chairmans news

Chairman’s May/June News 2006.

Chairman’s News Letter October 2005

Chairman's Update May 2007

I think that most members of Neighbourhood Watch are aware that the movement in general has experienced turbulent times during the past two years, especially with the demise of the National association.

However, I firmly believe that we are now entering the most exciting period in the history of Neighbourhood Watch. In my opinion there is now a positive groundswell within the Police, community and statutory agencies to recognise and accept Neighbourhood Watch as a group of active citizens who are prepared to work with the Police, statutory agencies, community residents and voluntary groups in a focused and useful partnership.

May I now take you back to the year 1982, when the first Neighbourhood Watch Group was formed in the village of Mollington near Chester. Who would have thought that some 25 years later Neighbourhood Watch would have become one of the largest voluntary groups in the UK, with an estimated membership of 166,000 members, responsible for some 6 million households? Here in Lancashire, the latest information tells us, we have 1,976 registered co-ordinators covering 79,480 households.

I am proud to be Chair of such a large membership, an organisation not only large in numbers, but an organisation strong at both committee and grass roots level.

I can assure members that myself and committee members work tirelessly and diligently with regard to ensuring LNWF is at the forefront of Neighbourhood Watch at local, county, regional and national level.

The National Strategy Group for Watch Issues (NSGWI) have been working with members of the Neighbourhood Watch movement to being about change at national level, and to agree a new structure for a national NW group.

It was agreed after meeting across the UK that regional bodies would be formed, 10 in total, and that elected chairs of those regions would represent their said regions nationally in partnership with the Association of Chief Police Officers, members of the NSGWI, force representatives and Home Office officials.

Lancashire Constabulary hosted the first of the meetings in the North West. This meeting was closely followed by meetings hosted by Cumbria and Chester Constabularies.

Representatives at these meetings agreed in principle that Lancashire, Cumbria, Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester would comprise the North West Region. The North West Watch Group incorporates Neighbourhood Watch and Home Watch.

Terms of reference have also been agreed. The group elected Keith Warren, chair of Lancashire, as the Group Chair and National Representative; Alan Smith, Chair of Cumbria, was elected Vice Chair and National Deputy; Sergeant Andrew Bains of Cumbria Constabulary was elected Force National Representative, with a deputy Force Representative to the elected at the next Group meeting.

'Across the County'

A new item for our website.

Please forward your Neighbourhood News, of all that is happening in your watch areas.

Are you experiencing any problems? - Let us know. We are not saying we will have the solution, but we will certainly endeavour to assist you.

All information/news items - please Contact:

LNWF Secretary Pat or Chairman Keith at nwatch@chorleylifestyle.co.uk

Or write to:

LNWF Registered Office,

Chorley Lifestyle Centre,

20-22 Gillibrand Street,

Chorley PR7 2EJ

Or telephone 01257 267 293 or 01257 481 850