Surrey Heath Neighbourhood Watch Support Group needs your help as we are completely run by people like you volunteering their time and effort.
To find out about being a Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator or their Deputy go to our Setting Up & Managing Your Watch Page
Join the Support Group
We are all volunteers supporting Surrey Police to reduce crime and make Surrey Heath a safer place to live and work
The ‘Support Group’ coordinates activity and disseminates information aimed at reducing crime in all Surrey Heath Boroughs
We are currently looking for the following:
- Someone to record our bi-monthly meeting minutes
- People to help our Area Coordinators set up new Watches in roads not currently covered particularly in Bisley, West End and Chobham
- Volunteers to set up and run Watches in their road
Background Information
- We have 346 Watches in local roads covering approximately 8300 houses
- We produce a quarterly newsletter (HeathWatch) for members including information from the Police and other advice
- We run 4 Neighbourhood Watch meetings a year, attended by around 100 members where the Police and guest speakers present and answer questions
- Last year we attended 13 local events to promote what we do, to give advice and to offer free security marking e.g. for bikes and buggies
- We advise on home security measures and can give funding to elderly and vulnerable residents
- We link with other agencies to give advice on cyber-crime, on-line fraud and safeguards against child exploitation
- We erect and maintain street signs for every local Watch – showing that Watches are active, hence helping to deter crime.
- Our website gives information about Neighbourhood Watch to let people know how to join and to give security advice.
- Our Facebook & Twitter pages provide the latest crime prevention advice and information on current issues
We are looking for volunteers to help the support group to coordinate all of these activities. All roles are flexible, can be tailored to your availability and we pay for any out of pocket expenses. Some are digitally based and others involve attending events (like the Bisley Strawberry Fayre or the Windlesham Fete) and chatting to people on our stand. If you think that you might be able to help, in whatever way – large or small – then please do contact our Chairman – Alan Howell – alanhowell@surreyheathnw.co.uk
A recent case from a Watch Coordinator
A lady knocked on the door of an elderly couple, Mr & Mrs Edwards, and said she was from the church. The lady said she was checking on Mrs Edwards as she knew that she had been ill. Mr Edwards let the lady into the house. When she entered the house she then asked for £60. She told Mr and Mrs Edwards that she had tidied their garden. They knew this wasn’t true and felt a bit nervous. Mr Edwards went upstairs and the lady followed him and watched as he took the money from a drawer. Mr Edwards paid the money and the lady left.
I arrived 20 minutes after the incident to do my normal visit. On hearing that the couple had called the police I went to a neighbouring house to check their CCTV camera and managed to get footage of the lady and the car that was used. Neighbourhood Watch arranged installation of CCTV at the front and back of the house within a week as there was a concern that the scammer would return. Indeed, the lady came back a few months later and we managed to get a picture of part of her face. This picture was identified by the Police and the lady was arrested for this and a string of other offences.