Shropshire Neighbourhood Watch Conference

Press release - 19 September 2007

On Thursday 27 September 2007 Shropshire Neighbourhood Watch will hold a full day conference at the Wroxeter Hotel, near Shrewsbury.

This will be the first ever countywide conference for Shropshire’s Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators. Shropshire Neighbourhood Watch is supported by West Mercia Constabulary, West Mercia Police Authority and Shropshire County Council.

Delegates will be welcomed by Assistant Chief Constable Simon Chesterman of West Mercia Constabulary, who will emphasise the partnership between Neighbourhood Watch Schemes and the recently introduced Local Policing. Speakers at the conference will also include the Home Office Crime Reduction Specialist and regional representatives from Humberside and Hertfordshire.

The speakers will share national, regional and local perspectives on Neighbourhood Watch and local policing. The organisers then hope the conference will identify a formal Shropshire Neighbourhood Watch Association to support and develop work being done by district groups, and to represent Shropshire nationally and regionally.

Gerald Dakin, County Councillor Portfolio Holder for Community Safety said, “Shropshire County Council continues to work closely with West Mercia Police to ensure that local communities are fully involved in the development of local policing. Neighbourhood Watch plays a key part in helping to provide this local participation.”

Currently there are over 250 Neighbourhood Watch Schemes scattered across Shropshire, covering over 12,500 homes. In many areas local volunteers already work closely and effectively with police and local authorities in providing local information on crime and anti-social behaviour. It is hoped the conference will strengthen this existing good practice, sealing any gaps across the county.

Bill Morris, Voluntary County Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator said, “To maintain a low level of crime in a rural county, crime reduction has to be a countywide team effort involving local people, the police and other public agencies. An aim of the conference is to strengthen links by developing a better understanding of each other’s problems and improving communication between our communities and the local crime fighting agencies.”

For further information, call Dr Grahame James, Head of Safer Communities on 01743 252749 or Kelly Oldham, Anti-Social Behaviour Programme Delivery Officer on 01743 252737.

ENDS

Further information

(1) Breakdown of Neighbourhood Watch Schemes:

Shrewsbury and Atcham – over 135 schemes, covering nearly 5,500 homes
North Shropshire – over 15 schemes, covering nearly 1,500 homes
South Shropshire – over 30 schemes, covering nearly 2,500 homes
Oswestry – over 25 schemes, covering nearly 1,000 homes
Bridgnorth – over 70 schemes, covering over 2,500 homes

Partner agencies in attendance include:
West Mercia Constabulary
Shropshire County Council
District/Borough Council’s representing the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership
Police Authority
Crimestoppers
County Councillors
PCCG Representatives
Shropshire Partnership

(2) There will be a photo-call and opportunity to interview the speakers during the course of the conference. To arrange please contact either Dr Grahame James or Kelly Oldham on the details above.

For media contact, call Maria Jones, Communications Officer, Community Services on 01743 253881.