Poole Neighbourhood Watch chair praised

29 June 2012

The man who helped boost membership of a Poole Neighbourhood Watch has been presented with a gift to thank him for his 11 years hard work.

When Phil Goodall started chairing the Canford Heath watch in 2001, only 17 residents attended meetings. Sixty were at last month’s annual general meeting, where deputy chief inspector Debbie Simpson gave him an inscribed tankard on behalf of the organisation.

“I felt it was time for a change,” explained Phil, who is also a councillor for Canford Heath West.

mong his proudest achievements were securing three mountain bikes to help officers patrol the heath.

“Crime levels have definitely gone down and we have a very good, close working relationship with the police.”

Phil, who has Multiple Sclerosis, was a special police constable in Warwickshire for a decade from the age of 19. After retiring in 2001, he moved to Canford Heath from Broadstone, where he had lived for 25 years.

Article courtesy of Bournemouth Echo

He became chairman of the Neighbourhood Watch just three months after attending his first meeting. The new chairman is former treasurer George Spicer.