THE District of Alton Neighbourhood Watch Association (DANHWA) has witnessed a revival – and more residents are being encouraged to get involved. The group has recently seen a new area co- ordinator appointed and a public meeting, held last Wednesday, marked the group's relaunch. The meeting was open to anyone from the district (including Alton and the surrounding villages) interested in joining DANHWA and/or wanting to launch a watch in their own road or area. Leading the revival is Four Marks resident Wendy Godber. Mrs Godber took on responsibility for a watch in the Blackberry Lane area of Four Marks in April last year – a scheme which is already proving successful. According to Mrs Godber, not only do residents feel safer, but many of them have got to know neighbours, hitherto unknown, and they are "all looking out for one another". So impressed has Mrs Godber become with the scheme that, on hearing that the post of area co- ordinator was up for grabs, she decided to take on the challenge to develop the district community watch system into something "a little more dynamic". Her aim is to develop a forum to discuss any crime or safety-related issues, and to bring people together in a shared objective of providing and maintaining a safe and pleasant neighbourhood. Last Wednesday 41 co-ordinators from the across the area met in Alton, to turn the previous rather scattered and isolated aspects of Neighbourhood Watch into a formalised constitution. A committee was formed and, on that same evening, Alton Town Council's policy and resources committee agreed to award the newly formed association a grant of £50 to assist with administration costs. It was agreed by the association to hold an annual meeting to enable local co-ordinators to share ideas and discuss relevant issues, with bi-annual committee meetings to bring together "the nuts and bolts" of the organisation. "From this, further initiatives are always possible and DANHWA can then become a dynamic hive of activity maintaining the safety and well being of Alton citizens," said Mrs Godber. Neighbourhood Watch has been in existence in the UK for around 25 years, starting initially in Chester, the idea having migrated from Australia, where it originated. It has been successful in uniting communities by merely displaying the sign in various locations and agreeing to keep a lookout for any untoward activities in the immediate vicinity. Recently, Neighbourhood Watch has undergone some positive changes to improve the communication and information process with the appointment of a part-time link person. Sue Gibson can be contacted between 9 am and 1 pm during the working week on 01256 406894. Police statistics, the results of the British crime survey and surveys by other notable organisation all indicate that watch schemes have been instrumental in helping to reduce crime. But Wendy Godber does not want DANHWA to take these findings for granted. "The crime level in the Alton area is low, but we want to keep it that way," she said. If you are interested in setting up a Neighbourhood Watch in your road or area, simply visit Alton Police Station where you can collect a start-up pack.
