 | Over time, budget pressures and perceived lack of support of its grass-root membership resulted in a drop in morale of the band of activists who had so far led the development.  By 1999 developments had come to a standstill.
A handful of people working quietly in the background began the task of reconstruction. Assisted by officers from the Community Safety team of Warwickshire Police and with the continued support of Croft School in September 2000 the group had gathered new members from emerging schemes and reconstituted itself as Nuneaton & Bedworth Neighbourhood Watch Association.
Partnerships were developed with Warwickshire Neighbourhood Watch Association Ltd, which itself has developed and has strong links with West Midlands Regional Neighbourhood Watch Association and National Neighbourhood Watch Association. The group also formed a strong working relationship with North Warwickshire Neighbourhood Watch Association.
Partnership with Warwickshire Police at District level has continued. More recently N&BNWA has affiliated to Nuneaton & Bedworth CVS and this has been particularly beneficial.
 Since 2000, Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council has supported in kind through free use of the Council Chamber on two occasions and some help with photocopying on others. Warwickshire Police have also been generous with in kind donations through provision of meeting rooms, photocopying facilities and some postage. Within the past year N&BNWA has been supported by grants, principally from Heart of England Community Foundation, and practical advice from Nuneaton CVS.
Two further Area Associations have been formally constituted - Whitestone NWA and Bedworth NWA - and plans are in hand to form others. 3500 copies of the first edition of a quarterly District newsletter “Crime Buster” were produced in December 2003 and distributed directly to members. A further project, known as “Data Link”, involves the keeping of critical health information in the domestic refrigerator to aid its rapid access in emergency situations.
The new website built by NBNWA at www.warkcom.net/nbnwa contains lots of useful information for home and bicycle owners, as well as more information about the group and it's aims. If you are thinking of starting up a scheme in your locality it can help by giving you guidance and information, or if you are already a co-ordinator and would like to share your experiences and learn from others.
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