State Office:
Neighbourhood Watch Victoria
Victoria Police Centre
311 Spencer Street
Docklands VIC 3008
General Enquiries: (03) 8335 6002
Media Enquiries: ceo@nhw.com.au
ABN: 41 586 657 273
Incorporation Number: A0018739R
Neighbourhood Watch Victoria began in 1983 as a partnership between the community and police to reduce crime and make our neighbourhoods safer.
Residential burglaries across Victoria
Making a real difference
“
Research into the residential burglary rate records showed that it had gone up every year to 1984 where it reached 51,090. There has not been a year since then it has been that high. We maintain the intervention of Neighbourhood Watch changed the residential burglary rate permanently.
”
Chris Coster
Former Chief Inspector with Victoria Police
Former Chief Inspector with Victoria Police
1982
Planning starts
Victoria Police hold a planning meeting in November to look at ways to curb the spiralling residential burglary rate in Victoria. A taskforce is set up to introduce a local version of the “Home Watch” program which was successfully trialled in the UK earlier in the year. They plan to launch a pilot project in the Frankston area in mid-1983.
1983
Pilot program begins
Victoria Police call a public meeting at Kananook in June to gauge local interest in setting up a pilot Neighbourhood Watch program. A week later the first NHW Zone Leaders meeting is held at Frankston, launching the very first NHW group in Victoria. In July, the first NHW logo is unveiled – the famous 4 heads logo which is still used nationally today and in September “Garden State” green is adopted as the official colour. Operation Identification is launched as the first NHW program in August – marking valuables with your driver’s licence number.
1984
Victorian launch
In March, Chief Commissioner Mick Miller and Police Minister Race Matthews officially launch Neighbourhood Watch in 6 districts across Melbourne as a community-based crime prevention program involving the community and police working in partnership.
Watch Mick Miller talk about Neighbourhood Watch
1986
First State Chairman
The first State Committee meeting is held at William Street Police Headquarters in January with Tom Newman, Chair of the very first group NHW Kananook, being elected our first State Chair. A rural version of the Neighbourhood Watch program is piloted around Seymour. In October, the first State Seminar is held at the Hilton Hotel with 400 police and community NHW representatives attending.
1991
First Neighbourhood Watch town
Cobram is declared Victoria’s first Neighbourhood Watch town in January 1991, it being completely covered by Neighbourhood Watch areas in just 4 years. A year later, Trentham becomes the 1,000th NHW area launched in Victoria.
1999
Mr Squiggle joins NHW
The first Mark It March Day is held, with NHW groups marking 4,795 items at 103 sites around Victoria, including a baptismal font. “Mr Squiggle” even offers to have his rocket marked for identification. NHW receives the VicSafe Community Safety and Crime Prevention Award for Partnerships and Volunteer Initiatives.
2000
Going high tech
At the Royal Melbourne Show in September 5,000 people try out the new NHW Virtual House – an interactive computer program where people can tour a typical home using 360-degree photos. The Virtual house later earns a National Crime and Violence Prevention Award for Major Technological Innovation and Design. In December, the first dedicated Neighbourhood Website is launched – it receives 16,504 visits in its first year.
2009
Police scale back involvement
After a restructure within Victoria Police, direct police member involvement in local Neighbourhood Watch programs drops dramatically as resources are redirected. The reduced police support leads to many for local NHW groups across Victoria closing.
2012
An independent charity
After removing all sworn officers from the Neighbourhood Watch program, Victoria Police develops a policy statement that NHW needs to adapt to become a standalone organisation but remain a key Victoria Police partner. Neighbourhood Watch is registered as an independent charity for the first time.
2017
A new era
A renewal of Neighbourhood Watch Victoria gets underway, with a new CEO, guaranteed State Government funding and a brand refresh for the first time in over 3 decades. The 4 heads logo stays, but is tweaked, with a contemporary teal green and a new tagline, “Let’s watch out for each other”. We reaffirm our partnership with Victoria Police.
Watch our 2017 Neighbourhood Watch Week video.
2018
New flagship programs
How Safe Is My Place is launched in October – an Australia-first interactive online quiz which provides users with customised reports to improve their home security. In November, the Building Community Together program is launched in new housing estates – a partnership with property developers. Additional government funding enables the State Office to expand to 4 staff.
2022
The first NHW app
The first-ever NHW app is launched in April – an augmented reality experience where people can take a virtual tour of a house and spot the security risks. A farm version of the successful How Safe Is My Place quiz is launched in October and in December, Lionel the NHW Van joins the team.
