Essex Police, in collaboration with DogLost, are running a campaign to help reunite dogs with their owners however, preventing their loss in the first place is a better outcome all around and so they also offer the following advice:
Don’t tie your dog up outside a shop.
Don’t leave your dog alone in the car.
Make sure your dog has been micro chipped (from April 2016, your dog MUST be chipped).
Your dog should always wear a collar and ID tag with your name and address on it. Avoid putting your dogs name on the disc.
Take clear photographs of your dog from various angles, and update them regularly. Make a note of any distinguishing features.
Vary your times of walks and routes; some dogs are actually targeted and snatched during walks.
Fit a bell to your garden gate so you hear if anyone opens it.
Keep your dog in view in the garden, don’t leave them unsupervised.
If the worst happens and you have a lost or stolen dog:
Report stolen dogs to the police as soon as possible by calling 101.
Register your lost or stolen dog free of charge with www.doglost.co.uk or call 0844 800 3220 and access their help page for advice.
Local Community Action Panels (L-CAPs, formerly NAPs) are multi-agency problem solving groups addressing local crime, anti-social behaviour and quality of life issues. They bring together representatives from statutory agencies such as Essex Police, Borough Council, Parish Council, Essex County Council, Local Community Groups, Councillors, Community Leaders, Neighbourhood Watch and Residents Associations. Each L-CAP serves to identify and achieve short, medium and sustainable long term solutions to local community needs and problems, and to improve the quality of life for the local area.
West Bergholt is in the North Colchester Zone 3 together with Wormingford, Gt & Little Horkesley, Boxted, Langham, Dedham, Fordham, Myland, Eight Ash Green, Highwoods, St Johns & Mile End and the upcoming meetings for this zone are:
14th July 2015 – starting at 2pm in St Johns Church Community Centre, St Johns Close, Colchester, CO4 0HP;
8th October 2015 – starting at 2:30pm in The Bluebell Centre, Jack Andrews Drive, Colchester, CO4 9YN; and
14th January 2016 – starting at 2pm in The Bluebell Centre, Jack Andrews Drive, Colchester, CO4 9YN.
All are welcome to attend. If you require any further information, dates and times of future, or other zone, L-CAP meetings please contact [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].
Do you want to challenge the Chief Constable of Essex Police (Stephen Kavanagh) or the Police & Crime Commissioner for Essex (Nick Alston) about their performance? Unfortunately we seem to have missed a more local opportunity (March 2015 in Witham) but the next Essex Police Challenge event will take place at Epping Forest College on June 9th, and residents are welcome to turn up and ask their question in person or submit a question by email. The event will give residents the chance to raise their concerns and questions about crime and policing in Essex.
Essex Police’s Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh will give an update on the performance of the force, whilst the subjects of the night-time economy in the Epping Forest district, travelling criminality, and the new police IT system Athena will also be discussed.
The event – which has taken place across the county – was devised by Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex and forms a key part of his work to scrutinise the force and hold the Chief Constable to account.
It also gives members of the public a unique and valuable opportunity to have their questions answered by both the Chief Constable and PCC. Mr Alston said:
People still have time to submit their questions ahead of the event as well as joining us on the evening to see scrutiny and democracy in local policing in action.
The Essex Police Challenge takes place on Tuesday June 9 from 7.30pm at Epping Forest College in Borders Lane, Loughton, IG10 3SA.
To submit a question for the PCC and/or Chief Constable write to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner at 3 Hoffmanns Way, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1GU or alternatively:
February 2015 started the same as January with a theft of Diesel Oil, with just one other crime in the vicinity. Police have identified trends in theft of motorbikes and scooters as well as financial crimes and have issued information accordingly. For a complete crime picture, please visit http://www.police.uk/ however, please be aware this information is always three months behind.
Theft of Diesel Oil and Equipment – Cooks Hall Road
At some time between 15:00 on 30th January and 8:50 on 2nd February, unknown suspects gained entry tot he victims land by the rear of the property and removed 400 litres of red diesel from a bowser. No damage was caused in this crime. The suspects then also removed two trailers (after removing index plates which were left at the scene), which were then dragged over the land and through a hedge causing damage to the hedge in the process.
Theft of Scrap Metal – Fordham Heath
Taking place between 8:00 on 18th and 17:00 on 19th February, suspects did, on two occasions, remove scrap metal with a white Mercedes van with index plates KT08KTA.
Fraudsters are targeting people by “cold calling” them on the telephone. The scam starts with the following simple activity:
They will state that they are from the Bank Fraud department, the Police or other Law Enforcement.
They will tell the victim that fraud is being carried out on the victim’s bank account and that to prevent it they need to carry out any of the below activities:-
Need to access your bank accounts online.
Need to hand over your pin numbers and bank cards to a courier/official sent to collect them.
Need to hand over money to A courier/ official sent to collect them.
Need to transfer your money to another “safe” bank account(s) which they provide details of.
In order to prove their own credentials they will often ask you to telephone the “fraud” number you may have on the back of your bank card, or they may even ask you to telephone the Police to check that there is an official investigation, or telephone your own bank once the phone call to them is terminated.
Do not be fooled!
Do not telephone anyone at that stage as the phone line remains open and you are simply telephoning them back without realising. They will then continue with your assistance in stealing your money by any of the above methods.
Protect Yourself
The bank or the police will never telephone you “out of the blue” to ask you to transfer money into another account or hand over any of your money or bank cards. It is your money!!
The bank or the police will never ask for your personal bank account details, or pin numbers over the phone.
If you really want to check the credentials of a caller then go into your bank and ask to speak to the bank manager or use another phone to call the bank or police.
If you are still unsure then attend a police station.
Never discuss your banking details with strangers who call you!
Motorcycle security advice
If you are a motorcycle owner the follow advice may be useful in protecting and keeping your motorcycle safe. There are plenty of ways you can help to keep your motorbike safe and the more security you put around your motorbike or scooter; the less attractive it will be to thieves. No single product can cover all possibilities but if you invest in both mechanical (chains and padlocks) and electronic security (alarms & immobilisers), you will reduce the risk of becoming a victim of theft:
Security Tips
If your motorbike or scooter doesn’t already have one, get a ‘Thatcham’ or ‘Sold Secure’-approved electronic immobiliser professionally fitted. Try to get one which is also approved by your insurance company as you may get a reduction in your insurance payments.
If your bike has a high monetary or sentimental value, consider having a Thatcham Cat 5 security system professionally fitted. These systems send an alert to a control centre if your motorbike is stolen, track it and by remote operation prevent its engine once stopped from being re-started.
If you have a security device, use it and keep your keys with you when you leave your machine.
Always put the steering lock on.
Never leave your keys with the motorbike or scooter, even for a short time. Always keep your keys in a safe place when you are at home.
Wherever possible, use parking spaces which are built especially for motorbikes and scooters and have stands or security loops for you to secure your machine to. Also, look for car parks that display the Park Mark® sign showing they belong to the police Safer Parking Scheme.
When you are not using your motorbike or scooter, put it in your garage (if you have one) and make sure it has good locks. If you do not have a garage, make sure your bike is covered from view so planning an attack on it is more difficult.
Whether in a garage or not installing and using a ground anchor is a good bet.
Lock both the front and rear wheels to prevent one locked wheel being lifted and the rest of the bike being barrowed away.
Get the main parts of your machine marked with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) (frame number), registration number or some other unique identifying number, ideally one linked to a recognised database that keeps data to the Loss Prevention Council (LPC) Standards 1224 and 1225. If you have used your own markings, make sure you have a record of them.
Take steps to defeat criminals who steal number plates by thinking about fitting theft-resistant ones that conform to the DVLA standard.
Covering your machine may reduce the risk of theft as attractive features, extras and desirability are not readily visible.
Whenever possible, avoid leaving your helmet or other possessions on the motorbike or scooter, or within any luggage.
After a busy December with 4 crimes, January saw none at all until the last week when there were two cases of theft, one of diesel and another from a property. For a complete crime picture, please visit http://www.police.uk/ however, please be aware this information is always three months behind.
Theft of Diesel Oil – Manor Road
At some time between 18:00 on 23rd and 10:30 on 24th January, unknown suspects gained access to the farm by lifting a chained gate beside the road off its hinges and the tracks of their vehicle can be seen crossing the field to the farm shed and the adjacent fuel tank where the suspects unscrewed the lid of the tank and are believed to have syphoned out an unknown quantity of diesel used by the farm tractors, the syphon pipe was abandoned nearby.
At some time between 21:00 on 27th and 10:30 on 28th January, unknown suspects gained access to a garage by unscrewing the hinges from the door, and removed a number of items.
[Note – this months first two information releases are particularly relevant to this type of crime].
Information Releases
A few interesting articles this month, a reminder that Garage & Shed security is important (tools can be used to break in to your house!), another burglary-oriented article written by ex-professional burglar Michael Fraser and an announcement of a new website to support victims of crime be they anti-social behaviour or much more serious.
Could that spade be used to break into your house?
Garage & Shed Security
Whilst most houses have adequate security what is often neglected is the shed or garage, “nothing much in there” I hear you say, “Just a garden spade and fork”, but these are perfect tools for burglar to use to get in your house. Adds insult to injury when the tool used to break into your house is your own, so give it some attention.
Garages and sheds by the nature of their construction and position especially when away from the house are always going to vulnerable. Quite often the supplied locks provide just the barest minimum security and are easily overcome so always consider supplementing the existing locks with further locking systems both for the doors and items within.
On garage doors this could be by adding locking bolts to both sides of the “up and over door” or a garage door defender in the ground in front of the door, if you have side door don’t forget this too. With sheds coach-bolt and plate the padlock hasp sections to the frame and door, use a good quality “Close Shackle” padlock; don’t forget the hinges ensure they cannot be unscrewed.
Consider using “Ground Anchors” or “Shed Shackles” to chain larger items to (again good quality padlock and chain); keep chains tight so that it is not in contact with a surface it can be struck against. Protect windows with a wire mesh and fit a curtain or white wash the windows to prevent prying eyes.
Visibly security mark your property with your post code and house number this reduces the value to the thief; you can even register serial numbers free of charge at www.immobilise.com . There are also a number of commercially available security marking systems available that are suitable for a wide range of products and others for specific products.
It is also worth fitting a shed alarm to the shed or garage, and adding security lighting these are relatively inexpensive and available from most DIY/hardware stores.
If siting a new shed where possible position it within sight of rooms in the house routinely occupied.
Author note: Michael Fraser is an ex-burglar, who starred in BBC’s ‘To catch a Thief’ and ‘Beat the Burglar’ as well as Channel 4’s ‘One last job’. He is also a trustee of the Apex Trust, which helps young people with criminal records gain employment.
When you’re thinking about how to make your home burglar-proof, you have to think like an opportunist thief, because a burglar will look for the tell-tale signs of weaknesses in your home.
Start with the front of your house.
If your gate is open or broken, an opportunist will see it as a weakness. It’s an invitation. Always close your gate. If it’s broken – fix it. And if you don’t have one, get one.
It’s the first psychological barrier to keeping a burglar away.
If you have just one cylinder lock on your door, a burglar knows he can get in to your home no matter what. If you have two locks on your door and your neighbour and your neighbour only has one, the burglar will very likely go next door. He’s not going to make more work for himself.
Avoid ‘Beware of the dog’ signs. They are a sure indicator that you don’t have an alarm in your property. A thief will also think that you probably leave your back door open to let the dog into the garden. The same goes for an ‘I love cats’ sign or something similar. Pet owners often don’t have an alarm.
If the front of your house looks weak to an opportunist burglar, he can guarantee that the back of your house will be even weaker. As soon as a thief can get around the back of your home, he knows he’s probably safe.
As soon as a burglar is in your house, whether he got in from the front or back, he’ll go to the front door with either a glass bottle or a broom. The thief will balance the bottle on the door handle. If the owner comes home, the bottle will fall off the handle and smash before they get inside. This gives the thief a warning sign and time to escape. Or he’ll jam the door shut with a broom. Again, this will give the intruder a sign and time to escape if the owner fails to get into their house easily.
Humans are creatures of habit, they inevitably keep their house and car keys near the front door or in their handbag; a handbag will nearly always be left in the kitchen. Once a burglar is in your house, he’ll look for keys first. Then he’ll be looking to find out what your habits are. Your calendar will be very useful. Again, we humans are predictable and almost always have a calendar hanging in the kitchen. The thief will look for key dates – when you will be on holiday, when you have a dentist appointment – any clues about when you’re scheduled to be out of the house.
The next thing on a burglar’s list is to look for small items – non bulky valuables that can be taken straight away. This might include jewellery, credit cards, bank statements and spare keys. The thief will make a note of all bulkier valuable items in your house – he’ll be planning to come back again to get these when he knows you’ll be out.
Now the burglar knows you. He knows what kind of person you are from the items in your house and he has your bank details to clone later. If the burglar has taken a spare set of keys to get into your house, he’ll normally trash it before leaving. When a homeowner returns to a messy house, they have to go through everything to see what’s missing. They’ll normally be concerned about expensive jewellery, antiques and items of sentimental value. Keys are one of the last things people think of and so often don’t realise they’re missing. So when a burglar returns to finish the job, it’ll normally be within 7 to 10 days of the first burglary and the locks have not been changed.
How can you prevent yourself from being the victim of a burglary?
Michael’s top tips:
A key tactic in burglary prevention is avoidance and not just alarming your property. For example, chain up your wheelie bin to a fence away from you house. A burglar will stand on a wheelie bin to get into the first floor of your house. Furthermore, a wheelie bin is like a filing cabinet, so shred all your documents before you throw them away.
Having two locks on your front door is really important and make sure your windows have window locks that are visible from the outside looking in. This will make your home seem like too much hard work to a burglar.
Fix broken gates
Put a wire basket on the inside of your letter box. There’s still space for letters to come through the door but it prevents burglars from fishing for keys through the letterbox – thieves know that keys are often left on a table next to the front door.
Keep windows and doors shut and locked, even when you are at home. A thief will burgle your property even when someone is inside; for example, when they see a bathroom light go on.
Use an alarm is you have one.
Join your local Neighbourhood Watch and display the sticker saying you do. This demonstrates to the thief that you are aware of the risk of being a victim of burglary and he’ll most probably decide to move on.
Don’t make it obvious if you are a pet-owner. ‘Beware of the dog’ often means “I don’t have a house alarm” or “my back door is open” in burglar language!
When parking your car, turn the wheel towards the curb rather than keeping the wheels parallel. It sounds so simple but this makes your car alien to the opportunist thief because everyone parks their cars with wheels straight. Those turned wheels means it will take the thief a few more seconds to steal your car. Every second counts and they don’t want to take that extra risk of getting caught.
Keep suitcases and bags in the loft or with their handles tied together. Otherwise a thief will use those very bags to transport items out of your home.
Don’t keep a calendar in your home. It tells a thief everything about you. Put a blind in the kitchen and in other rooms so that people can’t see in. a thief can learn a lot about you just by looking in through your windows.
One of the best things you can do is to film every room in your house in detail with a video camera or take lots of photos. Not only does this help you remember where everything was before the burglary but it helps you to prove to your insurance company that certain items were in your house.
Essex Victims Gateway
Nick Alston, the Police & Crime Commissioner for Essex recently launched a new website, the Essex Victims Gateway.
The website offers access to the many local support groups for people who have been subjected to crimes ranging from rape to anti-social behaviour. Victims can simply type their postcode into the site’s search facility to find out more about the support available locally to them.
Alternatively people can click on a specific crime type – such as hate crime or anti-social behaviour – which will take them to a page featuring case studies, frequently asked questions as well as live links and contact details for support groups.
The Essex Victims Gateway helps victims find support tailored to their needs, including specialist services for the most serious crimes such as rape and sexual violence.
Crucially, the website offers help to all victims, including those who have not reported a crime to police or where offences have happened in the past. And the site also offers a “leave this site” tab, which runs through every page and, with the touch of a button, redirects users to Google in case they need to leave the page quickly.
Mr Alston said:
The Essex Victims Gateway provides a postcode based service enabling victims to contact support and advice available in their area. It’s been designed to enable people to rapidly find the information and expertise they need.
There is also a ‘Leave this site’ icon which is essential because there are circumstances where a person accessing the site may want to leave it quickly.
I hope that victims find this website useful but I also really hope they find the confidence to report crimes to police quickly.
Jan Dalrymple, Chief Executive of the Essex-based domestic abuse charity Safer Places, said:
I’m delighted the website has been pitched at victims whether or not they want to report a potential crime to the police.
Many victims do not want to report a crime and do not know where to turn, and the Essex Victims Gateway gives access for those hidden victims to receive support from specialist agencies.
For example, a person whose partner is showing early signs of dementia and is becoming violent, may not want to go straight to the police. Rather they want to have a confidential conversation about the options and support available to them.
Sometimes, we – the specialist agencies – may support victims to go to the police and report a crime, but sometimes we can support them without needing to involve the criminal justice system.
Victims frequently say to Safer Places and I’m sure other organisations: ‘We didn’t know where to go for help!’ I’m confident that the Essex Victims Gateway will help address those needs.
Work to develop the website and its content, in consultation with victims and their representatives, will be ongoing.
The government has decided that all victims’ commissioning funding should be controlled by PCCs from April 2015: a big and radical step. In preparing for this responsibility, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has produced a comprehensive analysis of the needs of victims and the services available to them at the moment across Essex. That analysis has supported the development of the Victims Gateway and can be read on the PCC here:
After a prolonged period in which there has been no crime to report, although lots of advice, December brought a distinct lack of Christmas spirit to some residents with 4 crimes reported in the month!
Criminal Damage to a vehicle – New Church Road
An unknown suspect has, by unknown means, damaged the victim’s vehicle causing a dent and a scratch to the offside rear wheel arch of the vehicle.
Burglary in a dwelling – Donard Drive
At some time between 10:55 and 14:30 on 19th December, suspects unknown smashed a window in the rear door to gain entry. Once inside they conducted a messy search throughout the house and exited by the same means having removed various items.
Burglary in a dwelling – Pirie Road
At some time between 23:00 on 19th and 09:30 on 20th December, suspects unknown entered secure premises via the front door and removed keys to a vehicle and exited by the same route. No damage was caused but the vehicle was removed from outside the property.
Criminal Damage to a vehicle – Mumford Close
At 21:45 on 25th December, an unknown suspect caused damage to the front offside window of the victims vehicle by smashing it with a punch.
November saw absolutely NO crime report for West Bergholt after what was also a quiet October.
Information Releases
A few information releases arrived though, mostly dealing with fraud/scammers, including caution to be taken responding to phone callers trying to elicit confidential information, security companies trying to pressure sale alarm systems and a spoof HMRC email offering a tax rebate..
New ‘number spoofing’ scam nets millions for fraudsters
A new phone scam – known as number spoofing – is netting millions of pounds for fraudsters, consumers are being warned. Financial Fraud Action UK (FFA UK) said the scam has become increasingly common in recent weeks. Typically criminals fool people into thinking they are talking to their bank, or the police, on the phone. To help gain the target’s trust, they display a fake number on the phone’s caller ID screen. They then persuade the victim to hand over details of their bank account, or passwords, or suggest that they move money to keep it safe.
Using those personal details, they then steal money from that person’s account.
Frequently it is businesses which are being targeted, as well as some well-off individuals.
There’s a big surge in criminals using this,
…said an FFA UK spokesman. He said they had seen hundreds of such cases, with some companies losing as much as a million pounds.
‘Not difficult’
When indulging in phone “spoofing”, criminals will often draw attention to the number that is showing on the recipient’s screen. Officials warn people to watch out for such odd behaviour, as it is a big clue that something is wrong.
Remember that if a caller is trying to draw your attention to the number on your phone display, it’s very unlikely the call is genuine as there is no legitimate reason to point it out,
…said Craig Jones of the FFA.
The technology being used has existed for a number of years, but fraudsters have only recently started using it.
It’s not difficult for the criminals to fake a caller ID,
… said Mr Jones.
Earlier this month some of Britain’s High Street banks launched a campaign to warn consumers about the dangers of “vishing” – otherwise known as voice phishing.
That is when fraudsters telephone victims, to try to get them to give out details of their accounts.
The campaign listed eight things a bank will never ask its customers to do, including asking for details of PINs or passwords.
Ask for your full Pin number or any online banking passwords over the phone or via email
Send someone to your home to collect cash, bank cards or anything else
Ask you to email or text personal or banking information
Send an email with a link to a page which asks you to enter your online banking login details
Ask you to authorise the transfer of funds to a new account or hand over cash
Call to advise you to buy diamonds, land or other commodities
Ask you to carry out a test transaction online
Provide banking services through any mobile apps other than the bank’s official apps.
Cold calling Alarm Companies
Stephen Armson-Smith, Crime Reduction Advisor for Braintree district, says:
There has been a rise in the number of unsolicited sales calls both on the doorstep and by telephone calls, especially to the elderly to sell alarm systems. These companies quite often make false claims and can be aggressive in their sales pitch.
Please always consider:
No alarm system will be free or very cheap.
Beware of high maintenance fees, monitoring fees or sometimes premium rate telephone numbers are used by the system in the monitoring.
Commercial monitored alarms systems are monitored by that or another company and if it is a confirmed activation it is that company that notifies the key holder and in some cases the police.
The police do not recommend or endorse alarm companies.
The police do recommend that if you are having an alarm fitted that you choose an alarm system that is accredited to SSAIB or NSI.
The police do not work in conjunction with any security companies.
Do get more than one quote, preferably three.
Consider joining the Telephone Preference Service to reduce the number of unsolicited telephone calls – http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/ or 0845 070 0707.
If it seems too good to be true then it probably is.
If you do received unsolicited calls from security companies contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
Security advice can always be obtained free from your local Crime Reduction Advisor by ringing 101.
Scam email from HMRC
Scam email that managed to get through spam filters
We have been advised that some unscrupulous scammers are sending emails purporting to come from Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC). It looks like the real thing (although for those who understand English grammar, the writing is a little bit ‘iffy’), but, as HMRC say:
We would never inform tax-payers of rebates by this method or request personal details.
Please be aware of any post/emails/phone calls that offer unexpected money or ask for payment that you weren’t expecting to make, and, in particular, do not click those links or download anything you are not 100% certain about.
Layer Marney Tower Layer Marney Nr. Colchester Essex C05 9US
This year Essex Police will be holding the 3rd annual Rural Crime Awareness Day which will take place at Layer Marney Towers, near Colchester, on 18th November. The idea to hold such an event was born back in 2012 at the request of local farmers at the Chelmsford Farm Watch meeting and the event has grown each year.
This free event will be open to visitors from 10:00 until 15:00 and is open to all Farmers and members of the rural communities across the entire county of Essex.
This event is to provide members of the farming and rural community information on crime prevention and security and also the various products and services on the market to assist in preventing crime. You will have the opportunity to liaise with Police Officers and Exhibitors at the event.
The day will be targeting the following areas:
Security of –
machinery,
tractors,
plant,
metals,
diesel,
oil,
tools,
vehicles,
caravans,
trailers,
horses,
tack,
dwellings,
sheds,
outbuildings,
barns,
stables,
fields and farms,
trailers,
Public rights of way,
Casualty reduction,
Human Trafficking,
Firearms.
Exhibitors include
Panther Security,
Safer Resilient Communities,
Datatag,
Tracker,
Wellington Security,
Solon Security,
Poacher Catcher,
Future Signs,
ActFast,
Mervad,
PANIU,
Sure Track,
Ernest Doe,
NFU,
RC Boreham,
Casualty Reduction Unit,
Compound,
Crimestoppers,
Essex County Council Public Rights of Way Liaison Officer,
Zone Wardens and Fly-tipping.
Numerous specialist Police services will also be present
Visitors will also be able to liaise with officers from Special Branch, General Aviation + Marine, Wildlife Liaison and Heritage Crime Officer, Crime Prevention Tactical Advisors, Stansted Aviation, ECTU Traveller Liaison, ECC Traveller Unit, Essex Watch, Firearms Licensing, Rural Specials and the Essex Police Volunteers stand, Farm Watch Liaison Officers etc…
Refreshments
Refreshments, Hot Food and drinks will be on sale at the event.
Please note – The entire Layer Marney Tower venue has a No Smoking policy in place. Please also note that dogs will not be permitted on site.
Please make a note in your diary, we look forward to welcoming you.
October (up to 26th) saw just one crime report for West Bergholt after what was also a quiet September.
Theft from a vehicle – Whitehouse Lane
At some time between 18:00 on 21st October & 12:00 on 22nd, an unknown suspect gained entry to the victims secured vehicle by unknown means, made a tidy searched and removed property, no damage was caused.
Information Releases
Slightly more of these this month with some advice and support on the subject of Halloween, advice on securing heating oil and also tips on beating burglars.
Halloween – for fun only
Halloween should be a fun event not an excuse for anti-social behaviour – that’s the message from Essex Police in the run up to the spooky festival. Officers want everyone to enjoy October 31st and Bonfire Night but are urging people not to let the fun get out of hand.
Halloween can be an unsettling time for many people, especially elderly people and those who live alone so Essex Police will be taking a firm approach to those who cause problems for others. In the run up to Halloween police officers and PCSOs will be working with shopkeepers to encourage them not to sell eggs and flour to young people and visiting schools to talk to students about the impact behaviour they may perceive as fun can have on their communities.
Officers are also asking parents to make sure their children do not go trick or treating alone and to remind them only to knock on doors of people they know.
Jasmine Frost, Youth Inspector, said:
The message that I want to give young people is please don’t throw eggs and flour at people or houses. At the very least this kind of behaviour is anti-social. At worst it could reach the threshold of a criminal offence and lead to your arrest. If you decide to go trick or treating please take care and think carefully about which doors you knock on, particularly if you know there are elderly people living in the area. The most important message is that we want all children and young people to enjoy Halloween and Bonfire Night by keeping themselves safe and making sure they do not cause any problems in their communities.
Posters
Young people are encouraged to visit the 2Smart website to find out how to keep safe while trick or treating and download advice posters. Adults who would rather not be bothered by trick of treaters can download from the Essex Police webpage a ‘no trick or treaters’ poster. There is also a poster for shop keepers who would like to let customers know they will be restricting the sale of eggs and flour.
Finally Essex Police is reminding residents to call 101 should they feel concerned throughout the evening. While we ask residents to be tolerant of young people enjoying Halloween, they do not have to accept bad behaviour.
Stop Heating Oil Theft
As it comes to the time when you are thinking about topping up your heating oil tank for winter, with the value of fuel it is worth considering its security. In the more isolated parts of the countryside it is primarily domestic properties that have been targeted by the heating oil thieves, but we have also seen such thefts at farms and other businesses.
There are a number of security devices available that will protect your fuel supplies – details of which can be found via your fuel supplier or local plumber’s merchant. One such system is “GPRS Fuel-Oil Alarm” from www.compoundsecurity.co.uk and Tank Commander – www.commandersecurities.co.uk which have “Secured by Design” accreditation; these detect a dramatic drop in fuel and call you on the telephone. There are also other systems that will add on to an existing intruder alarm system, whilst others protect the filler cap and there are of course the conventional locks.
Another consideration would be defensive planting around the tank, concealing it and restricting access to it by gates or fencing, and where possible locating the tank under lighting in view of lived in rooms within the house.
Focus on Burglary
Traditionally burglaries increase at this time of year so we are asking people not to give thieves a chance. Sometimes, you can beat the burglars by taking just a few simple steps:-
Make your home safe and secure by fitting 5 lever mortice locks on external doors and for all other doors and windows fit secure locks.
It is most important to take extra care when locking up particularly with regard to UPVC doors. Lift the handle and lock the door with the key.
When you leave your property remove keys from locks and place them out of sight.
With the nights drawing in, make your property look occupied at all times by using automatic light timer and you might want to consider installing external lighting, especially now that street lights are going to be turned off by councils in some areas.
Nowadays burglars break into properties to steal car keys so avoid leaving car keys near a door or window and lock your car in a garage or behind a locked gate if possible.
Remember, burglars have no boundaries, and could be operating in your area at any time. Stay vigilant, stay secure and stay safe!
REMEMBER: You can attempt to beat the burglars by taking just a few simple steps. We do have plenty of crime prevention advice on our website at www.essex.police.uk or by contacting your local Crime Prevention Officer Stephen Armson-Smith, tel: 101 ext: 430126.
POLICE EMERGENCY NO: (Life or Property threatened or crime in progress etc).Don’t delay – dial: 999
The Illusion of occupancy
As the nights draw in earlier don’t forget to use table lamps on timers, and there is a product called “Fake TV” that produces lighting that resembles a television being switched on within a room. You can also record serial numbers of products using a useful free web service free of charge at www.immobilise.com. Consider installing external “Dusk till dawn” lighting and remember to secure those gates closed and lock up correctly.
If you like any advice regarding security please do not hesitate to contact your local Crime Reduction Advisor by using the 101 non-emergency telephone number.
Naturally we also ask locals to report any unusual activity to police in an emergency on 999 or after the event on 101 or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Operation Homeguard Initiative by the Community Safety Partnership
PC Michael Lee is attached to the Community Safety Partnership at Colchester and is keen to expand an already successful operation known as ‘Operation Homeguard‘ which has been active in and around Colchester since 2013, he writes as follows:
Operation Homeguard is a successful Essex Police project run in Colchester. The concept of the Operation sees members of the local community joining Police officers and staff in order to offer public reassurance in identified areas. Members of Operation Homeguard see themselves engaging with residents, informing them of crime issues in their area and giving crime prevention information. They are a high visibility deterrent.
The Operation gives volunteers the opportunity to work with Police and gain experience of working with the public. All members are issued with Police Volunteer Identification, Note Book and specially commissioned uniformed jackets. This is a non-confrontational role and Police are always on deployments.
To date, we have interacted with around 12,000 residents in Colchester, spread over 45 separate deployments since its implementation in April 2013.
Members of Operation Homeguard have used the experience they have gained to further their studies or go on to find full-time permanent employment.
We are always looking for professional and reliable people to join Operation Homeguard.
If you are interested or would like further information please contact PC 71833 Michael Lee or PCSO 73140 Hunter at [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”] for further information.
Essex Police & DogLost
