National Neighbourhood Watch

NATIONAL NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH ASSOCIATION - CLOSURE

On March 16 the Board of Trustees, acting on a report from its financial advisers, concluded that the future solvency of the National Neighbourhood Watch Association (NNWA) could no longer be guaranteed.  Therefore, in order to meet its liabilities and its obligations to its employees, the Trustees agreed unanimously that the three permanent members of staff working at NNWA headquarters in Hatfield be made redundant and the appropriate steps taken to close the NNWA.

Since then the NNWA Board of Trustees has sought further expert advice and counsel (both legal and financial and from senior professionals within the police and other agencies) on the appropriate steps to be taken following the Board's decision to seek to close the association.  A further meeting of the Board took place on June 12, at which NNWA Board of Trustees agreed to compulsory winding up of the charity.

The Wiltshire & Swindon NHW Association has associated itself with NNWA and provided a County representative.  At grassroots level, the day-to-day activities of neighbourhood watch groups on the ground will not be directly affected and the work and commitment of neighbourhood watch volunteers will continue, and hopefully flourish. The insurance and indemnity cover for neighbourhood watch groups in place for the current year is not affected by the closure of NNWA, as it is funded by the Home Office.

FAQs

Q: What impact will the closure of NNWA have on the grassroots of neighbourhood watch?
A: The day-to-day activities of neighbourhood watch groups on the ground will not be directly affected. It will mean, regrettably, that support materials such as the NNWA home safety fact sheets, etc, may no longer be available.

Q: What is the position with regard to the insurance cover arranged for neighbourhood watch groups?
A: The insurance cover is funded by the Home Office and is not affected by the closure of NNWA. The Home Office will, no doubt, announce the arrangements to renew the cover in due course

Q: When will the NNWA close?
A: The three NNWA employees working at Hatfield will be made redundant on March 31 and we would anticipate that the office will effectively close from that date.

Q: Why has the Board of Trustees taken the decision to close NNWA
A: The decision to close NNWA was a unanimous decision taken by the Board after carefully reviewing the latest financial reports. The NNWA relies 100% on sponsorship from the private sector. Despite a great deal of effort to attract new sponsors to NNWA, there was insufficient future income to allow NNWA to continue to operate without going into the red.

Q: What will happen to the NNWA website?
A: Discussions are taking place on the future of the NNWA website.

Q: Are there plans for a new organisation to replace NNWA?
A: As far as the Board of Trustees of NNWA are concerned, while the existing climate of division exists within the neighbourhood watch movement, it is not feasible for a national body to operate effectively. So there are no plans to launch a new organisation.

These events do not affect the viability of the Wiltshire & Swindon NHW Association nor the network of NHW Schemes across the UK: in particular, the insurance and indemnity cover for NHW groups affiliated to the W&SNHWA will continue.