Safer Neighbourhoods Stronger Communities

What is Neighbourhood Watch Scotland?

The concept of Neighbourhood Watch came to the UK from the USA. While records are a little murky, we know that Neighbourhood Watches have existed in Scotland from the very early 1980s.


In May 2006, the Association of Scottish Neighbourhood Watches was established as the first independent body in Scotland with a national perspective on Neighbourhood Watch. In 2008, the Association received funding from the Scottish Government. This funding allowed the Association to employ its first member of staff in September of that year.

Throughout 2009 and 2010, the Association worked with Police Forces and other agencies to establish a single database of Neighbourhood Watches in Scotland. The Association took control of the administration of this database, including the registration of new watches. This meant an equal service for all Neighbourhood Watches in Scotland.

In December 2011, The Association of Scottish Neighbourhood Watches became a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, known as Neighbourhood Watch Scotland SCIO. With the change of status and name came a change of logo, designed to better reflect Neighbourhood Watch Scotland as a modern, relevant organisation.

Neighbourhood Watch Scotland is a registered charity and is fully supported by a board of volunteer trustees. The organisation operates from Stirling and comprises 7 members of staff – Lesley Clark, Director; Ian Moffat, Engagement Officer; Michele Lindsay, Engagement Officer; Lynne Symington, Policy Development Officer; Max Blinkhorn, Fundraising Officer; Jennifer Nisbet, Data Administrator and Business Support Officer; and Varrie McDevitt, Business Support Officer.

Currently there are over 550 registered schemes in Scotland, covering over 72,000 households. This number is growing steadily as new Watches are established.

Our aim is to help people work together to make their communities safer.