CRIMESTOPPERS 0800555 111

Diary Dates


Members meetings are held on the following dates at the:-

Billericay Football Club,
Blunts
Wall Road,
At 8pm, everyone is welcome.
14 February, 11 April, 13 June, 8 August, 10 October and 5 December.

Whos Who



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

Crime Figures for the 24th December to 17th January 2001




Burglary




2 January Stock Road, thieves broke in, but fortunately fled empty handed.


4 January Pauline Gardens, Thieves broke into a house, stole cash, audio equipment, golf equipment and the keys to a Blue BMW car (N437 MFR), which they then stole. Total value of goods stolen £19,050.


7 January Broomshills Chase, Motorcycles to the value of £5,000 stolen from an outbuilding.


11 January Stock Road, thieves broke into Mayflower High School stole equipment and caused £1,600 of damage.


11 January Connaught Way, thieves broke in and stole jewellery to the value of £500 and cause £100 of damage.


14 January London Road, thieves broke in to a garage and stole a Yamaha quad bike to the value of £3,000.


Theft from Motor Vehicle




29 December High Street, thieves broke into a Ford Fiesta and stole a drivers licence.


3 January Potash Road, thieves stole tools worth £400 from a BT van and caused £80 worth of damage.


4 January Raven Lane, thieves stole the alloy wheels worth £1000 from a Ford Fiesta and caused £300 worth of damage while doing it.


16 January Bebington Close, thieves stole personal goods worth £200 and caused £100 worth of damage to a black Ford Fiesta.


16 January Lane Meadows, thieves stole wheel trims worth £30 from a blue Peugeot 205.


16 January Lampern Crescent, thieves stole wheels worth £400 from a blue Ford Mondeo.


Theft of Motor Vehicles None reported this period




Criminal Damage




24 December Marlow Close, criminals damaged fence panels causing £100 worth of damage.


25 December High Street, criminals smashed a shop window causing £2,500 worth of damage


26 December High Street, criminals smashed two windows causing £100 worth of damage


26 December High Street, criminals smashed a window trying enter a shop, caused £25 worth of damage


29 December Hanikins Farm, £2,500 worth of mindless damage to the community centre.


2 January High Street, criminals smashed a window causing £100 worth of damage


2 January High Street, criminals smashed a window causing £20 worth of damage


3 January Burstead Drive, criminals smashed lights causing £100 worth of damage


5 January Kennel Lane, criminals cased £200 worth of damage to fencing


15 January Nosey View Drive, vandals caused £400 worth of damage to a Ford Mondeo


17 January The Pantiles, vandals caused £100 worth of damage to a Ford Escort van

New Telephone Number


Many thanks to our friends at the Lions who have donated a direct telephone line for our use at the Police Station. Please note the new number: 01277 633090

Message in a Bottle


The scheme is intended for people living at home alone and is designed to help the emergency services locate vital, and possibly, life saving information.

We have had an overwhelming number of requests for Message in a Bottle and we are waiting further supplies. If you have requested bottles, please be patient, we will contact you when we have fresh supplies.

Essex Neighbourhood Watch


Essex Neighbourhood Watch committee was established to represent all the Essex watches and bring benefits from bulk purchasing of goods. There is a representative from each Police Division on the committee and we are pleased to tell you that Ann Larn of Billericay has taken up the job of Basildon representative.

Ann attends the monthly meetings besides her work at Billericay Police station and the other support work she does for Billericay Neighbourhood Watch; and of course going to work and running a home! Thanks Ann for all your efforts.

Crime Figures


You will see that the crime figures are down on the last two months. A good sign, but the Christmas blitz by burglars was expected and we did try to warn you.

During the Christmas break I could not but help notice the number of houses that were in complete darkness
night after night - a sure sign that no-one was at home!
It has been proved that burglars will target houses that look to be empty, and no lights on during dark evening is a sure sign that no-one it at home.
Time switches are coming down in price (local DIY stores are selling them at three for £10). They are simple to install and operate - just plug them, set the time and away you go. Use a couple for lamps and one for a radio. Why not agree with a close neighbour to look after each others
home while one of you are away. All you need to do is clear the mail and newspapers, take in the milk and open and close the curtains. I do this for a couple of my neighbours, I go in three times a day (morning, early evening and just before bedtime) - it takes only 15 minutes a day in total.

Cycle Marking


Thanks to all those who showed up to get their cycles and scooters marked. We marked 48 cycles and scooters in two hours. We will be holding another session in late spring.

Sandra Burton


As you will know from previous newsletters, Sandra stepped down as Liaison Officer at the end of 2000, after five years of unstinting service to Billericay Neighbourhood Watch . She has asked us to publish the following letter to you all:

I would just like to thank everyone for the kind words and lovely ornament I received from Neighbourhood Watch.
I have enjoyed the last five years in my role as Liaison Officer and this is thanks to each and every one of you, the support group and the Police. I took on the role as I wanted to feel part of the community I live in and in a small way contribute to helping the community remain a "caring" community.
Secondly, working in an insurance environment, I also wanted to promote the valuable role that Neighbourhood Watch has in making people realize how important having adequate locks, being vigilant, caring about your neighbours and reporting anything suspicious to the Police .

Thank you once again to each and every one of you for your support, friendship and commitment to Neighbourhood Watch .

We still do not have a replacement for Sandra, if you think that you could help, please contact us at the Police Station.

Can you get out of your house in a Fire?


If your smoke alarm went off in the night would you know what to do? The following is an extract from a Home Office leaflet.

Make a Fire Action Plan:




• 1 Take everyone into account Make your fire action plan with everyone in your household in mind, especially young children and elderly or disabled people.
• 2 Your best escape route is your normal way in and out of your home Decided on a different route as well, in case the normal one is blocked. Keep all escape routes clear.
• 3 Tell everyone in your household where you keep your door and window keys You can be safe as well as secure if you make sure that anyone can easily open doors and windows.
• 4 When its safer to stay in your home If your escape route is blocked it may be safer to stay put and protect yourself until the Fire Brigade arrive.

Find a suitable room now. Choose one with a window that opens and , of possible, a phone so that you can call 999 (why not put a new phone extension in?). If the stairs in a block of flats are blocked by fire or smoke, dont use the lift. Stay calm and go back to your flat - its designed to keep fire out.

Safety steps to save lives




• ? Fit smoke detectors on each floor - test them each month.
• ? Keep doors closed at night
• ? Do a safety check before you go to bed each night
• ? Practice your fire action plan.
• ? If there is a fire, remember, Get Out, Stay Out call the Fire Brigade Out.
  

If you would like a more information call 0800 169 1697 or visit the web site at

www.community-fire-safety.org.uk. It could save your life.

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.