NEIGHBOURHOOD Watch volunteers have been praised for their work combating crime.
And Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe is urging more residents to join watch schemes in a bid to help communities stay safe.
He says the coronavirus outbreak has brought neighbours closer together than ever and hopes it will inspire people to join their local scheme.
Mr Seccombe added: “It’s been really impressive the way in which people across Warwickshire have come together to help each other out during the Covid 19 emergency. That surge in neighbourliness is something to be celebrated and I hope that it will continue to develop and can be harnessed to further help communities to stay safe and help to combat crime in the future.
“I want to take the opportunity to thank all those involved in our county schemes and to encourage others to take up the mantle and become involved. If we can have more Watch schemes running successfully, this can only help to improve the safety and security of communities.
“Neighbourhood Watch is very successful in providing extra eyes and ears on the ground to identify suspicious activity and gain useful information which helps police to investigate crime when it has occurred, as well as giving an important deterrent message to criminals in communities where strong schemes are already running.”
The Commissioner’s Grants Scheme saw more than £5,000 donated to local groups this year.
It will be used to help raise awareness of crime prevention, increase engagement on community safety matters and fund the printing of newsletters.
Visit warwickshirenwa.ourwatch.org.uk for more information on Neighbourhood Watch.
