Christchurch Borough Homewatch

A really good story has emerged this week from CB Homewatch. I am sure it will not hit the headlines in the Echo but it is definitely worth repeating here as an indication of how Homewatch can improve your neighbourhood. In October 2008 vandals targeted the play area at Rocket Park Burton.They obviously found pleasure in setting alight swings and other facilities that had been paid for and installed at Community Tax payers expense,this equipment there for the benefit of kids and the community in general. Not satisfied with one attempt they repeatedly attacked the facility by arson to destruction.The Community however was not willing to allow this to go unpunished and quickly supplied names following which juveniles were arrested. This a great example where the eyes and ears of the community, Homewatch, can work in synergy with the Safer Neighbourhood Team and make a difference.Our local North Christchurch Safer Neighbourhood team are highly delighted and are quite rightly using this as an example of how powerful Community Action groups like Homewatch can be in keeping our Neighbourhoods safe and vandal free.In Purewell and Stanpit we have now over 200 households supporting Homewatch and this acheived in just under a year.We want more to join us.