Dear Neighbours,
One thing many people don't realise about Neighbourhood Watch is that we are a charity, (charity number 1173349, in fact!) and we're quite a small one too. It’s a team of just twelve people who support a network of brilliant volunteers across the country.
As a volunteer-led organisation, we achieve a huge amount with limited resources. Our fantastic Neighbourhood Watch members are making a difference in communities every day. We've just published our latest Impact Report so you can see how we've been building stronger communities and helping to reduce crime over the last 12 months. As well as our Impact Report, highlights this month include:
- Local updates from Southwater and Staffordshire
- Don’t let scammers take advantage of the Virgin email changes
- Hate Crime Awareness week is 10-17 October
Our latest impact report
2025-26 was a landmark year for Neighbourhood Watch, marked by inspiring community action across England and Wales. Members helped shape our new five-year strategy, centred on Neighbourhood Watch, Connect and Act. Our volunteers delivered training, events and projects that brought people together, shared valuable knowledge and helped build safer, more connected communities. We are immensely proud of and grateful to our incredible network for the difference they make every day. Read the full impact report here.
Hate Crime Awareness Week
Anyone can be a victim of hate crime. It can have a massive impact not only on the person who was targeted but also their family, friends and community. Hate Crime Awareness Week 2026 takes place from 10-17 October. It’s organised by the charity 17-24-30 NationalHCAW. The aim is to encourage people to recognise and to report hate crimes. Find out more here.
National Home Security Month - a special offer from SimpliSafe
October marks National Home Security Month. The timing isn't a coincidence - this is when the clocks go back and evenings draw in, which is exactly when opportunistic burglaries tend to rise. SimpliSafe is supporting Neighbourhood Watch members by offering an exclusive 35% off a SimpliSafe system, plus a free Bell Box! Every system comes with no long-term contract and a 60-day money-back guarantee, so there's no pressure — just an easy way to see if it's right for your home.
Click here to claim your member discount. (Ad)
Opinion: Don’t let scammers take advantage of the Virgin email changes
We know that the announcement from Virgin Media that it is changing how email accounts are managed might cause concern, particularly for people worried about online scams or fraud. Sandra Bauer, Deputy Chief Executive of Neighbourhood Watch, shares advice in her latest blog.
Remember, scammers like to rush people, so give yourself five minutes to think seriously about the ask. Stop and think before sharing information. Challenge unexpected requests, even if they appear genuine. Protect yourself by contacting your bank and reporting concerns if you think you have been targeted. Read the full article here.
Going away? Stay safe with Staysure
As a trusted partner of Neighbourhood Watch, Staysure shares our commitment to helping people feel safe and supported wherever they are. Whether you're planning a UK break, cruise or overseas adventure, Staysure Travel Insurance provides cover for a wide range of travellers, including many with pre-existing medical conditions. Travel with confidence, wherever you're heading next. Visit their website to find out how Staysure can give you peace of mind on your next trip. (Ad)
United Kingdom and Cambodia join forces to crack down on online scam centres
A new agreement has been signed between the UK and Cambodian governments to enable joint working against networks of illegal scam centres. This builds on the launch of the government’s Fraud Strategy, which established a new Online Crime Centre, uniting government, police, intelligence agencies, banks and tech firms to ramp up the disruption of fraudsters. Read the full story on our website.
Local news
Sussex police celebrate 30 years of outstanding voluntary community service in Southwater
When a police house was due for closure in September 1996, Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator Karen Haynes stepped in to set up a Community Police Office in the area, staffed by dedicated volunteers. At a time when Peter Andre and the Spice Girls topped the charts (a golden era in music!), these volunteers stepped forward. They are now marking their 30th anniversary as a vital connection between police and the community. Read more online here:
Staffordshire Watch
Staffordshire Watch supports Neighbourhood Watch across all 10 Local Policing Areas in the county. The group is made up entirely of volunteers who give up their time to raise awareness and develop partnerships. Over the last couple of months, they’ve been busy building connections at a host of community events and talking to neighbourhood policing teams. They are a truly indefatigable and inspiring team. If you are based in Staffordshire, make sure you follow their Facebook page for all their latest updates. Give them a follow here.
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 continue without disruption. If BT gets in touch 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)
That is it for this edition – we’ll have more news in two weeks. Don’t forget to tag Neighbourhood Watch Network in your posts and stories on social media, we *love* to see what the community is doing.