8. Conclusions

In this chapter, conclusions about neighbourhood watch in the Netherlands are presented in light of previous literature and theory. As the status of a neighbourhood increases, the mechanisms of providing information, acting as a deterrent, and limiting the opportunity to crime by educating residents, all become more plausible theories about neighbourhood watch. In contrast to high-status neighbourhoods, a watch team in a disadvantaged area is particularly successful if it can maintain an insignificant image. The diffuseness about what constitutes an ‘unsafe situation’ makes information sharing via social media or WhatsApp problematic. Particularly in high-status areas, observations that deviate from familiar neighbourhood life can be seen as a potential threat. Social media and digital surveillance techniques often exacerbate such sentiments.