NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NEWSLETTER: Edition 2 – Spring 2016 How can I get involved? To find out more, please contact your local Council office and ask for the PCSP. You can also find out about the scheme by contacting the PSNI (by using phone or email contact details outlined on back of this newsletter) What exactly is or you can go online to: www.nidirect.gov.uk/ Neighbourhood Watch? neighbourhood-watch Neighbourhood Watch is reduce crime and fear of crime in a partnership between local designated community areas, with communities, Police and Policing locally agreed Co-ordinators acting as LABEL HERE & Community Safety Partnerships the primary point of contact. (PCSP’s). The scheme aims to create Neighbourhood Watch can make a effective communication among real difference to your community and residents and the police to help to people’s lives. Q. Am I expected to patrol the Frequently asked questions… streets? A. Absolutely not. The police Absolutely nothing; only a Q. What area should a A. strongly discourage vigilantes Neighbourhood Watch little time and effort. Statutory and people who seek to take scheme cover? supporting agencies such as the the law into their own hands. A. The proposed area for a local PCSP and PSNI will assist Apart from the risk of physical scheme should always be clearly and support you. Signs will be injury, there can be serious legal defined. The size of a scheme provided and erected when a implications. can vary from a very small cul scheme becomes accredited. de sac to a small village. Good Q. Will having Neighbourhood Watch signs create the image practice dictates that a NW Q. Will membership give the that this area is not a safe co-ordinator should not be impression that I am working place to live? responsible for more than 50 for the police? Quite the opposite. Many people houses. Rural settings will also A. The fact is that you are not. A. feel reassured that this is a safe differ significantly from urban Everything said and written area when they see the signs areas where small numbers are about Neighbourhood Watch considered reasonable. and that neighbours are actively shows that you are in effect looking out for one another. Q. How much does it cost doing what every responsible Many Neighbourhood Watch to become involved in a citizen should be doing – schemes exist in areas where Neighbourhood Watch helping to create and maintain a no crime has occurred – Crime scheme? safe, crime-free community. Prevention is always the focus. FOREWORD From Causeway Coast & Glens PCSP Chair, Councillor James McCorkell Welcome to the second edition of the Causeway Coast and Glens Policing Help stop Bogus Callers and Community Safety Partnership’s Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter. I would like to take this opportunity to through the Nominate wish you all a Happy and Safe 2016. The Causeway Coast and Glens PCSP have spent the last 6 months developing and A Neighbour Scheme implementing a range of projects to help support and enhance safety within our WHAT IS THE NOMINATED older and more vulnerable members Council boundaries. We have championed NEIGHBOUR SCHEME? of the community. a number of initiatives in local schools and out in the community which we believe The scheme seeks the help of WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO? neighbours or relatives to check will positively contribute to the safety of If an unknown caller attends the address whether unexpected callers are residents and visitors alike and we are of your neighbour while they are alone genuine, especially those calling on committed to continue this positive work in the house, the caller will be shown more vulnerable members of the within our 2016/17 PSCP Action Plan. a card instructing them to contact you, community. Within this issue, you will have to their Nominated Neighbour. You will get a card to hold up to the opportunity to read more about one of our Your name, address and telephone window or door telling the caller that recent initiatives called Safe Place which number will be displayed to the aims to raise awareness and show how you you do not recognise them and to go to your Nominated Neighbour. The stranger if you agree to be a can get support if you are in an abusive Nominated Neighbour. relationship. We recognise that domestic Nominated Neighbour will then try to This ensures that your vulnerable abuse happens here in the Causeway check the caller’s identity. A genuine Coast and Glens, as it happens everywhere caller will not mind following the neighbour does not have to talk to else. Behind closed doors we know there instructions on the card. any unknown callers at the door, until you have verified who they are and are people suffering, and we want those HOW DO I FIND A NOMINATED families to know that in this area, we will if necessary have returned with the NEIGHBOUR? support them. We also want to give a very caller to your neighbour’s address. clear message, that in Causeway Coast and Arrange with a trusted neighbour or a If you are unsure whether the caller Glens, there is zero tolerance for domestic member of your family who lives nearby is on legitimate business or you abuse, and we will challenge those who to be your Nominated Neighbour. are unable to verify who they are, continue to perpetrate abuse against Ask them if they will be prepared to then politely ask them to make an partners and family members. help you check the identity of any appointment. If they continue to try unrecognised callers to your home and I would also encourage you to use and and gain entry to your neighbour’s if they would be willing to accompany share ALL the tips, advice and contact home then call the Police. them while they speak to you. details provided in this issue to help You can get Nominated Neighbours keep yourselves, your property and your WHY BECOME A NOMINATED forms and no cold caller stickers communities safer. NEIGHBOURHOOD? by contacting Judith Lavery, Crime If you are thinking about starting a Essentially it is about being a good Prevention Officer on 028 7028 Neighbourhood Watch scheme in your neighbour and looking out for the 0915 Ext 63915 or 101 area – why not? It’s an easy process, doesn’t take up much of your time, provides real reassurance and is proven to IN AN EMERGENCY ALWAYS CALL 999 reduce fear of crime. Please do not hesitate Non-emergency crimes can be reported by calling 101 to contact a member of PCSP staff for an information pack. Contact details can be If you want to report a crime but don’t want to be identified found at the back of this newsletter. to the police, call CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111 REMEMBER NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NEWSLETTER Raising awareness of the need for a safe place The Safe Place logo indicates that information on services for anyone affected by domestic violence or abuse is available on the premises. Causeway Coast and Glens PCSP are ROAD SAFETY: working in partnership with Onus to raise awareness of domestic abuse REMEMBER! and the wide range of support available if you or someone you know IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS has been affected by abuse through Make sure you maintain a safe distance the launch of ‘Safe Place.’ behind other vehicles in case you have to Onus, a social enterprise specialising take sudden evasive action. Remember, a in domestic abuse training, have good driver always takes into account the developed a range of Pathways weather conditions and drives accordingly. to Participation, for anyone to get information on how to get support. DRIVING ON ICE The aim of the project is for the One of the most dangerous conditions Council area to become a ‘Safe that these services can help them. drivers face is icy roads, particularly Community’ starting with the first step, We hope to raise awareness through ‘black ice’. If you become aware of ice through the launch of ‘Safe Place’. the Safe Community initiative of on the road surface, avoid harsh turns to A Safe Community promotes zero how you can get support if you are remain in control by steering gently. If tolerance to domestic violence or in an abusive relationship. If you you must brake use, even applications abuse and recognises that domestic are not safe at home, then we want not heavy sustained pressure which may violence or abuse impacts upon to reassure you that this is a Safe cause you to skid. many people living or working there, Community where you will be able regardless of age, religion, disability, to access the support you need, in DRIVING IN SNOW ethnic or cultural background and confidence and without judgement. Falling snow reduces visibility so switch while the majority of victims are The 24 Hour Domestic & Sexual on dipped headlights. Drive slowly in female, domestic violence or abuse Violence Helpline is open to all snow in the highest gear possible and at can be experienced by men and by women and men affected by domestic low speed as with ice. Steer gently and people in same sex relationships. violence. This free phone service don’t brake harshly. Avoid overtaking but There is excellent support available for (0808 802 1414) is available 24 hours if you must, do so very carefully. When anyone experiencing abuse, through a day, 365 days per year. passing through towns and villages be services such as Women’s Aid, Men’s aware of children playing. Advisory Project and PSNI, to name To find out more about Safe but a few.