May Crime Report

May Crime IncidentsEssex Police - Protecting & Serving Essex - February Crime report

May saw just one crime incident, with a burglary, after an also quiet April.

Burglary in Garthwood Close

At some time between 12:15 pm and 12:45 pm am on the 9th May unknown suspects forced a ground floor rear window open and proceeded to make a messy search of two bedrooms removing some jewellery.

Information Releases

Just two have come through this month, the first on how to become an illusionist to protect your home from burglary and the other on your rights with doorstep salesmen.

Be an illusionist

Most burglars are opportunists, they leave home with the intention of committing the crime but their target has yet to be identified. Take away that first attraction and you do not become that target.

First attraction: – open or insecure gates or ready access to the rear of the property, overgrown shrubs concealing the front door, insecure properties, lack of obvious security like good locks and an intruder alarm.

Become an illusionist, make your home appear occupied even when you are out, a burglar is more than likely to only see your home in one moment in time.  Simple things like lights on timers and “Fake TV” for the evenings.  During the day leave a radio on, boots outside the back door, vacuum cleaner out with the lead going out of sight, newspaper over the arm of the chair with a drink on the table, the list goes on.  Don’t leave garden tools out in the garden though or you may find the burglar uses them, lock them securely away in a secure shed (use a shed alarm too).

Find out more on the Essex Police ‘Be Safe’ website pages.

A Quick Guide: your rights when buying on the doorstep or in the home

Doorstep selling is when a salesperson sells you goods or services in your home or on your doorstep.  This Quick Guide explains people’s rights when they agree to spend more than £35 with a trader in their home or on their doorstep.  These rights apply even if you invite someone into your home.

Sometimes salespeople apply pressure selling which is illegal.

Written cancellation notice

By law the trader must give you a written cancellation notice at the time you buy, telling you about your right to cancel (even if there is no written contract).  If you don’t get a cancellation notice, there’s no binding contract between you and the trader and you don’t have to go through with the sale.

Seven day cooling off period

You usually have a cooling-off period of seven days to change your mind and cancel.  The cooling-off period starts on the day you get the cancellation notice. If you cancel within the seven days you won’t owe anything and you should get back any money you have already paid (including a deposit).

Deciding to cancel

If you do decide to cancel the contract you must let the trader know in writing within seven days of receiving the cancellation notice. When cancelling, keep a copy of your letter or email as proof of cancellation.  If you send your letter by post, get proof of postage as well.  If you receive goods during the cooling-off period and you didn’t agree to this in writing, you don’t have to pay anything if you cancel.  Keep the goods safe and ask the trader to collect them. The trader should not insist that you pay any money.

Starting work or delivering goods within the cooling-off period

If you are buying services or certain types of goods (e.g. customised goods) you can agree in writing for work to start or goods to be delivered during the cooling-off period. If you have agreed this in writing then you can still cancel within seven days, but you may have to pay the trader something (usually a reasonable amount).

For further information, visit www.adviceguide.org.uk or call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0845 04 05 06

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