Eltham Townwatch logo, Eltham Townwatch is written in white letters against a blue background.
Eltham Townwatch logo

Published: Tuesday, 25th June 2019

We have launched a new app for local businesses, community groups and partners, to help make Eltham town centre safer and more welcoming.

Eltham Townwatch is an online portal for sharing instant updates and local information, which builds on the community safety work already taking place in the area. Users will include Royal Greenwich, the police and current sign ups, Nando's, JD Sports, Marks & Spencer, TK Maxx and St Mary’s Community Centre.

The app allows users to record crimes like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour and send alerts. You can include CCTV image stills and descriptions of perpetrators, allowing other users to take steps to prevent theft and anti-social behaviour. Eltham Townwatch will also include a photo gallery of offenders who have been banned from the area, and evidence can be logged on the system to support criminal prosecutions. The app offers a number of different ways to communicate, like live chat or text message, and there’s a desktop and mobile version, so you can use it on the go. 

Free 12-month licence available for the first 50 sign ups!

Eltham Townwatch costs £35.99 a year to join and we are offering a free 12-month licence for 50 local businesses, community groups or partners in Eltham town centre. This will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis, so register your interest by calling 020 8921 4329 or email community-safety@royalgreenwich.gov.uk now.

Cllr Jackie Smith, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Community Safety, said: “Eltham Townwatch is an innovative way for us to build on the community safety work we’re already doing in the area, and the app will work in partnership with the Safer Neighbourhood police team and Eltham Business Forum.

“Our town centres are unique hubs that provide a diverse offering of shopping, community services, leisure and housing. While most of us visit and use these areas with good intentions, there are some people who are shoplifting and acting anti-socially and this will not be tolerated. This app is a great example of how as a community we are working together to become more resilient and deter crime.”

Allan Cardoso, Manager at Nando's Eltham, said: "Eltham Townwatch will help us work together and make a difference in the town centre. The thing I like the most about it, is being able to share pictures and videos instantly across the town centre, and taking action against offenders."        

The app will also launch in Woolwich, Greenwich and Plumstead town centres later in the year. If you are interested in having the scheme available in your area, you can email community-safety@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.