Bonfire Night is fast approaching. In my house, the loud bangs are not popular with either the kids or the animals. But for many others, the colour and spectacle are among the highlights of the season. This year, Diwali also falls on 8 November, the festival of lights. Fireworks are sometimes used as part of those celebrations too. Whatever your plans, we can probably all agree that the key to a successful night is staying safe and being considerate. We’ve pulled together some of the official advice for you here.
Highlights this month include:
- Respect Orders are launched by the Home Office
- Neighbourhood Watch volunteers share success stories with ministers and the media
- Community spotlight on Newham and Operation ADDER
Respect Orders launched
People who behave anti-socially could be hit with tougher restrictions as new Respect Orders come into force across England and Wales. Respect Orders enable police and councils to take stronger enforcement action. Courts can ban offenders from town centres or stop them drinking in public hotspots like high streets and local parks. They can also hand out fines and community punishments, including curfews or hours of volunteering. People can also be ordered to do drug or alcohol programmes or anger management courses. Read the full story here.
Neighbourhood Watch volunteers share success stories with ministers and the media
Volunteers in Staffordshire and Hertfordshire have been speaking to the Policing Minister and the media about tackling antisocial behaviour at a local level. Angela Michell, a coordinator in Hemel Hempstead, joined Policing Minister Sarah Jones on a walkabout of the town centre, alongside David Taylor MP and senior police leaders from Hertfordshire Police's Anti-Social Behaviour Team. Meanwhile, Geraint Lang, Association Lead and Chair of Staffs Watch, spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live about the success the organisation has achieved in Penkridge. You can listen to the interview here (scroll to 1.06).
AlarmID – the gift of peace of mind
Give something genuinely useful this Christmas. AlarmID is a portable tamper alarm that helps protect bags, laptops and suitcases wherever life takes you. Featuring fingerprint activation and a loud 100dB siren, it's a thoughtful gift for students, commuters, travellers and loved ones whose safety and peace of mind matter most. Get the exclusive NW discount here. – AD.
Community spotlight: Newham Neighbourhood Watch
Newham Neighbourhood Watch in London recently supported a collaboration with British Transport police and the Met in East Ham, they delivered action days for Operation ADDER (Addiction, Diversion, Disruption, Enforcement and Recovery). With high-visibility engagement around commercial hubs, transit spots and local parks to tackle drug dealing, anti-social behaviour, and street crime. Nice work Zak and team!
Deepfake Dialogues
Our Cyberhood Ambassadors have been working with the Deep Truth Project, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to building public resilience against deepfakes and AI-driven deception. They work through educational outreach, empowering people to protect themselves and to maintain trust. They also have a podcast with some really interesting stories exploring all aspects of AI and deep fakes, listen to them on Youtube, Spotify or Apple.
One in eight children don’t feel safe in their local areas
Research shows that around 12% of children in England, or roughly one in eight, report feeling unsafe in their local areas. The data comes from a report recently published by the Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza. The dataset brings together 162 measures of children’s lives to build a picture of what it is like to grow up in different areas. Read the report and the interactive data here.
Nominations are open for the Kings Award for Voluntary Service
Thousands of Neighbourhood Watch volunteers across England and Wales make a difference by volunteering. through the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) was created to celebrate local volunteering. Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest Award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life. Nominations will close on 1 December. Find out more here.
Christmas shopping? Fundraise while you shop online
When you buy things online, you could be raising donations for Neighbourhood Watch Network as well. 8,000 retailers, including eBay, Argos, John Lewis, ASOS, Booking.com and M&S, are ready to donate, and it won’t cost you a penny! Each time you shop online, visit the easyfundraising site first to find the retailer you want. After you’ve checked out, they will donate to Neighbourhood Watch Network at no extra cost to you. Go to Easyfundraising and join for free.
The UK's traditional landline network is due to close in January 2027
Make the move to Digital Voice well before the deadline for switchover, so your BT services are not disrupted. If BT gets in touch with you about switching, make sure you confirm an appointment soon. Still need to book your appointment or need some help? BT customers can call the customer service team on 0330 1234 150 or simply dial 150 from their landline. Not a BT customer but have questions? Contact your phone provider directly for advice and support. Discover more on the BT website. – AD.