Neighbourhood Watch to be launched in Portrush

The conference, which will take place at the Magherabuoy House Hotel in Portrush between 7pm and 9pm, will have guest speakers from Coleraine Borough Council as well as members from the Youth Diversion Office and volunteers from Street Guardians.

The aim of Neighbourhood Watch is to help the community protect themselves and their property and to reduce the fear of crime through improved home security, greater vigilance and by improving the local environment.

The scheme can help people feel safer in their homes and promotes co operation between police and the community.

It provides a visible sign that members of a community are looking out for each other. The two-way communication with the community helps police to quickly identify emerging trends, to offer appropriate crime prevention advice and to adjust patrolling patterns to deter and detect offenders .

Coleraine Coastal Constable, Lisa Coyle, says: “The sucess of Neighbourhood Watch is dependant on scheme co ordinators who give up their time voluntarily to work with the police and the policing and community safety partnership to assist their neighbourhoods in tackling crime”.

Alderman Maura Hickey, Chair of Coleraine Policing and community Safety Partnership said “The members of Coleraine PCSP are pleased to support this event and the Neighbourhood Watch initiative.

“We recognise the important work that the Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators carry out in their communities to make safer and to help each other and we thank them all for their work and commitment”

If you are interested in getting involved in the scheme please contact the Portrush Neighbourhood Policing team 0845 600 8000.