Rochester Riverside Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

I have recently taken over as coordinator of the scheme from Jane Hodges. Residents Andy Kelly and Tim Beveridge have kindly volunteered to assist. Neighbourhood Watch is a national organisation with local schemes throughout the country. The main objectives are to reduce levels of crime and antisocial behaviour and to instil a sense of community in the area by looking out for your neighbours. As such it complements the work of the Residents Association. It has the strong support of the police and local authorities. Effective local schemes have demonstrated a reduction in crime and an increased level of community cohesion. Members are spread throughout the Rochester Riverside development. We have recently met with the local community police officer PC Jack Coverley-Saich who is very keen to be our point of contact locally. I have also met the Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer Sam Brookes who is based at Maidstone Police Station.

An effective scheme needs visibility to deter any criminal or antisocial behaviour and make any potential offender think again before visiting. Many of you have Neighbourhood Watch stickers on your front doors and at communal entrances to the apartments. CCTV cameras and videos doorbells are also an excellent deterrent. We have obtained a number of street signs and I am in discussion with Hyde Estate Management to get these erected on lampposts at key places in the development.

If you have already joined the scheme, you will be aware that you can receive useful email bulletins direct from Kent Police in the Medway area about crime incidents, scams and crime prevention measures. Some Insurance Companies also offer a discount on home insurance if you are a member. If you have not already joined, I urge you to do so. All you need to do is go to ourwatch.org.uk and click on “Join Us” to register for the National Scheme. You can then search for the local scheme “Rochester Riverside” and register for that. Please make sure that you register for the Rochester Riverside Scheme as well as the National Scheme, otherwise I do not have any visibility that you are a member. As mentioned earlier Neighbourhood Watch is not just about crime prevention but looking out for your neighbour too and building a sense of community.

If you are already a member of the Rochester Riverside scheme, I will be in touch soon through the dedicated email link with further updates.

Roger Backway