Neighbourhood Watch Update – December 2025

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This document provides updates from the Neighbourhood Watch Network, highlighting community initiatives, crime prevention strategies, and ongoing campaigns to enhance safety and support.

Police and Crime Commissioners to be Scrapped

  • The Home Office have announced the abolition of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs).
  • The PCC roles will be absorbed by regional mayors wherever possible, meaning measures to cut crime will be considered as part of wider public services such as education or healthcare. In areas not covered by a mayor, the role will be taken on by elected council leaders.
  • The unique circumstances of devolved local government arrangements in Wales will be taken into consideration.  
  • John Hayward-Cripps, Chief Executive of Neighbourhood Watch, emphasized the need for support during this transition, saying, “This change which will impact the funding and support structures currently in place for many Neighbourhood Watch Associations, and we want to offer our support to them wherever we can.” 
  • The transition to the new model will happen at the end of the next electoral cycle in 2028.

Volunteer Recognition Awards

  • It is so important to us to celebrate the great, often unique, work that our volunteers do.
  • These awards recognise individuals whose work goes above and beyond – making a real change in their communities.
  • We received over 350 nominations this year, so these winners really are the best of the best. To all the wonderful volunteers who were nominated this year, thank you for the amazing work you do.
  • Notable winners included Graham Mallett for innovation, Reg Banks for crime prevention, Sean Edmunds for community health and wellbeing, Umar for the young volunteer award and Jan Forbes for a special recognition award.

Safer Streets of Winter 

  • Following the Safer Streets Summer Initiative, the Home Office has launched a Winter of Action throughout December and January. It is focusing on reducing town centre criminality, shop theft, street crime and anti-social behaviour, as well as issues in the nighttime economy including steps to tackle violence and girls – eg alcohol related disorder and spiking.
  • The action is being led by Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and Deputy Mayors, supported by the Home Office in partnership with Chief Constables and other essential local partners such as councils, schools, health services, business, transport and community organisations.

Neighbourhood Watch Network and Neighbourhood watch Scotland explore closer collaboration

  • Senior leadership from Neighbourhood Watch Network England and Wales and Neighbourhood Watch Scotland (NWS) met in Edinburgh to discuss opportunities for closer collaboration.
  • The Association of Scottish Neighbourhood Watches was established in 2006 and became a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) in 2011, rebranding as Neighbourhood Watch Scotland. Today, NWS employs a central team supporting over 670 registered schemes across Scotland, covering more than 58,000 households. Although NWS has separate funding, structure and processes, both organisations share similar missions and visions: reducing crime and supporting community building.
  • Lesley Clark, Director of Neighbourhood Watch Scotland, said: “Neighbourhood Watch Scotland is committed to building stronger and safer communities. We can do that best by building better relationships, sharing best practice and amplifying our membership voice. This was a positive and practical conversation, and I’m confident we’ll be able to find ways to pool our talents, skills and resources more effectively.”
  • John Hayward-Cripps, Chief Executive of Neighbourhood Watch Network England and Wales, said: “We are finalising our new strategy and as we look to the future, we are committed to a Britain where neighbours look out for each other. Collaboration drives innovation, and the strength of Neighbourhood Watch as a movement is the impact we have at a local level, regardless of where we live. We share the same aim as our Scottish colleagues: to make our communities safer and better places to live. This conversation is about how we might achieve that more effectively.”

Parcel Theft Concerns

  • £376.6 million worth of parcels stolen last year.
  • Research by Quadient based on Freedom of Information (FoI) requests to UK police forces, has found the value of parcel thefts from doorways (also known as ‘porch piracy’) has nearly doubled in the last year. The total value of parcels stolen across the UK rose to £376.6 million in the last year, rising from £204 million in 2023. 
  • The report also found that the average value of stolen parcels also went up by 52%, from £66.50 to £102 this year. John Hayward-Cripps, chief executive of Neighbourhood Watch spoke to Times Radio about the issue. He pointed out that online retailers also play an important role in addressing the problem. But building connections with our neighbours can also make a difference.

Keeping Homes Safe

As many of us travel to see friends and family, homes may be left empty for days at a time something opportunistic thieves know well. But we also want to feel safe and secure when spending time at home, too. That’s where simple, modern security can make all the difference. Here are some simple winter and festive ways to help keep your home protected:

1.Put your radio on a winter playlist – A softly playing talk radio station can make it sound like someone’s pottering around indoors. Not that we stole this idea from a popular film.

2.Guard your home with “Operation Snowy Footprints” – If we are lucky enough to get snow, create a few fresh footprints near your property to make it look recently visited.

3.Let your curtains multitask – Thermal curtains keep the warmth in and nosy eyes out, turning your home into a snug little winter grotto – a cosy double win.

4.Set up a “festive light decoy” – Use timers or smart plugs to switch fairy lights or lamps on and off at different times throughout the evening. It creates that warm, livedin glow, and from the outside, it looks like someone’s home enjoying a mug of hot chocolate (even if you’re miles away).

5.Give your house a winter check-up – Creaky gates, loose latches, or dodgy outdoor bulbs can send the wrong signals; a quick once-over keeps things secure and quieter in the wind.

6.Do a “digital winter tidy” – Update passwords, disable old smart-home devices, and check which apps still have access to your cameras or security tools.

7.Give Your Wi-Fi a secret-agent alias – Rename your network something like “Surveillance Central” or “Definitely Not an Empty House”. It won’t stop crime, but it might make your neighbours smile, and confusion is a surprisingly good deterrent.

8.Create a “thief-unfriendly garden” – Plant prickly winter shrubs near fences and rear windows for a touch of seasonal charm and security. Holly isn’t just Christmassy — its festive sprigs make your garden both merry and mildly unwelcoming to unwanted visitors.

9.Create your own “Neighbourhood Ninja Network” – Agree with trusted neighbours to keep an eye on each other’s homes over the winter – and all year round – and optionally give the Whatsapp group an unnecessarily dramatic name. Something like Winter Watch or Silent Night Security Crew.

10.Use smart security to protect your home from those on the Naughty List. Systems like SimpliSafe help deter intruders and send instant alerts, so you know what’s happening at home from anywhere.

Connected Together

Landlines are changing and the UK’s telephone network is going digital. These changes will affect everyone who has a landline they’d like to keep using.

  • What’s happening?
  • The analogue network that most home phones work on today is no longer fit for purpose and can’t keep up with the demands of modern life. The outdated network will be switched off for all landline providers in January 2027. BT’s new home phone service is called Digital Voice. The landline is not going away, and for most, the switch is simple. No one will be left disconnected.
  • To make things easier, BT has put together a Conversation Starter Pack a straightforward, practical guide designed to help you talk with a friend or family member about what the switch means and how you can support them.
  • What you can do
  • Download the Conversation Starter Pack on BT’s Connected Together website for helpful advice on how to talk about the switch.
  • If you, or someone you know has additional needs and needs extra support making the switch, contact the landline provider. BT customers they can register via webform on the Connected Together website or by calling the Customer Care team.
  • Talk to a friend, neighbour or family member who might benefit from early support.
  • Find out more at: www.bt.com/about/all-ip/connected-together or call 0330 1234 150.

Protect What Matters: Bringing Neighbourhood Watch Values Home

As a Neighbourhood Watch member, you already believe in protecting people and property. Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) do the same for your own household, making sure your wishes are followed and trusted people can step in if something unexpected happens.

Estate planning is simply planning ahead, so those you care about are never left guessing or struggling. It is about clarity, kindness, and control – making sure the right people are in charge, your wishes are known, and your hard-earned assets go where you want them to.

  • Putting a framework around your wishes helps to:
  • Reduce the risk of family disagreements and confusion
  • Keep costs and delays to a minimum
  • Give the people you trust a clear mandate to act on your behalf
  • Ensure loved ones are left to grieve, rather than deal with complicated legalities

 

  • Practical protection for everyday families.
  • A few straightforward documents can make all the difference, whatever your age or circumstances:
  • A Will clearly states who should inherit your property, savings, and belongings, and who you would want to look after any dependent children.
  • LPAs allow you to choose who can manage your finances, property, health, and care decisions if you become unable to decide for yourself.

These steps are not just for later life or large estates. They can be especially important for blended families, unmarried partners, or anyone with children, a mortgage, or savings they want to protect.

  • Dedicated support for our members

Neighbourhood Watch has partnered with Future-Proof Estate Planning (FPEP), a specialist firm that focuses on treating no two families the same. As a member, you can access an exclusive 20% discount on all their packages, including their most popular:

x2 Lasting Powers of Attorney with a complimentary single Will – £479 (normally £599)

x4 Lasting Powers of Attorney with a complimentary mirror Will – £957 (normally £1,199)

You can arrange everything from home – by phone or online – with an adviser on hand to answer questions and guide you through each stage, so you’re supported throughout.

To learn more or to get started, call 0800 847 7150 and quote “Neighbourhood Watch”, or visit www.ourwatch.org.uk/estate-planning. You already help protect your community from the unexpected. Now is the time to put the same protection around the people who matter most to you.

Ending Violence Against Women and Girls – “a national emergency”

  • It is a horrible truth to acknowledge but the dangers that women and girls face are getting worse. The National Police Chiefs’ Council says that nearly all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG) are expected to continue to rise in the coming year.
  • Neighbourhood Watch is backing the United Nations’ Orange the World campaign, which runs from 25 November to 10 December.
  • To support the campaign, Neighbourhood Watch has created ’16 Days of Actions’ featuring simple steps people can take to help reduce violence and digital violence against women and girls.
  • The actions are all intended to be accessible, so people can do as many as they are able to.
  • They range from wearing something orange to raise awareness about the growing problem of violence against women and girls, to attending a free webinar on how communities can help keep women safe. 
  • Other initiatives include free bystander training to help people safely intervene when they witness harassment, raising awareness of Clare’s Law, which gives people the right to know if a partner has a history of violence. Or fundraising for local women’s charities.
  • The campaign of actions kicked off on Tuesday, 25 November, with White Ribbon Day. Asking men to use their voices and speak up to create a world where everyone is safe, equal and respected.

New Training Videos

  • We’ve developed two new training videos to help share information about the bystander effect and micro-aggressions. Early interventions can help de-escalate crimes before they happen. These videos, hosted on our Youtube channel help people know what to look for and how to intervene safely.

Community Engagement

  • Local Neighbourhood Watch groups are actively involved in community activities, such as book clubs and remembrance events, fostering connections and support among residents.
  • The document highlights the importance of collaboration and shared resources between Neighbourhood Watch organizations in England, Wales, and Scotland.