Wise web 'Owl' watches neighbours

The Owl scheme will be rolled out to 1,600 Flintshire co-ordinators

How do you alert thousands of Neighbourhood Watch volunteers that there is a bogus caller on the prowl in your community?

It is a problem that the Flintshire watch groups hope they have solved, with the latest internet tool - Owl.

The association is the first in Wales to pilot the Online Watch Link.

It will mean more than 1,600 watch co-ordinators across the county can keep in touch instantly with their members, and importantly, the police.

"It's not just about technology, it's not just about computers, I thought it would bring Neighbourhood Watch into the 21st Century," said Denise Edwards, the full-time manager for the Flintshire watch association.

"I think Owl is a means that would actually enable people not only to get an understanding (of Neighbourhood Watch) but also to participate.

I know that many years ago people saw it as the curtain-twitchers club, but Flintshire Neighbourhood Watch has just broken all boundaries Sgt Siobhan Edwards, North Wales Police

"One of the things that I have learnt in working with Neighbourhood Watch associations is that people wanted clearer communication."

She believes that is exactly what Owl delivers, by securing communications to connect all Flintshire's watch co-ordinators together.

North Wales Police and other community agencies can also have access to the system, and it means urgent crime alerts or vital community announcements can be passed out almost instantly.

Owl can handle emails, text messages, faxes - or even traditional letters.

It also lets watch co-ordinators keep up-to-date with their individual members, as well as helping with recruitment.

"I've seen what it can do, and by piloting it, I know others will reap its benefits," added Ms Edwards.

Backing

The system was the idea of a former watch member in Hertfordshire who persuaded the area's police force to back and develop the initiative.

North Wales Police community safety sergeant Siobhan Edwards said the perception of Neighbourhood Watch groups had changed dramatically over the years.

"I know that many years ago people saw it as the curtain-twitchers club, but Flintshire Neighbourhood Watch has just broken all boundaries," said Sgt Edwards.

"They engage all members of the community from the very young to the elderly, breaking down all the the barriers between the generation gaps within the community.

"Owl is actually is going to be a great tool to both the police and residents within communities.

"What we as police officers are going to get out of it is going to be huge with regards to community intelligence, which is something we need to feed into.

"Once it is up and running I think it is going to be of huge benefit to North Wales Police."