The COVID-19 outbreak has had a significant impact on everyone’s life and routines, creating a significant challenge for all public and consumer services whose response has been ‘magnificent’.  Ironically, the government’s lockdown ‘stay at home’ measure has witnessed the extent to which human nature can rally to the needs of other people with so many stories of kindness, consideration and generosity.  Three simple principles underpin Neighbourhood Watch:

  • Know your neighbours
  • Be neighbourly
  • Be active in supporting your community

Recent weeks have clearly demonstrated the extent to which the above principles have been witnessed in communities, across the country, large and small, involving millions of people.  Chiseldon has also benefitted from such generosity of spirit for which we are all grateful.

Viewed from the past the current community-spirit response must be seen as something to put right in the future, post-COVID-19.  Let us hope so…

Latest NHW news…

  • The 101 call service is now FREE and evidence reveals how call response times have improved significantly in the last two years.
  • The national NHW Network has revamped its website recently.  Why not take a look at www.ourwatch.org.uk
  • Wiltshire Police has recently revitalised the principle of neighbourhood policing within its Community Policing Team model.  There are now eight CPT’s which use town/city locations to identify with local communities, each serving as a central hub.  These are: Amesbury CPT, Chippenham, Devizes, Royal Wootton Bassett, Salisbury, Swindon and Trowbridge.  Please note that Swindon is now one CPT, replacing the previous North and South Swindon sectors.  Once the COVID-19 outbreak recedes there will be time to discuss how the recent changes will impact upon local communities and their contact with named officers and PCSO’s.  The Chief Constable has stated that up to 25% of officers are now deployed on neighbourhood policing.
  • I have followed up, without much success, on a BBC news item that indicated that Wiltshire Police were encouraging owners of doorbell cams and CCTV to register this equipment with WP in order to support crime investigation.  Notwithstanding the guidance which governs the use of such recording equipment, there is general support for its use in crime investigation.  I am seeking a response to my questions concerning ‘guidelines’ and ‘sign-up’.
  • Don’t forget to visit the Wiltshire Police website for updates and information and if not already a subscriber to Wiltshire and Swindon Community Messaging administered by Neighbourhood Alert, you may wish to join by going to www.wiltsmessaging.co.uk