Neighbours Looking Out for Neighbours

The Chartwell Blockwatch was established in March 2017 by proactive residents who wanted to play an active role in keeping our community safe and secure.

From the beginning, the response was inspiring — volunteers from across Chartwell joined together to form two dedicated patrolling teams each evening. Shifts were split between early and late night hours, with patrol times rotated for added effectiveness. These patrollers acted as the community’s eyes and ears, sharing real-time updates and observations via the Blockwatch WhatsApp group.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, patrols were temporarily paused, but many volunteers soon resumed — this time choosing to patrol solo for health and safety reasons. The model adjusted accordingly, with a single shift running each night, ensuring continued vigilance and care.

Thanks to ongoing community support, the introduction of the CCE-funded CCTV network further enhanced our security. These cameras significantly reduced criminal activity in the area and have since been upgraded and expanded, with professional off-site monitoring and a collaborative effort between all three security providers operating in Chartwell.

Today, our Blockwatch volunteers still patrol the area and contribute valuable feedback via the WhatsApp group. This initiative remains a shining example of what’s possible when neighbours come together with a shared purpose — to protect and uplift the place we all call home.

It’s one of Chartwell’s greatest strengths: a community that doesn’t just live together — we look out for one another.