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About the Watching Glastonbury website
Community Watch is a project which encourages effective partnerships within the town and its rural hinterlands. As a group it has a strong local voice and a willingness and ability to act together on new ideas to address a range of issues concerning crime and anti-social behaviour. The main aim is to unite diverse groups – all of which share the common aim to improve the security and safety of the local area. It promotes the sharing of information between groups and gives a stronger voice when working and liaising with strategic agencies and mutual support when working on joint strategies.
The Mission Statement is:
“To work together to develop the potential of Glastonbury ; creating a clean, safe and secure town in which residents, businesses and visitors can work, rest and play.“
It provides an infrastructure through which the Safer Business initiative can be supported. Glastonbury already has a number of groups which have been actively working to address crime and anti social behaviour in the town. However under Data Protection regulations the information could not be shared between them. The groups involved, which included Neighbourhood Watch, Pub Watch, Glastonbury Festivals Ltd, Youth Watch, Over 50’s group and Radiolink as well as business organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Small Businesses and strategic agencies including the Town and District Councils and Avon and Somerset Constabulary, realised that an “umbrella “ organisation was needed. Community Watch was created as a self empowered partnership to direct and lead projects in partnership with other organisations. Membership includes Radiolink, Pub Watch, Youth Watch, Shop Watch, Business Watch, CCTV, Neighbourhood Watch, Speed Watch, Mendip District Council, Somerset County Council, Glastonbury Town Council, Police, Federation of Small Businesses, Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce & Trade as well as local groups including Supporters of Abbey Park, Windmill Hill Over 50's Club, Robert Barton Trust, Schools, Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury Festivals Limited and local sports facilities. There are also many others who are keen to be involved. The group is managed by a committee of seven elected members who are advised by Mendip District Council, Avon & Somerset Constabulary, Federation of Small Businesses and Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce & Trade. Glastonbury comprises of a unique mix of diverse cultures and beliefs. The Community now feel empowered to work together to address issues instead of being reliant on strategic agencies. Among the services provided are sharing of information on known criminals operating in the town and open training sessions which are offered on a quarterly basis on areas including crime prevention and identification of suspects.
Glastonbury received the Safer Business Award through the efforts of Community Watch and is the first small market town in the Country to receive this award through its initial application. Effective information sharing using fax, e-mail, phone and Radiolink; in conjunction with the commitment to dealing with residential and retail crime has been significant causal link to the success enjoyed by the local Beat team. The team has achieved an overall reduction rate in crime of 27% in the current year and a 43% detection rate.
The group has been used as an exemplar for Best Practice both in the local area and on a national basis. Community Watch represents a culturally diverse community with all having an equal voice. The group has engendered a positive identity and now gives the increasing membership the sense of community spirit to deal with and deliver sustainable solutions to all aspects of crime reduction and improved safety within the Glastonbury area.
Community Watch has identified an opportunity to raise significant levels of funding with the very kind support of Michael Eavis and Glastonbury Festivals Ltd. As there is no Glastonbury Festival in 2006 we have been given permission to produce and sell a “Not the Glastonbury Festival 2006” T-Shirt which we are sure will become a “must have” item of clothing especially for the local community and the regular festival goers. The income from these t-shirts will create a fund which can then be used to support a wide range of local initiatives which will help reduce crime and make our town a safer place to live and work.
A range of evidence exists to demonstrate the continued success of Community Watch these include:
- Continuously increasing levels of membership
- Improved methods of communication and information sharing
- A useful Members Handbook and effective logo
- Leading on the work needed to achieve the Safer Business Award
- A positive contribution to the decreasing levels of crime and an increase in the detection rate
- Community support from many diverse groups all working together
- The development of fund raising initiatives
For more information on Community Watch and how you can help make a difference please contact us for more information.
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