A new Neighbourhood Watch scheme has been set up in Mansfield Grove in the Ballyarnett area of Derry.
From left, Cllr Paul Fleming, chairperson of Derry PCSP, Sandra Holden, PCSP officer and Brian Ward, Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator for the Mansefield Grove scheme.
The scheme, which covers 30 homes, was recently approved by the Department of Justice and the PSNI.
Neighbourhood Watch is one of the biggest and most successful crime prevention initiatives ever and is grounded in a partnership between the community, the police and other statutory agencies.
Neighbourhood Watch is not solely about reducing burglary or break-ins it is about fostering and growing communities who care.
This was the point emphasised by Brian Ward, Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator for the scheme.
He said: “This area on the outskirts of the city has a well established community spirit with many residents in the area having lived there since the houses were built.
“This community spirit has prompted the residents to establish a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme primarily to ‘keep an eye out for each other.’
“Apart from the obvious home security aspects of the scheme I feel that this initiative will also bring us closer together and make a real contribution to the safety and well-being of the area.”
Cllr. Paul Fleming, chairperson of the Derry Policing and Community Safety Partnership, said “from a community perspective,” he was to see an increase in the number of Neighbourhood Watch Schemes being established in the city.
He added: “The PCSP has been instrumental in promoting these schemes and we now have over 25 accreditated schemes in the Council area covering in excess of 800 homes. I have no doubt that the establishment of these schemes coupled with the general multi-agency approach to tackling crime has contributed to the welcome reduction in the number of domestic burglaries this year.
“I would ask residents to continue to take extra home safety precautions and look out for their neighbours and would advise anyone considering setting up a scheme to contact the Derry PCSP on 7137 6565.”
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