New Neighbourhood Watch scheme launched in Three Rivers

A new Neighbourhood Watch scheme aimed to protect older people living in Three Rivers has been launched. ‘Senior Watch’ was created in the wake of a large number of scam phone calls made to residents. Officers based in the Oxhey Safer Neighbourhood Team needed to find a way to disseminate essential safety information to their older residents in order to arm them with essential advice to prevent them from falling victim to crime. The scheme will run similarly to Neighbourhood Watch, where messages and information are shared to members through the ‘Online Watch Link’ portal (OWL). A PCSO from each of the three Safer Neighbourhood Teams in Three Rivers took on the role of specialist ‘liaison officer’ for the scheme and over recent weeks they have been busy building up contacts for all key people who may live or work with older people living in Three Rivers, such as people who manage care homes, social clubs, sheltered housing or retirement complexes. All contacts have been loaded on to the system and can now be contacted with essential crime prevention advice at the click of a button, which they can then share with their residents or service users. The scheme was launched at the Clitheroe Club in South Oxhey last Monday (September 22).  Sergeant Luke Mitchell and PCSO Michelle Russell were joined by Kerry James from Age UK Hertfordshire which supports the Clitheroe club. In addition to the creation of the new watch, each PCSO has been given specialist training. They will be working closely with our Operation Manhunt team based at Police Headquarters who investigate distraction burglary and rogue trading, to ensure that when elderly people are victims of crime the PCSOs will attend to give vulnerable victims an enhanced level of service. They have also created a database of information about the different housing schemes, clubs, meetings and events, so they can be shared with the wider Safer Neighbourhood Teams so that PCSOs can attend these locations to carry out meetings and crime prevention talks. In addition, the PCSOs have teamed up with Hertfordshire Community Meals in Three Rivers to accompany delivery drivers and visit every recipient of the service to provide crime prevention advice, Neighbourhood Watch stickers and timer switches. If a resident has been found to be particularly vulnerable to crime, referrals have been made for additional help or security measures. If you would like to sign up to the scheme, have an elderly neighbour and would like to join the scheme to pass on messages to them, or work for an organisation which may benefit from being involved, please contact the PCSO which covers your area: • Rickmansworth and District Safer Neighbourhood Team | Jenny Stredwick | Jennifer.Stredwick@Herts.pnn.police.uk • Abbots Langley Safer Neighbourhood Team | Marijke Stevens-Keijzer | Marijke.Stevens-keijzer@Herts.pnn.police.uk