• Background to NW
• Heathway and NW
• Safer Neighbourhood Team
• Nearest Police Station
• Emergency/Non-emergency numbers
Background to the Neighbourhood Watch
The Neighbourhood Watch Association (NW) is a voluntary organization, which was started in 1982 by the Police in an attempt to reduce household burglary. It has since expanded its role to encompass crime prevention. Its aim is to foster and encourage ‘good neighbourliness’ alongside a strong community spirit.
It has proved to be a great national success and is not just about crime and disorder but also addresses other issues which can affect residents’ environment and well-being such as noise, litter and graffiti. This can often be done by working with the local authority and other organizations.
The current Greenwich Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association (GBNWA) was formed in 1999.
It is run by an Executive Committee, chaired and composed of local volunteer NW Co-ordinators, together with representatives from Greenwich Police, Greenwich Council, the Greenwich Police Consultative Group and the London Neighbourhood Watch Association.
The main objective is “to promote good citizenship and greater participation in the prevention and solution of crime so that effective liaison between the police and public can be achieved”.
The GBNWA is non-political and non-sectarian and this is reflected in its equal opportunities policy.
Neighbourhood Watch in Heathway
The original Neighbourhood Watch in Heathway was set up independently by a resident (Patricia Gillard) and eventually included a small fledgling resident’s group at around the time of the millennium and has developed into the larger Heathway Residents’ and Neighbourhood Watch Association. Gaining strength from this merger, this new organization grew and has become more effective in protecting Heathway, its residents and environs.
At the HR&NWA meetings, policing priorities for our area are agreed and taken to the local Panel meetings by the NW Co-ordinator. The Panel sets the priorities for Blackheath/Westcombe Ward for the Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT) to address.
There are 17 SNTs in Greenwich, which are local police teams who work with the public and other agencies to identify and tackle issues of concern in each neighbourhood, e.g. anti-social behaviour.
Each SNT should liaise with the local NW Co-ordinators to advise and exchange local relevant information. The purpose being to receive regular updates on local crime activity, advice on crime prevention, and so hopefully to make our neighbourhood a safer place to live in, resulting in less fear of crime; improved home security; and a growing community spirit.
Heathway Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator: Patricia Gillard (0752 826 2300).
Blackheath Westcombe Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT)
Police Sergeant Lauren Wallace
Police Constable Erol Suleyman
PCSO Sarah Jones
Our local SNT contact details:
Email: Westcombe.SNT@met.police.uk
Phone: 0208 721 2635 or 0792 023 3828
The Blackheath Westcombe SNT patrols the area while on duty, and is based out of Warspite Road. They can be either on foot or in a marked or unmarked vehicle.
Nearest Police Station
Lewisham Police Station, 43 Lewisham High Street, London SE13 5JZ
Emergency: 999
Call 999 by phone to alert the police if:
• a serious offence is in progress or has just been committed
• someone is in immediate danger or harm
• property is in danger of being damaged
• a serious disruption to the public is likely
Non-emergency: 101
Call 101 by phone for non-emergency enquiries.
(This page was updated July, 2022)
