I would like to suggest a virtual 'neighbourhood watch' section on the Sheffield Forum.

This would be a specific area where all the threads warning of potential criminal activity could be gathered in one place, this would hopefully achieve the following:

1. To speed up the dissemination of information of any criminal activity (ie: Bogus callers) to warn SF users to be on their guard.

For example: if someone has their car stolen a 'sticky' could contain a current list of all stolen vehicle number plates that SF users could print off and act as an extra pair of eyes - maybe the police would come on board & supply this information as well as the victims.

Cars would be removed after 7 days or when the owner either informs they have been found, the owner could renew their appeal at the end of seven days if it remains stolen.

2. To provide SF users with information regarding home security products to deter vandalism & burglary plus information about support / community groups to improve the environment.

3. Collate reports in the press about LOCAL criminal activity, including court reports, to warn SF users of specific criminals (like this guy (http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Rogue-trader-a-risk-to.4598476.jp)) and to deter future criminal activity.

All the above already happens on SF, but the information is difficult to find and may be scattered haphazardly across several threads, if it was organised into one easy to navigate area I'm sure it would be a real asset to Sheffield Forum users.

Your thoughts, comments & suggestions on this subject are welcomed.

I think this is an excellent idea!

Well said Mantaspook i'm all for it.

Sounds like a good idea !

An excellent idea!

Top idea, deffo gets a thumbs up from me.

Would be a nightmare for the Mods IMO, too many numpties on here who would post false information to boost their post count IMO.

And no, I wouldn't.

Would be a nightmare for the Mods IMO, too many numpties on here who would post false information to boost their post count IMO.

And no, I wouldn't.

Why would anyone want to 'boost their post count'?

I think it's a great idea. There's a lot of scammers out there.

well it would certainly provide a home for all the helicopter threads ;)

another vote here

I've just had a look at the first page on Sheffield discussions, seven out of fifty threads are crime related - listed below. Eight if you include the current Helicopter thread (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=458754) :)

If the threads were all grouped in the same place & had more informative thread titles then I'm sure a virtual neighbourhood watch section would be very useful.

Note:Extra details in brackets added by me.

Three lads trying to break in. (Occupation Lane area S12) (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=459412) - 18-2-09

Car stolen.(Arnold Avenue -S12) (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=459561) -18-2-09

Vandals in Eckington.(Highwood park area) (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=458882) - 16-2-09

Punched outside Tesco (Infirmary Road) (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=459062) - 16-2-09

Handbag stolen in Hillsbrough (Bastock Road area) (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=459527) - 18-2-09

Break in - Woodhouse Nursing home (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=459421) - 18-2-09

VW Camper stolen from Queens Road. (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=457550) - 11-2-09

And one from the lost & found beta section:

"lost car" (Stolen: red Mini -Reg: KC03 HDL) (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/classifieds/showproduct.php/product/869/cat/10)

I suggested this over a year ago but it didn't seem so popular then http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=229065

superb idea-it gets my vote:thumbsup:

:thumbsup:me too

You could call it "Curtain Twitching Busy Bodies"

It's a big NO from me, thanks.

You could call it "Curtain Twitching Busy Bodies"

It's a big NO from me, thanks.

I agree. Definitely a bad idea.

Would be a nightmare for the Mods IMO, too many numpties on here who would post false information to boost their post count IMO.

And no, I wouldn't.

To be fair, you are the only reason the mods are so bloody busy, they really should make you a mod for a day so you can see how much completely unnecessary work you cause them. Do you honestly think people will start posting random info to boost their post count?

I can't see any major problems with the idea other than a bit of slander here and there. It might keep a few of the more annoying posters occupied as well!

;)

I'm in favour too. We've all seen how SF leads the way in disseminating news.
Mantaspook has already mentioned all the good reasons, and the reference to curtain twitching by some posters is a bit silly. Curtain twitchers are the ones who notice things a lot of us are too busy to see.

try it out, theres nowt to lose

This is actually a really good idea. It will emphasis the community aspect of the site, and will be a valuable service too. Thumbs up.

of course if sheffield discussions wasn't full of all kinds of random nonsense that wouldn't have been posted in the past, or would have been promptly removed...

is there an update on this yet? it's a good idea given the current 'structure' of the forum

great idea,,,,,,,,,with you all the way

Would be a nightmare for the Mods IMO, too many numpties on here who would post false information to boost their post count IMO.
If people are that sad could they not just do that now anyway? :loopy:

Very good idea. :thumbsup:

Brilliant idea. I'm all for it.

Decent way to boost my post count.

yeahh i think the same tbh

I suggested something similar donkey's years ago, but nobody seemed interested. I think I called for the idea of postal area sections so we could check - and post - primarily on our own areas.

Great idea!