Operational Manual

Norfolk Neighbourhood Watch Operating Manual

1. Introduction

The collaboration between Neighbourhood Watch and Norfolk Police has a rich history. However, in recent years has been a distance in the relationship due to various factors, including the transition in 2017 from the 7 regional centres to a whole County approach and the COVID-19 pandemic. Now with a new digitally savvy approach and funding from the Home Office, there's a renewed effort to strengthen this partnership. This operating manual outlines the plan from October 2023 to March 2025, aiming to relaunch and run Neighbourhood Watch across Norfolk
  

2. Aims & Objectives

Aims:

Engage Neighbourhood Watch as active partners supporting policing teams.

Use communication and engagement to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

Enhance public confidence in Norfolk Police and Neighbourhood Watch.

Decrease fear of crime in Norfolk and provide reassurance to residents.

Reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

Increase Neighbourhood Watch membership and coverage.

Objectives:

Provide timely information through the neighbourhood alert system.

Share crime prevention advice with Neighbourhood Watch members.

Encourage attendance at Safer Neighbourhood Action Panels (SNAPs).

Review and update existing schemes.

Update Neighbourhood Watch signage with the new logo.

Offer support to Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

3. How Neighbourhood Watch Works Today

Neighbourhood Watch is a grassroots movement supported by volunteers and associations across England and Wales. At different levels, it's supported by national, regional, and local teams. Membership is open to all Norfolk residents, who can join existing schemes or create new ones.

4. Neighbourhood Watch working with Norfolk Police

Neighbourhood Watch collaborates closely with Norfolk Police. This involves regular contact with the police Community Safety department and the local safer neighbourhood policing teams (SNT’s). The neighbourhood alert system facilitates communication between Neighbourhood Watch members and the police who now have approved access. Collaboration is guided by a formal agreement.

5. Roles and Responsibilities

Norfolk Police Community Safety:

Hold monthly meetings with Neighbourhood Watch.

Relaunch and roll out Neighbourhood Watch.

Provide support to coordinators and members.

Conduct annual scheme audits.

Offer training and equipment support.

Norfolk Police dedicated Engagement Officers:

Assist in setting up new schemes.

Support area coordinators.

Promote Neighbourhood Watch membership.

Encourage attendance at quarterly Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel (SNAP) meetings.

Provide crime updates and prevention advice.

Local Communication Officers:

Communicate policing priorities to Neighbourhood Watch members.

Provide incident updates and crime prevention information.

Coordinate instant crime appeals.

Safer Neighbourhood Teams:

Maintain knowledge of the area and with the Neighbourhood Watch local coordinators.

Encourage residents to join local schemes.

Provide crime prevention advice.

Encourage Neighbourhood watch coordinators to submit intelligence and provide an easy way for them to do so.

6. Crime Prevention

Norfolk Police provides training in crime prevention surveys and has designated officers for crime prevention initiatives. Requests for assistance in crime prevention can be directed to the Community Safety department or the Norfolk Neighbourhood Watch Chair.

7. Communication Channels

The neighbourhood alert system is used for communication between Norfolk Police and Neighbourhood Watch. However, it doesn't replace traditional reporting methods for crimes.

999 for any emergency or for any crime in progress

101 for non-emergencies but an incident needs reporting

0800 555 111 Crimestoppers to report non-emergencies ANONYMOUSLY

8. Schemes

Residents can set up Neighbourhood Watch schemes with support from Norfolk Neighbourhood Watch central administration (details below) or via Norfolk Police Engagement officers. Existing schemes are reviewed for activity, and efforts made to activate inactive schemes.

9. Information Provision

Information shared with Neighbourhood Watch members is selected based on relevance and impact on the local community. Safeguarding personal information of individuals, particularly victims, is a Neighbourhood Watch & Norfolk Police priority.

10. Marketing Material

Some funding is allocated for marketing material to promote Neighbourhood Watch. Material will be distributed at events to encourage membership. Contact Norfolk Neighbourhood Watch admin for further information and who will be able to redirect any requests.

11. Supporting NHW Coordinators and Members

Support for coordinators and members includes help & support via phone and email (NNW Admin & Norfolk Police Community Safety dept), electronic welcome packs, (physical packs in any trial area), communication with Norfolk Police Engagement Officers and Beat managers, and provision of Neighbourhood Watch stickers for members.

12. Neighbourhood Watch Signage

Signage is considered vital for Neighbourhood Watch schemes' success. Safer Streets funding will be used to provide signs for active schemes, and efforts will be made to remove and replace old signs. Information on what signs are allowed and how to purchase and additional items through our online shop can be found on the national ourwatch website. You can always contact Norfolk Neighbourhood admin for help, advice & assistance.

13. Clear, Hold, Build

Norfolk Police adopts the Clear, Hold, Build framework to address criminal behaviour in communities. Neighbourhood Watch groups are therefore encouraged to participate in each phase to support community safety initiatives. Keep an eye out for information posted on social media or through our regular community watch newsletter/magazine.

Appendix 1: Neighbourhood Watch – Vision, Mission, Values

Vision: Safer, stronger, and active communities.

Mission: Support and enable connected, active, and safe communities.

Values: Neighbourly, Community Focused, Inclusive, Proactive, Trusted, Collaborative.

Appendix 2: Street Signs

Guidelines for installing and maintaining Neighbourhood Watch street signs, including supply, location, and insurance coverage.

Street signs are a great way of showing that your community cares about preventing crime.

Each individual scheme is responsible for deciding where to hang signs and for putting up the signs securely and maintaining them. Sign Location and Fitting Formal planning permission should not be required to fit new signs which comply with the 1992 Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations (see below).

You should however, notify your local authority as to the location of each sign and ensure that any fixing equipment complies with their regulations. In some cases, the local police and / or your local area Association may have prior agreements with the local authority as to type and fitting of each sign. Generally, signs must not be illuminated, be at least 2.2 metres above street level but no higher than 3.6 metres above street level and ideally placed on concrete and steel lamp columns maintained by the local authority.

If a suitable place to fit a sign cannot be found, consideration may be given to placing in on a post, wall or fencing on private land. Written permission from the land owner is necessary before a sign can be erected in this way.

Neighbourhood Watch street signs must NOT be placed on the following:

Any road traffic sign

Any road traffic signal

A telegraph, telephone and electricity columns (unless express permission from the company has been given).

Please note: We recommend everybody contacts their area Association before erecting any signs as there may be local variations to rules.

 Supply, maintenance and insurance

The supply and maintenance of Neighbourhood Watch signs may vary from county to county and may be issued by the local police or Association. In some cases, schemes may incur a small charge to cover purchase costs, or be directed to an approved supplier for independent purchase. It may be worth obtaining quotes from a number of suppliers as costs will vary based on quantity and material

You can order signs through our online shop or the following companies have been licensed as a print supplier for the use of the Neighbourhood Watch trademark.

Normanton Screenprint Nottingham

Multi-Signs Hampshire

All recognised Neighbourhood Watch schemes following the above guidelines, in line with local policy, will be covered by Public Liability Insurance, free of charge.

This operating manual serves as a comprehensive guide for the collaboration

between Neighbourhood Watch & Norfolk Police, outlining aims, responsibilities, and procedures to enhance community safety and local community engagement.