Start of Neighbourhood Watch and Home Watch week

Tomorrow, 14^th June 2014 see’s the start of Neighbourhood Watch & Home Watch week.

The focus will be on ‘fraud and cybercrime’ and with most households having access to the internet, Cumbria Police are getting involved in promoting the message that anyone can be a target.

People often don’t want to admit that they have been defrauded- they can feel embarrassed or just put it down to one of those things and never report it, particularly if they didn’t lose a large amount of money.

Neighbourhood Watch and Home Watch are promoting the message that no one should suffer in silence and there is plenty of information and support available to those who have been a victim of any form of fraud or cybercrime.

Andy Baines, the Safer Stronger Communities manager for Cumbria Constabulary, said: “The Neighbourhood Watch and Home Watch are traditionally about helping people to feel safe where they live.

“We recognise the Neighbourhood Watch and Home Watch schemes play a vital role in crime detection, prevention and community safety.

“However, the way in which we interact online now means that we have ‘online neighbours’ too and they form a big part of our community and social life. By making sure we are all security conscious of our homes and when we are online, we can all help to keep each other safe.”

The week also sees the national awards being given and with Cumbria having a finalist in contention.

Pete Thomas, a Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator in Barrow, was nominated by PCSOs Iain Richards, Gail O’Neil, and Zoe Anderson and has been shortlisted for the “Watch Co-ordinator – Outstanding Achievement” award.

Andy Baines continued: “It is great that Pete has been recognised and shortlisted for the Outstanding Achievement award and we wish him well at the awards ceremony in London on June 20^th”.

“We work hard to support the scheme and believe that it helps to maintain community spirit and communication between all local residents which helps build up good relations.”

Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes said; “Tackling crime is about us all working together and Neighbourhood Watch is an excellent example which works really well in the County.  Good luck to the coordinator and PCSOs in Barrow for the national awards I have seen first-hand their hard work and dedication.”

If you are concerned about fraud, visit www.actionfraud.police.uk for lots more information about different types of fraud and how you can protect yourself.  You can also report fraud on their website, or call 0300 123 2040 to report it. 

For more information about staying safe on-line, please visit http://www.cumbria.police.uk/online-safety

More can be learnt about Neighbourhood Watch by visiting Cumbria Police website here.

You can also visit the National Neighbourhood Watch website. You can also find out more about your local area by clicking here and entering your postcode. 

You can also join Cumbria Community Messaging by clicking here and receive information about your area.