Burglars beware! Neighbourhoods are watching

Merton’s Neighbourhood Watch Association has just launched a new website, aimed at helping residents to keep their homes safe as the summer nights draw in.

Although the statistics show that burglary has increased slightly this year, having reduced year on year for the past four years, Merton is still ranked as one of the safest boroughs in London. As the summer comes to an end, holidaymakers are reminded to keep their properties secure and keep an eye out for their neighbours.

The new Merton Neighbourhood Watch website is a new addition to the local association’s resources and includes regular newsletters and contact details. Merton’s Neighbourhood Watch Association has been active since 2004 and its membership and activity has increased dramatically in recent years. From once being a small group, it now has nearly 30,000 members and continues to be represented in community forums across the borough. Working with Merton Council and the Met police, Merton’s Neighbourhood Watch Association sits on the Safer Merton engagement group where they input new ways to reduce crime and make residents feel safer in Merton.

With 415 neighbourhood watch schemes in Merton, residents are encouraged to look out for one another, under the view that caring communities make safer communities.

Cabinet member for community safety and engagement Councillor Henry Nelless said: ‘Merton’s Neighbourhood Watch Association is a perfect example of how positive community partnerships can make a real difference to people’s quality of life. Merton council works closely with the police and Neighbourhood Watch to put our residents’ needs first by making sure they feel safe and we are proud to be recognised consistently as one of the safest boroughs in London.’

Jack Sims, from Merton’s Neighbourhood Watch Association said: “Neighbourhood Watch is all about us working together as a community to look after one another. It’s about more than protecting homes, we have taken action to improve the environment and helped with local issues too. It’s a great way to build a positive community feel and meet new people at the same time.”

For more information on how to join your local watch or to see what Neighbourhood Watch is doing in your area, visit http://www.mertonnhw.co.uk/

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Press Contact:
Leoni Munslow
Communications Assistant
London Borough of Merton
020 8545 4654