A Faith Watch group, the first of its kind in the West Midlands, has been launched as part of a pilot scheme to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.The Faith Watch scheme in Washwood Heath, Birmingham, currently involves 14 community volunteers. As local residents themselves, the volunteers act as a link between community members of various faiths and the police. The scheme aims to have an impact upon anti-social behaviour and feelings of community safety. Although similar civilian street patrols take place across the country, this is the first in the West Midlands where members are representatives of various faith groups. Members give up their own time to patrol their neighbourhood, in high visibility jackets, for a minimum of two hours per week. The volunteers are unpaid and their patrols are non-confrontational. They appropriately challenge low-level anti-social behaviour and affirm ownership of public spaces, as well as improving their neighbourhoods by identifying issues like graffiti and criminal damage. Sgt Richard Evans, neighbourhood sergeant for Washwood Heath, helped to initiate the pilot scheme along with Sgt Tracie Wharton from the Partnerships Team at Birmingham East local policing unit. Sergeant Evans said: “Our Faith Watch members have lived in the local area for many years. They know their own community better than most and are well respected. “By understanding the needs of their communities and issues of local concern that are undermining residents” quality of life, they are already making an impact. They are an important link between police and local residents, working closely with us to encourage closer and safer places to live.”
