Spike in Neighbourhood Watch groups being set up in NSW after spate of break-ins, thefts and organised crime

CCTV of masked thieves, or suspicious activity, is shared in social media groups and newsletters, and Neighbourhood Watch has become key in encouraging reporting of crime. And police say it’s working, here’s how.

Break-ins, car thefts, and organised crime across the state have fuelled the resurgence of volunteer-run Neighbourhood Watch groups and social media accounts, which have proved “invaluable” in catching crims from the bush to the city.

More than 150 Neighbourhood Watch groups are now registered around NSW, from leafy suburbs to high-density Sydney communities.

CCTV of masked thieves, or suspicious activity, is shared in social media groups and newsletters, and Neighbourhood Watch has become key in encouraging reporting of crime. And police say it’s working, crediting social media for successfully identifying hundreds of offenders.

“These platforms have enabled us to communicate directly with nearly every adult and young person within the Command,” The Hills Police Area Command’s Chief Inspector Chris Laird said.

“Reports to Crime Stoppers have increased by 100 per cent, often providing crucial information for investigations.”

Pictured in Rhodes is local resident Ramee Florentino, with fellow locals Tiffany Zhong and Sharon Zhang. Ramee Florentino has started a neighbourhood watch group and enlisted members of the community to volunteer. Picture: Richard Dobson

It’s usually petty crime that sparks their creation, but Ramee Florentino started the Rhodes Neighbourhood Watch in 2021, after locals shared their fears of gangland and drug activity outside, and even within, their apartment blocks.

“There were a lot of concerned people, and a lot of scared people,” he said.

“It is a developing suburb so we didn’t see much police here. So I felt like I had to do something to help stop it.”

Yusuf Nazlioglu smiles in happier times before his death at Rhodes last June. His shooting sparked a Neighbourhood Watch group to be formed.

Former Lone Wolf bikie Yusuf Nazlioglu was shot in Walker Street Rhodes. Picture: TNV

Those fears only intensified when Lone Wolf bikie Yusuf Nazlioglu was shot dead in a Rhodes apartment building carpark.

Mr Florentino and a group of volunteers started a reporting system, recording “hot” times and locations when crime was occurring, which they passed on to police.

“We started encouraging and educating people to call police or Crimestoppers whenever they saw something, so police would come out here and patrol,” he said.

“We did group patrols in the first year, but after that we found that gathering information about crimes, hoons and general issues we face in the community was (more successful). We try to be guide dogs and not guard dogs. We just want to help people feel safe.”

Neighbourhood Watch NSW president Wayne Deaner said the groups played a strong role in regional areas, where police stations aren’t always manned.

“A lot of people aren’t too aware of crime until it happens to them,” he said.

“These groups are about educating people, teaching them how to prevent crime.

“If you see a car acting suspicious, write down the number plate, share it with your community, and report it.

“The more we call the police, the more the statistics go up, and as a result the more active they are in an area.”

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