Neighbourhood Watch receives national recognition

Devon and Cornwall Police has been named as a finalist in the National Neighbourhood and Home Watch Awards 2014.

The outstanding work of the Local Policing and Partnership has been recognised by their peers as aspirational, with the finalists invited to attend a prestigious awards ceremony on 20 June in Westminster.

The awards are part of a programme of events taking place across the country as part of the annual National Neighbourhood and Home Watch Week which runs between 14 and 22 June.

Chair of the Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network (England & Wales), Jim Maddan, said: “It is my pleasure to celebrate and reward the great work carried out by Neighbourhood and Home Watch volunteers across England and Wales.  There is so much going on out there that needs to be recognised and this is an opportunity to do so.

“Our Board of Trustees was blown away by the quality of nominations received and it was a difficult decision to make, but we have finally narrowed it down to 20 amazing finalists across 10 award categories.  I would like to thank all Neighbourhood and Home Watch coordinators and members for the valuable work that they do in helping people to feel safe where they live.”

Julie Dowton, from the Devon and Cornwall Community Watch Association, said: “This is an excellent example of the police working in partnership to encourage local people to play a part in the community problem-solving process.

“This has given NHW the opportunity to deliver a service that they could not have done without the support and commitment from the police.

“Improvement in the process for sharing vital information has resulted in increased public involvement and confidence in the police. Greater participation by the public has also helped to reduce the fear of crime.

“None of the success of NHW and other Watch schemes in the area would have been possible without this recognition and support from Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer and his predecessors.

“This support has built up over a number of years, resulting in a unique partnership between the police dedicated teams, the enthusiastic efforts of Watch volunteers and the public.

“The Devon and Cornwall Community Watch Association and the Devon and Cornwall Police together form a unique and highly successful community-based partnership.”

For more information about the National Neighbourhood & Home Watch Awards please visit www.ourwatch.org.uk