Neighbourhood Watch is a fundamental part of policing. Police and crime fighting is no longer separate from the community. The Police - NHW partnership will leave no hiding place for anti-social and criminal behaviour. It has led to the arrest of criminals, improved police manning and strategy and enriched communities. I believe the partnership will expand and develop into the future.

There are over 1500 NHW's in Reading all doing good work. I founded our Watch in Redlands sector in March 2000 with a neighbour. It has brought the residents together, developed friendships, made us more secure and enhanced our neighbourhood. We engage in various initiatives, e.g. report and have moved untaxed/abandoned vehicles; relay police information, feedback to the police on info.requests; keep an eye on each others houses; supply intelligence on a range of matters; improve security; provide descriptions of people causing anti-social behaviour; work with local Councillors; and move swiftly as a community on a range of matters,.

NHW co-ordinators must undergo a police check to ascertain their suitability- necessary as one is dealing with the security of people's homes and also confidential police information. They are voluntary and work unpaid.

Setting up a scheme is simple: Liz Herbert - manager for Thames Valley Police Neighbourhood Watches- is helpful, friendly and efficient. She will invite you to a meeting for prospective Coordinators, provide all the advice and support to set up the scheme. After polling your neighbours a public meeting is held attended by Liz and the police. The Watch is established and registered with the Police.

Priorities vary according to developments. Currently we are concentrating on graffiti and student anti-social behaviour - a major problem in East Reading. Our tight communication network means all graffiti is reported to the police immediately, then we remove it very quickly and send the police photos of the tags. On anti-social behaviour we liased with the police on erection of ASB street signs, and supply immediate reports of incidents, descriptions of individuals. ASB is a criminal blight requiring firm action: rowdyism, late night noise, vandalism, obscene language, drunk and disorderliness etc will not be tolerated. We also report flyposting by clubs/pubs advertising cheap booze to students. We are meeting the ASB challenge robustly with the police to bring to book those responsible and eradicate it from our neighbourhood.

An active NHW has a major impact on crime: it reduces anti-social behaviour, burglaries, graffiti, results in arrests, makes the community safer, removes untaxed/abandoned vehicles, and builds up a dynamic interaction with the Police and Reading Borough Councillors.

All households and the Police receive our 4-page monthly Newsletter with police information, NHW news etc. We also immediately send out police requests/alerts. We also have an early warning system.

We have included the Univ.Security on to our system. Hopefully encouraging them to be proactive regarding ASB etc and start working directly with the NHW-Police partnership to mutual benefit.

The rolling out of Neighbourhood Policing is an important development in of our partnership. The local police team is already well established with our Watch and residents so we are well prepared for new policing structures and the active role we can all play in Neighbourhood Policing.

I cannot stress too greatly the importance of partnership with the police. I am full of praise for the work of Inspector Kevin Sinfield and the East Reading police team and especially the PCSO's who have done sterling work enhancing police community relations, reassure the public and reduce crime. I meet at least weekly with the PCSO's for Redlands and for Whiteknights and regularly with the PC's. I also have regular liaison with Sgt. Davies, PC Witcombe and Inspector Kevin Sinfield. This ensures good communication, mutual support and enhances our work together. It also nips things in the bud and reduces the space and opportunity for the anti-social and criminal element. The NHW has eyes and ears everywhere and sends a clear message that as a society we have standards and intend to make our community's safe and civilised for all.