Beating crime by email

Mike has pioneered and developed the free Neighbourhood Watch By E-mail with Sussex Police in Hastings and Rother over the last five years together with local volunteer co-ordinators who have generously given their time.

Mike has passe the 1,000 to Sussex Police to help support the development of the scheme.

A recent development has been the introduction of a pilot scheme in the Wealden area.

Neighbourhood Watch By E-mail is believed to be a UK first and has also had support from the Government Office for the South East, East Sussex County Council, Rother District Council and the Safer Hastings and Safer Rother Partnerships which has enabled the employment of a central E-mail Co-ordinator operating from Hastings Police station

Members receive regular emails with messages from Sussex police, Sussex Police Authority, Trading Standards, East Sussex Fire and Rescue, your local Safer Partnership, local Council, East Sussex County Council and other Agencies re local crime, scams etc, information on crime prevention and community safety.

They are also informed about "Good News" in the fight against local crime.

The scheme also gives members the opportunity to provide Sussex Police with further information about specific crimes and report new ones or local concerns. Many of the thousands of members have already done so.

Members addresses remains private as messages are sent out as "blind copy."

The scheme is complementary to any existing Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

The results speak for themselves.

There were more than 850 replies to a police website-based questionnaire:

*93% felt more informed by Sussex Police

*83% felt more in touch with Sussex Police

*20% have made contact to report crimes as a result of the scheme

*74% felt part of a safer community

*72% have taken steps to improve crime prevention measure

75% pass information on to others

*81% felt the scheme to be of high value

To join the scheme e-mail Sussex Police on [email protected]