Neighbourhood Watch – a personal reality check!
In the early part of 2010 my wife and I were able to fulfil a lifelong ambition and travel around the world for seven weeks. It inevitably meant leaving the house empty for that extended period. I followed good NW practice by informing three different village neighbours of our plans as well as our local Community Support Officer. One neighbour kindly agreed to take all our mail over that period so that it didn’t clutter up the lounge floor leaving obvious signs of non-occupancy. The other two groups were keyholders and between them visited the house on a regular basis to check heating, light-timers, plumbing, security, state of our plants, and to replenish the bird feeders from the stock in the barn.While we were away enjoying the summer of the southern hemisphere, the UK was experiencing a prolonged and severe winter. It was with great relief and much gratitude to our neighbours that we returned home with our house intact and trouble free. Such was the diligence of our ‘team’ that one of the neighbours had been ‘caught and fingered at dusk by the CSO’ while in the barn replenishing the garden bird feeders!!
It seemed so simple to involve our neighbours in our plans, and we were able to go away and return knowing that friendship and selfless community spirit had triumphed.
Seasonal Crime Trends
1. Garden Shed Security
Although we are in a low-crime area, around 1500 shed burglaries occur across the force area every year, with the spring time having a seasonal spike. Many people leave expensive equipment in poorly secured sheds and garages, which are easy pickings for the opportunist thief. If you want to increase the security around your shed ensure you have a good padlock, hasp and staple on the door and that hinges don’t have exposed screws. You might even want to consider purchasing a small shed alarm which will activate, either on the opening of the door or on detecting movement in the shed. These are reasonably cheap and found in DIY stores.You can also use plants to protect your garden entry by using thorny hedging and prickly plants that will deter burglars from entering the property and getting close to windows and drainpipes. Good external lighting can also put thieves off, who prefer not to be seen!Don’t give thieves a helping hand either. Make sure tools and other valuable items are locked away and not left lying around the garden – especially ladders. You can also property-mark your items or consider using a UV chemical solution such as Smartwater.
2. Bogus Callers
(a) Trading Standards has made us aware that a company called CMC is calling older vulnerable people to arrange lifestyle assessments. Recently CMC persuaded an elderly person to part with £2,000 for a walk-in bath which wasn’t needed and never arrived. Should you have any contact from CMC then contact the West Mercia police or your NW team.
(b) Beware of a Stockport-based home security firm trading as SAS Fire & Security! Their modus operandi is to cold-call by phone offering a free security review or a free security alarm. Any sign of willingness to listen by the householder results in an immediate high pressure visit from a salesman often intimidating elderly people into signing contracts for £10,000 for a 5-10 year contract for ‘monitoring’ the alarm system – and payable in full immediately. The alarm is installed the same day giving little time to think about it. Sadly some customers have had to resort to court action to get their money back.
3. Distraction Burglary
Be on your guard for tricksters who appear to be targeting members of the public using ATM cash points and chip and pin machines in supermarkets and shops. Three people were recently remanded in custody in relation to thefts committed in Hereford and Leominster.Offenders have been known to watch people using ATM machines and memorising the PIN number used. They then engage them in conversation, distracting them by a variety of methods (e.g. asking for directions using a map, or informing people they have dropped some money when they have not) whilst an accomplice then steals bank cards or a purse.
Interested in becoming a ‘Special Constable’?
West Mercia police has just launched a campaign to increase the number of volunteer Special Constables in the area. Special Constables carry out a variety of roles alongside regular officers to help police their local communities. They have the same powers as regular police officers, wear a similar uniform, and face the same challenges.
The role is a part-time one requiring a minimum commitment of 4 hours a week, usually evening and weekends.The police provide all the necessary training, and the uniform! In return you will get the chance to learn more about policing, meet new people, enjoy new experiences and learn new skills. If you would like more information you can telephone 01905 747174 or click on the force website:
www.westmercia.police.uk
Keith Mitchell (Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator)
