Neighbourhood Watch is a partnership where people come together to make their communities safer. It involves the Police, Community Safety departments of local authorities, other voluntary organisations and, above all, individuals and families who want to make their neighbourhoods better places to live. It aims to help people protect themselves and their properties and to reduce the fear of crime by means of improved home security, greater vigilance, accurate reporting of suspicious incidents to the police and by fostering a community spirit. Riccall Neighbourhood Watch is independent of, but supported by the Parish Council. Objectives of Neighbourhood Watch: To prevent crime By improving security, increasing vigilance, creating and maintaining a caring community and reducing opportunities for crime by increasing crime prevention awareness. To assist the police in detecting crime By promoting effective communication and the prompt reporting of suspicious and criminal activity. To reduce undue fear of crime By providing accurate information about risks and by promoting a sense of security and community spirit, particularly amongst the more vulnerable members of the community. To improve police/community liaison By providing effective communications through systems such as the Neighbourhood Watch Ringmaster system, which warns Co-ordinators of local crime trends which they can disseminate to their scheme members, and by members informing the police of incidents when they occur.
