I RECENTLY attended a Neighbourhood Watch event.
It was a reminder of something I see across Avon and Somerset time and again: the powerful impact of people looking out for one another.
Neighbourhood Watch is rooted in that simple, vital idea of bringing people together, strengthening connections and creating places where people feel included and safe.
One of the key principles of Neighbourhood Watch is prevention, which is a priority in my Police and Crime Plan.
One of the most visible elements of that work is increasing neighbourhood policing.
We have added officers to neighbourhood teams because I know that when officers are present and familiar, when they know the communities they serve, and those communities know them in return, it builds trust and reduces crime.
People feel reassured. Concerns are raised early and acted on quickly.
Neighbourhood policing is practical, visible prevention and it matters. The officer who came to the Neighbourhood Watch meeting last week demonstrated the effectiveness of that.
But prevention also means investing in the right support, at the right time, in the right places and this work is happening across Avon and Somerset.
Recent activity includes:
*South Gloucestershire: Youth work and graffiti prevention project engaging young people in places impacted by Anti-Social Behaviour.
*Bath: youth work and mentoring sessions engaging young people.
*Across Avon and Somerset: More than 100 sports diversionary sessions, delivered to young people to reduce antisocial behaviour and youth violence.
Together, these programmes make shared spaces safer, support young people with positive opportunities, and reduce risks before harm occurs.
While formal schemes and funded programmes are essential, so too are the everyday actions each of us can take.
Creating safer communities doesn’t come from just one initiative or one organisation, or just from better neighbourhood policing.
It’s the sum of many actions, choices and relationships. It’s communities pulling together, looking out for one another, refusing to let division take root, choosing compassion and care.
Every area can have a Neighbourhood Watch scheme but, with or without that formal arrangement, together we can continue building safer, stronger and more confident communities where everyone can live, work and thrive free from fear.