Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer is urging residents in Alsager to start or join neighbourhood watch groups.

Mr Dwyer is supporting Neighbourhood Watch's biggest recruitment campaign to date, encouraging people to make their communities a Better Place to Live, by reducing the fear of crime and joining the scheme.

Neighbourhood Watch began over 40 years ago here in Cheshire and has now launched its biggest recruitment campaign to date.

Neighbours came together to watch out for one another and help improve their communities. Since its inception, the scheme has evolved and is no longer limited to residential streets.

Neighbourhood Watch launched its Community Safety Charter, which enables local people and businesses to stand up against crime in public spaces such as anti-social behaviour, hate crime, intimidation and harassment.

Image: Neighbourhood Watch

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, said: "Neighbourhood Watch has evolved since its establishment over four decades ago. I'd encourage anyone who would like to get involved with the scheme to sign up.

"Tackling crime isn't only a responsibility of the police. In my Police and Crime Plan, I set out how I am working with the Constabulary to deliver an anti-social behaviour strategy, to identify how we can work with partners such as Neighbourhood Watch to reduce incidents and improve services for victims.

"Looking out for one another is key, and Neighbourhood Watch is one of the many organisations who work alongside the Constabulary to make Cheshire an even safer place to live."

Chair of Cheshire Neighbourhood Watch Association, Heath Thompson, said: "We welcome the start of the Better Place to Live recruitment campaign by Neighbourhood Watch and are looking forward to engaging with many more communities across Cheshire during 2023.

"As a member of Neighbourhood Watch, individuals can feel safer, get access to up to date and trusted crime prevention information and help to build stronger more cohesive communities.

"The local policing teams of Cheshire Constabulary are key partners for Cheshire Neighbourhood Watch Association and we work closely together to develop Neighbourhood Watch in every community area."

CEO of Neighbourhood Watch, John Hayward-Cripps, said: "The cost-of-living crisis and the pandemic have highlighted the importance of neighbourhood and community connections in tackling loneliness and isolation as well as our vital work in crime prevention.

"We have a proven track record of bringing communities together and helping them to feel safer in a more uncertain world."

More information about how to get involved with Neighbourhood Watch is on www.ourwatch.org.uk