All new Neighbourhood Watch for Strathearn residents

STRATH residents are being encouraged to get involved with the Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

National development officer Lisa Toon told the Herald: "For the last three years we have been shifting the emphasis of our efforts towards safety rather than crime.

"At times this is jarring for people who have been members of Neighbourhood Watch for a number of years so it is a gradual process.

"The landscape of community safety and crime prevention has changed a great deal and very quickly to incorporate issues and threats that didn't exist ten or even five years ago. It is important that we remain current and give people a realistic picture.

"For example, we are not just about the reporting of strange vans in an area. That is still to the fore but we also make people aware of scams that are going on and identity theft crime. We send out reminders and notifications of such things as a dodgy ATM in the area and make people aware in areas where there have been spates of thefts."

Neighbourhood Watch Scotland (formerly The Association of Scottish Neighbourhood Watches) was set up in 2006.

Lisa added: "The Scottish Government is our primary sponsor and we are a central point of contact for Neighbourhood Watches and other safety groups in Scotland. We have two members of staff, based at the Scottish Business Crime Centre in Stirling.

"We use email, Twitter, Facebook and our website to keep people informed about safety, as well as the more traditional forms of communication. We want the experience of being part of Neighbourhood Watch to be a positive one and we constantly strive to make sure this is the case.

"It is easy to start up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in your area and there is no cost to join. All you have to do is identify the area, talk to your neighbours then register.

"It is all about sharing information. You don't have to have regular meetings and it doesn't have to be a formal group unless it is a case of a whole town getting involved."

For more information contact Lisa on 01786 450145, email info@aosnw.co.uk or see www.aosnw.co.uk.

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