Crime fighters a grand example to all

A CRIME-FIGHTING group has proved that it pays to be good neighbours.

Chadderton Home Watch scooped £1,000 after being named as an example of excellence for the rest of the country.

It has been chosen as a case study by the national Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network, which highlights and promotes the initiatives, because it has had such a positive impact on the area.

Set up almost 30 years ago, the Chadderton group has had around 2,000 members in 125 schemes across the area led by 209 co-ordinators.

It promotes commonsense crime prevention and members work with the police on projects such as distributing leaflets about bogus callers.

They also provide an extra set of eyes and ears for officers and a high profile successes include a man who was arrested after stealing a plasma TV and £300 from a house in Chadderton.

He was tracked down by police only 30 minutes after a resident spotted him acting suspiciously.

The group has close links with the police, councillors, schools and community groups.

Members regularly promote Home Watch at local supermarkets and community events to encourage more residents to join.

A monthly raffle is also held to raise money for door chains, personal alarms and other security measurers for elderly and vulnerable residents.

It is the second honour for Chadderton Home Watch as chairman Alan Wilde — who has held the post since it was set up in 1982 — was nominated for a Pride in Oldham Award in 2008.

Pete Lee, Home Watch administrator for Oldham, said: “The Chadderton Home Watch group has accomplished a great deal in its long history and there is a definite sense of community in the area

“As this group demonstrates, Home Watch has proved highly successful in reducing crime and can help the police to beat burglars, bogus callers and other suspicious characters.

“Through regular meetings residents can work alongside the police to fight crime and make your neighbourhoods safer and more pleasant places to live.” I would encourage people to either join an existing scheme or think about setting one up themselves.”

Chadderton Home Watch meets at the Blue Club, Victoria Street, on the second Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm For more information about Home Watch contact Mr Lee 0161 856 9054.