My First In-Person Experience at the Neighbourhood Watch Quarterly Committee Meeting | Cyberhood Watch Ambassador

On Tuesday, 25th February, I was invited by the President of Neighbourhood Watch Bexleyheath to attend their quarterly committee meeting. As a Cyberhood Watch Ambassador Ambassador, this was an opportunity to learn more about community safety and cybersecurity awareness. The invitation was an opportunity to understand more about what they do, the issues they’re addressing, and how their work could benefit my role as a Cyberhood Watch Ambassador Ambassador. It was also my first time visiting a police station, and I was pleasantly surprised by how welcoming and friendly the staff were—almost as if they were all community police officers. It was refreshing to see the approachable, community-focused side of the police force.

A Warm Welcome at the Police Station

As I entered the meeting room, I was struck by the commitment of the attendees. Most were senior citizens aged between 60 and 70, but their energy and determination to contribute to the community were inspiring. We sat around an oval table, and each person introduced themselves, sharing their roles and how long they’ve been part of the Neighbourhood Watch. I was amazed to learn that many had been volunteering for 10-15 years, with some even surpassing 20 years of service.

I was genuinely surprised by the structured setup they had in place. It wasn't just a group of random volunteers improvising as they went along; there was a well-organised system in place. They had a treasurer, a person responsible for putting up signs across the borough, and another who managed the website and newsletter. It was impressive to see such a dedicated team working cohesively to enhance community safety.

Shocking Truths About Cybersecurity

When the conversation shifted towards modernising the Neighbourhood Watch signs, including redesigns with website addresses and QR codes, I was asked for my opinion on whether these updates would be effective. It was clear that the concept of Cyberhood Watch Ambassador was entirely new to them. I had assumed they would be quite cyber-savvy, but to my surprise, they were genuinely shocked when I shared a few scenarios on how people's credit card details get stolen and used online. They were even more surprised when I explained how data breaches on the black market and dark web make it so easy for hackers to exploit this information. It was eye-opening for them and enlightening for me to see just how much I could contribute in this space.

Turning Fear into Opportunity: AI in Cybersecurity and the Future

The conversation naturally flowed into a discussion about AI in Cybersecurity and its rapid evolution. We talked about how hackers are leveraging AI in Cybersecurity and how challenging it can be for the elderly to differentiate between phishing emails, text messages, and even deepfake audio or videos. A few people seemed genuinely worried, but I reassured them by emphasising the importance of staying informed rather than being fearful.

I also highlighted how AI in Cybersecurity could be used positively to enhance how the Neighbourhood Watch operates. For instance, we could introduce a chatbot on their website to automate routine inquiries, re-record voices for the helpline, and generally streamline a lot of manual processes. The President seemed particularly interested and even shared how AI in Cybersecurity could benefit his own self-employed coaching business.

An Invitation to Volunteer

Towards the end of the meeting, the President asked if I’d be interested in volunteering at an upcoming event at Bexleyheath Shopping Centre, where Nick from the BBC—a well-known reporter on cybercrime—would be present. The idea was for me to help raise awareness about cybercrime, possibly by handing out leaflets and having conversations about cybersecurity.

Although I was initially hesitant about taking time off work, I later found out that my job considers this type of activity as volunteering, making it much easier for me to attend. It feels like a great opportunity to make meaningful connections and gain more experience, so I’m seriously considering it.

A Positive Community Experience

The meeting lasted about an hour and a half, but I left feeling surprisingly uplifted. It was inspiring to see a room full of people committed to improving their neighbourhood and contributing their time and skills for the greater good. I even helped troubleshoot some newsletter delivery issues, which might be related to the domain or marketing platform they’re using. The website administrator shared his email address and encouraged me to contribute cybersecurity tips and advice, which I hope to do when I find the time.

Overall, it was an incredibly positive experience and felt much more engaging than the Cyberhood meeting I attended earlier that week. I was even invited to attend an advisory board meeting next Wednesday. I’m still deciding whether to go, but it seems like a good opportunity to learn more about how everything operates behind the scenes.

Would you attend a community safety meeting like this? Have you ever considered becoming a Cyberhood Watch Ambassador? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

• Andy