Volunteer crime-fighters celebrate new funding to boost their visibility

PCC Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts addresses an assembled group.

Police and Crime Commissioner Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts has reaffirmed her commitment to supporting community-driven crime prevention with the distribution of new funding grants increase safety across the city and the county.

A total of 14 Neighbourhood Watch schemes across Derby and Derbyshire have received individual funding boosts to support their efforts to protect residents from becoming victims of crime and to make their communities more resistant to criminal activity.

The investment coincides with the launch of Neighbourhood Watch Week (June 1st-7th) – a national awareness event showcasing the contribution of NHW members across the country in giving back to their communities and celebrating the impact of their work on people’s lives.

The Commissioner sets aside around £5k annually for her Neighbourhood Watch Support Fund (NHWSF), with funding allocated throughout the year.

In the latest round, NHW groups shared a total of £1,892.50 to support a wide range of activities to raise awareness of their work and boost membership.

As well as schemes in North Derbyshire, there were allocations in Derby, and, more locally, Amber Valley where newly formed Chapel Street NHW received £60 towards NHW branded window stickers, coordinator packs, leaflets, wheelie bin stickers and postcards.

Police and Crime Commissioner Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts said: “It’s impossible to put a value on community spirit: it knits our people together, connects those who feel isolated or vulnerable and makes our communities safer, stronger and more resistant to any threat, driving out harm before it has an opportunity to strike.

“I’m grateful to every group and volunteer that supports our work through Neighbourhood Watch and I’m pleased that I am able to support their vital work with these grants. They are part of an invisible army of dedicated community champions working at ground level, 365-days-a-year, to support the delivery of my Police and Crime Plan and keep our county safe.

“Neighbourhood Watch is very important to me and since I was elected, I’ve made clear my ambition to expand and grow its reach across Derby and Derbyshire. These small grants will go a long way to boosting the visibility of the organisation to both potential recruits and to criminals who are looking to exploit our communities. Together, we will make Derbyshire safer, stronger and more inclusive, and I will continue to do everything I can to support this work.”

Partnership working and collaboration is a key theme in the PCC’s new Police and Crime Plan with the Commissioner recognising the vital role partners including local communities will play in the successful delivery of her Police and Crime Plan priorities.

As part of an unprecedented focus on collaborative working, the Commissioner has vowed to recognise and support the invaluable efforts of organisations like Neighbourhood Watch and seek out new and innovative projects to bring people together to address the issues that matter most to residents and businesses.