Rylett Road street party
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
08/09/2008
Helium balloons, children’s games and tasty food were just some of the attractions as Rylett Road in Shepherds Bush became the venue for a special street party last Sunday (September 7).
The party was organised by the Rylett Road Neighbourhood Watch Scheme to celebrate the way that the organisation has nurtured community spirit on the road and for recently winning the prestigious Douglas Hurd Cup for the most effective neighbourhood watch scheme in the borough.
The Rylett Road Neighbourhood Watch Scheme was set up last year and is now one of over 120 (TBC) similar schemes in Hammersmith & Fulham.
Over 60 people, including most of the residents of Rylett Road attended the party which featured fun and games for all of the family.
Tony Twiss, Rylett Road Neighbourhood Watch coordinator, said: “The group started 18 months ago and we have had excellent support from our Safer Neighbourhood Team. Most of the residents of Rylett Road are involved in the scheme and they are enthusiastic and provide the police with invaluable information. The group really has led to an increase in community spirit. People now talk to each other in the street who would never have dreamt of doing so in the past.”
Cllr Belinda Donovan, assistant cabinet member for crime and anti-social behaviour, has been instrumental in setting up neighbourhood watch schemes across the borough. She said: “I hope that this party will become a blueprint for other neighbourhood watch schemes in the borough. All the residents on Rylett Road were asked and none of them objected to the party. We made sure that there was no anti-social loud music and the party was all about getting the community together and having a good time. I would also like to express my gratitude to to Finlay Brewer Estate Agents on the Shepherds Bush Road, who have very generously sponsored this street party'”
Cllr Donovan is keen to help set up more schemes over the coming months and years. She added: "Just over two years ago, there were only six schemes running in the borough and now there are over 120. I would urge more people to start up their own schemes so that together we can crack crime in the borough road by road and street by street. Starting a neighbourhood watch scheme is an excellent way to get to know your neighbours and to create real community cohesion. Figures also show that they really do help to cut crime."
If you are interested in joining a neighbourhood watch scheme or would like to set one up contact Inspector Bill Heasman at Shepherds Bush Police Station on 020 8246 2742 or 07990 785916.
