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News Release

Issued: 12.06.09

At: 9.50am

For immediate release

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Promote Safer Communities through National Neighbourhood Watch Week

National Neighbourhood Watch Week commences from 15-21 June 2009 and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service would like to take this opportunity to call for communities to take care of each other.

The neighbourhood watch scheme has been working in the U.K. since the early 1980s and it is still going strong. It is most commonly associated with community protection and awareness of burglaries and other anti-social behaviour. LFRS would like Neighbourhood Watch groups, and those who aren’t currently in a group, to keep an eye and ear out for their close communities.

Paul Speight, Community Safety Officer, says:

“LFRS understands that the Neighbourhood Watch scheme plays a part in safe and caring communities. It is because of this that we ask people to look out for not just suspicious behaviour and burglaries, but also to listen out for smoke alarms and keep an eye on neighbours' properties in case of any unfortunate incidents.

Smoke alarms, like burglar alarms, are there to alert people to danger. They are loud and can be heard from outside. If there is no sign of movement inside the house or you know that the occupier is not in the house, then your calling of the fire service could save considerable damage or even a life.

We also recommend that residents make sure that they know where the keys to their doors and windows are kept. We respect that keys maybe kept in a safe place and agree with this idea, however, we believe that it is also important for them to be held in a convenient place in case there is a need to escape quickly from the property.”

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Notes to News Desk

Interview Requests

To request an interview with Paul Speight, Community Safety Officer, please contact Corporate Communications on the number below.

Contact Information

For more information please contact:

Corporate Communications

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service

Tel 0116 287 2241