Clive Stewart Castle Point District Co-ordinator writes:-
In the early weeks of October 2021 I took up the reins as District Co-ordinator of Castle Point District Neighbourhood Watch. Since then I created a weekly Castle Point District Neighbourhood Watch weekly newsletter ..yes every week..including Bank Holidays and also Christmas and New Year.
Now more than one hundred and fifty people living in Castle Point District receive it as well as those Co-ordinators who email to their NW members..
The response has been amazing especially as I also created a six monthly newsletter which is now being distributed to over 4,500 at times !
Over the many months I was delighted to hear from many who wanted to be part of their local Neighbourhood Watch again and be Co-ordinators too.
These Co-ordinators distribute whatever information they receive from myself which is from reliable sources eg The Police Fire & Crime Commissioner's Office , Essex Police, Crimestoppers, Essex Fire & Rescue Service and Victim Support as they all work with Neighbourhood Watch to reduce the opportunity of crime ...
May I give very special thanks to Christopher Dolley for His Support for Neighbourhood Watch
In October 2021 I spoke to Christopher Dolley, who has an excellent website , and he agreed to raise the profile of Neighbourhood Watch.
With his assistance we have been able to build up the membership and it is very much appreciated.
I am willing to work with him to keep our community safe.
This is from Christopher for the those in Castle Point District.
“Do you Love the street you are in?”
For Castle Point there is a website: www.castlepointneighbourhood.org.uk
It's purpose is to help promote a connected community throughout the Castle Point area.
There is a lot of local useful information and advice.
Also on the website are great suggestions on how to get connected and involved with your local community.
My role as Castle Point Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator is to keep you up to date with Neighbourhood Watch information and supply you with NW items too eg window stickers, wheelie bin stickers, No Cold caller stickers, members guides and valid NW members badges, and many other items too. All free....
You may like to know that the weekly newsletter is a summary of the Essex Police crime reports that I receive each week plus Neighbourhood Watch information too.
Essex Chief Constable Mr. B .J Harrington has told me that he wants to see an increase in Neighbourhood Watch throughout Essex and also more street signs to be placed on appropriate posts as he believes that they do help to reduce crime, so maybe I can help you with that ? Please contact me ...
Finally I was advised by many who replied to my email in October 2021 that they remember having newsletters to distribute and they collected them from the Castle Point Borough Council Offices.
Well I brought them back but they are now delivered to your door by Neighbourhood Watch .....
So thank you all again.
Finally if you know of anyone who is interested in being part of Castle Point District Neighbourhood Watch please ask them to send me their full name and postal address to [email protected]
Regards Clive Stewart Castle Point District Co-ordinator
CASTLE POINT DISTRICT NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
REPORT TO ESSEX COUNTY NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH ASSOCIATION TUESDAY 13TH AUGUST 2024
It is amazing the response I am receiving from so many living in Castle Point District since the last ECNWA meeting and membership is increasing weekly both as members and new schemes. One reason could be that I am available 24/7 but also those who are part of Neighbourhood Watch promote it locally too !!!!
1. WEEKLY ACTIVITY
Every week I am sending out over 130 emails which includes the weekly newsletter ( a summary of the crime reports from Essex Police) ..which I created in October 2021 …
YES every week ie: Christmas, Easter , Bank Holidays too…..
Thank you to Kevin Blake and Paul Harris, Essex Watch Liaison Officers.
So I am keeping in touch regularly with all the NW Co-ordinators (and their members x ?) and I know they distribute it by email to many and place them on village Facebook Groups and notice boards too, as well I send them to Parish and District Councils, local Clubs and Societies..etc..
YES it is a great way for me to know who is “out there “ being pro-active on NW too as I regularly receive requests for specific NW items which I promote every so often in the newsletters , and I am also thanked for the information too!
2. NEW REGISTRATIONS ON NWN AND ENQUIRIES
Recently I have been responding to many who have registered with NWN .
Those who say they are the Co-ordinators and have created NEW schemes (which of course need approval ) and those who have registered just as members of NWN .
They were unaware of NW in Castle Point District despite many promotions of Neighbourhood Watch via the Castle Point Borough Council , local media and many Facebook Groups throughout the district.. So I have made contact with them via email and on occasions by post too…
Most of the time I am receiving replies wanting to be “part of Neighbourhood Watch where they live “ and then I send them the weekly newsletter ( see above ) and also the six monthly newsletters with a list of FREE NW items of not only window stickers, wheelie bin stickers, no cold caller stickers but also 24 hr timers, promotional pens, contactless card protector wallets, Defender Signal blockers, purse bells and chains, Nominated Neighbour Cards, UV pens, , Members Guides and badges and much more all free!
However on occasions we never hear anything at all and so after a few weeks or so I delete them from NWN database with the appropriate reason (as instructed by NW to us when they attended our meeting ..)
May I thank John Metcalfe for his on going support to provide Streets signs to new Co-ordinators replacing old and broken signs too which are in stock in the offices where he works for Rochford District NW every week. They are clearly marked for Castle Point District and they were ordered by Mike Hooper many years ago..
I would not know what to do without John M…
3. SIX MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS
This newsletter highlights Neighbourhood Watch and brings to the attention what is available when being part of Neighbourhood Watch where you live.. The current issue ( from July to December ) is attached..It has an article from Sarah Wright Essex Police and hard copies have been distributed to over 2, 800 homes plus sent by email too. However in recent days I have been asked for 500 more to give to local NW Co-ordinators.. The next issue is due out in January 2025 and already I have been promised an article from Trading Standards.
4. NW ITEMS AND MORE PURCHASES
Funny thing is that window stickers are not that popular at the moment but promotional pens
( as I have just bought another 500 ) are a big favourite also are wheelie bIn stickers and No Cold caller stickers too.
5. TALKS
I am approached to give talks on Neighbourhood Watch as and when and John Metcalfe has always been brilliant covering for me!
6. MEETINGS???
I have offered meetings to everyone via Zoom over many months and no one is interested ..
I have even said “ You name the time and day.”.
It is that those whom are involved are very satisfied with the support I give as District Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator..
Therefore there is no Chairman, Treasurer ( the funds are ringfenced on ECNWA accounts) or Secretary..and no committee members either !!
Clive Stewart, Castle Point District NW Co-ordinator Tel 0750 8057636
Email [email protected]