Horsham Neighbourhood Watch Information Bulletin |
There are plans afoot to upgrade this NHW web site, and the current thinking is that we will build a completely new database driven web site covering initially the whole of North Sussex but with sub-domains for each town (e.g. Crawley, Horsham etc) that wants one. This means that there will be one set of administration to handle all centralised and “common to all” items (e.g. what NHW is all about, information on crime prevention and scams, etc), and then each town that wished to be involved will have a localised version but with a common “look and feel”. The local one will add information specific to the area but without having to duplicate the contents of the central site. By using new technology we believe that the end result will offer several advantages over what we have at present.
Basically, we need to identify and record on paper the fundamentals as outlined below, so that whatever solution we come up with effectively and efficiently responds to those fundamentals. If we get this wrong then we run the risk of solving the wrong problem! We would like to receive as much feedback as possible by 10th August 2008. We do not need a lengthy thesis – a series of bullet points will do fine. However, if anybody wishes to go into more depth then their contribution will be greatly appreciated.
I know that everybody is very busy at this time of year but all contributions will be gratefully received!
What does the public want from a NHW web site?
Who is our target audience?
How useful do you find the NHW website.?
How often do you visit this site.?
How can we do better, ?
If you have any comments to make we would be very pleased to hear from you , send your e-mails to nw@nhwhorsham.org.uk
Dear Neighbourhood Watch
I' m delighted that Neighbourhood Watch and Sussex Crimestoppers are to be working closer during Not in My Neighbourhood Week from 2 nd Nov to 6 thNov. This week will focus on local communities and provides the perfect opportunity for us to work together in partnership to fight crime and keep our neighbourhoods safe. Crimestoppers is not the police, nor are we connected to Crimewatch on television. We're an independent charity that operates the 24/7 telephone number 0800 555 111 which people can ring to pass on information about crimes anonymously, or they can use www.crimestoppers-uk.org . We then forward this anonymous information to the police. Not everyone is comfortable contacting the police directly as they may fear reprisals or retribution but Crimestoppers guarantees their anonymity. We don' t ask the caller' s name, calls are never recorded or traced and no-one will ever have to go to court. If the information we are given leads to an arrest and charge, the caller could get a cash reward of up to £1,000, paid in such a way as to protect their identity. It' s important to know that Crimestoppers is not an emergency number though; if a crime is occurring, the police number 999 is always the number to use. Sussex Crimestoppers is working better than ever and in the second quarter of this year we have seen a 65% increase in receipt of information that has helped to solve crime. So far this year we have forwarded almost 1,000 such pieces of information to Sussex Police, some of which may have been the vital clue that solved a crime We are proud of our relationship with Neighbourhood Watch and believe there are many ways that we can enhance each others work. Your input is invaluable in helping Sussex Crimestoppers reach out to as many people as possible to help to keep our neighbourhoods safe and free from crime and aid in bringing offenders to justice in Sussex. I would like to thank you for all you re doing to promote our charity by circulating our Batman cards which focus on the anonymity of the caller. Please support this initiative and do all you can to promote the Not in My Neighbourhood campaign. I look forward to working with you.
Yours sincerely
Carolyn Collard
Chair,
Sussex Crimestoppers
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I thought I would send out a monthly Neighbourhood watch message from Police Headquarters to keep you all informed and ask that you pass on the details to those who do not have the internet.
The Police across the county were involved in the national campaign of Not in my Neighbourhood week between the 2-6 November.
A whole range of local initiatives were undertaken from street meetings to crime patrols and I would like to thank all those Neighbourhood Watch members who got involved.
The darker nights are now with us as the clocks have changed and I would ask all neighbourhood watch members to remind the public to leave a light on within their premises if they go out in the evening.
Drawing the curtains and leaving a light on gives the impression that someone is at home and helps prevent burglary. This is a simple precaution.
It is true to say that burglary has reduced considerably in the last few years and that Sussex is one of the safest places in the country. Having said that one burglary is too many for us.
As we approach Christmas many of you will be going out buying presents. Can you also remind your members to make sure these presents are not left on display in vehicles in our town centres. This gives the opportunist thief the incentive to break into vehicles. Everything should be locked out of sight in the boot. The best advice is not to leave anything valuable in your car. Keep it locked up in your house. Remove any sat nav gadgets and hide them within your vehicle. I still see people leaving cars with the sat nav stuck on the windscreen.
If you require any crime prevention advice please contact your local officers who will be happy to assist. Your local Neighbourhood teams are there to assist. Do not hesitate to contact them.
Best wishes
Dick Coates
Chief Inspector, Head of Neighbourhood Policing Branch Richard.coates@sussex.pnn.police.uk
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Nhw message from Crime Prevention Officer Susan.Poynter@sussex.pnn.police.uk
| There
have been a number of calls regarding cold calling by
telephone to sell burglar alarms so far this week. AUDIBLE ONLY ALARMS (Type B systems) These operate a bell or siren fitted to the outside of the premises and relies on neighbours to report the alarm to the Police.\par \par To obtain police response to an audible alarm system it is essential that persons reporting the alarm are able to provide information as to location of the premises and any circumstances, other than the alarm activation, that lead to suspicion. We do not intend members of the public to confront offenders. Our experience is that in excess of 95% of such alarms are false and therefore where no additional suspicious circumstances are present, police attendance is unlikely. The audible sounder must automatically cut out after a maximum of 20 minutes to avoid annoyance to neighbours and possible prosecution under the Control of Pollution Act. "Do it Yourself" Alarms DIY alarms are available, but please remember that an element of skill is required to complete a satisfactory installation that does not cause false calls or fails to activate in the event of a burglary. Such systems are not eligible for remote signalling to the police and may not be acceptable to your insurance company if the installation of an alarm is a requirement of your policy. Auto Diallers - Some systems operate by automatically dialling another location, e.g. keyholder. Under no circumstances should such installations be programmed to dial Sussex Police. KEYHOLDERS Sussex Police no longer maintain keyholder records for premises. An alternative service is provided by Peace for a Pound who are contactable either by telephone 0906 214 0400 (premium rate) or via their Website www.peaceforapound.com The occupiers of all premises fitted with intruder alarms are recommended to have at least two persons who can act as keyholders. Keyholders should be trained to operate the alarm, have a separate telephone number from the alarmed premises, have adequate means of transport to attend the premises at all hours and have access to all relevant parts of the premises. CONSUMER QUESTIONS When considering an alarm installing company you should seek answers to the following questions: - (a) Before disclosing personal security details, have I checked the address and credentials of the company and seen proof of identity from the representative? (b) Is the company subject of an independent inspection process and if so which organisation? (c) Is the installation of an alarm a requirement of my insurance company and if so, is the company acceptable to my insurer? (d) Can the company representative provide me with a list of police rules for occupiers of premises with alarms and written confirmation that the alarm and the company are currently acceptable to the local police for the transmission of alarm messages from new installations. (e) Have I sought written quotations from at least two alarm installers? (f) Does the quotation: - (i) Specify that the installation will be to BS EN 50131-1, BS 4737 or BS 7042 (high security systems) or, if it is a wire free alarm, BS 6799, or BS 8418 for a detector activated CCTV system. (ii) Include the terms of maintenance and monitoring contracts? (g) Does the company operate a 24-hour call-out service and emergency attendance within 4 hours? Introduction to the ACPO Security Systems Policy 2004 To provide clarification, here is a summary of the ACPO Security Systems Policy 2004. Should you require further information please contact our Alarms Administration Department on 01273 404243. Or visit the ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) website at http://www.acpo.police.uk The ACPO Security Systems Policy 2004 was introduced by Sussex Police in April 2004. It will apply to the vast majority of businesses and many private premises who utilise electronic security systems. The policy has been generated by ACPO, and it lays down parameters to govern security systems that desire a police response to electronic calls for help. The policy covers police regions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The ACPO Security Systems Policy 2004 is designed to reduce false calls, thereby enhancing the credibility of alarms which are passed to the police. New technology has the ability to do this. The reality is that these changes could well have an impact on your security. The Policy defines the systems as either Type A Systems or Type B Systems: - Type A Remote Signalling Systems Type B Other types of Security Systems Police attendance to the above systems is classified into three levels: Level 1 Response- Immediate/ Urgent. It should be noted that police response is ultimately determined by the nature of demand, priorities and resources which exist at the time a request for police response is received. Level 2 Response Routine. Police response is desirable but attendance may be delayed, e.g. due to resource availability.\par \par \b Level 3 Response Withdrawn. No automatic police response. Key holder response only. A key holder or member or the public will need to attend the premises to confirm a crime has been or is being committed. Systems that include a Personal Attack (PA) facility should be able to send a signal that differentiates between PA and Intruder activations. If they do not, a reduction in police response will include all elements of the system. PA units should only be used where an individual is at risk from attack. They should not be used to summon the police for other incidents. Type B security systems only qualify for Level 3 response. All new security system installations will qualify to receive a URN if they are capable of generating confirmed activations. A confirmed alarm uses a second activation to confirm that the initial alarm activation is genuine. Police Acceptance Sussex Police accept installation of remote signalling alarms from alarm companies who are on their Policy Compliant List. The list of policy compliant companies is for police administration purposes only. Members of the public seeking information on signalling alarm installation companies are advised to contact the following organisations that publish a list of their members: (a) NSI (National Security Inspectorate ) Sentinel House 5 Reform Road MAIDENHEAD Berkshire SL6 8BY Tel: 0845 006 3003 Email : nsi@nsi.org.uk Web: www.nsi.org.uk Previously NACOSS \ National Approval Council for Security Systems (b) SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board) Suite 3 131 Bedford Street North Shields Tyne & Wear NE29 6LA Tel: 0191 296 3242 Email: ssaib@ssaib.co.uk Web: www.ssaib.co.uk |
Sussex Police are
investigating a number of mainly overnight burglaries where homes
have been broken into so that keys to the homeowner' s cars can
be taken and the vehicle stolen.
The purpose of these burglaries is to ultimately steal the car.
Simple things can be done to prevent a home and vehicle being targeted, such as :
If you have a garage place your vehicle in it overnight. Make sure the garage is locked.
Take the car keys and other small valuable items i.e. handbags, phones upstairs at night
.Don't leave the car keys in an obvious place
Set any house alarm.
Consider fitting a tracker to your car. Some second hand cars still have them fitted already. See if yours has.
Use security lights outside the house.
Don' t leave important documents or valuables in any car.
Most burglars are lazy and will move on if it looks too difficult for them.
DON' T MAKE IT EASY FOR THEM!!!
Operation PENRITH is the investigation into this type of crime. Please call Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999 or crime stoppers if you have any information or need further advice.