Essex Watch

Essex Watch brings people together to help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in their communities. By sharing information and looking out for each other, we can all help make Essex a safer place to live and work.

We rely on local knowledge - people noticing when something seems unusual or suspicious and reporting it. This helps others stay alert and supports our officers in understanding what’s happening in the area.

When reports come in, we can take action. This might include:

• Increasing patrols in affected areas.
• Offering tailored crime prevention advice.
• Investigating further where needed.

We also:

• Encourage neighbours to work together to protect their homes, vehicles, and families.
• Share early warnings about crime or suspicious activity.
• Improve communication between residents, Essex Police and local partners like local councils, community safety partnerships, housing associations, trading standards, victim support organisations and other emergency services.
• Promote the reporting of crime and concerns to the right authorities.
• Provide practical safety advice.
• Support communities in finding shared solutions to local problems.

Members of Essex Watch receive regular crime updates so they can:

• Stay aware of what’s happening nearby.
• Take extra steps to protect themselves and their property.
• Spot patterns or similar crimes before they happen.
• Share useful information with us.
• Feel confident knowing others are also keeping watch.

These updates are now available on our website.

Watch groups are made up of people with shared concerns or interests, who come together to improve safety and awareness in their community. While traditional Neighbourhood Watch schemes are usually based on geographic areas, Essex Watch also supports groups formed around common interests or environments. 

Our current watch groups are:

• Allotment Watch – for people who manage or visit allotments.
• Business Watch – for local business owners and staff.
• Caravan Watch – for caravan site users and owners.
• Dog Watch – for dog walkers and pet owners.
• Farm & Rural Watch – for those living or working in rural areas.
• Heritage Watch – for those involved in protecting historic sites.
• Marine Watch – for boating and coastal communities.
• Plane Watch – for aviation enthusiasts or airport staff.
• Horse Rider Volunteer Scheme – for equestrians and riding clubs.

These groups share information, report suspicious activity, and help us understand what’s happening in specific environments.

Essex Watch is built on the idea that we’re stronger when we work together. Whether you're a resident, business owner, or community leader, your involvement helps make Essex safer for everyone.