A Neighbourhood Watch is a group of people who band together for one purpose: to try to reduce crime and disorder in the community, reduce the fear of crime and improve their quality of life.

How do they do this? Just by being good neighbours – nothing more nor less than that.

Your neighbours may already look out for your property. They may keep an eye on things and report to the police if they see anything suspicious. As a neighbour, they would hope that you would do the same for them.

At its simplest, the Neighbourhood Watch is a framework that makes these things easier to do.

But there is more. It provides a channel for giving Watch members up to date information about incidents in their area; about the activities of thieves and confidence tricksters; about cowboy tradesmen, door to door peddlers -- and much else besides.

NB: Neighbourhood Watch members are vigilant citizens, not vigilantes. No one expects – or wants – them to become physically involved in fighting crime.

What's in it for me?

Neighbourhood Watch groups are known to be effective in reducing crime and disorder. Signs placed at the boundaries of the group are remarkably good at deterring burglars and other undesirables.

The effectiveness of neighbourhood Watch groups is recognised by insurance companies, and some will offer members a discount on their home and contents insurance policies.

Surrey is one of England’s safest counties in terms of crime and disorder. As a Neighbourhood Watch member, you can help keep it that way.

If you don’t, who will?