Roles and Responsibilities

This section outlines and defines the roles and responsibilities of those connected with NW.

NW – Co-ordinator

The co-ordinator is the most important person in any scheme, since it is his/her task to manage its activities and make it as effective as possible. It is recommended that the Co-ordinator is supported by a Committee or Deputies to carry out some of the tasks as set out below.

Responsible to:-

Members of the Scheme Purpose
To manage the scheme and promote NW activity within the scheme area.

Main Responsibilities:

These are likely to include:-

Maintaining the interest of scheme members
Informing members about local crime
Promoting crime reduction initiatives
Receiving and passing information from and to Suffolk Constabulary.
Liaising with other Co-ordinators especially those in adjoining areas.
Promoting a partnership approach to crime reduction
Monitoring the scheme’s achievements
Forming links with local organisations.
Liaising with the Neighbourhood Police Officer (NPO) or Police Community Support Officer (PCSO).

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Main Tasks for Scheme

While these may vary between schemes, here is a selection of tasks likely to be performed by the Co-ordinator / Committee:

Distribute crime reduction material
Report information to the Police
Establish a system for rapid distribution of information received from the police to all members of the scheme
Keep members of the scheme informed e.g. through newsletters, items in parish magazines
Develop projects to reduce crime and provide reassurance
Respond to Police requests for help
Monitor crime in the local area
Welcome newcomers to scheme area
Organise meetings for the scheme
Represent the scheme at network meetings where networks exist.
Keep account of scheme funds
Promote NW through local media channels such as parish magazines and noticeboards.

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NW – Network Co-ordinator

Individual NW Scheme Co-ordinators under the guidance of the Community Watch Liaison Officer (CWLO) are grouped together into a geographical Network.

It is recommended that the Network hold quarterly meetings; this provides support for Scheme Co-ordinators and the opportunity to discuss and share ‘good practice’. A successful Network will play an important role in the continued success of NW. The Network elects one of its members as the Network Co-ordinator.

In addition to the Co-ordinator’s roles and responsibilities the Network Co-ordinator has the additional role of co-ordinating a number of schemes and their Co-ordinators, assisting with the interaction with the Police and supporting Co-ordinators in their role.

Responsible to

The Co-ordinators of the schemes in the Network and their membership.

Purpose

To co-ordinate and represent the Network and promote NW.

Main Responsibilities

Develop and share ‘good practice’ and innovative ideas to retain the interest and motivation of scheme members
Develop and maintain effective liaison with the Police
To form links with other organisations, e.g. Crime Prevention Panels (CPP).

Main Tasks

To arrange and chair network meetings at regular intervals throughout the year.
To represent the network on the local CPP if appropriate
Promote NW and its work through various media channels and local council / community newsletters.

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NW – District Co-ordinator

Network Co-ordinators within a District elect two of their numbers to become District Co-ordinators. This should ensure that communication is maintained and share the workload and requirements to attend SNWA executive committee meeting. These people will represent NW in their District on the Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch Association. The District Co-ordinators provides a single point of contact through which Suffolk Constabulary Safer Neighbourhood Inspectors can channel information and support to their local NW schemes.

Responsible to

Network and Scheme Co-ordinators and the membership in the District.

Purpose

To co-ordinate and represent NW in the Policing District.

Main Responsibilities

To provide a focal point for the local Safer Neighbourhood Inspector.
To have contact quarterly with their District Commander or his / her representative prior to Network / SNWA meetings to enhance information exchange.
To assist in the organisation of initiatives involving NW members.
To be a District representative on the SNWA.
To represent NW on the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) and CPP as appropriate.

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Community Watch Liaison Officer (CWLO)

The CWLO’s are employed by the Police and are based in each local authority area in the county. In some areas community watch liaison is undertaken by PCSOs. Their duties include: -

To support existing NW schemes by encouraging their maintenance and development by Co-ordinators and NPOs/ PCSOs.
Be a regular source of information to keep Co-ordinators informed of relevant issues, trends and best practice.
Assist in the establishment of new schemes.
Liaise with Crime Reduction Officers and other Police staff to obtain information on crime trends / patterns and to disseminate this to NW.

The CWLO will: -

Contact their Co-ordinators (either by telephone, in person, by personal letter / e-mail) at least once every six months.

The CWLO will produce regular newsletters for their respective area; these can be received by E-Mail or viewed on the Suffolk NW Website. E-mail newsletter registration page

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Neighbourhood Police Officer (NPO) or nominated officer

Purpose

To encourage and support NW activities in their area in partnership with the CWLO

Main Responsibilities

To attend quarterly network meetings.
To make contact with each of their Co-ordinators at least once every three months (either by telephone or in person – this includes Network meetings).
To respond to enquiries from Co-ordinators for information/advice
To promote NW.
To work with CWLOs in the setting up of new schemes.

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Safer Neighbourhood Inspector

Suffolk is divided into 47 Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNTs) areas – groups of which are under the control of a Safer Neighbourhood Inspector. These SNTs are based within the seven District boundaries each managed by a District Commander.

The Safer Neighbourhood Inspector will maintain commitment to working in partnership with NW and provide a focal point of contact for District Co-ordinators.

The main responsibilities of the Safer Neighbourhood Inspector are:

To have contact quarterly with the District Co-ordinators prior to Network/Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch Association meetings in order to enhance information exchange and develop ‘Good Practice’
To maintain the commitment of Neighbourhood Constables to NW by encouraging and monitoring that:

Neighbourhood Constables attend network meetings
Neighbourhood Constables maintain regular contact with Co-ordinators with a minimum contact of at least once every three months, this will include contact at Network meetings if held
Community Watch Liaison Officers maintain regular contact with Co-ordinators with a minimum contact of at least once every six months.

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All Police Officers
Officers are encouraged to treat NW as a valuable resource, which can be utilised by contacting Co-ordinators when investigating crime or dealing with other incidents and by using the Police Direct messaging system for urgent warnings or requests for information.

Suffolk Constabulary Force Headquarters Community Safety Unit

Purpose

To provide a strategic overview and administrative support for NW in Suffolk.
Main Responsibilities
To monitor and review NW activity in Suffolk
To identify and disseminate Best Practice
To develop appropriate policies and approaches for encouraging and supporting NW in Suffolk
To liaise with the SNWA.

Main tasks

Maintain a computerised record of all NW schemes to include:
- Name, address, telephone number and e-mail addresses of co-ordinator
- Name of scheme
- Reference number
- Size of scheme
Maintain a computerised record of all networks to include:
- Name, address and telephone number of every network co-ordinator
- List of the individual schemes in each network
Carry out annual audits of the computerised records to ensure that they are accurate and up-to-date.
Research policy initiatives and best practice within Suffolk and elsewhere
Attend meetings of the SNWA.

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