How a Neighbourhood Watch scheme cut crime in Baildon by a third

With public money, as well as policing resources, tight, Maggie has been thrifty at finding cash from elsewhere, including through grants from businesses such as the Co-op.

When one resident was feeling “threatened” recently, money from the grant helped pay for a locksmith to fit sash jammers to her doors and windows, making her feel more secure.

The purpose of the group has very much evolved as it has grown, as was shown when one elderly woman was being troubled by anti-social behaviour in the snicket next to her house.

“She was frightened,” Sgt Green explains. “But what was really special was, after we dealt with the behaviour, Maggie and her team dealt with the effects of that.

“They did a rota so she wasn’t on her own. They’d go and sit in with her.”

Ruby Smart, the Neighbourhood Watch Network’s head of communications, says looking after isolated people and making them feel cared for by their neighbours has been a “lasting legacy” for the charity.

“The impact that local Neighbourhood Watch groups have had across England and Wales is astounding,” she says.

“As a charity that has been going from strength to strength for over 40 years, it is amazing to see that the commitment of local groups and individuals toward making their communities safer and happier places to live, is so strong.”