Shanganagh Castle Neighbourhood Watch

Working together with An Garda Síochána to keep our community safe.

Today, representatives from our community (Thank you, Lisa) met with Shankill Garda advice to discuss safety, prevention and awareness within the Shanganagh Castle Estate.

The Gardaí have been extremely supportive of the idea of establishing a Neighbourhood Watch approach — where residents stay informed, look out for one another, and report concerns quickly.

Below are the key points and advice shared by the Gardaí following the meeting.

Key Garda Safety Advice

• CCTV Monitoring
  The Gardaí are actively following up regarding CCTV in the area and updates are expected soon.
• Vehicle Theft Awareness
  Japanese cars are currently the main targets for theft. Gardaí are actively monitoring activity relating to this.
• Use Wheel Locks
  Residents are strongly encouraged to use steering wheel locks and to avoid leaving valuables visible inside vehicles.
• Parking in Castle Farm
  Please do not block driveways or park illegally.
  Vehicles parked illegally may be towed.
  The road is narrow, so please remain mindful of neighbours and emergency service access.
• Cemetery Parking Warning
  Parking at the cemetery nearby is considered high risk. There have been incidents of car windows being smashed in that area.
• Building Security
  Please be careful about who you allow into apartment buildings.
  Avoid letting in anyone you do not know or cannot verify.
• Package Safety
  There have been cases of packages being opened or stolen.
  If you have a delivery planned and will not be home, consider asking a neighbour to keep an eye out for it.
• Anti-Social Behaviour
  Currently this is not a major concern, but incidents may increase during holidays or busy periods.
  If behaviour becomes problematic, residents are encouraged to contact the Garda station.

Regular Garda Community Meetings

A positive outcome of the meeting was an agreement that Gardaí will hold a community safety meeting every two months.

These meetings will allow residents to:

• Raise safety concerns
• Discuss crime trends
• Receive Garda advice
• Strengthen community awareness

If required, meetings may be held more frequently depending on circumstances.

Neighbourhood Watch – What It Means

Neighbourhood Watch is not about surveillance or confrontation.
It is about community awareness and communication.

The simple principles are:

• Look out for neighbours
• Report suspicious activity
• Secure homes and vehicles
• Stay informed through community channels

When residents and Gardaí work together, crime prevention becomes much more effective.

Important Reminder

If you see suspicious activity or believe a crime may be occurring, please contact An Garda Síochána.

• Emergency: 999 or 112
• Local Garda Station: Shankill Garda Station – Their Website information.

Together we can keep Shanganagh Castle a safe and welcoming community for everyone.

Additional reading on the Garda Website