What is Neighbourhood Watch?
Neighbourhood Watch is a community based crime prevention program
which is aimed at reducing the incidence of preventable crime, as
well as providing a safer community for all Victorians.
 Why was
Neighbourhood Watch started?
Neighbourhood Watch is a tried and proven Police/Community
partnership against crime. The program is also very simple to run
and only requires a few basic strategies to be followed to be
effective.
The program was introduced in 1983 as it was found that the Victoria
Police alone couldn't control the crime rate, especially the
incidence of burglary and related thefts.
Since its inception the Neighbourhood Watch Program has become one
of the main reasons crime rates, including burglary, have been
reduced in Victoria.
Where does
Neighbourhood Watch operate?
Neighbourhood Watch can operate anywhere in Victoria that is shown
to have a need for the Program.
Almost 50% of Victoria is covered by Neighbourhood Watch. The
Program operates within a local community where there is a
demonstrated community desire to undertake the program.
You may already be in a Neighbourhood Watch Area and not know about
it! Contact your local Police to find out if the Program is
operating in your area.
What are the main
strategies of Neighbourhood watch?
The Neighbourhood Watch program utilises four simple strategies:
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1. Operation Identification |
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2. Reporting of Suspicious Behaviour |
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3. Security and Safety Awareness |
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4. Signposting |
These four strategies will now be explained in detail.
1. Operation Identification
a) What is Operation
Identification?
Operation identification is a process where householders mark their
valuables in a way that discourages the theft of those items. By
marking your valuables it makes them less inviting to steal and
increases the likelihood that the offender will be caught.
CLICK HERE for a printer-friendly
"Property Inventory" form that will help you with your
recordkeeping.
Equally important, if your valuables are marked and they should
happen to be stolen, there is a much greater chance the police can
return these items to you when they are recovered.
b) How do I participate in
Operation Identification?
 Contact your Neighbourhood Watch Representative who
will give you further details about Operation Identification. He
will provide to you various marking options and give advice on the
best way to mark your property.
Most items you wish to mark will, depending on what they are, be
marked using an electric engraver which will be provided to you.
Also an Ultra Violet pen can be provided as another option. Of
course, some items can only be properly identified by taking a
photograph (eg. jewellery and paintings).
You will also be provided with appliance stickers, which state the
item has been marked for identification, as well as window stickers.
Such measures provide visible deterrent to a would be thief or
burglar and also assist police in returning your valuable
possessions to you.
c) How do I mark my property?
The police recommend that you mark your property with your driver's
licence number preceded by the letter "V" for Victoria. Your licence
number is unique to you, so even if you change your address you can
be contacted. Should you not have a licence, then you can use the
licence number of a close friend or relative. (Make sure you inform
that person of your intentions.)
2. Reporting of Suspicious
Behaviour
 One of the skills that you will be taught through the
Neighbourhood Watch Program will be the ability to accurately take
details and report any suspicious or unusual activities in your
area. This enables the police to provide a better service as well as
provide a safer area for you. View the latest Crime Statistics to
keep informed of what is happening in your area.
3. Security and Safety
Awareness
Information will be provided for you to become more aware of your
own personal safety as well as home security tips.
4. Signposting
Your Neighbourhood Watch Area will be signposted in prominent
locations. The signs act as a visible deterrent to criminal
activity.
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