CHESHIRE’S police and crime commissioner has designated funding to help set up more Neighbourhood Watch schemes across the county.

David Keane has awarded a £3,700 grant from his Safer Communities Fund to the Cheshire Neighbourhood Watch Association, which supports Neighbourhood Watch schemes in Cheshire so they can promote the development of new schemes and involve more residents.

Neighbourhood Watch is the largest voluntary organisation in the UK, with around six million members. It encourages neighbours to look out for each other and helps residents and the police to guard against crime, vandalism and many other problems in the local community.

There are currently 1,487 Neighbourhood Watch schemes throughout Cheshire, all of which are supported by Cheshire police and the Cheshire Neighbourhood Watch Association (CNWA).

CNWA will use the funding from the commissioner to promote the benefits of the schemes to other residents and support them to set up their own schemes.

PCC David Keane said: “I’m pleased to be supporting the Cheshire Neighbourhood Watch Association in their efforts to increase the number of Neighbourhood Watch schemes across the county.

“Neighbourhood Watch schemes help the police communicate more effectively with local communities which helps prevent crime, making areas with a Neighbourhood Watch scheme safer places to live.

“The schemes also give people the opportunity to play a more active role in their community, whilst increasing reassurance and reducing fear of crime. Some insurance providers even discount house insurance premiums for properties within a Neighbourhood Watch area.”

Ian Walton, chair of the Cheshire Neighbourhood Watch Association, added: “Our Neighbourhood Watch schemes are bound together by a common interest in community safety and security.

“They work in partnership with the police and other community safety organisations to report and receive information, acting as local eyes and ears in our communities and helping to protect the most vulnerable.

“The common interest in safety also helps to foster a better community spirit within Cheshire’s local communities.

“We are grateful for the funding from the police and crime commissioner and look forward to supporting more Cheshire residents to start or expand their own schemes in their local area.”

Cheshire Neighbourhood Watch Association is one of 16 organisations across Cheshire which has recently received Safer Communities funding to support crime prevention or meet the objectives within the commissioner’s police and crime plan.

  • To find out more about the Safer Communities Fund, visit www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk/what-im-doing/safer-communities-fund.