WCYT

DEDICATED members of the community and the local neighbourhood policing team have joined forces to launch a new Neighbourhood Watch group in Harwich
Police Community Support Officers Lynn Grayburn and Phil Barnes have been working together Paul Teague, Essex Watch Administrator, and residents to set the group up in Artillery Drive.
“We’ve had such a positive response to the idea,” explained PCSO Grayburn. “It started after we had a series of burglaries and thefts from cars on the estate. We stepped up patrols in the area and gave out crime reduction advice, but we were keen to do something extra that would bring the community together.”
PCSOs Grayburn and Barnes visited all of the houses in Artillery Drive to find out if residents would be interested in Neighbourhood Watch. The response was excellent, said PCSO Barnes.
“There are just over 60 houses in the road, and we have around 40 of them signed up to the scheme. The co-ordinator of the group is extremely proactive and she has done some sterling work in helping us to get it up and running,” he explained.
PCSOs Grayburn and Barnes are now in the process of setting up a second Neighbourhood Watch group for Regimental Way and Parade Drive and are looking for residents to get involved. If you are interested in the scheme, contact Harwich police station on 0300 333 4444 or email lynn.grayburn@essex.police.pnn.uk.

Watch out, Billy is after you

WILLING residents are being urged to join the fight against crime in their neighbourhood. Community crimefighters are being sought from across the district to help police put away crooks.
Neighbourhood Watch is looking to recruit co-ordinators for the Vange, Pitsea South East, St Martin's and Laindon Park wards.
Billy Fuller, Neighbourhood Watch administrator for Basildon, who started his post this year, said: "The core philosophy of Neighbourhood Watch is that standing together makes you stronger in the face of crime. It's encouraging for me to see that so many people in Basildon are already committed to reduce crime by being involved in Neighbourhood Watch. Co-ordinators are generally responsible for wards or streets and keep their neighbours up to date about crimes in their area so they can be on the look-out. They also get regular updates from police about crimes in their area."
Homes in Neighbourhood Watch zones are often given cheaper house insurance. Mr Fuller, who is also a special constable in Tilbury in his free time, added: "The scheme is a separate organisation to Essex Police.
"But by working closely with them we create a great two-way flow of information, encompassing expert advice on how to keep your property safe and secure. We also ensure important intelligence about real and potential criminal activity reaches the police."

Brenda is watching out for you

BRENDA Cross is the new Essex Watch Administrator (EWA) for Braintree district. Brenda brings plenty of experience to the role, as she has worked for Essex Police for the past five years and has been the EWA for Chelmsford district for the past 18 months. She will now put all her energies into working with communities in both Chelmsford and Braintree.
Brenda said: “I’m greatly looking forward to using my experience to build upon and liaise with the many excellent Watch groups which are already in place across Braintree district.”
The Watch family is growing at a fast pace. In addition to working with local Neighbourhood Watch groups, Brenda has been involved in the creation of Farm Watch, Church Watch, School Watch, Industrial Watch, Golf Club Watch, Garden Centre Watch, Marine Watch and Horse Watch groups.
If you live in Chelmsford or Braintree district and would like further information about Watch groups in your area, please contact Brenda Cross on 0300 3334444.

Watch sponsors soccer kids

Hawkwell Athletic’s under-eight Leopards soccer team are ready to put their best foot forward next season, thanks to sponsorship from Rochford District Neighbourhood Watch (NHW). The youngsters have been kitted out with new home and away kits, and training tops by NHW whose goal it is to raise awareness of its presence and work to make the community safer by encouraging a neighbourly spirit among residents.
Richard Bills of Neighbourhood Watch said: “We were happy to support the club when they approached us and we wish the youngsters all the best for next season.It may seem unusual for a Neighbourhood Watch scheme to sponsor a team in this way, but Hawkwell Athletic is a community – oriented club with tremendous support from parents and they do a great deal in providing worthwhile activities for local youngsters.”
The under-eight Leopards play in the South East Essex Primary Soccer League and are coached by Martin Taylor.

Celebrate with us

Have you got a special birthday or anniversary coming up? Are you due to celebrate a special event? Or do you know a friend or family member who has something very special to celebrate soon?

If you do, just send us a picture with details of the person or persons along with details of the event and we will run it free of charge in this column.

This service is only available to members of a Neighbourhood Watch and their families so make sure you tell us which Watch you belong to. Send all your details to:

peterfaulkner@whocanyoutrust.org.uk or peterfaulkner@hotmail.com