A NEW era is community neighbourhood policing has been welcomed by Tony Moran, the Tameside borough lead on the Greater Manchester Neighbourhood Watch Association.
Chief Inspector Ian Pilling recently announced changed to neighbourhood policing across the 10 boroughs in with every ward knowing the name and contact details for their dedicated neighbourhood policing teams, inspector, sergeant, PC and PCSOs.
Tony stated this is a much needed step forward towards getting back to basic neighbourhood community policing and the most cost effective way in gathering criminal intelligence to support front line officers working in partnership to protecting personal property and those residents most vulnerable in communities.
Tameside was one of the first to step up to the challenge and it has proved to be a very successful initiative working in partnership with Tameside police, Tameside Council’s community safety department and most importantly those Neighbourhood Watch local area lead co-ordinator volunteers.
And such has been the success that there are now 60 schemes in the borough representing more than 6,000 residents.
Tony said: “We are proud to be members of Tameside’s Neighbourhood Watch family supporting our local neighbourhoods in being a safe, secure and sound place to live in harmony.
“Over the last three years we have developed a network of cohort advisers to share best practice policies on crime prevention and raise awareness of those modern-day criminals operating telephone scams and online fraud preying on people across all age groups and the most susceptible in our society.
“In these testing times of the Covid-19 worldwide pandemic, Tameside’s Neighbourhood Watch family has provide a platform for acts of kindness forming a phone back tree for those residents suffering from loneliness and its effect on mental health issues by sign posting those in need of professional help.
“One local area group organised donation to a local foodbank and sharing Covid-19 information on their WhatsApp group. What a fantastic testimonial to the people of Tameside
“Over the last 12 months we have seen an increase in enquiries from Tameside residents looking to join existing schemes and interest in forming a NWA scheme in their area.”
• Further information is available online at: www.tamesidenwa.co.uk