Welcome back to Watchnotes – a roundup of Community Safety focused news and information, created with Neighbourhood Watch Groups in mind, but hopefully of general interest too. Please share it with your group or network if you can.
As always, all the previous editions are online here if you missed something. And if you’re sharing this (or receiving it from someone else) then there is a new signup form here.
Any thoughts or feedback or information to share, please contact me: Karl Elliott, karl@nelwatch.org.uk.
Neighbourhood Watch
During the recent ASB week, Ourwatch hosted an ASB webinar. The recording of this is now available to watch via YouTube.
The July edition of the Ourwatch national Neighbourhood Watch network e-newsletter is out. Read it here.
The long announced Ourwatch Podcast will broadcast its first episode on 24th July. Read all about it here. With details of each of the 6 upcoming episodes here.
“Respect Orders to launch nationwide in national crackdown on ASB offenders” Also read Opinion piece by Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones here.
If you’ve not had a good look at the national Ourwatch strategy yet, then it’s here. There’s also been an Ourwatch webinar discussing it. Watch this on YouTube here to catch up on the strategy.
Community Safety
“What is a Hanoi burglary and how can you prevent it.”
The latest newsletter from the NEL Community Safety Partnership (CSP) is now out. Read it here. Older newsletters here.
Our Community Safety resources page has been edited and updated this month. Pay it a visit here. The page about reporting crime properly has been updated and includes a new information poster from the CSP about why good reporting matters.
Scams and Fraud
“Consumer and community organisations join forces on energy scams”
Locksmith scams are on the rise. Big article about this in the Guardian. Also known as the 49-er scam. There’s plenty of information about this on the Locksmiths website here. It’s very important to report this type of scam, but more important still to avoid falling foul of scammers when you’re in the crisis of being locked out! Our recommendation is to get together useful numbers for services such as locksmiths, plumbers or electricians long BEFORE you actually need them in an emergency. That way you can find the best people, perhaps through recommendations, rather than falling foul by picking someone unknown in an emergency.
The long running “Little Book of Big Scams” has had many editions, including local Humberside versions. There is now a brand new version – “The Little Book of Fraud” with none other than Martin Lewis introducing. Download it here
VANEL don’t currently have any printed copies locally I’m afraid.
The older Little Book of Scams is also available as an audio version here https://soundcloud.com/metropolitan-police/the-little-book-of-big-scams
Policing
Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner’s Survey 2026. This is now open until 17th Aug. Direct link to survey here.
Police and Crime Commisioner launches delivery plan
Some commendations… Police And Crime Commissioner’s Commendation Scheme
Fire
“Help Prevent Deliberate Fires This Summer”
Local news
Cleethorpes 999 day returns. Sat 15th Aug, 10-4 on Kings Parade, Cleethorpes. Poster here.
NeeNaw day is back too. Sat 8th Aug, 10am. At Cromwell Road Police Station, Grimsby DN31 2BN. New poster is here.
VANEL led Community Safety/Police drop-ins continue monthly in Sidney Sussex Ward at 82 Grimsby Road community hub. Next Tue 21st July, 11am-12 noon.
In South Ward/Nunsthorpe, the successful “Together for Tomorrow” community safety focused event is returning to Sutcliffe Avenue Recreation Ground on Fri 21st August. 10-2pm. More details in due course.
Footnotes
WatchNotes 27 17th July 2026
By Karl Elliott, VANEL, NELwatch, HumberWatch
www.nelwatch.org.uk
www.vanel.org.uk
www.nelwatch.org.uk/neighbourstogether
part of Humber Watch Association
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