From Philip Virgo as Development Lead for Neighbourhood Watch  in Lambeth

To All NHW Co-ordinators and Deputies in Lambeth

We do not not yet have a Neighbourhood Watch Association in Lambeth. I therefore intend to use the request (see letter below from the NHW Chief Executive and the National Police Chief Council lead for Community Policing) to identify those interested in using the opportunity of national volunteering week to relaunch Neighbourhood Watch, on their street and/or in their ward, in co-operation with the local Safer Neighbourhood Panel, Councillors and Community Groups. 

The Lambeth NHW planning team has discussed building on the local implementation of the national (see letter below) programmes to identify and support vulnerable neighbours in co-operation with those supposed to provide them with priority service: from utilities, through council to health and wellbeing.

The team has also agreed to work locally with those (schools, youth, sports and faith groups etc.) organising engagement and support activities for launch after the exam season ends in June. 

On Saturday I am scheduled to attend a national Youth watch conference and hope to pick up ideas and leads. I have attended recent Lambeth Council consultations on “Safer Lambeth” (20th February)  and “Stronger Communities” (27th March). Next week I am due to discuss the forward strategy for co-operation with the Cabinet Member for Community Safety. 

Please read below and then let me know how you would like to help. I would be pleased to send you a copy of the current development strategy and/or invite you to a planning meeting. These are on-line and/or physical, we do not have good facilities for hybrid meetings, unless some-one offers.

If you do not know your police neighbourhood team lead or safer neighbourhood panel chair please message me. 

If you would like help organising a local recruitment exercise please let me know your local area, priorities, objectives and plans and I will seek to put you in touch with allies and helpers. 

.

   Neighbourhood Watch Network

V108, Vox Studios

1 – 45 Durham Street

Vauxhall, London

SE11 5JH 

8th April 2025

Dear Association Leads,

We are well and truly into spring with lots of lovely weather and blossom and bulbs out! It’s been a busy few weeks with new Associations being launched, a visit from the policing minister and visits to local groups.

Visit from Dame Diana Johnson MP (Policing Minister)

The Minister of State for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention visited the central support office on 28th March to meet with staff, leads, coordinators, young people and the Chair Ian Bretman. The visit was planned to coincide with a major government policy launch and media interviews, but with the ongoing global tariff issues the announcement has been delayed. Nevertheless, the minister was with the team and volunteers for an hour and a half, double what was expected!

Diana was really interested in the local work and individual work focusing on harassment, ASB and violence which several of the local associations were able to talk about. We also discussed the ability of Neighbourhood Watch to mobilise in local communities as evidenced by the BT project which she again was very interested in, given the governments focus on reducing community crime and positive community action.

She was also interested in the change in demographics of Neighbourhood Watch with 50% of supporters on Alert now being under 55 years. In addition, the focus on both crime prevention and community/individual wellbeing which has led to an increase of more vibrant and proactive schemes which are more attractive to younger people and families.

Neighbourhood Watch Week

Following work from us and the Home Office, the National Police Chiefs Council Lead for Citizens in Policing, Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Nolan has written to all Assistant Chief Constables leading Citizens in Policing portfolios in all Police Force Areas. The content is copied at the end of this letter. 

The aim is to invite (and ensure) all police forces are taking part in a volunteering event in support of the ‘Month of Community’ which Neighbourhood Watch weeks kicks off. Neighbourhood Watch is mentioned specifically, and I encourage all leads (and, at a local level, coordinators) to contact their Police single points of contact (SPOCS) with suggestions about potential shared volunteering events during the ‘Month of Community’. 

If we approach police SPOCS with specific suggestions rather than general interest, then we are far more likely to be taken up and supported in events. I hope that this opportunity to hold joint events with the police will lead to better local working. The events can be whatever there is enthusiasm for locally such as litter picks, Big Lunches, street events etc.

British Telecom Project

The BT Project, educating vulnerable people about the digital switch, is ending. There are just a few final sessions to go. The work has been a real success with a huge number of people supported over England and Wales. We’ve had lots of very positive feedback from members of the public who felt both re-assured and many wanted to join Neighbourhood watch now they know it is not just ‘twitchy curtains’. 

I would like to thank all the volunteers and leads across the network who have been involved in the project. Your work not only in delivering a new type of project, but also the way it was delivered; collaboratively and with great initiative, is what made it such a success. I am particularly delighted that the feedback about working on the project has been so positive. You made a big difference, supporting worried and often vulnerable people. It is clear how much you have enjoyed the work and the impact it has had.

E-on Project

We have been working with E-on on a slightly similar project to the BT work. In mid-June the analogue signal that works with old electricity meters is being switched off. This affects all energy providers, and it is not known which properties have affected meters or what will happen when the old signal ceases. There is significant worry that users may immediately move to higher tariffs or that their supply may be cut off. 

We will be running local sessions with volunteers and, in most cases, with an E-on engineer to explain what action people need to take. Basically, people need to contact their suppliers and get their current meter assessed. Then, if required, they need to know what new meter to install. 

The project will only be for three months until the end of June which means we have been able to utilise the BT staff on the new project. The spread and number of local events in this project is smaller with the East Midlands being a focus. We will be contacting volunteers who worked on the BT project in areas that we will be running E-on events.

Regional Association Leads Meetings

The local events have been taking place over the past few months and feedback has been very positive about the value and content. One area which we have gratefully received feedback is on the Safeguarding Policy which we are in the process of amending. I am also planning an on-line session with Leads to support you in understanding the policy. Cheryl Spruce will be continuing with the events over the year, but early responses suggest we will be maintaining the events into the future. As always, please share this letter with your Coordinators and keep us informed of any local events and activity.

Warmest wishes,

John Hayward-Cripps

CEO Neighbourhood Watch Network

Letter from DCC Rachel Nolan to all Police Forces

Dear Assistant Chief Constables leading Citizens in Policing portfolios

Take up the #MonthofCommunity Challenge in June – Stronger Communities = Safer Communities

The CiP programme recognises the value volunteers add to policing including improving community engagement to strengthen trust and confidence between the police and the people.  

As many of you know, June acts as #MonthofCommunity https://www.edenprojectcommunities.com/month-of-community.  #MonthofCommunity is organised by the Eden Project and provides an umbrella for a wide range of community based activities including the Big Lunch, Big Helpout, Volunteering Week, Neighbourhood Watch Week and Loneliness Week.   With this in mind and to provide greater visibility for the police collaborating with local communities, I am challenging all police forces to organise a minimum of one #MonthofCommunity volunteering activity during June 2025.   

As far as I am aware all (or the vast majority) of police forces already partner with Neighbourhood Watch, Crimestoppers, Street Pastors, The Kings Trust and Volunteer Police Cadets so you should already have a lot of the necessary infrastructure in place. If you need any input in respect of relevant ideas as to what would work, please contact any of the charities listed below or get in touch with Katie Aston at the Home Office  katie.aston2@homeoffice.gov.uk. 

Volunteering is a brilliant way to connect with people who share common interests and to collectively achieve something for the greater good and there’s a lot of evidence that stronger communities are safer communities. Altruism and the satisfaction that volunteering can bring benefits wellbeing and also brings us all closer to the communities that we serve.  By coming together, we can provide visible leadership for what CiP stands for and what we know works.

Thanking you in advance for your time and input.    

DCC Rachel Nolan