Good neighbours have never been more important as NWA week launches

Next week is Neighbourhood Watch Association Awareness Week, which runs from June 7 to 13.

Locally the emphasis is about growing awareness of the organisation and expanding the resident network across the region in the battle to beat crime.

Already there are more than 50 NWA groups in Tameside alone.

Tameside cartoonist Tony Husband has been recruited and has designed for free a set of illustrations to promote the campaign and its messages.

Tony Moran, GMNWA Tameside Borough Lead, says that Neighbourhood Watch Association Tameside has proven to be a great success with more members joining with key role lead volunteer coordinators being supported by local NWA ambassadors, all assisting in the development of their local registered neighbourhood watch scheme.

They have worked with Tameside GMP and Tameside Council Operations Neighbourhood officers, including a number of existing NWA coordinator cohorts, to discuss how the National Neighbourhood Watch Scheme was to be rolled out across the borough - making it available to every resident in the Tameside area. 

Tony (pictured above) said: “There are many benefits to joining a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme which offers much more than simply protecting property and possessions. 

“It’s also about being a good neighbour, sharing good neighbourly practice and helping the most vulnerable in our society. 

“With the increase of cybercrime, car key data scanning and identity fraud, the NWA offer crime prevention and practical advice and support to combat this new crime wave.”

Tony added that building a relationship with Tameside GMP local beat PC officers and PCSOs is all key to crime prevention and gathering criminal intelligence. 

“During the Covid-19 self-isolation lockdown, Tameside NWA groups have shown their true community spirit through being a part of the ‘Neighbourhood Family,’” added Tony. “Donating food hampers, shopping, calling, sending self-isolation newsletters, identifying Dementia Friends support groups and most importantly building friendships.”

To find a NWA group in your area visit www.ourwatch.org, www.tamesidenwa.co.uk, or www.tamesideneighbourhoodwatch.co.uk