The law abiding citizen can no longer sit back and hope that statutory bodies will deal effectively with crime or even
come to help. Increasingly it is down to us is to make our homes and streets and neighbourhood safe places for us and
our children. Police officers come and go and so do governments and policing policies. We are here, the buck stops with
us. It is our voice and our demands which must be listened to. But until there is an effective police force which is
truly accountable to and in partnership with the neighbourhood here are some things which we can do:
1. FORM A GROUP: Form a Residents Association, or Neighbours Crime Defence Group, or Neighbourhood Watch.
2. REPORT: Report ALL incidents to the police which you regard as suspicious, unusual or criminal and demand a
reference number (this will be prefixed either URN or EA) . Remember if you do not report crime or your concerns then according
to the police it does not exist.
So, let's be heard!
3. DEFENCE: Take all precautions and safeguards for home defence as indicated on the page "Defence".
4. CCTV: Consider having CCTV coverage of your property fitted (additional to burglar alarm).
5. PRIVATE STREET GUARDS: Many streets in London now employ private street guards to patrol their streets: incl. such
things as checking their property, meet & greet them when they get home, keep an eye on children playing in the street,
check out non-residents vehicles, check gardens etc if there is a report, etc. This trend is growing rapidly. Usually
at least one street takes part in any one scheme and the cost varies between £500 and £1200 a year per household depending
on how many or all residents take part. The schemes all operate within the law.
6. COMPLAIN: If you are disatisfied with policng then immediately complain in writing to the Chief Constable,
and to the ombudsman and your MP and local council.
7.
The I.P.C.C: Independent Police Complains Commission:
independently investigating,
managing, supervising police investigations of complaints and allegations of misconduct; acting as guardians of the police
complaints system as a whole; contributing to policing excellence by working with others to learn and sharing the lessons
arising from the IPCC's work.The IPCC's remit includes all police officers irrespective of their rank, special constables,
police support staff and certain contractors' staff. The IPCC is accountable to Parliament through the Home Secretary.Holborn, London WC1V 6BH, Tel: 0845 3002002 Fax: 020 7404 0430, Website: http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/
8. SPEAK UP: Start a debate in public about policing and safety issues that concern you and your neighbours: get
letters published in the press, go on the radio, get a newspaper reporter to come out and view the problems you are experiencing,
visit your MP.
9. COUNCIL: If there are safety measures your Councill could take then press them vigorously to do it (eg railings
to stop travellers illegally camping on playing fields etc; revieiwng licenses of pubs making excessive noise late at
night, illegal street food vans etc).
10. CHECK CARS: Any cars in your street you do not recognise as a neighbours then check the tax disc- if it is
out of date then report it to the police (get that referece number!). Untaxed vehicles mean it is often uninsured , that the
driver has no experience, or is even criminal).
11. A.S.B: Report ALL incidents of anti-social behaviour without fail.
12. RENTED HOUSES: If there is a rented property in your street find out who the landlord is, if you are
not satisfied with the behaviour of the tenants or state of the garden etc then tell the landlord and the Council.
13. SUSPICIONS: Likewise check any suspicious behaviour (late night comings and goings; parties; excessive visitors;
electrical equipment being moved in etc). It could be a drugs house. Report it (and get that reference number!).
14. GROUPS OF TEENAGERS: Any groups of young people you see hanging around the streets late at night ascertain
if they are the children of neighbours, if not report it as a nuisance or anti-socal.
15. STREET SURVEYS: Street Surveys: organise street surveys with your neighours. Check for things like damaged
lights, graffti, litter, signs of drug use (silver paper with burn marks etc). Report all incidents to the relevant body.
16. LOG BOOK: Keep a log book of all that you see and all that you report.
17. LICENSING COMMITTEE: Find out when the Council Licensing Committee meets: if you are disastsfied at all with
a local pub, or take away food shop then make a complaint (list such things as times of opening; noise; parking problems,
litter; rowdyism etc).
18. POLICE AUTHORITY MEETING: Attend the meetings of your Police BCU (Basic Command Unit) and also those
of the local Police Authority. They are open to the public. Go there!
