Crimewatchers on patrol in Droylsden and Audenshaw

A remarkable community group has been keeping watch over Droylsden and Audenshaw for a number of years.

Crimewatchers is a community organisation with trained and licensed members who provide a service patrolling the streets of the towns to keep people safe to help and work with the police.

Recognisable by the distinctive German Shepherd logo inspired by the team’s original dog Sabre, founder Andy explained how the group first began.

“It started just as Covid hit when we spotted someone attempting a break-in and I stopped him,” he said.

“Then I put a post on the local residents’ Facebook page warning people to be careful, check things are locked up with no valuables on show.

“It got a great response and because I was on furlough due to Covid, I went out the next night and the next and it just escalated. I always put a post on after being out and then others got involved, joining me.

“After a few weeks people wanted to donate to buy us boots, jackets and that was kind support.

“Then when I was called into work after furlough, I realised I couldn’t physically manage the two workloads, so thanks to the support from the community I was able to take Crimewatchers to the next level, and start to provide the service we presently offer.”

He explained how more members have come on board.

“Because this isn’t just a particular area of security like a doorman or building site security, we need people who tick all the boxes.

“You need to know the basics of working in security, have some awareness of mental health issues, deal with people under the influence of alcohol, de-escalate confrontational situations etc.

“So, I’m lucky that I identified people who contacted me through the Crimewatchers group who had that right skillset including former police officers and those with experience in the security industry.”

Andy stresses they are not a vigilante group.

“If people didn’t have information about us and the journey we have taken to where we are now, then they might have that impression,” he says.

“There have been groups in the past around the country that might have just met up and gone round looking for issues.

“Crimewatchers is borne out of something that started in the community and has now grown into a professional insured group with SIA licenses, uniforms, staff training all financed by the local community contributions to help our local community.

“We also liaise with the police and the council who have come to recognize the important contribution we make in helping reduce crime.”

So, what services does the Crimewatchers group offer to the community?

Andy explains: “Our main role is to deter crime in the area by just seeing us out and about because we know the police can’t be everywhere as a deterrent so we hope we can help.

“We have been involved in people getting arrested, stolen vehicles recovered and made a positive difference.

“We may sometimes get a message from someone who has seen a prowler or someone behaving suspiciously and by taking a walk over it can add some reassurance and obviously deter any potential criminal activity.

“We do food parcels for the elderly in the area, we’ve been asked to help in some domestic violence situations, make sure rough sleepers or homeless persons are okay.

“Sometimes an elderly person may call if their partner falls out of bed, or if they need something heavy moving.

“Every night can be different, but it’s not just security, it’s helping the community.

“We are not a replacement for the police, far from it, but we offer a broad range of services to help people.”

One of the figureheads for the group is of course their dog, Sabre.

Andy says: “Originally Sabre was seen as the team leader by everybody, but after an event where we had given out selection boxes I’d gone home, and he’d passed away in his sleep.

“He was such a gentle giant loved by everybody.

“It was very touching that when he passed away the community put together a GoFundMe page to buy me a replacement puppy which I got a couple of months later.

“So now I have Shadow who has been with us since he was 13 weeks old, and he always gets featured on our posts.

“The community helped me to get him so he’s their dog too, so we get him dressed up at Christmas and special events too.”

If you would like to support Crimewatchers you can find out more by visiting their Facebook group or online at crimewatchers.co.uk 

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