Feedback from our Home Watch Conference workshops, including 'Building Relationships', 'Counter Terrorism', 'Diversifying Home Watch', and 'Social Media'.

1. Greater Manchester
Home Watch
Conference

2. Workshop Name: Building Relationships
Facilitator: Hannah Crosby - GMP
3 Key points highlighted from the discussions
Session No: 1
• Communication both ways between GMP and Home Watch members.
Include GMP/CTU holding regular meetings with Home Watch members so
information can be regularly passed on, and they know the information has
been taken on board by GMP.
• Accurate information, including contact information, passed by GMP
to the Home Watch members. Also accurate, evidential and minor details
passed by the public to GMP.
• Best practise - needs to be shared (possibly by creating a creators
Manchester wide newsletter) with all Home Watch members.
Session No: 2
•Communication between GMP and Home Watch members,
so correct information is passed and the public are reassured
• Continuity: GMP staff to still support schemes even if
people move around, so that feedback can be given.
• Partnership working: Between GMP, Home Watch
members, residents and the local council to focus on what is
needed in that particular area.

3. Workshop Name: Counter Terrorism
Facilitator: Asima Tufail – Counter Terrorism Unit
3 Key points highlighted from the discussions
Session No: 1&2
•Information on suspicious persons for behaviour is vital to ensure terrorist attacks are
stopped before they happen.
• Good relationships between the Police and the community and a willingness of
individuals to report anything suspicious, ensure that this information gets through.
• Act now is a community cohesion workshop available to HW coordinators free of
charge from the counter terrorism awareness and briefing team.
0161 856 0350 or ct.awareness@gmp.police.uk

4. Workshop Name: Diversifying Home Watch
Facilitator: Jane Smith, GMP - Oldham
3 Key points highlighted from the discussions
Session No: 1
• Young people require the same qualities and characteristics as older
people. They can bring commitment and passion to Home Watch just as
older people do.
• Home Watch members need to be aware of the huge range of youth
organisations that can assist and support Home Watch schemes.
• Involving young people in Home Watch helps generate understanding
between the generations which is a huge advantage.
Session No: 2
• Anybody should get involved in Home Watch
Even someone with a criminal record has something to offer
• ‘Pester-power’ – young people good at pestering parents to
take on crime prevention messages
• The advantages of being in Home Watch far outweigh
disadvantages
• Only disadvantaged could be that facts can be exaggerated
(by very young Home Watch members)
• Partnership approach is essential to bring a broad range of
knowledge and skills

5. Workshop Name: Social Media
Facilitator: Chris Hayden
3 Key points highlighted from the discussions
Session No: 1
Lack of knowledge
• Make use of organisations that exist to eliminate the fear of using Social Media
• Would be useful but lack of financial / human resources
• Beneficial for instant information
Session No: 2
Training / workshops for Home Watch Co-ordinators
• Older members don’t tend to have access so need to get
younger people involved
• Information sharing and targeting partners and accessing