Residents turn to technology to help police fight crime
9:23am Monday 15th October 2012 in News
A NEW generation of home watch co-ordinators are being sought to help fight crime in Bolton.
The stereotype of curtain twitching is being challenged as new communication methods such as social media continue to grow.
Police are urging people in Bolton to “do the right thing” and stand up and look out for their community.
Since June this year, 70 new home watch schemes have been set up in the borough.
Superintendent Phil Davies said: “If you are a citizen in Bolton there are certain rights, but responsibilities within that.
“People talk about customer service and we are committed to the service to the public but we are not a service industry, we are an extension to the community.
“We want to see citizens coming forward to look after the town, whatever their background.
“We are particularly looking for people who would not have initially thought they had the time or inclination to get involved.”
Social media has gained a huge following in recent months, and people are able to share and tweet information on sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
Police use the tool to provide instant updates and want to use that as a vehicle for home watch.
People are able to share or retweet the appeals for information and advice to their friends, family and followers.
Supt Davies said home watch co-ordinators can be as involved as they want.
They do not have to hold meetings, but can be a point of contact to spread information and advice within the community however they choose.
He added: “We use email and text updates and have got into the 21st century communication.
“We have seen a significant increase in Twitter followers.
“We have a responsibility to solve crime and prevent crime, but the community can help us.
“We need to have a two-way conversation with people telling us what is going on so we can deal with it.”
Comments(8)
Egertonlass
says...
12:28pm Mon 15 Oct 12
We are luck to be relatively crime free, but the scheme has helped rid our area of nuisance crimes such as cold callers and scrap dealers. We have an ongoing close contact with the Police and especially our local Community Support Team who are always on hand to assist. I would encourage all neighbourhoods to join the scheme. The scheme has really helped to make the area a pleasant and safe place to live.
steveG
says...
1:52pm Mon 15 Oct 12
If you wish to rid your area of cold callers and scrap dealers the police will no doubt be only too happy to help,however,if you live in Breightmet and wish to rid your area of burglars then it's a gimmick.
I wasn't aware the homewatch scheme was implemented to rid us of the horrors of cold callers and scrap dealers.
atlas123
says...
5:47pm Mon 15 Oct 12
jogga7
says...
5:48pm Mon 15 Oct 12
Egertonlass
says...
10:59pm Mon 15 Oct 12
steveG wrote:We have had our homewatch here for over 6 years and of course we have suffered burglaries in that time. The Police have always pulled out all the stops to help us and having an established rapport with them has made it easier to communicate our problems to them. They always take time to attend our monthly meetings - perhaps you ought to give it a go!
Egertonlass - totally agree.
If you wish to rid your area of cold callers and scrap dealers the police will no doubt be only too happy to help,however,if you live in Breightmet and wish to rid your area of burglars then it's a gimmick.
I wasn't aware the homewatch scheme was implemented to rid us of the horrors of cold callers and scrap dealers.
The 'horrors' of cold callers become a reality by the way when it's an elderly person living on their own and the cold caller turns into a conman and enters their house.
Flycatcher
says...
1:12pm Tue 16 Oct 12
PhilipADavies
says...
3:42pm Thu 18 Oct 12
steveG wrote:No gimmick - talk to us on Bolton East facebook, or speak to your local Beat Officer. We genuinely want people in areas not historically strong in Home Watch to get involved. I want burglars out of Breightmet as much as you do! - Supt Davies.
Egertonlass - totally agree. If you wish to rid your area of cold callers and scrap dealers the police will no doubt be only too happy to help,however,if you live in Breightmet and wish to rid your area of burglars then it's a gimmick. I wasn't aware the homewatch scheme was implemented to rid us of the horrors of cold callers and scrap dealers.
steveG says...
10:13am Mon 15 Oct 12
I recall our homewatch coordinator following a burglar home who had committed another offence some days earlier.
He rang the Police, explained the situation and was told the Officer who dealt with the original incident was on holiday and could he ring back the following week.