Neighbourhood Watch in Wingham exists because it is supported by members of the community acting as local co-ordinators for their specific areas in and around the village.  Its purpose is to promote an awareness of local issues of a suspicious nature.  These may vary e.g. criminal activity by people calling door to door whose motives may be suspicious such as bogus officials who gain access by trickery and then steal.  Neighbourhood Watch can also embrace keeping a friendly eye on elderly or vulnerable neighbours who may fall victim to such crimes.
 
Of equal importance is the promotion of measures to prevent crimes in the first instance.  In general this is achieved by remaining aware of potentially suspicious activity based on information provided by the police and encouraging property security. Wingham Neighbourhood Watch has a property marking kit (engraving and market pens etc) that may be borrowed through the co-ordinators.

The co-ordinators meet twice yearly in the Miles Room which adjoins the Village Hall.  These meetings are advertised in the local paper and the Community News.  The Dover District Neighbourhood Watch’s quarterly Newsletter is available locally e.g. the Doctors’ and Dentists’ surgeries and some of our co-ordinators volunteer to deliver copies to households in their specific areas.

The police provide relevant details (via e.mail and telephone) of local crimes where they consider Neighbourhood Watch members might provide important information.

Wingham still retains an image of a village where criminals and criminal acts are infrequent.  However there is an increasing risk that this will not continue to be the case.  Police report that they are receiving a variety of theft reports from sheds and remote outbuildings all around Kent.  Garden equipment of all kinds is a constant target, while cycle and quad bike theft is on the increase.

There is also a social side to Wingham Neighbourhood Watch.  During the last year, some co-ordinators have supported a local charity fund-raising event and a lunch has been hosted at Prospect Oast in the summer.

A co-ordinator’s role is not an onerous one!  All that is required is for him/her to have an interest in keeping our community safe in helping to limit opportunities for criminal activity.  So if you wish to join our group, please telephone

Len Hinksman