Streetwatchers reclaim the streets in Weyhe

Performance Indicators

From April – December 2008 streetwatchers provided 805 hours of patrols on the streets. During this period, only one critical situation occurred. In 2009, the number of volunteer streetwatchers increased to 38, who provided 850 hours of service. In 2010 the number of volunteers decreased to 32, providing 810 hours of service. In 2014 there were still 30 streetwatchers with 26 being active every week-end during the summer and 4 streetwatchers being available for occasional activities 'as-needed'. However, this was not due to burn-out but rather natural fluctuation, as some streetwatchers moved out of the area.

An evaluation report by the local police states: “The streetwatchers started in spring 2008. Although it is hard to measure the impact of prevention, the fact that the number of street incidents has fallen since streetwatchers have become active suggests a causality between both events.”

The Weyhe Streetwatcher Scheme has inspired other local councils to focus more on prevention to make the streets safe. For example, the council of Bruchhausen-Vilsen also set up a Streetwatcher Scheme in 2009, based on the Weyhe approach. Other local councils have also shown interest.