NEWSLETTER

 

Diary Dates

Members meetings are held on the following dates at the Billericay Football Club, Blunts Wall Road, 8 pm. Everyone is welcome on 13 February, 10 April, 12 June, 14 August, 9 October and 4 December

Crime Figures for the TWO months  from 11 November to 10 January

Burglary

28 Burglary rate was up due to a spate of incidents.  The Police have arrested a person in connection with recent burglaries.  A total of £34,230 was stolen and £6,500 worth of damage caused. The areas affected were: Epson Close, Hammonds Lane, Homefield Close, Coopers Drive (2), Crown Road, Grove Road, Roman Way, High Street (2), Parkside, Well Mead, Froden Brook, Brookside, Foxhunter Walk (2), Cromwell Avenue, Bridle Way, Uplands Road, Noak Hill Road, Billericay Football Club, Froden Close, Western Raoad, Trafalgar Way and Westbourne Gardens

 

Theft From Motor Vehicles

22 The rate of Theft from Motor vehicles continued to increase.  Cars are seen as an easy target by drug addicts who need saleable goods to fund their pathetic habit.  Remember to keep your valuables out of sight, and if possible, out of the car. A total of £12,326 worth of your goods were stolen and the thieves caused £3,550 worth of damage.  The main areas affected were:  Sumerdale, High Street (2), Radford Crescent (5) Burstead Drive, Hannikans Farm, Outward Common Road, Frithwood Lane, Ridgeway, Burstead Golf Club (2), Stone Chat, Stockbrook Manor (2), Connaught Way, London Road and Noak Hill Road.

 

Theft Of Motor Vehicles

8 Theft of Motor Vehicles has not been a significant problem, however there is a small increase in the number of vehicles stolen.  Some of those stolen were unsecured - that is not locked and the keys in the ignition.  Remember, when you leave your vehicle, take the keys out and lock it, even if you are going to leave the vehicle for just a couple of minutes.  The total value of vehicles stolen was £21,870 and the thieves caused £500 worth of damage in the act.  One vehicle stolen from Ridgeway was recovered by the Police.  Main areas affected were Connaught Way, Ridgeway, Newlands Road, Ash Green, Harebell Close, Chestwood Close, Romney Road and the High Street.

 

Criminal Damage

34 The mindless element, probably fuelled by Christmas booze, caused damage worth £8,230.  They did not steal anything, they just damaged our property.  It is probably the same people every week, keep your eyes peeled and report them to the Police.  All they do is give us repair bills, increase our insurance premiums, make our town a mess and drive down your house price.  Main areas the deadheads caused problems in were:  Milner Place, Crown Yard, Springfield Road, Dorset Way, Cromwell Avenue, Passingham Avenue, Coopers Drive, Western Road, Radford Crescent (2), High Street (5), Kings Way, Carlyle Gardens, Tyrells Road, Second Avenue, Connaught Way, Radford Court, Coleville Mews, Perry Street (4), St Mary’s Avenue, Passingham Close, Stock Road, Vincent Way, Greenway and Church Street.

 

 

 

If you see anything suspicious, call the Police on 01277 631212 or 999.  Your call is important.

New Sponsors

Key Locksmith Services have taken over from Decibels as co-sponsor, with Crystal Print, of this Newsletter, 5000 copies of which are produced each month. We thank Decibels for all their support in the past and wish them good fortune for the years to come.

At our members meeting on 13 February Key Locksmith Services will introduce themselves and give a talk on types of locks and general home security.

Cycle and Mobile Phone Marking

We figure you will all be getting your bikes out around March in readiness for Spring.   If you have not had your cycle security marked, bring it along to the Police Station between 10 am and Noon on Saturday 23 March and we will be happy to mark it free of charge.

You may have read in the newspapers about the huge increase in mobile phone thefts.   We are taking the opportunity to offer free mobile phone marking at the same time as the cycle marking.  Just turn up and we will mark your phone for you.

Increase in Burglaries

The has been an increase in daytime burglaries in the Southend Road area.  The area enclosed by Southend Road, Hickstairs Lane, Kennel Lane and Church Street have been the subject of a sharp increase in burglaries.  Please report anything suspicious to the police on 01277 631212.

January Successes

Billericay Police had significant successes in January in arresting people in conjunction with a spate of dwelling burglaries, shop lifting and graffiti painters.  Remember, we are the ears and eyes of the Police, so please pass on any information you have.  You can call 01277 631212 or PC Kevin Hopton direct on 01268 244028 or CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

Reporting Crime

One of our Networkers brought this to my attention, and it is well worth publishing;

“From time to time members of my Watch Group tell me of incidents, usually relatively minor acts of vandalism, that have occurred some time before.  When I ask if they were reported to the Police, the answers is almost always ‘No’.  When I ask why they were not reported the usual answers is that there didn’t seem to be any point because the Police either wouldn’t or couldn’t be able to do anything .

The point that our Council Taxes provide Essex Police with a limited budget and recourses have to be allocated to where they seem to be most needed.  If you do not tell the Police that there is a problem in your area then those resources will be allocated elsewhere.  Also, if what you may think is an isolated incident is not reported then the Police cannot be expected to establish a pattern that could help them find the offenders.”

Well put, a reminder to us all that we have a duly to report crime and suspicious events.  Please do it.  Your call is important and may prevent a serious crime happening.

Sorting the Pro’s from the Con’s

We do go on about doorstep tradesmen; be aware of what they are selling and about your rights.  So, how do you get a list of trustworthy trades?  Easy - as always Essex Trading Standards are on hand to help.

They have produced an excellent leaflet on ‘Surviving the doorstep tradesmen’, it’s very informative and free.  Get a copy from Essex Trading Standards, Beehive Lane, Chelmsford, CM2 9SY, 01245 341888 or give me a call on 01277 633090 and I will send you one.

Want to be a Newsreader?

As you read this copy of our newsletter, please spare a thought for those in our community who, because of visual impairment, have difficulty in reading.  Some of course are unable to see at all.

For the past 24 years, Wickford and District Talking Newspaper for the Blind has provided news and other information on audio tape  to some 80 or 90 visually impaired people in Billericay, Wickford and parts of Basildon.  Listeners receive a weekly news tape and two monthly magazine tapes throughout the year.  There is no charge of any sort for this service to the listeners.

All of the people who record the tapes are volunteers from our community and it is their dedication that enables the service to be provided.

There is a vacancy for a reader on one of the news tape teams which reads on a Friday afternoon once every five weeks.  If you can help please contact Bruce Bellringer on 01268 733939.  Reading sessions tale place in Wickford and last about two and a half hours.  The sessions are very friendly and full of fun - so please help if you can.

Considerate Parking

We know parking spaces are at a premium, but please do not park on the pavement.  Blind people are likely to walk into the vehicle and mothers with prams are forced into the road to get past.  The mornings and evenings are still dark, which increases the risk of an accident.

 

Please think before you  park.

Plans for this year include talks from Essex Trading Standards, Scene of Crime Officers, Fire Brigade and Photography experts.  We will also be supporting the Billericay Fun Day, holding a Quiz Night and a number of property marking events.  If you have an idea on how we can build a better community, please do let us know - we are always looking for ideas.

Who’s Who

Police Inspector:          Richard Croft - 01277 631212

Community Liaison     PC Kevin Hopton       

Officer:                            Direct Line  - 01268 244028

N.W. Direct Line           01277 633090

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.

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