Sussex Neighbourhood Watch given £57,000 grant

Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Federation received £57,029 of '˜Safer in Sussex' funding from the county's Police and Crime Commissioner, during national Volunteers' Week.

The award includes £4,860 to help establish new Neighbourhood Watch Associations through practical support such as start-up grants, training and other steps designed to improve management.

Meanwhile £2,400 will pay to identify, vet and train 30 selected volunteers who will support new associations and the ‘neighbourhood alert’ software, while £5,000 will fund conferences to share best practice across the county.

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A key focus has been on strengthening young people’s involvement, with £7,794 set to go towards identifying, training and vetting 100 new junior Neighbourhood Watch helpers as well as 35 courses over a year, which are expected to benefit up to 700 children.

There will be a significant increase in membership and new schemes, backed by £5,670, which will deliver a sizeable rise in the number of reported incidents and intelligence to strengthen the ‘intelligence jigsaw’.

John Wright, chair of the Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Federation, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this funding. This will make a real difference in building and strengthening the role that Neighbourhood Watch plays in making communities across Sussex safer.

He continued: “Neighbourhood Watch is about promoting good citizenship and greater public awareness through local groups, increasing public participation in the prevention and detection of crime, reducing the fear of crime, improving police and community liaison and increasing community and public safety.”

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The cheque was presented by Sussex PCC Katy Bourne at Haywards Heath Police Station on Tuesday June 1.

Mrs Bourne added: “I am delighted to be making this money available to Sussex Neighbourhood Watch.

“This is about providing funding to strengthen the excellent work that is carried out within neighbourhoods to make them safer, to ensure that no one has to feel afraid, vulnerable or isolated in the place where they live.

“We are supporting a whole host of associations where people look out for each other and cross barriers to create real communities that benefit everyone.”

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“Since launching the ‘Safer in Sussex’ funding scheme in December 2013 I have made over £1m available to more than 200 local crime reduction and community safety initiatives.

“I am delighted that the scheme has attracted such a strong response, which tells me local organisations and community groups care about – and are committed to – helping keep Sussex safe.”

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