On Saturday 12 September, Coordinators, volunteers and partners from across the West Midlands came together at West Midlands Police Headquarters in Birmingham to celebrate the launch of the new West Midlands Neighbourhood Watch Association.
The event marked an important milestone in the launch of the Association and the election of a committee at its Annual General Meeting. It was opened by Simon Foster, Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands, who welcomed attendees and spoke about the vital role Neighbourhood Watch plays in creating safer, stronger, and more connected communities.
Over the past eight months, Cheryl Spruce, Head of Membership and Community Engagement at Neighbourhood Watch Network, has worked alongside local volunteers to support the redevelopment of the Association. From bringing together a new team and providing guidance throughout the process to supporting the AGM, Cheryl has helped lay the foundations for a sustainable Association that will support more than 1,000 Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators across the West Midlands.
During the event, Cheryl presented Neighbourhood Watch Network's 2026–2030 Strategy, demonstrating how its Watch, Connect, Act approach can be put into practice at the very local level, empowering communities to prevent crime, build stronger neighbourhoods and encourage people to take positive action where they live.
The newly elected Chair, Brian Bassingthwaighte, delivered an inspiring address, highlighting the importance of a strong local Association in supporting Coordinators across the force area. He spoke about his commitment, alongside the newly elected committee, to strengthen existing partnerships, develop new relationships and ensure Coordinators have the support they need to make an even greater difference in their communities.
The event brought together Coordinators from across the West Midlands force area and was expertly hosted by Marie Lane, former Acting Chair of the Association, whose dedication has been instrumental throughout the Association's relaunch. Special thanks also go to Reg Banks, Membership Support Administrator, whose hard work, and commitment behind the scenes helped make the day such a success.
The launch marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Neighbourhood Watch in the West Midlands. With a passionate leadership team, committed volunteers and strong partnerships already in place, the Association is well positioned to support local communities and help neighbours continue to Watch, Connect and Act together.