We all want to feel safe on our street, with neighbours who look out for one another. In many places, that sense of community has faded over the past decade or so.
Street parties are rarer, and children seldom play out together. Schemes like Neighbourhood Watch are a good start, but a safer neighbourhood is built by everyday habits. Here are some practical ways to help.
Get to know each other
How well do you really know your neighbours? Knowing them builds a friendly, caring community, and it also helps you spot someone who doesn’t belong. Make the effort to stop and chat when you meet in the street. A neighbourhood barbecue or a children’s playdate is a simple way to bring people together.
Improve street lighting
If street lighting is poor where you live, contact your local council. Criminals love dark spaces, so a well-lit area is much safer. You can add porch lights and outdoor lighting at the front and back of your own home, and encourage others to do the same.
Give young people something to do
Much local graffiti and anti-social behaviour comes down to boredom. If there’s nothing for teenagers to do nearby, trouble is hardly surprising. Form a parent group and organise days out, or ask young people for their own ideas. You could also lobby your local authority for investment, such as a skate park or community centre.
Looking out for neighbours
- Keep an eye on their home while they’re away, as you’d want them to do for you
- Take action if you notice anything suspicious or hear their alarm sounding
- Offer to close curtains and collect deliveries so the house looks occupied
Look out for each other
Looking after a neighbour’s property while they’re away is the neighbourly thing to do. If you notice anything suspicious, or hear an intruder alarm go off, take action. It only takes one person to bring a community together, so why shouldn’t it be you?
