How it works

Neighbourhood Watch (NhW) is a way in which communities can help themselves to stay safe and keep down crime.

Neighbourhood Watch schemes are groups of volunteers who work in partnership with the police and the local council.

They distribute advice on security and safety within a designated area and help to make sure that elderly or vulnerable members of the community aren't targets for criminals. They also gather information which can help police tackle local problems as well as alert local people when there is a particular crime problem in the area.

Schemes can vary in size depending on the neighbourhood and sometimes have a specific focus (ie horse watch, school watch, coast watch) in line with local priorities.

More information on Neighbourhood Watch nationally

Neighbourhood Watch website.

Kent County Neighbourhood Watch Association

The county association supports about 4,500 Neighbourhood Watch schemes that cover approximately 350,000 households.

The scheme includes Country Eye, Horse Watch, Farm Watch, School Watch and Shop Watch amongst others.

Kent Police provides specific project funding and administrative and office facilities.

Get involved

For an informal chat or an information pack on Neighbourhood Watch, call PC Mick Wright on 01622 654143.

To find out about Neighbourhood Watch schemes in your area, get in touch with your local liaison officer who will advise you whether a scheme already exists or help you start a new one. 

Mid Kent

Lorraine Hemphrey: 0844 892 0119 (Maidstone)

Jacqueline Blake: 0808 100 3308 (Swale)

North Kent

Jill Mendham: 01474 366360

West Kent

Carey Amor (Tunbridge Wells): 01580 711004 or 07772 221280

Suzanne Daniell (Sevenoaks):  01732 379373 and 07980 770548

John Watson (Tonbridge and Malling): 01732 529910 or 07980 684055

Medway

John Haddaway: 01634 792131

South Kent

Sally Coleman: 01304 218151 (Dover and Shepway)

Paul Brosnan: 01233 896126 (Ashford and Tenterden)

East Kent

Terry McCormick: 01843 222214