Volunteers praise new Nottinghamshire Police Street Watch scheme
Volunteers have praised a new police initiative that enables members of the public to play an active role in keeping their communities safe.
Nottinghamshire Police launched Street Watch earlier this month, which involves volunteers working in pairs to tackle low-level issues affecting neighbourhoods.
Volunteers walk out and about in their communities and report any issues they encounter, such as antisocial behaviour and criminal damage.
The scheme, which has been created in partnership with the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Comissioner's office, is available across the whole of the county, including Mansfield, Worksop, Newark and city suburbs including Wollaton, Sneinton, and Radford.
“I wanted to put something back into the community, to make a difference,” said volunteer Martin Green.
“When I did my initial walk with the PCSO, I bumped into quite a few local people who knew me from other projects.
“You tell them about a scheme, and people say, ‘what a good idea’, it’s been totally positive – it really has. People really appreciate what we’re trying to achieve.”
Following a successful pilot programme, Street Watch has been rolled out across Nottinghamshire, with more than 100 volunteers participating in 46 different areas.
Since the public launch on February 1, a further 50 volunteers have come forward.
Street Watch is available to anyone aged 18 and over, and volunteers are provided with high-vis vests, a training and induction session, and are regularly supported by neighbourhood officers.
Those who have signed up are asked to do a minimum of two hours patrolling per month.
PCSO Megan Tuffley, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We are always on the lookout for more volunteers and would welcome applications from anyone who is interested in making a difference.
“Street Watch is going from strength to strength, and volunteers play a key role in supporting us to deter crime, share local intelligence, and build trust with communities.
“Volunteers often become aware of neighbourhood issues before they are formally reported, and this initiative helps strengthen communication between residents and the police, contributing to a clearer understanding of local concerns.
“I want to be clear that volunteers are not expected to get involved in tackling crime directly, and this does not replace the existing high-visibility and plain-clothes patrols conducted by neighbourhood officers.
“Issues highlighted by volunteers can then be passed on directly to neighbourhood teams, who can allocate officers and resources more effectively to tackle local concerns.
“Ultimately, Street Watch is about bringing people together and rebuilding a sense of community – and if that interests you, then please get in touch.”
Residents interested in volunteering for Street Watch or finding out more information should email: [email protected]