Neighbourhood Watch is the one of the biggest and most successful crime prevention initiatives ever, now involving millions of people around the country. It is the biggest voluntary organisation in the UK. It is based on the simple idea that neighbours can work together, in partnership with police, to reduce crime and create a better place to live, work and play.
Neighbourhood Watch in Hertfordshire currently has more than 160,000 member households who we directly contact and keep informed via the OWL (Online Watch Link) System.
Neighbourhood Watch members help to keep their community safe by looking out for their neighbours, keeping an eye on the elderly or vulnerable, watching out for their neighbours’ homes while they are away, and reporting any suspicious activity in their street. They also receive regular crime prevention advice and other local policing updates via the OWL System, informing them about what is happening locally and how they can help, for example to look out for stolen property, find missing people or identify suspects. We also keep our members updated about the latest scams, and how to avoid them.
HertsWatch is the county level committee for Neighbourhood Watch and has worked in close partnership with Hertfordshire Constabulary for many years. Neighbourhood Watch is a key way for police to communicate, engage and build positive relationships with our local communities.
Online Watch Link (OWL)
OWL is a secure, award winning website and communication system, developed in Hertfordshire. It stores contact details for all members of Neighbourhood Watch and provides a messaging system, which allows members to receive local news, alerts and crime prevention advice.
Online Watch Link (OWL) app
We now have an OWL app to help local residents keep up-to-date with police news on the go.
- Get further information on how you can download the OWL app.