I Love Bramhall Whats App group to tackle local theft

The founder of I love Bramhall and I love Cheadle Hulme has come up with an innovative way to address the growing number of car thefts and burglaries sweeping across Stockport and South Manchester.

The area around Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme have been one of the worst affected areas where 252 cras were stolen over a period of just 19 days.

Featured on ITV, Wendy Green has launched a new Neighbourhood Alert System covering 100 roads in an effort to help to protect homes and property across the area.

Wendy Green speaking to ITV about the Whats App group launched to combat car theft in Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme. Click image to view.

The alert uses the What’s App platform, creating an informal group chat on WhatsApp involving neighbours on your road, where you will be able to share information or any concerns you have. If someones alarm has been going off, or you notice suspicious activity a simple message in the group can make sure neighbours are aware and are alert.

Each road – or section thereof for the longer roads – will have their own ‘coordinator’ who be in charge of the chat, making sure everyone knows about the group forum and how they can get involved. They will also share information with other local coordinators and police – and vice versa. This will be particularly useful for those times when police can’t attend right away, to ensure everyone’s aware of an incident or potential problem.

Wendy explains:

“This is not about heightening anxiety or to make people more worried about break-ins, this is about bringing the neighbourhood together so that we feel safe in our own homes.

“The idea is to work WITH your neighbours and the wider community. If we all look out for each other, we CAN make a difference – but more than that, we can really gain a sense of community.”

I Love Cheadle Hulme and I Love Bramhall are helping to set up a Neighbourhood Alert System.

The co-ordinator’s role is not particularly daunting, but would involve the following :

• * Visiting each house and canvass neighbours encouraging them to join the WhatsAppscheme. We have designed a leaflet for you to download here Neighbourhood Alert System – PDF or you can design your own (Neighbours who do not have a mobile phone can give home telephone numbers)
• * Circulating information received from the police and vice versa
• * Creating a ‘safety net’ with your neighbours to aid faster communication if you are a victim of crime, or alarms go off, or neighbours see suspicious activity on their road /street/lane etc.
• * Attending neighbourhood watch meetings with other coordinators, police and local councillors.
• * We’d also suggest attending local Police Surgeries and Area Committee Meetings

If you want to be a coordinator for your road or just part of your WhatsApp group, Wendy and her team will be updating the list of roads as people come forward to co-ordinate and how you can get involved. We are happy to help each road coordinator set up their chat and if someone from your road would like to join, we will pass on your details. Lets get neighbours talking again!

We will NOT make the names and phone numbers of co-ordinators public, so please get in touch with Wendy for Bramhall hello@ilovebramhall.com and Kate for Cheadle Hulme hello@ilovecheadlehulme.com for more information.

Here’s the list for Bramhall so far, so if you are interested in joining your roads WhatsApp group chat please get in contact:

• * Bramley Close
• * Bramley Rd (1 – 15)
• * Bridge Lane (2 -20)
• * Carrwood Rd
• * Elmsway
• * Kings Close
• * Kitts Moss Lane
• * Ladythorn Rd (23-56)
• * Larchway
• * Lees Rd
• * Mayfield Rd
• * North Park Rd (1-26)
• * Ogden Rd
• * Queensgate
• * Ridge Park

Please head to the I Love Cheadle Hulme for the Cheadle Hulme Roads.

We are also circulating information through the Facebook group Cheadle Hulme and Bramhall Neighbourhood Watch – this is a closed group and invitation only organised by Lee McMurray

Please note that NO contact details with be shared with ANYONE except your co-ordinator.

Always Report. Always.