Mill Croft Neighbourhood Watch is part of the Craven Neighbourhood Watch Group located in Skipton with meetings held regular with all schemes from Craven attending to counter any problems with groups.

Mill Croft Neighbourhood watch was formed in 1997 by four residents Ray, Sue, Jane and Dawn, three of the members are still in the scheme, Ray still being a co-ordinator. The scheme was formed as a result of concerns regarding crime in the area and we wanted to be part of the solution and not the problem.

We are a reasonable sized scheme of fifty plus members and are very active within the scheme area, we have our own bank account and Sarah as our longstanding treasurer/secretary Mark and Ray are the only two co-ordinators, we have ring round runners who deliver the messages to all members. The scheme try’s to build a community spirit, with security of property children vehicles being of paramount importance. Newsletters are produced with up to date information so every member has an update of our activities. We liaise with Crosshills Police Station and the new village policeman PC Martin Carson.

We have purchased our own photocopier from scheme funds and this has been a useful tool in carrying messages and information to all members with both the newsletters and the ring rounds. We are self supporting with the internal running of the scheme and funds are raised once a year by having two Christmas raffles any profits are entered into the scheme bank account, moneys are used for paper, photocopying cartridges and any sundries required by the scheme. Originally each new member contributed one pound towards the scheme to help pay for street signs but we no longer ask for this contribution and rely on the raffles to generate funds.

Residents who have moved into the scheme area automatically become a member and are given a welcome pack with full details of phone numbers and contacts. We still exercise a hands on approach to continue to build the community spirit within the scheme area and see the welcome packs as an extra tool of communication.