Former Home Secretary becomes patron of local association
Local resident, Douglas Hurd, former Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary, has agreed to be patron to Hammersmith & Fulham Neighbourhood Watch Association.
Lord Hurd founded the Neighbourhood Watch scheme in 1983 while he was Home Secretary, and an annual award for Neighbourhood Watch in the borough is to be named 'The Douglas Hurd cup' in his honour.
Launching the award, Lord Hurd said, "The whole idea of Neighbourhood Watch was very simple; if we help our neighbour and our neighbourhood to stay safe we are helping ourselves. I am delighted that the idea has taken root so effectively in our very own Hammersmith and Fulham."
Neighbourhood Watch has an estimated 10 million members. It works by developing close liaison between households in a neighbourhood and the local police, aiming to help people protect themselves and their properties.
It also helps to reduce the fear of crime by means of improved home security, greater vigilance, accurate reporting of suspicious incidents to the police and by fostering a community spirit. The cup is donated by Sullivan Thomas estate agents.
Councillor Belinda Donovan, assistant cabinet member on crime said, "We already have 50 watches in the borough, with at least 50 in the pipeline. I would urge anyone interested in setting up a local scheme to get in touch."
Anyone interested in setting up a local scheme can get in touch with Cllr Donovan on 020 7385 6517 or by email at belinda.donovan@lbhf.gov.uk
H&F Council is hosting Hammersmith and Fulham's first Crime Summit on Saturday 24 March. This major event is designed to help you shape the future of crime prevention in the borough.
The summit will include workshops with the police, where you can air your views with the officers who patrol the streets - day in, day out.
The summit will also see the launch of Britain's first round the clock neighbourhood police patrols.
April 13, 2007