Write down as soon as possible, in as much detail as you can what you saw.  Accurate reporting can help the Police react quickly.

Types of Event

The events which a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme might encounter can be divided into three types:

1. Unusual Events.
   These would include unusual cars in the street, unexpected callers, etc. They may be perfectly innocent and need only be noted by scheme members on report cards or a sheet of paper. If it transpires later that a crime is reported, the co-ordinator can call in the report cards and papers and check for anything that ties in.

2. Suspicious Incidents.
   A suspicious incident is anything that is out of the ordinary or unexpected and does not appear normal. If it is suspicious to you, it is suspicious to the police. Let the police decide what the response ought to be. The Co-ordinator should be informed as soon as possible afterwards so they know what is going on.
   People are often reluctant to report suspicious activity for fear of making an error of judgement but it is better to discover that the activity was actually genuine than for someone to be burgled or harmed.

3. Reports of Crime
   If a crime actually takes place on or near a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme the Co-ordinator should call in and check any record cards or sheets promptly. Co-ordinators and members should be active in inquiring in the neighbourhood if any additional information/sightings are available about the crime. The Co-ordinator should inform the Police Intelligence unit of the outcome. Whilst every effort will be made to update you on the results of any information you may give the police, they cannot guarantee an officer will be able to get back to you on each occasion.

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Examples of incidents that should be regarded as suspicious

1. Person(s) seen waiting for no apparent purpose outside a house, flat or business premises, particularly if it is unoccupied or closed for business.
2. Strangers standing or walking around a residential area for prolonged periods and for no obvious reason.
3. Property being removed from unattended houses or business premises, perhaps at unusual times.
4. Persons loitering by parked vehicles and perhaps tampering with cars or bicycles.
5. Strange vehicles occupied and parked for long periods in residential areas.
6. Strangers watching young children or engaging them in conversation.

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The call to the Police

When you call the Police, you can assist the operator in providing the best possible service by advising them of the following:

1. Tell Control Room Staff that you are a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator or member.
2. A brief description of what the call is about, for example that you are reporting a suspicious incident or a crime.
3. If the call is to pass on intelligence about a previous crime or incident please have the crime reference number to hand.

From this information there may be other questions the operator will need to ask before making a decision on grading the call and routing it to its most appropriate destination.

If you are reporting a suspicious incident you should receive a call back within 48 hours from your Community Contact Officer.

When you report a crime ask for the incident number. If you quote this number when subsequently calling the police they can advise you of any development in the matter.

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Police contact numbers

The following guidelines will help you to decide which number to use to call the police:

Call the following unless it's an Emergency:

Huntingdon        01480 456111

Keep 999 for emergencies.  999 should only be used if :-

1. Lives are in danger, violence is being used or threatened.
2. You think a crime is happening or about to happen.
3. You want to report a serious crime, such as an assault or burglary.
4. You see someone who is wanted by the Police.
5. You have seen an accident, or something that may cause an accident, or you are worried about your own safety or someone else's safety.

You should remember that a 999 call to report an incident does not guarantee an immediate response from the Police as calls are graded and responded to according to urgency.

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