Neighbourhood Watch

We live in a tight knit community where news of crime incidents travels swiftly by word of mouth, through the Balcombe Community Facebook site, the Balcombe Community website and the Village Magazine. 

Neighbourhood Watch is a National organisation (www.ourwatch.org.uk) well respected by the Police and some Home Insurance Companies.  We also have a role in cascading information to our neighbours..Here is Balcombe we have 22 co-ordinators who cover areas/streets in the village. Their role is:

• To be the point of contact for their neighbours.
• To keep neighbours informed of any local crimes or concerns – most co-ordinators cascade information either by word of mouth or through email.
• To report any incidents to other co-ordinators so this information can be distributed across the village.
• To be a link with the Community Police.
• To raise awareness of safety measures that can be taken to reduce crime.

Do you know who your co-ordinator is? 

Do they have your email address so you can be forewarned of any village incidents? 

Check out the Balcombe Village Website for details of your co-ordinator and contact me on 01444 819262 if your area still has a vacancy.

We do not have a Facebook page as I believe it is better to have one place to find local information and this is already provided successfully by the Balcombe Community Facebook which villagers already use to report incidents and crimes. 

Please remember that Facebook is not the best vehicle for crime reporting…..whilst social media can be effective in spreading news it is important the crime is reported directly to the Police.  If you see something on Facebook, reply “ Report this # Sussex Police” which will trigger the correct response.

If there is immediate danger, do not hesitate, phone 999.  Crime/Incident Reports can be made on-line through www.sussex.police.uk/report  For non-emergency reporting you can still phone 101.  Action is triggered by the quantity of reports received from an area so it is always good to report as it will put Balcombe on the map.  Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Please also inform your NHW Co-ordinator so information can be cascaded across the NHW Scheme that operates in the village.  We cannot eliminate crime completely but greater awareness will help the community become more observant and safety conscious.

LIST OF CURRENT NHW COORDINATORS AS AT NOVEMBER 2023

If you live in an area where a volunteer is needed, please contact Julie Mitchell – details at top of this table.

Take care and keep safe.

Julie Mitchell

01444 819262  oldgilletts@hotmail.co.uk