NEWSLETTER

    August 2001

    Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer

    Billericay Police Station, Billericay CM12 9AB

    01277 633090 / Email: billericaynw@talk21.com

    CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111

      Diary Dates
      Members meetings are held on the following dates at the Billericay Football Club, Blunts Wall Road, 8 pm, everyone is welcome.
      10th October and 5th December.
      BBQ 2th September / Quiz Night 20th October.

      Who's Who

    • Police Inspector: Richard Croft - 01277 631212.
    • Community Liaison: PC Kevin Hopton Officer: Direct Line - 01268 244028.
    • Crime Prevention: Colin Mead: 01268 532212.
    • N.W. Direct Line: 01277 633090.

      Thank you Essex Ford and Essex Police.
      On 11 July Essex Ford, Billericay kindly hosted another Ladies Safety Evening. Barry Derber and his team from Essex Ford cleared the showroom of cars then laid on seating, clean overalls, food and drink for the 30 ladies who could not be fitted into the last safety evening. The ladies spent the first part of the evening in the work shop where three cars were made available so the technicians could demonstrate basic maintenance and 'how to get out of trouble' techniques.

      Next came personal defence training by PC Glen Higbee, who took the ladies through a number of defensive and counter attack manoeuvres. Inspector Noorman Crabb and Sergeant Paul Anderson from Chelmsford Traffic Police followed on with a talk and video presentation on safe driving and techniques to use if the car breaks down.

      The evening finished with a draw for a bottle of champagne and a buffet, all provided by Essex Ford.
      All the ladies had an enjoyable time and we would like to thank Glen, Noorman and Paul for contributing their personal time, and of course Essex Ford for their continued support for the Billericay community.

      ? Quiz Night at Cannon Roache Social Centre on Saturday 20 October. Last year's event was fun (well it was for me as I asked the questions), so we thought we would have another go. Please get your teams together and come along for a fun night.

      October Members Meeting.
      Our October members meeting will include a talk by Clare Burrows, Leader of Basildon Youth service. The talk will be of special interest to all parents with youngsters between the ages of 10 to 17 and are concerned about the increasing risk of drug taking in the Basildon and Billericay areas.
      We are working with The Basildon Youth Council, Billericay Youth Council and the Police to find a solution to drug problems and we would like to hear your views. Please come along and get your views and concerns heard.

      BBQ at the Police Station.
      Last reminder that we will be holding a BBQ at the station on Sunday 2 September. Please let us know if you are coming by returning the coupon on the other side of thios newsletter.

      Do you know how to make an insurance claim??
      Following the initial trauma of a burglary or criminal damage, private policyholders making an insurance claim for loss or damage may be faced with yet another traumatic and time-consuming experience, in dealing with their Insurance Company or a Loss Adjuster! Here are a few helpful hints, which should assist you if you do make an insurance claim following a burglary or criminal damage to your property.

    • You must ensure that the incident (whether it be a burglary, or criminal damage) is promptly reported to both the Police and to your Insurance Company.
    • Take all reasonable steps to mitigate the loss and to prevent further loss or damage occurring.
    • It is a good idea to take photographs of any damage sustained by your property, before you commence any clearing up, or immediate emergency repairs.
    • Retain full details of the Police Crime Reference Number allocated by the Police to the incident.
    • Whenever you call your Insurance Company, ensure that you have your policy number to hand.
    • Allow the Insurance Company to ask questions and follow their instructions.
    • Make a written note of all telephone calls that you make (including date and time) and the name of the person with whom you spoke.
    • Explain as clearly as you can the cause of the damage / loss and the extent of the damage / loss.
    • Promptly obtain legitimate and competitively priced quotations for replacing stolen items with identical or nearest equivalent replacement items.
    • Some Insurance Companies will advise that they have “preferred suppliers” - you do not have to use these suppliers if you do not wish to.
    • Provide as many original purchase invoices in support of your claim as you can! Always retain original receipts for any contents items that you purchase. These should be stored in a safe place. You will be required to support your claim and prove your loss to the Insurance Company. The more genuine receipts you are able to produce, the easier it will be for the Insurance Company to validate your insurance claim. ·Be fully aware of what is required by your Insurance Company, as soon as you take out your policy - don't leave it until after a burglary or criminal damage!

      Always read your entire insurance policy document, identify any special terms and conditions, policy requirements or exclusions. If you are unsure, seek advice immediately either from the Insurance Company or from an insurance broker.
      If there are requirements for certain types of locks or alarms to be fitted to your home, ensure that your property complies! It is not uncommon for an Insurance Company to reject your claim if you have not complied with certain security measures stipulated by them. Be aware of any financial limits on the policy that you have purchased, to avoid any nasty surprises. For example, financial limits for individual items of jewellery are common. If you think you have a valuable item, arrange for it to be individually specified on your insurance policy. It is often a good idea to photograph expensive items of jewellery and keep the photos in a safe place or at the bank. Obtain formal valuations for high value items.
      Always ensure that you are adequately insured - the Sum Insured in respect of buildings should represent the full rebuilding cost of your home, and the Contents Sum Insured should be adequate to replace all the contents items in your home. If in any doubt, seek professional advice. If you are not adequately insured, you may find that your Insurer's only pay a proportion of the amount that you are claiming! If you feel that you are getting nowhere with your claim or that you are being treated unfairly or unreasonably - do not despair - help is at hand!

      The Association of British Insurers (ABI) General Insurance Claims Code sets out the standards of service that you can expect as a private individual when making a claim on a general insurance policy issued by an ABI member. Visit www.abi.org.uk for full details.

      You can appoint an insurance claims consultant, who will represent you, protect your interests and deal directly with the Insurance Company or the Loss Adjuster for you.
      Somewhere within your policy document there will be details of a formal complaints procedure. If you have exhausted your Insurance Company's complaints procedure and are still not happy, if you are a private individual, you can ask the Insurance Ombudsman to review your case. Visit www.theiob.org.uk

      Our thanks to INSCO for this article. We never make recommendations on commercial organisations, but if you want can contact them call 01277 630725 or visit

      www.helpwithyourclaim.co.uk

      CRIME FIGURES WILL BE AVAILABLE NEXT MONTH!


      It is probable that much of this crime was drug related. If you think that drug dealers users are in your area, please call Kevin Hopton on 01268 244028 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. you do not need to give your name. Your information could stop a crime or even save a life.
      Do you know someone who wants to join Neighbourhood Watch? If you wish to join your local scheme or start a scheme in your area, please call us at the Police Station. We will be pleased to give you the name of the local Co-Ordinator or help you start a new scheme.

      Crime Cannot Flourish in a Community that Cares.

      Visit the Billericay Neighbourhood Watch site at: www.btinternet.com/~billericay.nw/site/index.html
      If you see anything suspicious, call the Police on 01277 631212 or 999. Your call is important.

      Open Day and B-B-Q at Billericay Police Station
      Following the success (and amazing luck with the weather) of last year's B-B-Q at the Police Station, Billericay Police and Neighbourhood Watch plan to have an Open Day and B-B-Q on Sunday 2 September from 11am to 4pm. We will supply (and superbly cook!) the burgers and bangers, please bring along your own drinks and nibbles. There will be station tours and other entertainments.


      Open Day and B-B-Q at Billericay Police Station
      Please help us plan the numbers by saying how many of you will be coming by returning this slip to us at the Police Station. Thanks.
      We plan to bring ______ Adults and ______ Children to the Open Dayand BBQ.


      Quiz Night-20 October at Canon Roche Social Centre
      Start at 8 pm. prompt, finish at 11 pm. Bar available and supper is included.
      Your Name _______________________________________ Phone Number_____________
      Address _______________________________________ Postcode _____________
      We require ________ tickets at £7.00 each, cheque attached for £____________ made payable to Billericay Neighbourhood Watch Schemes
      Suppers: Number of Fish & Chips ______, Chicken & Chips _______, Vegetarian ________
      Tables of eight are ideal, but don't worry, we can join up groups top make up tables.
      Send this to Colin Cutler, Police Station, High Street, Billericay, CM12 9AB by 12 October at the latest.