Over £25,000 donated to Sussex’s Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch are an independent crime-fighting charity

They have over 2.3 million members across England & Wales. The schemes are run by thousands of volunteers who work together to build safer and inclusive communities, helping to prevent crime and make a positive difference.

The volunteers work closely with the police in order to address crimes such as rural, scams, fraud, violence against women and girls, anti-social behaviour and theft.

Their work includes running in-depth research surveys to better understand levels of crime victimisation, fear of crime and safety as well as providing advice and support to residents. They also join many national associations to share and represent the views of Sussex communities.

In 21/22 Neighbourhood Watch’s campaigns on anti-social behaviour, cyber-crime and dog theft reached over 3 million people on social media and they received over 30,000 responses to their annual survey.

In Sussex, there are over 3,300 recognised Neighbourhood Watch schemes covering over 100,000 households – they help to provide a voice for residents and are a vital link to the police and other relevant organisations.

On 21 August, Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne presented Sussex’s Neighbourhood Watch Chair, John Wright MBE and Deputy Chair and Secretary, Derek Pratt MBE, with a community funding cheque of £25,962.

The funding will be used to continue the journey of revitalising Neighbourhood Watch across Sussex following the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also go towards training for volunteers, improving their communications systems and help to deliver meetings both in-person and online.

Presenting the cheque to Mr Wright and Mr Pratt, Sussex PCC Katy Bourne said: “Neighbourhood Watch are a valued partner to my office and Sussex Police.“Our ongoing work with the network - particularly the Sussex branch - continues to strengthen residents’ feelings of safety and helps to improve access to crime prevention advice and important support services.“The funding is well deserved and I look forward to continue working closely with the Neighbourhood Watch team.”

John Wright MBE, Chair of the Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Federation, said: “The much needed and greatly appreciated funding given to Sussex Neighbourhood Watch by the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, will be shared with our local Associations across the county to enable them to deliver on their operational plans, and be more proactive."

He continued: "The funding will assist in bringing our communities together and sharing information by means of better partnership working with the PCC's office and Sussex Police.“Key police-vetted Neighbourhood Watch volunteers will continue to maintain the databases and communications systems shared with Sussex Police and our partners across Sussex, such as Action Fraud and Get Safe Online, including the Sussex Alerts platform, which all residents are welcome to join.

“We are keen that Neighbourhood Watch members support local police by promptly reporting suspicious activity, and maintain a good working relationship with their local officers.”