Broadstone Neighbourhood Watch
Broadstone Neighbourhood Watch was formed in 1987 and from a small beginning has grown steadily to its present size of almost 3,000 dwellings, as is still gaining members.
The aims of the Watch are to promote and sustain an interest in the prevention of crime against persons and property which is achieved by the closest possible liaison and co-operation between the police, the committee and individual participants.
Membership is open to all dwellings within the Broadstone postal district (and certain adjacent streets) upon payment of a small donation – currently a minimum of £1 per annum.
The Watch is divided into groups, each with its own leader called a Contact who in turn reports to a Co-ordinator who deals with several Contacts. Currently the Watch has 35 Co-ordinators and 220 Contacts. It is run by a Committee consisting of the officers and 9 Co-ordinators elected annually. The Committee meets at Gravel Hill Police Station every three months.
A register is held by our Membership and Development Officer, Jeff Davies, of all dwelling addresses in the Watch. When a new group is formed we arrange for an information pack to be provided for each member containing Window Stickers and leaflets on all manner of personal and property security, and details of our scheme. All members have the phone numbers and e-mail addresses of the Community Beat Officers, Membership and Development Officer and their Contact, so that they can get in touch and get advice, or pass on information at any time. Many Contacts are listed on the ‘Ringmaster System’ which assists in the rapid spread of urgent messages from the Police to all members either by phone or e-mail and has proven to be a very effective means of disseminating and gathering information on current criminal activity.
We produce a monthly Newsletter providing information about crimes in the area together with comment and advice. This is delivered to every participating dwelling (or can be sent on-line), and we find that this helps people feel more involved and responsible to work with and for each other.
Broadstone Neighbourhood Watch holds a Surgery in the Broadstone Library from 10 am to 12 noon on the last Saturday of every month except December. It is manned by officers of the Watch and a Police Officer who are able to help the public with any queries regarding Watch Schemes in their area, and it has proved very popular with the public who would not go to a Police Station, but talk to a Police Officer in the more relaxed atmosphere of the Library. We find through advertising the Surgery in the local press that not only our local residents call in with information, but people from outlying areas also pay us a visit and request information regarding Watch Schemes in their area. With the information from us they are able to proceed and either join an existing group or start up a new Neighbourhood Watch.
If you are interested in joining our scheme, or require further information about Neighbourhood Watch please do not hesitate to contact our Membership and Development Officer Jeff Davies – T : 01202 603024, E : jgower@talktalk.net or our Chairman David Williams T : 01202 695341.
Our Community Beat Officers – CBO. PC. 2022 Joe Cooper and PCSO 5350 Pauline Guest can be contacted on T : 01202 222222 or E : b&m.snt@dorset.pnn.police.uk
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