What is the Community Safety Charter?
The aim of the Community Safety Charter is to involve a wider range of local organisations, charities, businesses and groups in crime prevention activity and extend the scope of this work towards a goal of eliminating harassment, antisocial behaviour, and intimidation experienced by anyone who lives, works, studies, or visits anywhere in England and Wales.
The Community Safety Charter is a means by which Neighbourhood Watch members, local residents, businesses, and organisations, agree to do whatever they can together to provide an environment that is safer for everyone, and help us to meet this goal by committing to:
The Pledges
Promote a culture that does not tolerate antisocial behaviour, harassment, intimidation and hostility towards others
Enable others to identify and take an active stance against these crimes and incidents
Actively encourage and support those who experience or witness these crimes and incidents to report them to the relevant authorities
Support those affected and signpost those who need further support to agencies who can help them
Who can sign up to the Charter?
Any individual, community group, Neighbourhood Watch scheme, business, charity or other organisation in England and Wales can sign up for FREE, including schools and universities, community centres, taxi firms and public places (such as museums, libraries and leisure centres).
Why sign up to the Charter?
- Individuals will feel safer because they know the whole community is looking out for them, which can have a profound effect on their well-being, feelings of safety and confidence
- No one wants the fear of harassment and intimidation in their community. Signing up to the Charter sends a clear message that this behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated by your organisation or group
- You will have a clear role in empowering people in your organisation, group or community to do something positive to prevent these crimes in their neighbourhood
- You will be creating a more positive, safer environment where you work or live
- The collective power of a wide range of local community members, all working towards a shared goal will have a much greater impact than working individually
What will I receive?
- Downloadable copies of the Charter to display
- Downloadable or interactive training modules in various formats to use for you and your members/staff/volunteer
- Crime prevention advice and guidance through our dedicated website pages
- Other promotional materials (for example badges, pens, window display stickers and beer mats) to purchase at a later stage
- The opportunity to attend online events to share ideas and good practices in promoting and implementing the Charter.
- The opportunity to sign up for Alerts about the crime affecting your local area
- Invited to become a Affiliate member of Neighbourhood Watch, whilst keeping your group or business identity.
How can I get involved?
- Identify a lead from your organisation/group/business
- Sign up to the Community Safety Charter, agreeing to uphold its principles and promote it within your community, business, and networks
- Display the Charter on your premises, your neighbourhood and/or on your website
- Promote the Community Safety Charter through your social media channels
- Register your group or organisation as an affiliate of Neighbourhood Watch on the Neighbourhood Watch Register at www.ourwatch.org.uk/join
- Raise awareness amongst your community, group and /or with your members about harassment and intimidation and how to prevent and report it
- Renew your commitment to the Community Safety Charter every three years