HORSHAM NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Ringmaster Messages

 

NHW Information Message

Sent: 02 March 2011 14:15:16



There has been a recent increase in Anti-Social Behaviour and Vehicle Crime in Littlehaven Lane, Millthorpe Road, Oakleigh Road and Adelaide Close. The anti-social behaviour consists of eggs being thrown at houses and cars. There are also a lot of vehicles being damaged in and around this area.

At this time Police have no suspects, however we have increased our patrols in this area and currently have directed patrols to this area every evening with a view to catching the offenders.

If you have any information on any possible suspects or see any suspicious behaviour in this area please contact Police on 0845 6070 999 or in an emergency 999.

Thank you for your assistance

PCSO Claire Bonnyman 27924
Police Community Support Officer

Horsham Police Station, Neighbourhood Policing Team
Tel: 0845 60 70 999 Ext. 27924 Mobile: 07917 501716 Email: claire.bonnyman@sussex.pnn.police.uk

 

Burglary OTD's

Sent: 08 March 2011 15:46:10

Dear NHW Members,

Over the past few weeks the Horsham District has suffered a large number of Thefts from out buildings and sheds. Items such as Quad Bikes and Power tools have been stolen in most cases these are from more secluded properties. Clearly it is important to consider the security of your sheds and out buildings but it is also important to ensure that these items are left out of sight when not in use. It is also important that should you become a victim of this type of crime you are able to identify your property should it be recovered by the Police at a later date. To that end I would recommend that members log all serial numbers down along with written description of the item/s including make and model. If you have a large item such as a quad bike or ride on lawn mower then take a photo of it as well. Its also worth considering, as always, additional security where possible. Locking items together in a shed or using ground anchor for large machines will all help to prevent the items from being stolen.

If you know of any friends, family or neighbours that store the above items in outbuildings that are not part of NHW, please pass on this message to them.

kind regards,

PCSO Jeff Grant

Broadbridge Heath and Warnham.


NHW Crime Message

Sent: 08 March 2011 08:59:20

On Monday 7th March 2011 between 1145hrs and 1500hrs a dark blue 50cc moped was stolen from outside an address in Southdown Close, Horsham. Police are looking for any witnesses to this incident. If you saw or heard anything suspicious please call us on 0845 60 70 999 quoting serial reference number 1019 of 07/03/2011or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Here are some tips on how to keep your car/van safe and secure:


1. Always keep all doors locked and close all windows/sunroof every time you leave your car unattended – no matter how brief.
2. Consider fitting a metal bolt into the ground to then secure your bike with a substantial lock to it.
3. Don’t leave anything on display in your vehicle – remove items such as mobile phones, laptops, stereos, cash, cards, sat nav (remember to remove the holder and clean off any mark left on the windscreen).
4. Take all of your belongings with you when you leave the vehicle (if you can’t, lock them in the boot).
5. Consider putting security devices in place, eg; Electronic Immobilisers (which prevent the vehicle from starting), Mechanical Immobilisers (steering wheel locks), locking wheel nuts, an alarm (installed professionally to be effective)
6. Consider security marking your valuables, especially those you frequently take in your vehicle.


Kind Regards

PCSO Claire Bonnyman 27924
Police Community Support Officer

Horsham Police Station, Neighbourhood Policing Team
Tel: 0845 60 70 999 Ext. 27924 Mobile: 07917 501716 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 07917 501716

Bogus Caller - Message & Advice

Dear members,

On Monday 21st February there was a number of reports of cold callers in Warnham. The reports were as follows:

5.30am - Gardeners Close ( Door Bell Activated - no one seen )

11am - St Margarets Court (two males attended address, gained access by saying " Hi, mum " to the tenant. Spoke with tenant and stated were selling goods as going into the army)

3.10pm - Bell Road (male attended address selling dusters and cloths stating he was from Maidstone and was a former young offender on a rehabilition program). This has been confirmed as correct. A minibus from Maidstone had dropped a number of young males off in the area selling dusters etc as part of a rehabilition of young offenders program.

With this in mind I would like to offer guidance to all members within NHW with regards to cold / bogus callers. Please pass this information on to your members and if you have any other elderly or vulnerable persons within your scheme area, please let them know. Historically, Warnham has been targeted by offenders who cold call so its important that we get this message across to as many people as possible.

ADVICE

Bogus callers', 'doorstep crime' or 'distraction burglary is a crime that a lot of people fear. Follow our advice so that you can spot the signs of whether or not an unexpected caller to your home is genuine.

Top tips for deterring distraction burglars

  1. Check ID Properly – check the phone number matches the number in the yellow pages, phone Directory Enquiries or keep a list of useful numbers such as electricity and gas companies near your front door. Don't feel embarrassed leaving them on the doorstep – genuine employees expect their ID to be checked.
  2. Sign up to the Priority Services Register with your utility providers. This will give you a unique password, among other things, that only you and they know – so you can be sure people at the door are who they say they are.
  3. Keep your garden preened and the front of your house looking neat – bogus callers are more likely to target houses which look unkempt as they think you're less likely to care.
  4. Make sure you use your door chain when answering the door and keep it on until you've seen official identification – if you don't already have a door chain contact your local Neighbourhood Police team and they will put you in contact with agencies who can help you.
  5. Make sure your back door is locked if you go to answer your front door – thieves can work in pairs with one distracting you while the other slips in the back.
  6. Don't keep large amounts of money in your home. If in doubt, keep them out.
  7. Only let them in when you have double checked that they are a genuine caller.
  8. If you think you have been targeted by a distraction burglary tell a friend, neighbour, caretaker, Neighbourhood Watch representative and the police.

Remember:

  • Most people who come to your door will be genuine callers, but it's always best to make sure.
  • Fit a door chain or spy hole to help you check who the caller is.
  • If you were not expecting someone to call, a genuine caller will not mind waiting outside while you contact their company. Find the number in the phone book or on your latest phone bill. Most companies have a password scheme.
  • Genuine delivery personnel usually have uniforms and liveried vehicles and should not need to come into your home. Charity collectors will have identification and will not be offended if you ask to see it.
  • If you become uncomfortable after you have let someone into your home, even if it's someone you know, make excuses and leave. Go to a neighbour's house or ask a friend to come back home with you.

Did you know...?

In 4% of burglaries, thieves used a false pretence to gain entry to a property

Follow the ‘Lock, Stop, Chain and Check' procedure:

  • Lock – Keep your front and back doors locked, even when at home
  • Stop – Are you expecting anyone?
  • Chain – If you decide to open the door, put the door chain on first
  • Check – Ask for the caller's ID and check it by phone

For more information:

Home Office Distraction Burglary mini-site

possible bogus callers




Sent: 15 February 2011 14:46:26



On 14/02/2011 two males aged about 18 years went to a house in Barrington Road Horsham, they were carrying ladders and said to the occupant they were there to clean her windows as she rents her property she assumed they had been sent by the landlord, subsequently however this was found not to be the case.

They made an attempt at cleaning the windows and then asked for £8.00 and were told to contact the landlord they then left.

This was viewed with suspicion if you know of anyone else who has been approached in this manner or see them around please call in on 0845 6070999 and quote reference number 20110214-0818

Regards

Sue Poynter

PCSO 19026

THeft of M/V Hardy Close
12:53

Sent: 11 January 2011 12:53:19


Dear NHW Members,

On Sunday 9th January 2011 a resident in Hardy Close, Horsham was showing a male around his vehicle which he was selling. Whilst the resident was talking to this male he grabbed the residents keys from him, jumped in the vehicle, locked the door and drove the vehicle off at speed along Trafalgar Road in the direction of Warnham Road. The male was described as asian in appearance and was approximately 5ft 6 tall with a slim build. He was aged in his twenties and was wearing dark clothing.

It is believed that this male may have been dropped off by some one driving a BMW that may or may not have waited in the area near by. Unfortunately we have no further information regarding this particular vehicle.

Please bear this incident in mind and if you have any information that may support our investigation please contact Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999 and quote serial SXP - 20110109 - 1094

PCSO Jeff

 

Garden Security

 
Sent: 25 February 2011 16:41:32

Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin 25/02/2011  Have you thought about the security of your garden, garage and shed? The value of the property stored in them is often much more than people imagine. Lawn mowers, power tools, plants, ornaments, sports equipment, cycles, toys and vehicles are among those items most often taken by thieves. Now that spring is drawing near it is the time of year when gardens, sheds and garages are targeted.

We have already this year had flower urns and a statue stolen in 2 incidents of theft in the Rudgwick area. Most burglars are lazy and are looking for easy ways to get in to a house or garden. By following some simple and effective crime prevention advice you can make your property more secure and less vulnerable to thieves.   Ensure that all tools and equipment are securely locked (not a poor quality padlock and hasp which most sheds are fitted with which can be prised off in seconds but a heavy duty hasp securely fitted from the inside of the shed) away when not in use. The likes of spades, screwdriver’s and chisel’s are the ideal items for breaking into your house.  Linking garden machinery with a chain and padlock will reduce the chances of theft.   Most doors open outwards, exposing hinges which can then be removed to gain access. To prevent this use strap hinges secured by coach bolts which are smooth headed and cannot be undone with a screwdriver of spanner.   Make sure gateposts and door frames are robust and not in need of repair to increase the effectiveness of a strong padlock. Make sure all windows have locks fitted to them and never leave your car unlocked inside your garage.     A gravel path is a good crime prevention alternative to paving slabs or paviers. If the gravel is laid fairly thickly it will crunch underfoot and act as a deterrent to the thief.   Mark your property with your postcode. This makes stolen property easier to trace and it can be positively identified as yours. Make the markings big and bold, this will make it more difficult for the property to be sold on. Garden furniture and DIY equipment should be marked by engraving or painting. Mark it with your postcode followed by your house number or the first 3 letters of your house name.   Security lighting which is activated by movement offers a great deterrent to burglars as well as offering comfort for the owner. It should be fitted on the front and rear of the house to illuminate the garden area. There are now available security lights which have a hidden camera in them and record persons setting of the light. It records on an SD card and you do not have to attend to it unless you want to check it after some incident when you can remove the SD card and view it with a computer.   One of the best ways of keeping intruders out of your garden is to use natures own defence mechanisms. A barrier of prickly hedge may be all the protection you need around your property. Such plants as Blackthorn,  Berberis or Pyracantha can be used on boundaries. These must be kept to a minimum height to prevent concealment of an intruder and to give you better surveillance.   One very valuable item in your garden if you are a user of oil central heating is your oil tank which as you will know can hold many hundreds of pounds of your oil. These tanks are increasingly being targeted and so spending money now may save you more in the long run. There are various devices which you can fit and  these can be viewed on the internet.   Any advice in relation to security can be obtained free of charge from the local Crime Prevention Officer on 08456070999.   Sylfan Hammond PCSO 13680 Sylfan.hammond@sussex.pnn.police.uk    

 

Census Fact Sheet for all Schemes

Sent: 25 February 2011 14:09:23
 

Dear NHW Members,

Please see the attached fact sheet regarding the Census which is due to start shortly.

Kind regards,

PCSO Jeff Grant

on behalf of the Horsham Neighbour hood Policing TeamThe 2011

Census: what it means for your community
In March and April, 35,000 census field staff will be taking to the streets to offer assistance to, and collect questionnaires from, residential households and communal establishments in your community. They will be working for the Office for National Statistics which runs the 2011 Census in England and Wales. This fact sheet is to help you understand which census teams will be working when.
Background information
We, the Office for National Statistics, are sending a census questionnaire to every household to arrive in mid-March. Householders can complete online or return their paper questionnaire via prepaid post. We have an address register which lists all households. When we get a completed questionnaire back, we tick the household off the list. That way, come 6 April when our census collectors start visiting households who haven’t returned their questionnaire promptly, we make sure we are only going to non-responders. Completing a census questionnaire is compulsory, the few who refuse may be prosecuted and face a fine of up to £1,000, but this is a last resort.
The census field operation runs from March to August
Census day is on Sunday 27 March 2011, although people can complete their questionnaires before, on or after that date. We have the majority of our field staff out and about from mid-March until mid-August; you can request details from your area manager about what’s happening locally (see contacts).
Identifying census field staff
Census field staff will always carry their photo ID, bearing the 2011 Census and ONS logos, and they should automatically show it to residents. Our staff will do everything they can to reassure people and will not try to prevent anyone from checking their identity.
When they visit an address, collectors will introduce themselves, show a census ID card, and explain they are from the census. Their primary aim is to take a completed census questionnaire away with them. They may also ask for the name of the person they are speaking to, whether that person is usually resident there and for the number of usual residents.
Collectors should never enter the household unless they are asked to do so. Collectors may need to make several visits to the same address to make sure a questionnaire is returned.
Collecting from residential households (21 March – 6 May)
Collectors will be working at different times of the day and evening, seven days a week. Most of the collectors start on 6 April, but we also have some early collectors who will be visiting communities where extra assistance may be required in advance, such as translated guidance. The majority of collectors will be working by themselves.
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Collecting from communal establishments (7 March – 16 April)
Communal establishments, such as care homes, hotels, halls of residence, boarding schools and hotels, will have their questionnaires hand delivered, as will Gypsy and Traveller sites, caravan parks and marinas. A special enumerator will work with the manager of the establishment and agree a date and time to pick-up the completed questionnaires. The special enumerator will enter the premises to speak to the manager, but will not necessarily speak to the residents (unless specific help is needed). The majority of special enumerators will be working by themselves.
Checking the extent of the census’s reach (9 May – 2 June)
Census Coverage Survey staff will be visiting about 300,000 addresses to conduct a brief doorstep interview. The households will be aware in advance that they will be contacted. Again, coverage survey staff will not enter the property unless invited to by the resident. The staff will be working in pairs and independently.
Checking the quality of the census statistics (23 May – 19 August)
Census Quality Survey staff will be making pre-arranged visits to over 7,000 households and will enter premises as arranged with the householder. The majority of survey staff will be working by themselves.
Contacting those who refuse to complete their questionnaire (26 April - 12 August)
Census officers will visit households who have refused to complete their questionnaire and encourage them to do so, prior to the onset of an investigation phase. Census officers will work in teams of two, and will conduct interviews on the doorstep.
Completion events
Local authorities, national organisations and community groups across England and Wales have volunteered to host census completion events, to offer assistance and support to people completing their questionnaires. Some of these events are being run with ONS support, some are taking place independently. Details are available from area managers (see contacts).
2011 Census purple bus (21 February – 4 March and 17 March – 4 April)
The purple bus will be visiting cities to offer assistance with completing questionnaires – stationed in a high footfall public area. It will be manned by census field staff and will be widely publicised. There is likely to be a high level of press interest, but not increased numbers of people in any given area. Police forces and other relevant parties will be contacted by a census team if it impacts on them.
What’s happening locally
Area managers have already contacted many local police forces, and neighbourhood watch groups. Census coordinators may also make contact, if they haven’t already, during February and March. They may ask for information about health and safety issues in particular areas. They will also provide a list of the names of collectors and special enumerators who will be working in local communities, and car registrations if applicable, to the police.
They will not be able to provide information on who will be working in a particular street or neighbourhood.
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Spreading the word
If you choose to talk about the census as part of any community safety campaigns for vulnerable persons, please bear in mind these key points:
• residents who return their completed questionnaires promptly (before 6 April) will not be contacted by the census field staff
• all census staff will carry an ID card with a photo, logo and hologram. They may ask for name and number of residents, but they will not ask for specific details (like credit card details, bank accounts etc)
• residents will not be asked to leave their questionnaire on the doorstep for collection
• residents can request a pre-arranged appointment with a collector, via the census helpline number (on the front of their questionnaire)
• close the door if unsure. Phone the census helpline England: 0300 0201 101, Wales: 0300 0201 130 or check online for more info: www.census.gov.uk
What is the census?
The census is the one source of statistics that looks at everybody in England and Wales. The census has collected information about the population every ten years since 1801 (except in 1941). Everyone is asked the same questions about one day – 27 March – in order to take a snapshot of the population at one moment in time. The census tells us how many people live where and the types of people they are (young, old, married, single): their characteristics. This means decisions, like working out who needs facilities in the future, are focused on accurate, relevant details.
Census statistics are used by government, local authorities, health providers, commercial businesses and other users to develop their policies and plan services effectively. This includes water pipes into and out of houses, car parking spaces at supermarkets, location of bank branches, and allocation of funding from central government for facilities and services like school places, healthcare and transport.
Contacts
Find out more about the 2011 Census and the other surveys at www.census.gov.uk
To find out your area manager’s contact details, email SMC.Team@ons.gsi.gov.uk.

 

Found Cycle and suspicious vehicle

Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin 10/01/2011

A folding cycle has been found at Rudgwick ,it is black and has shiny silver bare metal. If you are the owner of such a cycle can you please check that it has not been stolen. Any information please contact Sussex Police on 08456070999 and quote ref. 234 07/01/2011.

  Another vehicle and occupants  acting suspiciously – White Ford Transit X424JND.

If you see this vehicle please contact Sussex Police  on 08456070999.     Sylfan Hammond PCSO 13680 Sylfan.hammond@sussex.pnn.police.uk