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Building safer communities
21/03/2008
A quarter of a million pounds is being invested by the Scottish Government to strengthen and develop Scotland's Neighbourhood Watch schemes.
A national Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator will be appointed to support the work of local schemes across Scotland, working from a new dedicated office within the Scottish Business Crime Centre (SBCC) in Stirling.
Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing said:
"The Scottish Government is committed to supporting safer, stronger communities across the country. Through legislation, investment and other resources, we are playing our part alongside other statutory agencies such as the police and local authorities.
"Communities have a key role themselves - in fostering good neighbourly relations, ensuring people look out for one another and generally contributing to the wider well-being of society.
"Survey findings published this week found that more than four in five Scottish house hunters like the idea of Neighbourhood Watch and three-quarters will spend more on a home where there is a strong sense of community.
"By volunteering for such schemes, thousands of residents across Scotland show great dedication and commitment to building safe, strong communities.
"The new investment will help ensure that best practice is more readily shared and the most successful initiatives spread to other communities in Scotland."
Association of Scottish Neighbourhood Watches (AoSNW)Chairman William Menzies Campbell said:
"For over a quarter of a century Neighbourhood Watch in Scotland has been established and co-ordinated by dedicated volunteers supported by their local police.
"The establishment of a National Co-ordinator post within the SBCC will provide these volunteers with a central point of contact for information and guidance on best practice to reduce crime and the fear of crime within their communities.
"The National Co-ordinator will also be responsible for the future development of Neighbourhood Watch, improving the consistency of service between Neighbourhood Watch and local and national agencies within the community safety field.
"We look forward to continuing our close relationship with the police and the Scottish Government, while establishing similar relationships with Community Safety Partnerships and other agencies throughout Scotland."
Assistant Chief Constable (Strathclyde) John Neilson, ACPOS lead on Community Safety, said:
"This will provide the opportunity for improved consistency in the establishment, maintenance and further development of the Neighbourhood Watch in Scotland and allow good practice to be shared throughout the country, to the benefit of local people.
"We look forward to continuing our close relationship with Neighbourhood Watch and recognise the added value they bring to their communities and the vital role they can play in providing public reassurance and community safety."
A total of £253,000 funding is being provided over three years to cover a range of costs including salary, shared office and administrative staff costs, training seminars and other events to promote best practice.
The AoSNW estimates that there are around 6,000 Neighbourhood Watches across Scotland. These cover more than 240,000 homes, housing over half a million residents - of whom 120,000 can be identified as 'active' members. Around 6,000 coordinators act as voluntary administrators, liaising with other NW members and the police for the exchange of information.