The Enfield Street Watch team outside Heritage in Southgate

How two community safety schemes are working in tandem to protect local people, writes Dionne John

Enfield Street Watch is a new style of community partnership led by the community, for the community.

The scheme brings people together to help make streets and open spaces safer for everyone. The patrol-based initiative is backed by the Metropolitan Police and has a proven track record of success in other London boroughs. Since its Enfield launch last summer, the scheme has already had successful patrols and received strong support from local businesses, residents, parents and schools.

The organisers are now looking for more volunteers to expand into Edmonton Green and increase their existing patrols in Southgate. Volunteers are vetted, insured and receive induction training before they start. They provide a visible reassuring presence and report anything suspicious or any street care issues in the neighbourhood. If you have a couple of hours or whatever time you can spare and wish to volunteer for adminstrative support, after-school patrols or patrols at other times for Edmonton Green or Southgate, do please get in touch!

Enfield Street Watch also works together with CHiPS (Community Help Point Scheme) to create safer communities in the borough. CHiPS provides more than 200 safe places such as shops, businesses and civic buildings within the community where young and vulnerable people can go to access support if they are lost, at risk or feel vulnerable.

CHiPS has been developed in partnership with police and Enfield Council. Staff at the ChiPS locations have been checked by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and trained to help. They display the official logo in their window and can help to access support or let someone wait until they feel comfortable and safe to continue their journey.

CHiPS is a nationwide, award-winning scheme which has now been running for 14 years in Enfield. Caterina, owner of La Dolce Piazza cafe in Edmonton Green that has been part of the scheme since it started in 2006, said: “I think it’s important that local businesses support the community and young and vulnerable people know that there’s always somewhere to go if help is needed when they are out and about in the community.”

For more information about Enfield Street Watch:
Email [email protected]

For more information Enfield CHiPS:
Email [email protected]
Visit facebook.com/chipsenfield

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