Join forces to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour

Published Tuesday, 15th October 2019

Residents of Hartlepool are being urged to come together and help fight crime and anti-social behaviour by setting up Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

The Hartlepool Community Safety Team which is made up of staff from Hartlepool Borough Council, Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade, says the schemes also have a vital role to play in creating stronger communities.

It is promoting Neighbourhood Watch as part of its support for National Home Security Month which is running throughout October.

Victim Services Officer Jane Munden said: “Neighbourhood Watch schemes are voluntary initiatives which can have a significant impact on the quality of residents’ lives. They are an opportunity for people to come together, discuss problems affecting the areas in which they live and explore ways of tackling them.”

She said schemes can help to:

  • Reduce fear of crime
  • Reduce crime/anti-social behaviour
  • Build community cohesion
  • Provide reassurance
  • Improve residents’ quality of life
  • Improve information sharing and partnership working, particularly in terms of providing intelligence to the police

Residents can find out more and either create or join a Neighbourhood Watch scheme at www.ourwatch.org.uk

Anyone wishing to report a crime should call the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. They should contact the Hartlepool Community Safety Team on (01429) 523100 or community.safety@hartlepool.gov.uk to report anti-social behaviour.