Terms and Conditions (7.4)

Revision Date: 16 October 2025

Neighbourhood Alert is a secure community engagement and messaging platform operated by VISAV Limited (referred to as "VISAV", "we", "our", or "us"). These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") set out the rules for using the Service and explain how your information may be used.

By registering or using the Neighbourhood Alert Service ("the Service"), you agree to these Terms and to the processing of your information as described in our Privacy Policy: www.neighbourhoodalert.co.uk/privacy.

If you do not agree, please do not use the Service.

Who can see my personal details and other information that I provide?

During the registration process you will be able to review and refine which Information Providers (IPs) will be able to see your data. The selection may vary based on your location. When you have completed your registration, you will be able to login to the secure member administration area at any time to instantly review your data sharing permissions.

Service IPs include the following:

"The Police": Authorised and trained employees of your local Police force, the National Police Chiefs' Council, the College of Policing, and a limited number of trained personnel from Police Forces or Constabularies in the UK.

"Fire & Rescue Service": Authorised and trained employees of your local Fire and Rescue service and a limited number of trained personnel from Fire and or Rescue service organisations in other areas in the UK.

"Neighbourhood Watch": The Police or Neighbourhood Watch Association approved Coordinator and administrators for the scheme that you live within, as well as authorised and trained representatives of Neighbourhood Watch Network (England & Wales) and Neighbourhood Watch Scotland.

"Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)": Your elected PCC and authorised, trained members of their office.

"Local Authority" / "Mayoral Combined Authority": Trained, authorised employees of your local council or unitary authority.

"VISAV": Trained, authorised and vetted (Non-Police Personnel Vetting Level 3) employees of VISAV Limited.

All IPs have agreed to abide by the Neighbourhood Alert Rules and Conventions and are bound under the terms of a Neighbourhood Alert licence and data processing agreement. Each IP has a nominated Data Controller registered with the Information Commissioners' Office (ICO). The System Administrator is VISAV Limited, ICO registration number Z8862537.

New Information Providers

New, non-commercial IPs may be licensed in the future to provide relevant community, safety, or policing information. They must comply with data protection legislation, agree to the system's purpose, and must not use the Service for direct marketing.

Secure login and authentication

To improve user security, Neighbourhood Alert uses a password-free "magic link" login system. When you enter your email address, a one-time login link will be sent to you for direct access. If you wish to update your details or access additional features, a secondary authentication PIN may be required (via SMS or WhatsApp).

This enhanced process provides Service members with additional protection and data integrity.

How will you use my data?

Your details will be used primarily for distribution and collection of community safety information, gathering opinions and for the management and growth of the Neighbourhood Watch and other active citizen-based communities.

Full details relating to data use within the Service can be found in the Privacy Policy: www.neighbourhoodalert.co.uk/privacy

Who owns this website?

VISAV Limited (VISAV) is the data controller for the entire Neighbourhood Alert network of sites and owns this website. Each IP that can access your data takes on the responsibilities of a joint Data Controller (with VISAV). VISAV ensures that each licensed IP is aware of their responsibilities under the Data Protection Act and will pass on any complaints to the Information Provider concerned.

VISAV will, on behalf of the IPs and site administrators, lawfully and securely administrate all personal details submitted to this website. VISAV will not divulge to any of its partners or any other body or individual without your permission any personal details that you provide, unless it is essential to do so for the purpose of detecting or preventing crime, or if this is in the interests of public safety. VISAV cannot accept any responsibility for damage or loss to equipment, software or data caused by use of this site.

Receiving messages

You agree to receive Alerts from the Neighbourhood Alert message broadcast system, and accept that you may receive emails, text messages or voice messages from the above IPs but will not incur any costs for receiving them. In some cases, you may incur a small cost for replying to a text message or dialing the voice delivery system. No guarantee or promise is made or should be assumed that messages will be sent on a regular or reliable basis, nor is a minimum number of messages guaranteed.

The administrators and Information Providers make no promise or guarantee that you will be warned about imminent, past or present incidents or threats by using this system and no guarantee should be implied.

Who is the site and Service for?

The site is provided for the use of any resident who is at least THIRTEEN (13) years old, living within the UK. Persons under the age of thirteen should not register.

Applying to be a member

To register with the system, please enter your details and click on the "Join" button.

All applicants are required to acknowledge the system terms and conditions when completing the application form. Registered members must adhere to the system terms and conditions at all times.

The Service is not available for any person under the age of 13.

You accept responsibility for ensuring that the details provided by you are kept up to date and accurate.

The System Administrator can remove your account at any time.

System security

You must keep your login details secure and must not share access to your account.

Inappropriate use of the system, including misuse of data or the distribution of offensive material, may result in suspension or removal from the Service.

Message content and use

Information sent to you may be sensitive and you agree to use your best judgement to retain or distribute the information according to the interests of public safety and crime prevention. You are permitted to share the content of community messages with other members of the public unless they state otherwise.

Information in messages can be used in local newsletters and publications providing it is copied accurately and not used in a misleading or misrepresenting context.

Messages are sent to keep members of the public up-to-date and must not be used in a manner as to unduly raise the fear of crime.

Communication with Information Providers:

Members may reply directly to the community messages, but replies must not contain language that is racist, discriminatory, threatening, or otherwise inappropriate. Contact details are also provided on each message.

VISAV and Information Providers reserve the right to suspend or remove accounts for misuse.

Data protection

All personal data processed through the Service is handled in accordance with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.

Data will not be sold, loaned, or disclosed except where required by law.

More information regarding GDPR can be found at www.neighbourhoodalert.co.uk/gdpr

Cookies and online tracking

The Service uses essential cookies to ensure secure login, language preference, and session management. These cookies do not store personally identifiable information.

You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings.

For more information, see our Privacy Policy: www.neighbourhoodalert.co.uk/privacy

Liability and disclaimer

VISAV accepts no liability for any problems, defects or damage caused to hardware, software or data owned by the member accessing the systems software.

Any call charges or costs incurred by accessing the website or replying to messages is the responsibility of the bill payer, whose consent should be obtained before using the system.

Information Providers are not responsible for the content or availability of any linked websites. Listing a site should not be seen as an endorsement of any kind.

VISAV and Information Providers take all reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of information shared but cannot guarantee that all messages are error-free or received by every user.

VISAV accepts no liability for any loss, damage, or inconvenience arising from the use of the Service.

Updating preferences, unsubscribing and data deletion

Your permission to share your data with each Information Provider can be given and withdrawn at any time by logging into your member account using the "Update Preferences" link found at the bottom of every Alert email you receive. Alternatively, please email support@neighbourhoodalert.co.uk or call us on 0115 924 5517 (office hours).

You unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of every Alert email you receive, or by logging into your member account and selecting the "unsubscribe" option from the "Your Information" section. Alternatively, please email support@neighbourhoodalert.co.uk or call us on 0115 924 5517 (office hours).

Data deletion will follow VISAV's Data Retention and Deletion Policy.

Conditions for using the member discussion area

You agree not to post any abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, discriminatory or any other material that may contravene any laws or is likely to cause offence or distress to other users. Doing so may lead to you being immediately and permanently banned from this system. You agree that the administrator and moderators of this website have the right to remove or close any topic/message at any time should they see fit. The IP address of all messages is recorded to aid in enforcing these conditions. Any unlawful use of the website may result in legal action being taken against you.

Please be aware that all messages sent using this website express the views and opinions of the author and not the administrators, moderators, Information Providers or Webmaster and hence VISAV and members of the administration cannot be held liable for material posted on this site or information distributed by the communication system.

By using the website, you undertake to indemnify VISAV and the administrators and its staff against any liability arising from any breach of confidentiality, copyright or other intellectual property right published by you on this website and against any loss, damages, claims and costs arising from any such publication.

Complaints and contact

For any questions or complaints regarding these Terms or your data, please contact:

Data Protection Officer, VISAV Ltd, Sherwood Business Centre, 616a–620a Mansfield Road, Sherwood, Nottingham, NG5 2GA or email support@neighbourhoodalert.co.uk.

Changes to these Terms

VISAV may update these Terms to reflect changes in law, technology, or system operation. Significant updates will be communicated to members via email or on login.

Continued use of the Service after such changes indicates your acceptance of the revised Terms.