How To Join

The first step is to assess the interest of your neighbours - do they think Neighbourhood Watch is a good idea and will they support a scheme?

To find out their views, hold an introductory meeting. Pre-printed Neighbourhood Watch meeting slips are available on request from the Neighbourhood Watch office, all you need to do is supply the time and place.

Request that the local police officer in your Safer Neighbourhood Team attend the initial meeting so that residents can meet them. It is your Safer Neighbourhood Team or Crime Reduction Officer who can provide local crime statistics, give relevant advice on home security matters and answer questions.

Alternatively, residents can be approached in person, usually by someone prepared to take on the role of Watch co-ordinator.

A co-ordinators’ information pack is available from the county Neighbourhood Watch headquarters. This gives advice and information about running a successful watch scheme. The information can be photo-copied for scheme members.

If you are interested in starting your own Neighbourhood Watch then contact us (contact details can be found in the Contact Us section) and we can give you information and advice and put you in touch with your local area co-ordinator.

A Watch co-ordinator registers the watch scheme with the police and agrees to help look after the general welfare of the homes in a defined area.

The role should not put the co-ordinator at risk. The aims of the role are to:

•Promote crime prevention

•Act as a link between the police and Watch members and encourage contact

•Distribute messages and information to members of the scheme

•Organise watch meetings for members and welcome newcomers to the neighbourhood

•Promote Neighbourhood Watch in the area and liaise with adjoining watches

•Identify problem areas in the neighbourhood and work with the police, local authority and other agencies to solve them

Ideally, a co-ordinator will have at least one deputy co-ordinator that is capable of running the watch in the co-ordinator’s absence.

All that is needed to run a Neighbourhood Watch scheme is a telephone. Additional office equipment may prove helpful but is not a necessity

The main task of the co-ordinator is to keep Watch members up-to-date about information from the police, which can be done in a variety of ways. Registered Co-ordinators get access to information using Watchline which is a computerised telephone messaging service operated by South Yorkshire Police.

If you require additional information about joining South Yorkshire Neighbourhood Watch or any other aspect of our service, please do not hesitate to contact us where one of the Development Workers will be able to answer your questions or put you in touch with your area co-ordinator.

South Yorkshire Neighbourhood Watch Association