Good News for Isle of Wight residents, the Island is a safer place to live thanks to Neighbourhood Watch.
The Isle of Wight’s police commander is expressing his thanks to Neighbourhood Watch for its support in reducing crime on the Island.

Chief Superintendent Dave Thomas (pictured) was a guest speaker during the Isle of Wight Neighbourhood Watch annual general meeting (AGM) at the Riverside Centre in Newport.

He addressed an audience of Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators about their important role in maintaining low levels of crime.

There were more than 1,000 fewer victims of crime on the Isle of Wight during the past two years, the number of house burglaries has fallen by 40% over the past five years, and there were more than 600 fewer incidents of anti-social behaviour reported on the Island between July and September 2009, compared to the same three months in 2008.

Chief Superintendent Thomas said: 

“Criminals find it difficult to flourish where there are strong communities. A thriving Neighbourhood Watch scheme is one reflection of a group of residents who care and communicate about the quality of life where they live. Consistent and reliable sources of information about suspicious activity will always form an essential part of policing. Neighbourhood Watch members are on the frontline, assisting their local officers to target criminals in the right places at the right times.”

He added: 

“I place great value on the strength of our working relationship. The police are never complacent, and it’s important to acknowledge how Neighbourhood Watch reinforces our combined efforts to help residents feel safer through sensible crime prevention tactics and technology.”

Chief Superintendent Thomas was joined at the meeting by Chief Inspector Mark Bell plus police officers and staff from the Isle of Wight’s dedicated Safer Neighbourhoods teams. Chief Inspector Bell highlighted the availability of SmartWater, an ultraviolet liquid with unique forensic codes, which householders can use to mark their property, enabling items, if stolen, to be identified and linked to the criminals responsible.  For more information, phone police on 101 or go online to www.hampshire.police.uk

Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator John Pullen said: 

“The Chief Superintendent was a very welcome guest at the AGM. That he found the time in his busy schedule to address the meeting demonstrates his support and commitment to Neighbourhood Watch. Under his leadership, the Safer Neighbourhoods partnership has contributed to reducing the fear of crime on the Island, as well as achieving the reductions in crime figures.”

Visit  Isle of Wight Neighbourhood Watch website click here:  and read Island Pulse related ‘Question Crime’ On The Isle Of Wight also visit the Isle of Wight Question Crime Survey here: