Staffordshire Police must give “much greater support” to Neighbourhood Watch schemes in Lichfield and Burntwood, according to the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner.
Matthew Ellis outlined his plans for the future of the community safety scheme at a meeting.
He hopes to modernise the way Neighbourhood Watch schemes are operated – a move he is also introducing at Staffordshire Police where technology is being introduced in a bid to reduce the time officers spend dealing with paperwork.
But Mr Ellis said it was crucial the force stepped up its commitment to schemes across the region.
“I want community engagement and watch schemes to be centred around what works for local people and want much greater support from Staffordshire Police to help co-ordinate it,” he said. “The force’s new mobile technology roll-out will free up police time so they can be out in communities and working closely with members.
“I’m investing more money to expand technology which will be more user-friendly and will encourage new membership from across the communities and businesses of the area.
“Certainly the event on Saturday was a great success I was extremely pleased to see so many local people attend and contribute to future plans.”
Mr Ellis says his proposed changes to Neighbourhood Watch will see schemes have more freedom to choose they type of information they receive and the way it is delivered to them.
There was also a vow that representatives will have the opportunity to hold local policing commanders to account as well as contributing to local community safety activity as part of the new Safer Neighbourhood Panels.
Staffordshire Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Jon Drake, added: “Neighbourhood Watch is a fantastic organisation that helps keep Staffordshire safe and I was pleased that so many members were involved in the meeting.”
