History of NHW

NHW developed as a reaction to the distancing of police from the community and an understanding that police needed to work more closely in partnership with the community.

The earliest example of NHW was in Oakland, USA and was titled ‘Home Alert’.

Participants attended regular meetings, displayed window stickers, marked property, and acted as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the police. The most famous of the early NHW schemes was initiated in Seattle, USA in 1973, after a full evaluation was conducted which showed encouraging results.

Pilot examples of NHW were introduced into Australia in Victoria and Western Australia in the early 1980s and officially established for the first time in Victoria following a successful pilot in Kananook in 1983.

The first trial of NHW in Queensland was in the Isle of Capri and Sorrento areas on the Gold Coast, following concerns about rising crime rates.

NHW was officially launched in Queensland on 22 June 1988 and during that time has had a number of sponsors. These sponsors have supported NHW through the provision of funding and free insurance. For further information about NHWQ current sponsors please visit the sponsors link on the website.

NHW Queensland is an active member of NHW Australasia and will continue to contribute positively with its partners to build strong and connected communities.