Neighbourhood Watch is a scheme in partnership with the Suffolk Constabulary to make our neighbourhood more secure and our community feel safer. 



The main objectives of Neighbourhood Watch are:-

• To prevent and reduce crime in our neighbourhood.
• To help provide reassurance to people in our community.
• To provide appropriate and up-to-date crime reduction advice.
• To encourage members of our community to be alert and watchful in looking after themselves and others.
• To act as a channel of communication - passing on timely information from the police to the community and from the community to the police - to help prevent and detect crimes.

Neighbourhood Watch involves residents coming together to create a safer and more caring community. It operates through a network of small schemes that are set up and organised along guidelines, that include a Constitution, agreed by Suffolk Constabulary which is run by the members with the support of the police.  Membership of a scheme involves being aware of what happens in your neighbourhood, taking simple precautions to prevent and reduce the risk of crime and being alert to anything that is suspicious.

Neighbourhood Watch members can help by telling the police promptly about anything suspicious so that action can be taken to prevent a crime or detect an offender. Residents can also do a great deal to reduce their vulnerability to crime and reduce undue fear.  Neighbourhood Watch is able to provide advice on how the community can effectively work together.  Some of the more active schemes may organise events to raise awareness on subjects like home security, car security and property marking.  Whilst the police support the schemes it is not run by them, so all members must play a key role to ensure it is a success. 

Street signs and window stickers are displayed in a Neighbourhood Watch area to serve both as warnings to unwelcome intruders and reminders to local residents that a scheme is in operation. 

Because Pinewood is a large parish our schemes are set up by individual Roadname.  
Each scheme elects a Co-ordinator to manage the scheme, liaise with the police, local organisations and other 'Watch' schemes.  Most schemes have regular meetings and each is encouraged to produce a regular newsletter to keep members informed and involved.

Meetings are held three times a year when Co-ordinators meet with the Community Watch Liaison Officer for Babergh, Mr Tony Simpson and Safer Neighbourhood Team Offcer, PC Gary Austin, these meetings give the opportunity for an exchange of ideas and a chance to receive up-to-date information on crime figures and the latest security information which can then be relayed to each schemes members.

Schemes currently active in Pinewood are:-
Acorn Close
Admiral Road
Appleby Close
Bramblewood
Devlin Road
Firtree Rise
Halford Court
Shotley Close (two schemes)
Skipper Road
Wentworth Drive
Wilding Road
Woolverstone Close

If you would like to join your existing scheme or would like information on how to set up a new one if there isn't one in your area, then either contact Mr Tony Simpson by telephone on (01473) 613500 or PC Austin by telephone on (01473) 383115 or by email via this link email PC Austin


The Parish Council is keen to see as many schemes up and running as possible and has therefore agreed to help fund the purchase of one of the two signs that each scheme will require.  The second is then funded by the apropriate scheme through its members i.e each household contributing a small sum towards the purchase cost of £35.


You can access more information on this scheme by visiting the Suffolk Police Neighbourhood Watch web site at :- www.suffolk.police.uk/Crime+Reduction/Neighbourhood+Watch where there are a number of useful links and information.

or the Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch web site at:- www.suffolk.testurl.co.uk/neighbourhoodwatch/default.asp where a guide for prospective Co-ordinators is available, a newsletter for our area and a number of useful links and information.


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Police Direct, a dynamic new messaging system that enables the police to send out latest information about local crime - thefts, burglaries, criminal damage etc., warnings about bogus callers and distraction burglaries, crime reduction advice, latest details about major traffic disruptions, personal safety tips and reassurance, details of missing persons, updates from our Safer Neighbourhood Team direct to your computer, mobile phone or landline.  

It is all free and you can choose how you want to receive the information - via emails, text messages or any combination of these. The system is extremely flexible and messages are sent based on the details that you provide when you register.  You can register up to three different locations that you want information about. So you could register your home, workplace and the address of a vulnerable relative so that you can make necessary arrangments to ensure their safety.

To find out more or to register online, visit one of the two sites above or ring the Police Direct Team on (01473) 613997  


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Together we can make a difference -                 
             Join your local scheme now ........ not got one!  

        Then find out more about starting one for your area.