Essex Watch

Essex Watch is the collective name for a variety of specialised Watch schemes within Essex, organised by Essex Police.

Essex Watch schemes are about people with similar interests, or activities, getting together to help reduce crime.

They are free police initiatives run for the benefit of those involved, which, depending on the scheme, can eventually be run locally by the members themselves.

They work by developing a close relationship between the scheme members and us - your local police service. 

Essex Watch schemes can:

• Cut crime and the opportunities for crime.
• Help to reassure members.
• Encourage closer contact between members

Unlike Neighbourhood Watch that works with local communities in a road, street or even district, Essex Watch schemes are tailored to specific individuals or organisations that are linked by their work, activities, or specific interests.

For example, Business Watch is aimed at businesses within a defined location so that each business can take part in the overall security of that area, whereas, Dog Watch is aimed at individual dog walkers or owners that regularly walk their dogs in areas they know and where they are likely to spot suspicious or unusual activity in that area.

Essex Watch members benefit from being sent regular reports of crimes tailored to their specific scheme, so that they can be aware of what is happening in and around their area and take appropriate measures to reduce the chances of those crimes affecting them.

These reports enhance vigilance by members and encourages the flow of useful information between members of the scheme and Essex Police. Members also receive frequent crime prevention advice, topical safety advice and other information relevant to the scheme.

Members of these specialised schemes are more likely to know what is going on within their own area of interest and being part of a watch scheme can play a vital role in making the community safer and better place to live and work.

Essex Watch schemes are complimentary to the independent locally administered Neighbourhood Watch schemes.