Does Neighbourhood Watch work?

[secure bob]

Does Neighbourhood Watch really work?

It was supposed to be set up in an area I previously lived in. No one ever contacted me about it, or kept me informed about it - there were just Neighbourhood Watch signs on the lamposts and never heard anything about how it was supposed to apply.

Didn't seem to stop the neighbours from nicking our wheelie bin, or any of the other miscellaneous crime in the area.

[brian]

I had the same situation - the signs were up, but heard nothing about it.

I think as a kid the house we were living in got a periodic newsletter, but I guess it depends how well organised the actual Neighbourhood Watch scheme is.

[briteney]

Wel, if I were a burglar, I'd see Neighbourhood watch as a deterrent. I guess that's why people use them.

[LyricB]

I don't know if there are any statistics about if it deters burglaries, but it sure SEEMS like a good idea. I know I would feel better about my safety if I thought the people living around me had my back.

[Belson17]

If it's done the right way, it's definitely a deterrent. Burglars don't like any sort attention.

[brian]

Certainly not the opportunitists, which I figure are going to be the majority of burglars.

[KATYD]

where I live there is no neighbour hood watch scheme but everyone knows each other as it is a small village and there are alot of older people living around me who keep an eye out all the time. I get my parcels delivered to them and they often come out to tell me that someone called round whilst I was out. Community spirit is a very effective crime preventor

[angivodka]

it really depends on the people in your area. neighbourhood watch groups seem to have disappeared over the last few years and not as many people are interested in community spirit anymore.

[Belson17]

Originally Posted by KATYD

where I live there is no neighbour hood watch scheme but everyone knows each other as it is a small village and there are alot of older people living around me who keep an eye out all the time. I get my parcels delivered to them and they often come out to tell me that someone called round whilst I was out. Community spirit is a very effective crime preventor

That's all it is KATY. Just having someone vigilant who knows what's going on. Burglars know this and they want easy marks. So your neigbors being aware works as a Neigborhood watch.

[OneofaKind]

Originally Posted by LyricB

I don't know if there are any statistics about if it deters burglaries, but it sure SEEMS like a good idea. I know I would feel better about my safety if I thought the people living around me had my back.

I'm inclined to agree that it sounds like a good idea, but it would be nice if it was effectively implemented.

Like a few others have said, there are signs all over my area but no one has contacted me either