NEWSLETTER

Happy New Year to all our readers

Let’s hope that it is a quiet and peaceful one for us all.

Remember that Billericay Neighbourhood Watch belongs to you, so if there are any subjects that you would like to have covered in a Newsletter or you would like to hear a speaker on a particular subject, please let us know and we will try to arrange it.

Congratulations to PC Ray Williams

PC Ray Williams of the Basildon Community Safety team has been awarded the MBE in the New Year’s Honours list for his outstanding contribution to the work of Essex Police. Well done Ray and thanks to you and all the other members of the Community Safety Team for all your hard work.

Distraction Burglary (Also known as Bogus Callers and Artifice Burglary)

Distraction Burglary is a particularly distressing crime. It is often targeted at the most vulnerable members of our society and can have very serious consequences on the quality of the life of many victims.

Bogus callers pose as seemingly credible callers. They dress as utility workers, trades people or even police officers and think nothing of travelling long distances to seek new victims. They are particularly persuasive and articulate in gaining entry to victims homes, intent on stealing money and valuables.

The average age of victims is 81 years and 60% are female, with a vast majority living alone. The crime can have a devastating effect on the victims and a number have suffered heart attacks, strokes and worsened mental health after a Distraction Burglary has taken place. Think about this if you have elderly relatives or neighbours.

Current research suggests that it is older people who are in the main targeted by Bogus caller criminals and that many offences go unreported. In 1998 there were 16,000 known offences nationwide but we believe the total to be four or five times higher. A Government task Force has been set up to combat this particularly evil crime and is providing cash to help fight it. Twenty one agencies, including the Police, Neighbourhood Watch and Trading Standards have joined the task force.

What can you do to avoid being a victim? Here are a few steps you can take when answering the door:

STOP think, are you expecting anyone to call?

CHAIN put this on before you open the door, it makes a barrier between you and the caller

CHECK ask for their Identification Card, take and look at it carefully. Close the door and ring the number on the card if you are still not 100% sure.

GO only when you are sure they are genuine take the door off the chain and let them in . If you are not sure, close the door. If they do not go away, call the Police on 01277 631212 or 999 if they become threatening or abusive.

If you see an elderly neighbour being called on, please walk over and make sure they are not being pestered.

White Van Men

We have had a few reports of two men in a white van offering to tarmac driveways on the cheap. Usual story about left over materials. When questioned by one of our members they beat a hasty retreat.

We cannot say that all doorstep callers are crooks, but think at least twice before you buy anything from an unsolicited caller and never pay in advance for any goods or services, no matter how tempting the discount!

Now you have got all those lovely new Christmas Gifts

All new; all yours! Now is the time to mark your new property and refresh the markings on your old property.

If you need advice on how to mark property just ask us, we have some very good pamphlets which may help you.

Most property can be marked with an ultra violet pen, if you do not have one, please call in at the Police Station and ask for one at the front desk, they are free.

Marking does not last for ever, so now is a good time to renew the markings on all your property.

The best method is to use your Post Code followed by your house number or house name:

CM12 9AB / 1

If you move home, remember to re-mark your property, the best method is to put a line through the previous mark and add a new one:

CM12 9AB / 1 CM99 XYZ / 99

Tools and other heavy equipment can be engraved and we have the kits to do it with, again if you would like to borrow a kit, please let us know.

Every year the Police recover a huge amount of stolen property that they cannot trace back to the rightful owners because it is not marked. After a reasonable time the property is either disposed of or sold at auction.

Don’t let that happen to you valuables, take the time to mark your property.

Remember we will be at the Police Station on the first Saturday in February, March and April - 10am to 11am if you need help with property marking.

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, please read it carefully, it could save your life:

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. Don’t forget overnight guests.

2 Your best escape route is your normal way in and out of your home

Decide 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 from the inside.

4 When it’s 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 if possible, a phone to call 999 (why not put in a new phone extension?).

If the stairs in a block of flats are blocked by fire or smoke, don’t use the lift. Stay calm and go back to your flat - it’s designed to keep fire out.

Safety steps to save lives

· Fit smoke detectors on each floor, test them each month, replace the batteries at least once a year (use the batteries you take out in less important items, like radios and toys)

· 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.

Crime Statistics

A technical problems has prevented the publication of the crime statistics this month. Back to usual next month. In the meantime, please keep aware of crime and report anything suspicious to the Police.