According to the Office for National Statistics, the most recent crime statistics have revealed that domestic burglary has halved over the last ten years and the likelihood of becoming a repeat victim of burglary has reduced by 60%.
Being part of the community and being neighbourly has proven to reduce the chance of being burgled, with stronger neighbourhoods helping to reduce crime overall. The Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network (NHWN) for England and Wales states that by simply looking out for neighbours, reporting anything suspicious and adopting a few simple changes, helps to reduce the chance of being burgled. However, the advice from NHWN is that is always more which can be done and without new members and more communities looking out for each other, crime could start to increase.
Jim Maddan, Chairman of the Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network said:
“Studies show that Neighbourhood and Home Watch schemes have a positive impact, typically reducing crime in neighbourhoods by around 16 – 26%, which is why its vital society works together to continue to bring crime rates down. As we celebrate 50 years of Neighbourhood Watch, we’ve made the bold decision to rejuvenate our brand, changing our iconic logo for a limited edition logo by enlisting the help of comparethemarket.com’s popular meerkats to widen our appeal and ultimately drive down crime by bringing communities together.”
The Network has also been working with the Master Locksmith Association, Secured by Design and their Primary Security Sponsor Avocet Hardware, manufacture of the ABS high security door locks, in raising the awareness of the standards of locks and other security products.
For more information, please visit www.ourwatch.org.uk
Best Regards
John
John Wright MBE
Chair. Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Federation.
