With the events of months gone by, it is even more important that everyone living around RAF Northolt should remember that “Security Watch” (SW) operates in these areas.

I’m sure many readers will vaguely remember that Security Watch was  launched way back in November 2003 when the RAF Police, Met Police, ministry of Defence Police and Hillingdon Neighbourhood Watch joined forces to form the group known as “Security Watch”.

You will be interested to learn that although the original SW sign was fine, it did not lend itself to the addition of telephone numbers, so  Uxbridge College was asked if Art and Design students could design a new Security Watch sign.

Of course they came up trumps with students on the Art/Design course producing some excellent designs. After much deliberation, a winner was chosen and the design (as above) has been used to make signs that will be seen on fences and lampposts around Northolt.

How Does it Work?
As you will realise, the RAF is responsible for security inside RAF Northolt, whilst the local Borough Met. Police is responsible for every thing outside the perimeter fence.   In practice, if someone sees something near Northolt that may be interpreted as being out of the ordinary, and could possibly be a security threat, then that person should immediately report his or her concerns by dialling 999, or calling Hillingdon Police on 01895 251212, or calling the RAF Police on 020 8833 8674.

If possible, Security Watch should be mentioned when reporting the concern. Action will be initiated immediately by the Met and the RAF with a common action objective and minimum of red tape.

I’m sure I speak for both organisations when I suggest that if you see “something out of the ordinary”  - vehicles, people, parcels without owners etc. please contact one of the numbers; they would rather attend a dozen false alarms than miss a real threat to everyone’s security.

SW Newsletter
Members living in the Northolt area will soon be hearing more about Security Watch as the intention is to produce a quarterly newsletter that will be published at the same time as Neighbourhood Watch publication “Watch Out”.

Although Neighbourhood Watch members living in the surrounding areas are automatically ‘part’ of Security Watch, all that is asked of you is that you do take a little extra note of things around you and report anything that you think Security Watch would be interested in.

More Security Watch news will be posted on this site as the information becomes available.  I hope there will be articles of interest to all members.                                                                    Kmm