Plans to beef up the support available to Cumbria’s Neighbourhood Watch teams go before the county council’s cabinet tomorrow (Tuesday 8 January).
More than 30,000 homes in the county are currently covered by Neighbourhood Watch schemes which provide a vital eyes and ears approach to crime prevention.
Councillors are being asked to support the creation of a new project manager to help support the Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch Association and provide more assistance to the county’s current team of development officers and volunteer coordinators.
The new one-year post would be co-funded by the county council and Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch.
Councillor Gary Strong, cabinet member responsible for Community Development & Safety, said: "Neighbourhood Watch schemes are an important weapon in the fight against crime.
"Giving the scheme county-wide support would help to develop more schemes and provide additional support to volunteers."
To find out more about how to get involved in Neighbourhood Watch, people can contact their local development officer:
West Cumbria Area
John Thornthwaite
j.thornthwaite@cumbria.police.uk
Telephone 01900-64524.
North Cumbria and Eden Area
Paul Caine
paul.caine@cumbria.police.uk
Telephone 01228-558257
Furness Area
Mick Turner
michael.turner@cumbria.police.uk
Telephone 01229-848911
South Lakes Area
Andrea Bell
andrea.bell@cumbria.police.uk
Telephone 01539-818681
ENDS
Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228-606337
Cabinet paper to be considered by councillors at their meeting on 8 January (item 20)