Neighbourhood Watch is about building community spirit and good relations, bringing people together with common goals, tackling crime and disorder and keeping an eye open for one another and on each other's property.
Its purpose is to reduce local crime and disorder to make our neighbourhood a safe and better place to live, work and play. It should be noted that most insurance companies offer discounts to members of recognized schemes.
Everyone is advised to report any information or suspicious activity to the police as soon as possible by dialing 101 for non-urgent matters or 999 for urgent cases.
Contact may also be made to the Community PCSO at Leyburn Police station by dialing 101 Option 2.
A stock of Neighbourhood Watch window stickers and information packs are kept on the table in the Village Hall at the entrance to the Green Room.
NORTH YORKSHIRE COMMUNITY MESSAGING
North Yorkshire Police use a
Community Messaging System to issue messages relating to crime, missing persons or other issues. Examples of
these may be details of a vehicle they wish to trace or the description of
a person seen in the vicinity of a crime, or simply to warn you to take
the relevant crime prevention measures to protect your property.
If you are interested in joining
this messaging system, application forms can be obtained from the Neighbourhood
Watch Coordinator or by registering on line at www.nycm.co.uk
NORTH YORKSHIRE FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE
How many smoke alarms do you have? Latest fire statistics reveal that one smoke alarm may not be enough to provide you with the best chance of escaping a fire in the home.
It’s clear that most people know a working smoke alarm can save lives by providing those vital few seconds needed to escape a house fire. But, despite the majority of homes (88%) having at least one working smoke alarm in their home, smoke alarms alerted householders to a fire in England in only a third of cases.
The most common reason a smoke alarm failed to activate is because the fire was outside its range. It is also important to remember that smoke alarms don’t last forever. The power supply might work but the mechanism deteriorates with time, so whether they are battery operated or wired to the mains, to work at their best smoke alarms should be replaced every ten years.
For this reason, the Fire Kills campaign and North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service are encouraging people in Richmondshire to think about the smoke alarms in their home and offer these five smoke alarm top tips:
Install at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home.
The ideal position is on the ceiling, in the middle of a room or on a hallway or landing.
Consider fitting additional alarms in other rooms where there are electrical appliances and near sleeping areas
Don’t put alarms in or near kitchens and bathrooms where smoke or steam can set them off by accident.
Replace your smoke alarms every ten years.
We would also urge carers and people who keep a close eye on less able friends or relatives to check that these homes have enough smoke alarms in the right places and that they are regularly tested.
NYFRS offer a free Home Fire Safety visit scheme and, where appropriate, may be able to supply and fit smoke alarms for free. For further fire safety advice or to book a visit go to www.northyorksfire.gov.uk or call 01609 788545.