The number of Neighbourhood Watch schemes in the Derry City Council area has increased with the accreditation of three new schemes in the Strathfoyle area.
Sinn Fein Cllr Paul Fleming.
The schemes in Claragh Crescent, Deramore Drive and Clonmeen Drive have recently been approved by the Department of Justice and PSNI.
Neighbourhood Watch is one of the biggest and most successful crime prevention initiatives ever and is grounded in a partnership between the community, the police and other statutory agencies. Neighbourhood Watch is not solely about reducing burglary or break-ins it is about fostering and growing communities who care.
Alex Duffy, Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator for Deramore Drive said the introduction of the scheme would make a “real contribution” to the safety and well-being in the area.
He said: “This rural estate has a well established community spirit with many residents in the area having lived there all their lives. However, a number of break-ins and thefts in recent years have prompted the residents to establish Neighbourhood Watch Schemes primarily to ‘keep an eye out for each other.’
“Apart from the obvious home security aspects of the scheme I feel that this initiative will also bring us closer together and make a real contribution to the safety and well-being of the area.”
Cllr. Paul Fleming, chairperson of the Derry Policing and Community Safety Partnership DPCSP, said from a community safety perspective I was “delighted” to see an increase in the number of Neighbourhood Watch Schemes especially in the rural area which which he represented.
Cllr Fleming, elected Sinn Fein represented for the area, added: “The PCSP has been instrumental in promoting these schemes and we now have over 20 accreditated schemes in the Council area covering over 700 homes. Also, with the increase in burglaries and house break-ins in the Council area last year it is even more important that people take extra home safety precautions and look out for their neighbours.”
He concluded: “I would encourage anyone considering setting up a scheme in their area to contact the Derry PCSP on 7137 6565.”
