So what is Neighbourhood Watch?
We promote awareness of public safety against crime and working towards good relationships between Police and citizenry. It is not our core role to be a go-between for the public and Police, nor to do Police work. The Police are only as good as the information they can collate on crime. If people don’t advise them on what they see and know, it is unfair to expect them to be able to solve all crime. EVERY piece of info given helps to build a case. Whilst you may think no action is taken on the info you supply, it is all helping.
We encourage the community to:
OBSERVE
Neighbours generally know what is normal in their neighbourhood and what is out of the ordinary. Neighbourhood Watch does not want you to spy on your neighbour. We want you to be concerned for the safety of your neighbourhood. Spend time out in your community and become familiar with your local environment.
ACKNOWLEDGE
Communication is the key – knowing who your neighbours are and acknowledging them. Waving and saying hello can deter an outsider. Also acknowledge people you don’t know. Letting potential intruders know that they have been seen and potentially reducing the opportunity for crime to occur.
REPORT REPORT REPORT
Report suspicious activity to Police. Police cannot respond to community problems if they are not made aware of them. If your instinct is telling you something doesn’t feel right – it probably isn’t. Reporting an actual crime can be done anonymously via the Police on 131 444 or Crimestoppers.
SHARE
Knowledge is a powerful positive tool and helps prevent crime. Sharing information with Police and your neighbours helps build awareness and connects a neighbourhood. Crime prevention is everyone’s business and everyone has the potential to be a key in building a safer neighbourhood.
A Tasmanian Lifeline
In response to the pandemic the Tasmanian Government worked with Lifeline to establish A Tasmanian Lifeline. This service differs from the 13 11 14 crisis Lifeline as it open to support any Tasmanian who is struggling. You do not need to be in crisis to call. They are open to all calls and are even happy to hear from people who are isolated and have received some good news but have no one to share the news with.
The staff are paid and range from councillors, social workers, psychologists and workers from other mental health helplines, and are based in Tasmania. Staff receive regular training, targeted to the needs of the community – for instance: training on volunteered assistance dying due to the introduction of new laws.
The service is open 8am – 8pm, 7 days a week, 360 days a year and offers a prompt call-back service. Bookings can be made from their website at: https://atasmanianlifeline.com.au/
10 Year Crime Rate
A high-level comparison of crime offences data in Tasmania indicates that between 2011 and 2021 there has been a drop in the number of offences recorded. Total offences in the 2011 year were 24,489, with 48% of cases being cleared up. In 2021 the number of cases were 24,089, with a clear-up rate of 51%. The number of Offences Against Property fell by 16%, and Fraud and similar offences dropped by 28%.
When considering the effect of the pandemic on crime, people often speculate as to the impact on burglaries as homes were being occupied for far more hours each day with more and more people being locked down or working from home. The most relevant pre and post pandemic figures for burglaries lend themselves to an informed assessment: In 2018, Building Burglaries totalled 3,464 with a clear-up rate of 28%. In 2020, Building Burglaries totalled 3,273 with a clear-up rate of 28%. But in 2021, burglaries totalled only 2,632, with a clear-up rate of 29%. The most common locations for Building Burglaries in 2021 were residential locations (62%) and retail locations (14%).
The Police are the Public, and the Public are the Police
