to start new NW schemes. The volunteer team at CNWA can update details on the NW database, provide general advice and support, and send out Coordinator Packs containing all of the materials needed to get started, including leaflets and stickers. They can be contacted using the mailbox: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

More information also obtainable from our PCSO, Simon Donnelly.

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Our News July 2026 is here!

It’s been so hot over the last month. We’ve already shared tips on how to stay safe and be a good neighbour in the heat on our social channels. We’ve also got practical advice from ERA in this edition. Other highlights this month include:

More powers for the police to tackle vehicle-related antisocial behaviour (ASB)
Watch our ASB week webinar with Resolve
Community spotlight on Trelewis and Bedlinog

Vehicle-related ASB seizures coming into force via the Crime and Policing Act

The measures remove the requirement for police officers to give a warning before seizing a motor vehicle used in an antisocial manner. There is also a change in the law to shorten the time between vehicles being seized by the police, and when they can be disposed of. You can read more about this here.

Concerned about a vacant property in your neighbourhood?

Empty properties can become vulnerable to antisocial behaviour, vandalism and unauthorised access, creating concern for residents. Neighbourhood Watch is working in partnership with Ad Hoc Property Management to help members raise concerns about vacant buildings in their area. If you know of a vacant property causing concern, find out more and report it here. – Ad.

Antisocial behaviour awareness week webinar: reporting ASB

Reporting antisocial behaviour (ASB) is everyone’s business, but it isn’t always easy. It can really help to know where and how to report it. We hosted a webinar with Resolve ASB on the topic to help provide some practical advice. If you could not join the event, you can watch the recording of it here.

Blog - It's everyone's business: working together to tackle antisocial behaviour

Our head of membership and community engagement, Cheryl Spruce has written a blog about why it's vital that we all take responsibility for reporting antisocial behaviour. She shares her view that it is also important that we build community connections and partnerships to tackle issues effectively. Read her blog here.

Protect your motorhome

Don’t give thieves the opportunity to operate, VanGuardian provides a visual deterrent and delivers a powerful 113dB+ alarm that activates on contact, exposing a thief, forcing them to retreat and alerting you in time to take action - protecting your campervan and keeping you safe inside. All in a simple end-user fit, find out more here. – Ad.

Image shows members of the group posing with a large cheque for for 20K

Community spotlight - Congratulations Trelewis and Bedlinog!

Neighbourhood Watch Trelewis and Bedlinog District has secured £20,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund/ Cronfa Gymunedol y Loteri Genedlaethol Awards for All programme. The funding supports their Community Events and Activities Programme over the next two years, reducing isolation and helping people feel connected, supported and safe. Congratulations to Michelle Symonds and the dedicated team of volunteers. You can follow their fabulous work on Facebook here.

Protect your home in warm weather

Warm weather can lead to increased antisocial behaviour and opportunistic burglaries within our communities. The home security experts at ERA share some tips to help you protect your property and support safer neighbourhoods throughout the summer season, from securing doors and windows to planning for holidays. Read more here. Learn about ERA’s range of smart home security solutions, visit https://eraprotect.com – Ad.

Social media policy and guidance

A lot of our members and groups use social media, and we encourage people to share crime prevention and community advice. We thought it would be a good time to remind everyone that we have a comprehensive policy and a shorter guide for members and groups using social media as representatives of Neighbourhood Watch. Neighbourhood Watch is a trademarked name and logo, so breaches of policy or inappropriate behaviour may result in disciplinary action. Find the policy and short guide here.

The Co-op Local Community Fund is looking for applicants

Co-op is still looking for applications in some communities across the UK. Use their postcode checker to find out if you can still apply. Applications in these areas close at midnight on Friday 10 July 2026. Check if your area or scheme is eligible here.

Neighbourhood Watch Lottery Summer Prize Draw

On Saturday 29 August, one lucky lottery supporter will win a £2,000 luxury holiday, (or choose a £2,000 cash alternative instead). 50% of all tickets sold from our page go to the Neighbourhood Watch Network. Buying a ticket through One Lottery means that we can continue to support the network throughout England and Wales. Find out more and buy tickets here.

Are your bins looking a bit sad?

Could they use some colour? Why not brighten them up with some Neighbourhood Watch bin stickers! It may sound like I’m not entirely serious, but there is a serious point to them. The stickers act as a crime deterrent, because they signal an active, watchful community. Also, we’ve got some in the shop, so check them out!

Best wishes,

Charmian

Message Sent By
Charmian Walker-Smith
(Neighbourhood Watch Network, Head of Comms & Digital, England & Wales)

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If you interested in becoming a neighbourhood watch coordinator helping to create as stronger resilient community then please see link attached for more information.

https://www.cheshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/wsi/watch-schemes-initiatives/neighbourhood-watch