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Neighbourhood Watch: Findings from the British Crime Survey 2000


 This document is published for archival/historical purposes. It will not be updated. 

The British Crime Survey (BCS) 2000 questioned people about Neighbourhood Watch Schemes and this report covers the results of those interviewed. According to these findings, six million households identify themselves as members of a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. The survey also found that:

  • an estimated 27% of households were members of a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in 2000

  • membership of these schemes has increased by 4% since the 1992 BCS, with the greatest increase between 1996 and 2000

  • the National Neighbourhood Watch Association estimates that there are over 155,000 schemes in operation

  • of those households who were not members, 78% said they would join a local scheme

  • most likely to be members of a scheme were those households with an annual income of over £30,000 (34%) and owner-occupied households (32%)

  • areas with low burglary rates tended to have higher membership of Neighbourhood Watch Schemes (32%) than areas with high burglary rates (13%)

  • 75% of respondents felt that Neighbourhood Watch Schemes were effective in preventing crimes such as burglary.

To link directly to the full document click here PDF (69 Kb)

Last update: Thursday, August 28, 2008

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