NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

However by engaging with people at risk of social isolation and exclusion the community is providing them with tools to represent themselves and the issues that matter to them and enabling them to become active citizens. Interaction enables people to build communities, to commit themselves to each other, and to knit the social fabric. (Field 2003: 1-2). Residents living within a neighbourhood where crime is present respond to this by restricting their own behaviour and installing surveillance and various security devices in order to protect themselves (Lavrakas et al 1980).

It can be argued that although these prophylactic measures may be steps toward self-protection they can also lead to lessening the bond of mutual assistance and neighbourliness (Rosenbaum 1987).

Neighbourhood watch is not just about reducing crime, it is about creating communities that care. The activity of neighbourhood watch can foster a sense of community spirit and belief in the communities ability to unite and tackle local problems whilst at the same time enabling individuals to feel secure; knowing that your neighbours are keeping an eye on your property reinforces this idea as we all have the right to go about our daily lives feeling safe.

Improving community safety within Starley Cross is a major priority, If we are to make this area safer for all generations then we must work together. With people involved in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour Starley Cross will be given the opportunity to flourish and residents will be able to see and feel the difference.

Never before has the notion of citizen involvement in crime prevention received such support from law enforcement agencies, the media and the general public (Rosenbaum 1987).Within a community there are individuals who are at risk or experiencing isolation and being disengaged perhaps through deprivation for example homeless people that have no housing, social belonging resulting in no ties or social responsibilities to an area.

Comunity Cohesion

Community cohesion describes the ability of communities to function and grow in harmony together rather than in conflict. It has strong links to concepts of equality and diversity given that community cohesion can only grow when society as a whole recognises that individuals have the right to equality. (Home office 2005). The agenda for most neighbourhood organisation are put in place to deal with a number of issues, and crime is not always the number one on the agenda (DuBow & Podolefsky, 1979)

It is believed that poor and disadvantaged areas within a community are less likely to engage and promote community activities such as the neighbourhood watch Scheme (Bursik,1988; Bursik& Grasmick, 1993; Sampson & Groves, 1989) however the demand for community organisations relating to crime prevention in the poorer and more disadvantaged areas from organisations such as local police and councils is higher (Kang 2015).

Seven Steps of Social Cohesion

Leadership and Commitment

Community Cohesion and Specialist Areas

Ensuring Sustainability of Programs

Developing Vision and Values for Cohesion

Program Planning and Management

Engaging Communities

Challenging and Changing Perceptions

Sustainability is about linking community cohesion to the mainstream delivery of services and ensuring that your vision can be delivered over time and in the face of conflicting priorities and diminishing resources.

People generally base what they believe in from what they have experienced or heard through hearsay or through the media. In this sense, perception quickly becomes reality and a basis for beliefs. When beliefs start to impact on or are divisive to individual or community relationships this causes a threat to cohesion.

There are clear links between community cohesion and other areas such as the local economy, health and housing. Poor planning of housing developments and decisions about the local economy can adversely affect community cohesion. Equally it is more difficult for people to get actively involved in their communities unless they have access to health and good quality housing and a degree of financial security within their family.

Promoting community cohesion involves addressing fractures, removing barriers and encouraging positive interaction between groups. It aims to build communities where people feel confident they belong and are comfortable mixing and interacting with others.

Leadership and commitment are essential to the development of community cohesion. Someone needs to take resposibility for managing and driving through the changes required to build a more cohesive community.

Programme planning and management includes:

• planning your programme of activities, your milestones and your arrangements for management and decision making;

• establishing a baseline and determining relevant indicators

• establishing mechanisms for monitoring and reviewing success.

By developing a common vision it is the essential first step in working towards a cohesive society. The idea of community cohesion and the reality will mean different things to different people and as a consequence it can become a misunderstood term.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME

COMMUNITY DAYS AND FETES

Devising a monthly meeting regime inviting citizens to discuss problems arising on the neighbourhood
Build links with local authorities including councils and police.
Identify problems. Figure out what the problems are in your area, ideally by speaking to local people.

By advertising community fetes during summer months and social clubs for citizens that live in all areas of Starley cross we are uniting the community as a whole rather than keeping the affluent area separate.

Our Interventions for Creating Community Cohesion:

A T N Neighbourhood Watch (2012)

ShelleyPsych (2015)

Home Office (2005)

Community Controls

Starley Cross Community Safety Project