Schemes
Neighbourhood Watch schemes are run by their members through a Co-ordinator and are supported by the Police and in many Areas a local Neighbourhood Watch Association.
Schemes can vary in size. A volunteer resident Co-ordinator runs the scheme and liaises with the Police, they receive information and messages to keep them in touch with activities and some have marker kits, alarms and other security items, which are available to members. It must be recognised that the scheme is a community initiative, which is supported by the police, not run by them, so success depends on what the members make of it.
The Police can't deal with the problems and issues arising from crime and anti-social behaviour alone; they need the help of the whole community. Neighbourhood Watch provides a way for local people to play an important part in addressing this balance and making their communities safer.
If you’re not in touch with your local Neighbourhood Watch group and don’t know how to reach it, use this postcode search to find it quickly and easily. If there is a group in your area you will be able to contact the scheme coordinator to find out about joining their scheme.
You may also want to contact the representative for your region who can help point you in the right direction. Go to Our work in the regions and select your region.

The Co-ordinator’s role
The role of a Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator is to set up and maintain a Neighbourhood Watch scheme within a specific street, neighbourhood or area. They will need to be in contact with the local Safer Neighbourhood Team who will help clarify what is involved and the initial steps to take. Whilst each Team may develop specific procedures, the following are suggested as the main duties which co-ordinators will need to manage:

• Encourage vigilance amongst scheme members and actively encourage the early reporting of suspicious incidents to
  the police.
• Receive crime information from the Neighbourhood Watch messaging system and distribute these messages to scheme
  members.
• Encourage scheme members to be aware of and put into practice crime prevention measures, such as property marking and security devices.
• Provide advice to members about dealing with callers at the door.
• Circulate newsletters and other relevant information to scheme members.
• Welcome newcomers to the neighbourhood and invite them to be part of the scheme.
  
• Supply each scheme member with Neighbourhood Watch and crime prevention literature, such as Neighbourhood Watch window stickers and incident report cards.

These are the main tasks which would be expected of a co-ordinator, tasks will vary according to the needs of each individual neighbourhood.