NEIGHBOURHOOD watch in Bromsgrove is being revamped to give it a more modern feeling. 

Home Secretary and Bromsgrove MP, Sajid Javid, visited Bromsgrove on Friday and gave his backing to the relaunch, which will see new signage made for each town and village, including ones in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Worcestershire.


Around 400,000 people across 21 Facebook groups are reached throughout the area, each month, and West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, John Campion, said Neighbourhood Watch is important.

"The way in which this scheme is moving forward, allows communities to be involved and play an active role in sharing information and caring for others in order to contribute to a safer, more secure society," he added. 


"I welcome the modern approach, which can have a far bigger impact, allowing people to be involved in a way that is easy and engaging, whilst still retaining the very important local community feel.”


Craig Cox, chair of West Mercia Neighbourhood Watch, said: “This activity has already started to encourage some communities to fund their own additional street signs and is giving a boost to neighbourhood watch membership. The organisation is changing and is seeking to involve people from all communities and all age groups. Community safety is everyone’s concern and West Mercia Neighbourhood Watch is there to help communities protect themselves.”


West Mercia Police Local Policing chief superintendent Kevin Purcell said: “We really value the work of the many Neighbourhood Watch schemes we have right across the force and are incredibly appreciative of the time the volunteers involved put in to help protect their own community. 


“Neighbourhood Watch plays a vital role in supporting our local policing teams in making their communities even safer and we’re grateful for this investment in helping our local communities play even more of an active role in supporting the work we do.”