Tag It, Track It, Trace It! That’s the message being given by Neighbourhood and Homewatch members. Too often police are unable to reunite stolen property to its owners, because without a mark, or in the case of a bike a frame number, it can be difficult for the police to prove that it has been stolen.
Over Neighbourhood Watch Week, starting in East Dorset on 11 June, members of the East Dorset Watch Schemes will again be out and about across East Dorset giving advice.
As well as demonstrating how property can be marked there will be opportunities for bike marking using the National Bike Registration Scheme.
A recent spate of burglaries in East Dorset has highlighted the importance of the watch schemes, with watch members helping to support their neighbours whilst working closely with their local police officers, local councils and housing associations.
“Experience shows that watch schemes contribute to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in the community” said John Shave Chairman of the Association of Dorset Watches and of the Wimborne and Colehill Home Watch. “We have good watch membership in East Dorset but more members are needed as well as local coordinators who are responsible for overseeing their local neighbourhood”.
There is a watch scheme for everyone. In addition to neighbourhood and home watch there are other watch schemes, farm watch, horse watch, business watch, shop and pub watch and heath watch. Each is designed to encourage community involvement reduce crime and to support those who have been the victims of crime.
For information on how to become a watch member visit the Dorset Police website www.dorset.police.uk
National Neighbourhood Watch week runs in East Dorset from 11 – 19 June:
Wed 11 June 7pm West Moors Homewatch AGM followed by a presentation by Bournemouth, University Cyber Security Unit, Dr Christopher Richardson
Sat 14 June Corfe Mullen Carnival, Corfe Mullen Homewatch and Sheducation at the recreation ground
16 June 10am-2pm Moors Valley Country Park – cycle safety, property marking, securing your shed and riding safely
17 June 10am-1pm Tag It, Track It, Trace It! Property marking event at Haskins Garden Centre
18 June 10am-1pm Sheducation and the Ferndown Police Community Office cycle marking and crime prevention advice
19 June 9am-1pm The West Moors Homewatch will be outside the Co Op in Station Road West Moors with the Sheducation trailer
Throughout the week the Wimborne Safer Neighbourhood Team will be promoting shopwatch in Wimborne Town Centre aimed at reducing shoplifting in the town.
