The Association of Scottish Neighbourhood Watches
(The official portal for Neighbourhood Watch in Scotland)

Another successful launch of Smartwater

Falkirk & District Neighbourhood Watches Association in partnership with Central Scotland Police and SmartWater have launched this smart new way of deterring thieves.

SmartWater is a forensic coding system that can be used to mark property. It is a water based solution containing a unique forensic signature which is detectible under ultra-violet light.

SmartWater Household Kits are being sold on a ‘not for profit’ basis. Residents will be able to purchase the kits through their local NW co-ordinator at a cost of £15, a 75% saving on normal retail prices. This product is being offered as a proven crime prevention tool and is supported by Falkirk & District NW. On receipt of the kit, it is the householders’ responsibility to mark all items considered to be of value, e g jewellery, ornaments, electrical items, bicycles etc.

Several businesses, educational establishments and the Health Board have expressed interest in using SmartWater. Detection kits have been issued to second hand dealers in the Falkirk Command Area.

As part of the overall strategy of using SmartWater articles have appeared in the local press in order that criminals’ intent on committing theft become aware and the crime prevention and deterrent effect grows.

Falkirk & District NW Association would like to thank Angela and AoSNW for help in distributing information about this project to local co-ordinators.

ATM Skimming Devices

The Scottish Business Crime Centre has informed us that a skimming device was discovered at an ATM situated outside the ASDA store in Milton of Craigie.

It would appear that the device was in place between 30 January and 4 February 2010.

You can download information on how these devices work and how to spot them here: ATM Skimming Warning

It is not uncommon for the people involved in these crimes to move onto other areas in Scotland, so here is a reminder of some of the things you can do to keep your details safe.

There are steps you can take to lessen the possibility of becoming a victim of ATM skimming.
• Check the card reader before inserting your card. If you are suspicious do not use it and contact the bank or police as soon as possible.
• Check for additions to the ATM that are not usual (such as a leaflet holder).
• Cover your hand as you enter your PIN by holding your other hand above it.
• Check your account balance regularly.
• Inform your bank immediately if your account shows any transactions you did not make.

Support for Neighbourhood Watch in Maryhill

Following a brief presentation and discussion with our National Development Officer at the end of last year, the residents of Maryhill and Ruchill in Glasgow have backed plans to set up Neighbourhood Watches to help keep their communities safer:

Residents in Maryhill and Ruchill have said they would back plans to create a NeighbourHood Watch scheme in their communities.

Maryhill Housing Association surveyed local people in a major sampling of public opinion on community safety. It found overwhelming backing for such a scheme to keep the streets safe for local families.

The housing association carried out the survey under its Neighbourliness Project to assess local views on how safe people considered Maryhill and Ruchill.

It is the biggest survey of local opinion ever undertaken by the housing association. It found 100% of those questioned would support a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in their area. When asked if they had been “affected by any community safety issues” half said yes and half said no.

Thirty eight per cent of local people said they would be willing to attend a regular monthly meeting about Neighbourhood Watch while 70% said they would be interested in hearing about their local residents’ group.

Maryhill said the figures showed people were not significantly affected by community safety issues but were, however, enthusiastic about making the community safer with a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

Read the rest of the article at Scottish Housing News

Cold Calling - some positive news.

At the end of 2009, Angus Trading Standards carried out an evaluation of no cold calling areas, with many Neighbourhood Watches in the Angus area actively involved too. The initial findings make for some positive reading. Brian Smith from Angus Trading Standards said the results indicated a significant reduction in those who worry about doorstep crime (at least halved.) In addition, over 80% reported a reduction of cold callers and over 70% said they feel better informed about doorstep crime.

The full results will be available in March.

Counterfeit Capital Bond Vouchers

On 22 December 2009 multiple reports were received of forged Capital Bonds having been tendered in numerous retail stores throughout Scotland in the last few days.

If someone offers to sell you Capital Bonds, do not accept them.

Please report this to the police or via Crimestoppers (0800 555 111).

More Awards for Manor Way!

Frank Conway, who was the recipient of the AoSNW 'Service to Neighbourhood Watch' award in 2009 is pictured above, receiving the Lanarkshire Caring Community award on behalf of Manor Way Neighbourhood Watch in Rutherglen. The award is to recognise the efforts of unsung heroes.

Since starting with 34 houses in 1997, Frank and his team have built up the watch and now support over 450 households.

We would like to congratulate Frank and Manor Way Neighbourhood Watch on their award.

Dumfries & Galloway - SmartWater goes region-wide

On the 2nd December AoSNW committee member Brian Smith MBE attended the launch in Dumfries of the Dumfries & Galloway SmartWater strategy. This is the first phase of its introduction as an additional tool in fighting crime and the fear of crime

The force is the first in Scotland to take up the SmartWater system region-wide to snare thieves.

More information to follow in our newsletter.

Presentation to William M Campbell

William (Bill) M Campbell was elected Chairman of the Association of Scottish Neighbourhood Watches (AoSNW) in 2004 and served in that capacity until he resigned from that post on Wednesday 2nd September, 2009. During his time as Chairman, Bill committed an extraordinary amount of his personal time in developing AoSNW to be the professionally organised charity that it is today. He enjoyed many achievements but probably his main achievement was securing a three year funding package from the Scottish Government which allowed the appointment of the Development Officer – Lisa Toon, the Administrative Assistant – Angela Edgar, and the provision of office premises within the Scottish Business Crime Centre at Stirling University Innovation Park.

Bill has used his knowledge and experience of NW issues to great effect in chairing both the Trustee and Committee meetings and the chairing of Annual General Meetings. The staging of a full day conference at the Westerwood Hotel in Cumbernauld on Thursday 16th April, 2009 followed by an awards ceremony at night and the AGM on the following (Friday) morning was a highlight of his time as Chairman.

Bill continues to support the development of NW in the Fife Constabulary area where he is the Chairman of the Fife Association of Neighbourhood Watches.

On 7th October 2009, Ian Fowler, the then Vice Chair of the Assoc of NW, was elected as the Chairman in place of Bill and Victoria Patterson, from the Northern Constabulary area, was elected Vice

Bill enjoyed a pleasant surprise at the start of the AGM of the Fife Association of Neighbourhood Watches at Fife Constabulary HQ in Glenrothes on Wednesday 24th November, 2009, when Ian Fowler arrived and presented Bill with an engraved decanter and bottle of malt whisky in recognition of his efforts over the past five years.

The Trustees and Committee members of the AoSNW wish Bill every success in the future with his efforts in expanding the NW philosophy across the Fife Constabulary area.


The photograph above shows Ian Fowler (left) with Bill and Jim Watson, the AoSNW Treasurer.

Arbroath Neighbourhood Watch groups join forces

TWO NEIGHBOURHOOD Watch groups that covered Arbroath and the surrounding area have now merged to form one organisation.
Up until recently, the town was covered by both the Arbroath and Area Association and the Arbroath and District Neighbourhood Watch.

But now, following a recent successful public meeting in Inverbrothock Primary School, the two organisations have joined forces so they can work together to make Neighbourhood Watch relevant in the 21st century.

Read the rest of the article in the Arbroath Herald

Scottish Policing Awards

Tayside Police recently received an award under the category of Police Reassurance and Community Safety. This followed the successful partnership initiative Doorstoppers involving Neighbourhood Watch in Arbroath as well as other partners.

The success of Doorstoppers was down to the efforts of all partners working together. In light of this, Gordon Young-Ewen, secretary of the Association of Scottish Neighbourhood Watches will receive a personal certificate from Kenny MacAskill, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, in recognition of his work with Arbroath Neighbourhood Watch during the Doorstoppers initiative. Chief Suprintendent Alan Campbell will present Gordon with the certificate at a ceremony on 4th December 2009.

We congratulate Gordon for the work and effort he has put in to make Doorstoppers such a success

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