Who are we?

  • We are ordinary members of the community just like you; neighbours looking out for neighbours. A friendly neighbourhood is a safe neighbourhood.
  • Somerset West Neighbourhood Watch (SWNW) is a voluntary community organisation whose sole aim is to help make our communities safer and free from crime.
  • We have around 3000 individual members and 400 volunteer patrollers. Together we are the ‘eyes and ears’ throughout the town.
  • We also have a Facebook Page that is followed by of over 7000 people and regularly reach in excess of 20,000 people each week.

What do we do ?
We like our area so much, we want to protect it. Whilst crime affects all parts of the country, we want to minimise it in our town so people can live, work and play without fear of becoming a victim. Our volunteers use their ‘eyes and ears’ to help make sure they and their neighbours stay safe. You don’t have to patrol but we do need more people to use their ‘eyes & ears’ and report suspicious behaviour.We have volunteers who undertake foot and vehicle patrols across the area and at all times of the day and night. We also mobilise our community in times of civil emergencies such as fire or floods. People responded in their hundreds to rescue those trapped when parts of the town flooded and the community response to support the fire crews fighting fires on our mountain range was simply incredible.

How do we work?

  • We have over 20 local watch groups who all take responsibility for their part of town. Each watch is led by a coordinator, someone who you can contact for advice, someone who will send you information and a newsletter about things that are going on in your area.
  • We have our own radio network and masts that connect our patrollers and also the Neighbourhood Watches in other areas such as Sir Lowry’s Pass, Strand, Gordon’s Bay, Raithby and Faure with reach along the N2 to the airport.
  • The hub of our operations is the Neighbourhood Watch Communications Centre in Somerset West from where dedicated staff monitor the radio and our own array of CCTV cameras.
  • Our cameras are located at strategic points across the area and are equipped with licence plate recognition software to provide intelligence and evidence to support police investigations.
  • All our equipment has been acquired through community donations or sponsorship.
  • We also have a dedicated Support Vehicle and crew that are sponsored by a local security company. All fuel for the Support Vehicle is provided by sponsorship and public donations.

Who do we work with?

  • Somerset West Neighbourhood Watch is a founder member of the Community Safety Partnership. This comprises ADT Security, AM Security, Gordon’s Bay Security, Secure Rite Security, ER24, Emergency Medical Operations (EMO) and Gordon’s Bay Medical Rescue.
  • All companies carry the Neighbourhood Watch radio and can respond to any situation.
  • Our security company partners have all agreed to support the community by providing free proactive patrols.
  • Radio communication with the emergency medical response helps ensure life-saving medical assistance is on the scene rapidly, as minutes matter.
  • Collectively, we provide the fastest and most coordinated response to crime and other emergencies that is available.

What are the benefits?

  • It’s free to join, so tell your friends and neighbours.
  • You will be part of one of the most sophisticated and successful Neighbourhood Watches in the country.
  • You are helping to protect your local community and taking an active stand against crime.
  • Your Coordinator has an ‘alert’ system in place that helps to warn you about suspicious cars or people.
  • You will receive regular newsletters that contain valuable information to help keep you and your family safe.
  • Our communication networks can be used to circulate details of missing persons or lost or found pets.
  • You can tell us about broken manhole covers, potholes, broken street lights, overgrown public open spaces etc. and we will inform the Municipality.

What can you do to help?

  • Join us and be a part of the solution moving towards a safer more caring community.
  • Email us and we will contact you.
  • Call our Communication Centre on 021 840 0009 if you see anything suspicious.
  • Like most organisations, we have bills to pay, so we welcome all voluntary contributions. You can donate any amount you wish by EFT, Bank Stop Order or by using SnapScan.