Community spirit in London is reportedly “thriving” as more people are joining neighbourhood watch groups online, a new study has found.
The survey, conducted by home-insurer Together Mutual, found that more than 60 per cent of Londoners are members of neighbourhood watch groups on or offline while one in three Londoners communicates regularly with their neighbours via social media.
Researchers found that rather than making Londoners more private or insular, technology has simply afforded them a new way to communicate with their neighbours.
Neighbourhood watch groups, which have been a staple of British society since the 1980s, are increasingly being conducted via Facebook and What’s App, according to the survey.
The study found that neighbours in London reported security issues to the group chat because it’s quicker, easier to update everyone at once and because it creates a sense of community.
96 per cent of Londoners said they know at least some of their neighbours while 70 per cent said they have some of their neighbours’ telephone numbers.
Jon Craven, CEO at Together Mutual Insurance, said: “It’s very pleasing to see communities are capitalising on modern technology to alert their fellow neighbours at an instant, should they have concerns.
“It’s often the case that we are told that neighbourhood watch groups are part of a bygone era, however moving them online is a great idea and will ensure this vital community activity continues to help protect our homes.”
