Whether or not there’s a Neighbourhood Watch scheme operating in your area of South Hams depends on local community organisation and engagement. While there's no definitive list available to confirm the presence of schemes in every area, the fact that South Hams has a safety score of 89/100 suggests a generally safe environment. This is notably higher than the UK average safety score of 79.
Understanding the context is important. South Hams, with a population of 92,148, has a crime rate of 46.9 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is higher than the UK average of 91.6 incidents per 1,000. While the safety score is positive, the crime rate indicates there's still a need for community-led initiatives to enhance safety and build trust.
Neighbourhood Watch schemes are community-based initiatives where residents work together to reduce crime and improve safety. They typically involve regular meetings, communication networks, and liaison with local police. The existence of a scheme is usually determined by local need and resident willingness to participate. To discover if a scheme already exists in your specific location within South Hams, the best approach is to:
- Contact your local Parish Council: Parish councils are often aware of local initiatives and can provide information on existing Neighbourhood Watch schemes.
- Check Devon County Council’s Community Safety Pages: Devon County Council frequently lists community safety initiatives, including Neighbourhood Watch, on their website. Search for 'community safety' or 'Neighbourhood Watch' on the Devon County Council website.
- Contact Devon and Cornwall Police: Local police forces often support Neighbourhood Watch schemes and can advise on their presence in the area.
If a scheme doesn't exist, you have the option of starting one. Devon and Cornwall Police offer guidance and support for establishing new Neighbourhood Watch groups. This can be a valuable way to strengthen community bonds and address local safety concerns, especially considering the crime rate of 46.9 per 1,000 residents.