August 2015 Crime Incidents

August saw just one crime in West Bergholt although crime trends elsewhere in the borough also saw a number of information documents issued.  For a complete crime picture, please visit  http://www.police.uk/ however, please be aware this information is always three months behind.

Other Criminal Damage to a Vehicle – Chapel Road

At 14:00 on 20th August an unidentified person threw eggs at the victims vehicle causing substantial effort to remove the eggs.

Information Releases

Focussing on recent crime trends Essex Police have issued some advice on avoiding opportunist crime including securing property and intruder alarms and specific advice in respect of bicycles.

The Initial Attraction – Opportunist Crime

Without that initial attraction most crimes could be avoided, statistics show that most crimes are opportunist crimes, yes they may go out intending to commit crime but the victim is not yet chosen. So if there is no attraction then you may not become a victim.

What is the attraction?

• The shed or garage with minimal security and tools visible through the window.
• A lone person down a dark street talking loudly on an illuminated new I- Phone.
• The house in darkness with the side gate flapping open welcoming.
• That accessible open window or door.
• The purse sitting in the open handbag on top of the shopping trolley.
• Group sitting chatting at a bar table with a mobile phone just sitting there on the table.
• The bag on the back seat of an unattended car, even though the bag may only contain your sports clothes the thief does not know this until he/she has smashed the window and stolen it.
• The tradesman’s sign written van parked on the dark drive by the gate with accessible doors and unprotected pipe tube on the roof.
• The partygoer that’s had too much to drink and is unaware of his/her surroundings.
• Shiny new ride on lawn mower sitting on the grass in full view of the road with no postcode/security markings visible.

The above is just short list I am sure you can think of more. What can you do? STOP, think like a thief, spot the attraction and where possible remove it.

For further crime reduction advice contact your local Crime Prevention Officer using the police non emergency telephone number 101.

How to avoid becoming a victim of burglary.

Thankfully burglary is rare but unfortunately it does happen.  As discussed above, most burglaries happen on the spur of the moment, the criminal sees an open window or open door or the house looks unoccupied.   It is relatively easy to avoid becoming a victim if you follow some simple rules.

Tips to avoid becoming a victim

• When you go out, always close and lock the external doors and windows, even if you are going out for a short time.
• If you are installing new doors and windows, get ones that are certified to British Standard BS7950 (windows) or PAS23-1 (doors).
• Window locks, especially on older windows will help stop people getting in. Burglars don’t like to draw attention to themselves so will not want to make a noise by smashing a window.
• If you have deadlocks, use them. They make it harder for the thief to get out again but don’t leave the key near the door or in an obvious place.
• Don’t leave spare keys outside or in a garage or shed and put car and garage keys out of sight in the house.

Intruder Alarm Advice

If you are considering an intruder alarm system it is advisable to seek advice from installers who are members of a professional body, such as: –

Systems should be fitted to British/European Standards – www.bsi-global.com

Always get at least 3 different approved installers to give you quotes before you decide.

Systems can be monitored at special centres (Alarm Reporting Centres), for a fee. Reputable installers will give you more information on this, including an alternative option to link the alarm to alert mobile telephone numbers selected by you.

Essex Police respond to monitored alarm systems in accordance with guidelines issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) – www.acpo.police.uk   Phone 020 7084 8950.   Generally, Non- monitored alarm systems are not responded to unless the person reporting the activation says that an intruder has actually been seen to enter or be on the premises.

The speed of police response cannot be guaranteed. It will depend upon the number, location and availability of police units when the call is received and a police assessment of the threat level.

DIY outlets often sell intruder alarm systems. However, bear in mind that these are normally non-monitored systems. False activations can annoy neighbours and result in action by the Environment department at your local council. If you have one of these systems you need a trusted friend, neighbour, or family member who lives close by and can deal with activations in your absence.

Some systems can be linked to your telephone and programmed to alert specific personal telephone numbers (normally up to 6) if activation occurs.  Your telephone provider may make an extra rental charge for this facility. You will probably still need a trusted local person to respond in your absence.

Some mail order type companies market a whole range of alarms. You can see examples of these on web sites such as: –

• www.solonsecurity.co.uk  (Tel: 01352 762266)
• www.jnemarketing.com  (Tel: 01978 855054)
• www.sure24.co.uk  (Tel: 01949 836990)

(There are other providers).

Generally speaking, any intruder alarm is probably better than none. However, your choice should always be based on the following considerations: –

• Is it appropriate?
• Is it realistic?
• Is it cost effective?
• What am I trying to protect?

The above information is a basic summary of intruder alarm systems.

Bicycle Crime Prevention Advice

When buying a bike, budget for security. You will need one or more locks and somewhere secure at home to keep your bike.

• Make sure you don’t buy a stolen bike. By buying a stolen bike you are helping to support the illegal trade in bikes – the next stolen bike to be bought could be yours!
  By avoiding doing so you help make it less likely your bike will be stolen in the future.
  If you buy a bike from a legitimate seller, it is likely to be more reliable and you’ll probably be covered if anything does go wrong with it.
• Do what you can to check it is from a legitimate outlet and that they are sure it is not stolen. If it seems suspiciously cheap, ask yourself why. You may be able to check the ownership of a bike you intend to purchase by searching a property register such as Immobilise, or asking for proof of purchase or ownership.
• Take out adequate insurance, either by extending your home contents insurance or through a separate policy. Cycling organisations and bike shops may offer specialist cover. Do this at the time of purchasing the bike otherwise you may not get around to it.
• Record and register your bike. Take a clear colour photograph of your bike and make a written record of its description, including any unique features, so that you can report it accurately ifitis stolen; this will help prove it is yours ifitis recovered by the police.
  • Register your bicycle model, make and frame number with a third party. (The frame number is often underneath the bottom bracket where the pedals attach, or on the frame under the seat.) Again this will help anyone who subsequently finds (or even buys) it to check whether it is stolen – and return it to you. Some registration schemes allow you to register individual bike parts that have serial numbers. Contact your local police station for further advice.
  • If you add an additional security mark or tag to your bike, this will again make it easier to identify as yours. Sometimes your local police will provide this service for free. The mark may be obvious, which should help deter thieves; or hidden, such as ultraviolet; or there may be a combination of both. Clearly visible marks should be securely applied. A hidden mark or electronic tag is less likely to be identified and removed by thieves.

Basic security

It may seem as though there are lots of things to think about when locking your bike, but once you get into the habit you will be able to lock your bike within seconds and it will be well worth the trouble.

At home

More than half of all bicycle thefts take place from an owner’s property. So as well as taking care of your bike when you are out and about, you should think about how safe it is at home.

Some things you can do are:

• Keep your bike in a secure shed or garage and get into the habit of keeping the door locked. If you keep your bike in a shed, make sure you get a robust lock for the door.
• Secure it to an immovable object, or consider installing a floor or wall-mounted anchor lock for extra security.
• If you are going to keep your bike in a communal area, is there anything you can lock it to?
• Keep it out of public view.
• For additional protection, keep your bike locked wherever you leave it at home.

Out and about

• Avoid leaving your bike in dimly lit or isolated places. Leave your bike where a potential thief can be easily seen.
• Always lock your bicycle, even if you are just leaving it for a couple of minutes. Think about using two different types of lock – see advice on ‘Locks’ below.

Security

• Lock your bike to an immovable object – where possible use a proper bike rack, ground anchor or street furniture that offers multiple locking points and will stop your bike falling and causing an obstruction. Bikes locked to lampposts, railings or anything else not designed for this purpose are more vulnerable to theft, so only use these if you really have to. Remember that thieves can remove drainpipes and lift bikes off signposts. If provision is inadequate, bring this to the attention of the relevant local authority or property owner.
• Lock both wheels and the frame of your bike to the bike stand or other immovable object.
• Secure removable parts. Lock both wheels and the frame together. Take with you smaller components and accessoriesthatcan be removed without tools (for example, lights, pumps, computers, panniers and quick-release saddles).
  • Fit secure skewers to wheels, headsets and seat posts.
  • Ask a bike shop for specialist advice.
• Make the bike and lock hard to manoeuvre when parked.
  • Keep the gap between bike and lock small – the smaller the gap, the harder it is to insert levers or other tools.
  • Keep the lock or chain away from the ground; never leave them lying on the pavement – a lock can be sledge-hammered.
  • Locks can also be picked, so face the lock to the ground (but not resting on it) so it can’t easily be turned upwards for picking easily when it’s resting on the ground.

Locks

Invest in good quality locks. Hardened steel D-shaped locks and sturdy chain locks are recommended. Be prepared to spend 10% of the value of your bike on locks.

It is always best to use two locks. Go for two different types of lock, for example a strong D lock and a sturdy chain lock. This means that a thief will need different tools to break each lock, making theft less likely.

There are many different products on the market and price is not necessarily a reliable indicator of quality and resistance to attack by thieves.

Also important is how long the product resisted attack.

• There is a grading system used by Sold Secure to assess locks, based on how long they withstand attack. The Gold Standard locks resist longest; Silver and Bronze resist proportionately less well. They may be lighter and cheaper than Gold Standard locks, and still offer a good level of protection. Consider your likely risk and invest accordingly. Bronze standard is recommended as the minimum standard.

Communication is essential if we are to tackle bike crime effectively.

• Inform the police if you have your bike stolen; you can report the theft by phone or in person at your local police station. Ask for a crime reference number. This will help you trace the progress of your case and may be needed for your insurance claim.
• Find out about/take part in local cycling initiatives, to raise awareness of cycle security.
• Contact your local crime prevention officer, local authority, employer or the land owner about the installation of cycle parking where secure anchorages are insufficient or non-existent.
• Don’t create a market in which thieves can operate.  If no one bought stolen bikes there would be no reason to steal them.

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE BEING OFFERED A STOLEN BIKE RING CRIMESTOPPERS ON 0800 555 111.

Keep Informed

Keep informed about crime and policing issues which affect you by signing up to Essex Community Messaging – www.essex.police.uk/ecm.