‘Nosy parkers’ put neighbours first

They are sometimes seen as nosy parkers, peeping out from behind lace curtains. But, as Geoff Wood discovered, members of HomeWatch are a vital cog in the daily fight against crime

HomeWatch is very much a body with official recognition and is often seen as a major force in the grass roots battle against crime.

As a joint venture between the police and the community it aims to reduce crime and share information.

The police say that it has a series of objectives, which include reducing local opportunities for crime and deterring thieves and vandals.

But in doing so, it is hoped that a community spirit and more communication will occur.

And this means that communities should be able to look out for each other and work together when confronted by problems.

But HomeWatch say it is up to residents to inform the local co-ordinator and the police of any suspicious activity and encourage people to look out for the more vulnerable residents in their community.

An effective HomeWatch scheme generally has eight to 10 houses.

Organisers say that on a large street, people may wish to only involve their immediate neighbours.

With the support of their neighbours they should contact the watch scheme administrator at Oldham police station on 0161 856 9054.

Once a new co-ordinator is appointed, regular information will be passed to the group.

Organisers say objectives are:

::To reduce local opportunities for crime, deter thieves and vandals in the area.

::To establish a community spirit, so that mutual co-operation and communication can happen.

::Enable people to look for each other and work together when confronted by community problems.

::To encourage people to inform the street co-ordinator and the police of any suspicious activity.

::To keep an eye out for the more vulnerable residents in their community.”

Co-ordinators say that it is the people within HomeWatch that make it work. Their day- to-day interest and awareness are the key to a successful scheme.

A spokesman said: “Police will help to get the scheme off the ground but its success will depend on the enthusiasm of the co-ordinator and local residents.

“The police watch scheme administrator will offer support and help sustain interest within schemes by maintaining contact with residents.

“An enthusiastic HomeWatch scheme will deter burglaries.

“Protecting your home with locks is fine, but you will enjoy greater security and peace of mind if everyone around is working with you.

“Residents of a community, possess a very specialised knowledge of their neighbourhood that even the proverbial village Bobby would take years to achieve.

“A police officer might not recognise someone in your garden as a stranger, but a neighbour would.

“By letting the police know of anything suspicious you see or hear, you are helping to reduce the opportunities for crime to occur.

“Even going to the trouble of letting a stranger who is wandering about your area know you are keeping an eye on him helps tremendously.

“Some residents think they should not ring the police when they see something suspicious going on at a neighbour’s house as they don’t want anyone to think they are being nosy, prying around net curtains at other people’s business.

“In HomeWatch, the residents all agree that they want each other to be vigilant as far as crime is concerned.

“If you have the phone number of the man next door you can ring him up at work and check whether or not a removal firm should be clearing his house.”

One of the local active branches of HomeWatch is in Saddleworth.

Chairman of Saddleworth HomeWatch Royce Franklin said: “We all have a responsibility to prevent crime and to report anything suspicious, no matter how trivial is may seem at first sight.

“HomeWatch members are particularly good at carrying out this task.

“We need to remember that any information when coupled with other matters can lead to the detection of crime.

“In Saddleworth there are HomeWatch co-ordinators in each of the villages.

“We meet every two months at the Conservative Club, Uppermill, when the police give us an up-to-date informatio on about crime and advice on crime prevention.

“Between meetings those on e-mail, receive details of the most recent crimes to try to speed-up detection.

“Danny Milovanovic, the recently-appointed police inspector for Lees and Saddleworth has appointed a PCSO to liaise directly with each co-ordinator as the need arises.

“There is always room for more Homewatch co-ordinators, not only in Saddleworth, but throughout the borough.

“Anyone interested in starting a group should contact Peter Lee, the co-ordinator for Oldham, on 0161 856 9054.

“We need to remember that prevention of crime is the duty of us all not just the police and HomeWatch co-ordinators.”