to think that the difference between neighbourliness and Neighbourhood Watch epitomises the difference between what UK society should be and what some people think it is?

[GoreRenewed]

Never been in a Neighbourhood Watch area before. I regard it with deepest suspicion. I'm sure they are well-meaning souls but the first newsletter I received tended to reinforce my prejudice.

Its is full of things that are wrong with the street. People parking on the pavement by the carpet shop at the bottom. The risk of having catalytic convertors nicked from the bottom of vans. The risks to garages backing on to the back lane. Cold calling. Do we want any discounted 'security items' (whatever they are? Big sticks maybe? ). There is a co-ordinator and a deputy co-ordinator and a newsletter. It makes me uncomfortable. People playing at being policeman and stirring up minor worries into big fears.

I have already met my neighbours both sides. Had a drink with them too. Our kids play in each other's gardens. I have looked after their DD when they had to go to a funeral. They had offered to look after out cats when we go away and vice versa. I have had a chat in the street with lots of other residents too.

Neighbourliness is about helping out and building relationships. Neighbourhood Watch is about looking out for the bad guys and circling the wagons round the fire.

Anyone know what I mean?

You get a newsletter when you're in a Neighbourhood Watch area?
Cool!
I think I'm in one but I've never seen any evidence of it. I'm not quite sure what it entails.

The co-ordinator lives opposite me. Her office faces directly into my dining room. It makes me distinctly edgy

Can't you have both? We do (neighbourliness of the sort you describe - and we're setting up Neighbourhood Watch because there have been minor crimes in the area).

Interesting question though...

I'm sure you can. But I just wonder if in some places NW takes the place of the other kind.

Ahh but who watches the neighbourhood watch....? [hgrin]

I'm hoping somebody will get the geeky reference.

Indeed Qui custodiet the nosey bastards

I too think both are possible and desirable. Neighbourliness is a positive thing, but generally if you have children there is much more of a social "glue" than if you do not. We've lived in places previously and because of our lifestyle - both working FT out of the home, have not seen or got to know many of our neighbours.
We now work from home so have a different perspective.

What is often referred to as "anti social" behaviour of the type you describe is often the sort that makes a big impact on quality of life and people's fear of crime. People parking on the pavement may sound minor to you but if you are pushing a buggy or are not very mobile then it will impact badly on your day to day life as you walk to the shops. Particularly for elderly people, information about cold calling and similar crimes is vital. My 94 year old great aunt is very trusting and I would be cross if information about criminals in her area was known but not passed on to her. NW doesn't make people into Robocop - it is part of everyday life unless you are supremely fortunate to live somewhere without any crime.

I get it, Deathjeff

I'm the Neighbourhood Watch person for my road and yours sounds like it's run by overactive zealots! Ours is more about letting people know about local crime waves (young boys giving cheek is about the sum total round here!) and making people feel a bit safer.

FWIW I only volunteered to do it as the previous co-ordinator is my next door neighbour and is an evil old bitch. I knew she'd hate it if I took over but she couldn't be arsed any more. It gave me a lovely opportunity to meet all the other neighbours, charm them with my loveliness and community spirit, and subtly slag off my utter shitebag of a neighbour! Genius!

Aha bag! That sounds more like it

Ours has only come round once. To tell me I'd left my car lights on. Which was very neighbourly I guess - but she managed to do it in such as way that I felt as if I was a recalcitrant teen who had been seen cycling on the pavement.

I think that as I have a teenager who likes to skateboard I am probably on the Dark Side so I feel a bit sensitive.

BTW crime levels are low. But we live near to an estate that is still partly council-owned and I think that creates certain expectations in the ignorant