A Reflection on NHW

Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) was developed as a reaction to the distancing of the police from the community and a realisation that the police need the help of the community to fight crime.

The earliest NHW program was in Oakland, U.S.A. and was titled ‘Home Alert’.  Participants attended regular meetings, displayed window stickers, marked property, and acted as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the police. 

Pilot NHW programs were introduced into Victoria and Western Australia in the early 1980’s and officially established for the first time in Australia in Victoria following a successful pilot in Kananook in 1983.

The first pilot NHW scheme in Queensland was introduced into the Isle of Capri and Sorrento area on the Gold Coast.  In response to concerns about the rising crime rate in the area, members of the Isle of Capri/Sorrento Progress Association approached representatives of the national sponsor of NHW (Commercial Union Insurance- now CGU Insurance) to contribute to a pilot scheme. CGU contributed $20 000 and, following what was considered to be a successful pilot, made a further commitment for State-wide sponsorship of the NHW program for a minimum of two years.  NHW was officially launched in Queensland on 22 June 1988.

The original aims of the program have not varied greatly over time and essentially remain the same.  NHW is a community-based crime prevention program organised by members of the community and supported by police.  It is aimed at minimising the incidence of residential crime within a defined area. Householders are encouraged to work together in small informal groups to improve the safety of their environment for their families and other residents.  The Queensland Police Service assists by providing expertise to enable residents to organise themselves to reduce crime in their areas.

Variants of NHW also exist. Examples are Rural Watch, Commercial Watch, Marine Watch and Watch Out! 

The NHW program is apolitical, non-sectarian, and open to all community members within a program area. There are currently 680 active NHW areas around the State.