We are pleased and excited to be able to offer what we believe can be a step-change in helping protect our property and community of Montrose Ave/Close Neighbourhood Watch (hereinafter MAnhw), a first trial run of its kind in the Borough of Bexley.
MAnhw has recently been working to operate a CCTV register that helps both detect and deter criminals. It costs nothing but is a significant element in raising the security of peoples homes specifically and the local community and its area generally.
MAnhw has amended the residents registration form to receive email alerts but added a CCTV register we’d like you to consider joining the register.
How it Works
Your local Manhw coordinator will be sending you the form to allow you register if you have CCTV and if so where it is. In the event of suspicious or criminal activity, we already regularly put out crime alerts. From now on, when something has happened we will be able to send a targeted email to residents who are on the CCTV register and who maybe nearby to the incident. The email will ask the householder to review their CCTV to see if it captures anything that might be related to the incident that has been described. For example, an incident report of a motorbike with a pillion passenger riding up and down specific streets trying doors of cars or properties. If the householder identifies images that they think might be useful, they email us the images back. We, with the householder’s permission, can then let our Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team know.
Why set up a CCTV Register System
A CCTV register and communications process can save countless hours of police time in trying to ascertain if and where any CCTV that might help is situated and also help identify any CCTV images that might be useful. It is a brilliant way for members of the community to help protect their own and the wider community’s property while at the same time helping our police service to detecting and preventing crime more efficiently.
Nearly 300 householders can now sign up if they have CCTV. There’s an added benefit too, deterrence. Word is getting around offenders that it’s best to avoid the area because there’s a much higher chance of offenders being caught because the community are working together.
Who can sign up
If you have CCTV all you have to do is let us know, there’s no charge, and your data remains private and confidential.
Does the scheme have the support of the police
Yes, Bexley Safer Neighbourhood Team, Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch and the ICO have supported the creation of a CCTV register by MAnhw. While MAnhw will be solely responsible for the operation, maintenance and data compliance of the CCTV register, East Wickham SNT have a daily working relationship with MAnhw and can see how such a facility can help them detect crime but equally as important deter crime too while saving them time in identifying where CCTV may be situated and then contacting householders.
How do I sign up
It’s simple, if you have CCTV at your house or premises, PLEASE let us know. WE DO NOT require access to your system. All we need is an email address (along with the address of the location of your cameras) so that we can contact you without delay should an incident occur in or around your area. Use the form from your coordinator to submit to if you have CCTV.
Data Protection
The email and personal address details are held securely, are not shared with ANY third parties. In the event of any images being useful to the police in an investigation, your permission is sought beforehand. The CCTV register meets the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulations 2019 (GDPR). The form will have information and links on your data matters and CCTV. Consequently, you can request your personal details are removed and erased completely at any time.
When can I sign up
You can do it now by emailing us with your email address (along with the address of the location of your cameras) and ideally a telephone number. Send these details to your local coordinator.
Where we cover
Presently, we cover all of Montrose Avenue and Montrose Close in Welling.
We would point out that there are localised Neighbourhood Watch schemes that operate within parts of Bexley and we DO NOT replace those. If you have a local scheme, we’d encourage you to engage with it.
MAnhw seeks to keep the community as a whole up to date with police alerts and information via an immediate online system that anyone can sign up to that automatically and immediately sends out an email the minute an alert is issued.
Who can I contact if I need or want more information
Just email your local Coordinator and we will aim to get back to you as soon as possible.
