Overview of the Village Neighbourhood Watch Scheme Updated on 7th June 2010
	Abbotts Ann Neighbourhood Watch is built around a network of twenty one local Co-ordinators, one of whom is the Area Co-ordinator, each covering the road or group of houses where they themselves live. The Scheme, which started in 1989, covers most of Abbotts Ann Parish and falls under the supervision of Beat 11 at Stockbridge Police Station. Local Co-ordinators are volunteers and provide an informal link between local Police and residents. They are NOT vigilantes nor are they curtain twitchers watching to see what may be going on. They take it one stage further than "keeping an eye out for neighbours" which many of us do without really thinking about it. There are no formal duties but what is asked of them is that in the course of their daily routines, if they see something that appears odd, they do not ignore it but immediately pass their concerns to the Area Co-Ordinator or to the local Police. Typically this could be a strange vehicle parked in an unusual place or two men from an unmarked van going to the house of an elderly person living alone. They endeavour to keep residents mindful of the simple measures which can aid security of person and property, especially those who are particularly vulnerable. New residents are encouraged to make their own contribution to our mutual security. From time to time, Police may notify Area Co-ordinators of items which they consider are of special concern such as a suspect vehicle or an emerging pattern of crime. The Area Co-ordinator will then pass this information to their local co-ordinators, who may further pass it on to households in their area. Thus in a short time many people are alerted and made aware of the threat. Our local Beat Officer is P.C Richard Jewell and is a member of the 'Safer Neighbourhood Police Team'. He operates out of Stockbridge Police Station and this location is open to the public at certain times depending on officer availability. Therefore the nearest station which is open at all times is Andover and their telephone Number is 01264 333511. There is also a Police Surgery on certain dates and is located in the village at certain times each month. Do look at the Village Notice Boards for those venues, dates and times, when you can meet 'our' policeman face to face. For Neighbourhood Watch matters Richard is responsible to P/Sgt Glen Curtis who is based at the Stockbridge Police Station. He is normally supported by a CPSO (Community Police Support Officer). For non-emergency calls of a general nature, ring Hampshire & IOW Constabulary 0845 045 45 45 or 101 and give your name and post code to start with. This will ensure that you are placed in touch with a local area officer. For an incident requiring the immediate attention of a Police Officer and is actually happening - 999 of course. Don't hesitate as time is likely to be important. Because of the rural nature of our area, should you contact the Police or any of the other Services, any directions, in addition to the post code, you can give to pin-point the location of the incident will be of great help to the Officers responding to the call. Remember the village is to the West of the A343 Salisbury Road, two miles South of Andover. That is a really good start for someone not familiar with the area and could speed up the response, remembering that Hampshire is a very large county. As to your own home, make sure the house number/name is clearly visible from the road and particularly at night. This is especially important where the property is concealed from the road or house numbers do not follow a normal sequence. Emergency services responding to 999 calls are often strangers to the area and precious minutes can be wasted trying to find a particular property in the middle of the night. Note comment above. Neighbourhood Watch literature and other information is available from the Area Co-ordinator, Mike Butt, tel. 01264 710675. As a resident of Abbotts Ann, anything that does not appear to be normal and gives rise to concern, please do not ignore it but tell the Police or your local Co-ordinator immediately. It may be a small thing in itself but most successful Police activity results from piecing together fragments of information and intelligence into a larger picture. Thank you