Crime Reduction - Helping to Reduce Crime in Your Area

Policing and Watch Schemes Guidance on Information Sharing: Appendix C

Vetting Watch Co-ordinators - ACPO Policy

Where Watch Co-ordinators or volunteers have access to police premises, as part of a support team or similar, it is a sensible security measure to 'vet' such people.

In addition, where there are data protection issues the guidance developed by ACPO (See Appendix D: Guidance notes for Police Considering the Services of Volunteers at Police Stations) is relevant.

A blanket approach to 'vetting' other Watch co-ordinators would be an onerous and costly task not based upon real need. Vetting of co-ordinators is a matter for individual Chief Constables to decide in accordance with local concerns and need. However, it is acknowledged that Watch co-ordinators need to be trusted and respected by the community they serve. It is also important that they have the confidence of police and other partner agencies. It is also important that they do not pose a risk to the community by being in a position of trust.

Community and criminal intelligence should provide indicators that provide such a risk profile. Where there are adverse indicators, each case would have to be judged on an analysis of the risks. A criminal conviction on its own may not be sufficient reason for disqualifying a person from becoming a co-ordinator. Factors, Including the type of offence, the seriousness of the offence, the length of time since it was committed, all have relevance to decision making.

ACPO CPSC 04.11.99

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Last update: Monday, November 06, 2006