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Saltdean and Rottingdean Neighbourhood Watch - Beat 8

Neighbourhood Watch Beat 8 was formed in 1985. It covers parts of Rottingdean, West Saltdean and East Saltdean. Neighbourhood Watch operates through co-ordinators who are the focal point for a road or group of houses. Not all roads have co-ordinators and we urgently need to expand.

The Beat is organised by an elected committee, the members of which currently are:

Chairman Brian Dando Tel 303482
Secretary Linda Hood Tel 306441
Member Laura Billett
Member Tom Calder
Member Nick Hart
Member Richard Turvey

The committee meet regularly and issue a newsletter to its members 4 to 6 times a year. Members also receive newsletters from the police.

Aims. The aims of Neighbourhood Watch are:
" To provide a safer environment for our area for the benefit of everyone.
" To assist street co-ordinators in the area of Beat 8, and to encourage further co-ordinators to work in areas not presently covered.
" To channel information from members to Street Co-ordinators, the committee and then on to the police.
" Issue newsletters to Co-ordinators and through them to every member.
" Hold meetings in March (AGM) and October, at the Saltdean Community Centre, for street co-ordinators and members together with the Police.

Street Co-ordinators. Information on whether there is a local scheme in your area can be obtained from Linda Hood 306441 who will advise you on how to join an existing scheme, or how to set up a new scheme. New Co-ordinators are always required and the role takes up very little time and effort, so if you are an active retired person, or someone who has a little time to help, please contact Brian.

Reasons for joining a scheme. Local Neighbourhood Watch schemes aim to:

" Reduce opportunities for crime to occur.
" Inform members of any crimes that have taken place in the area and to circulate information from the police on current scams.
" Makes life more difficult for opportunist crimes.
" Enhance communication with the police.
" Build up community contact and spirit.

Neighbourhood Watch has a nominal joining fee of £1, and there are no annual subscriptions. You are not expected to patrol the streets, just to take an interest in your area, and you may qualify for cheaper home insurance if you are part of a registered scheme.

Please help create a safer environment. By working closely with the Police we CAN make a difference.

POLICE TELEPHONE NUMBER 0845 6070 999
IN AN EMERGENCY TELEPHONE 999

Digital Switch Over - message from NW

TV is going digital all over the UK and soon the traditional TV signal will be switched off in your area. If you don’t have digital TV by the time of the switch over, your TV screen will go blank, but you don’t need to worry; the help scheme is here to help.

The switchover help scheme is run by the BBC, to help older and disabled people with everything they need.

Am I eligible?
The scheme can help those who:

• Is aged 75 or over, or
• Has lived in a care home for 6 months or more, or
• Gets (or could get) certain disability benefits, or
• Is registered blind or partially sighted.

The help scheme has written to all eligible people. To take up the option, everyone who has received the mailing needs to reply.

What’s important to know:
The switchover will be taking place in the Brighton area in March and there will be an increasing number of installers working through your area in the run up to these dates.

• The change over team will NEVER cold call. An appointment will be made weeks in advance to attend to carry out the work.
• Each house to change over should take about 45 minutes.
• The installer will be CRB checked.
• He/she will wear a yellow reflective tabard and have an ID card with their picture on it.
• Unless a broken box is installed, they will only need to visit the premises once.

Will I have to pay?
The standard option includes:

• Easy to use equipment
• An approved installer to supply and install the equipment for you.
• A 12 month aftercare service including a free helpline and help with re-tuning.

This service is available for £40 all inclusive or free for eligible people on certain income related benefits; pension credit, income support, income-related employment and support allowance or income based job seeker’s allowance.

For more information , please call free on 0800 40 85 900 or visit helpscheme.co.uk

For more information go to http://www.brighton-hove-nwa.org/