NEWSLETTER

    July 2001
    Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer
    Billericay Police Station,
    Billericay CM12 9AB

    Direct Line 01277 633090

    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.
      8 August, 10 October and 5 December.

      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

      Burglary

    • 16 May London Road: Thieves broke into a shed and stole lawnmowers and other gardening equipment to the value of £4,000
    • 20 May Coach Mews: Thieves broke into a garage and stole power tools and golf equipment valued at £200.
    • 23 May High Street: Thieves caused £100 worth of damage when they broke into a shop and stole mobile telephones valued at £500.
    • 2 June Dorset Way: Thieves caused £20 worth of damage as they failed to break into a domestic garage.
    • 2 June Dorset Way: Again thieves failed to break into another garage.
    • 3 June Alyssum Walk: Thieves stole a mountain bike valued at £300 from a domestic garage.
    • 12 June Radford Way: Thieves caused £300 worth of damage when they failed to break in to commercial premises. Theft from Motor Vehicle
    • 22 May Radford Way: Nothing stolen from a Ford Fiesta after the passenger window was smashed and the car searched. £300 worth of damage caused.
    • 25 May Radford Crescent: Thieves smashed the front passenger window of a Toyota Starlet, stole the radio worth £250 and caused £200 worth of damage.
    • 29 May Cromwell Avenue: Thieves stole the wheels valued at £400 from a Ford Mondeo, causing £200 worth of damage in the act.
    • 2 June Holly Court: Thieves smashed the drivers window of Volkswagen Golf, caused £150 worth of damage and stole audio equipment valued at £200.
    • 7 June Queens Park: Thieves stole a brief case containing a Psion organiser and cash valued at £650. The rear window of the Toyota Yaris was smashed , causing £500 worth of damage.
    • 7 June Hannaking Farm: Thieves smashed the drivers window of a Ford Puma, causing £150 worth of damage and stole school clothing to the value of £30.
    • 10 June Abbotts Ride: Thieves caused £200 worth of damage to a blue Mitsubishi van when they broke in and stole two Makita drills and other tools valued at £2,000.
    • 10 June Hillside Road: Thieves broke into a Ford Courier van, causing £50 worth of damage, and then stole electric tools to the value of £1,300.
    • 10 June Weavers Close: Thieves broke into a white Hyundi van and stole tools valued at £550.
    • 10 June Prince Edward Road: Thieves broke into a white Talbot Express van, causing £200 worth of damage, and then stole a Kango drill and other Red Devil tools valued at £1,500.
    • 10 June Pilgrims Way: Thieves broke into a white Transit van, causing £50 worth of damage, and stole a Maestri pin gun, Makita drill and Bosch power planner and saw valued at £700.
    • 13 June Potash Road: Thieves stole the wheels valued at £1,000 from a blue Ford Mondeo
    • 14 June Potash Road: Thieves stole an electric chipping machine valued at £12,900 from a Mercedes-Benz van.
    • 18 June Rosslyn Road: Thieves smashed the front offside quarter light of a black Honda Civic, causing £50 worth of damage, and then stole £10 in cash from the car.
    • 18 June Broomshill Chase: Thieves caused £100 worth of damage breaking into a white Ford Escort and then stole a jacket valued at £210.
    • 18 June Kings Head car park, Southend Road: Thieves caused £200 worth of damage when they broke into a green Peugeot 106 and then stole audio equipment to the value of £150.
    • 18 June High Street: Thieves smashed a window of red Ford Escort, causing £300 worth of damage and stole audio equipment valued at £200.
    • 19 June Waitrose car park: Thieves smashed a window of a Mitsubishi Colt , causing £200 worth of damage, and then stole audio equipment to the value of £400
    • 20 June Rosebay Avenue: Thieves broke into a red Ford Fiesta, causing £300 worth of damage, and stole personal goods, cheque book and credit cards valued at £1,500.
    • 0 June Radford Way: Thieves broke into a white Ford Iveco lorry, causing £500 worth of damage and stole six kitchen units valued at £500.
    • 22 June Stockbrook Manor: Thieves smashed a window of a red Ford Fiesta, causing £100 worth of damage, and then stole golf equipment and a mobile telephone, all valued at £450.

      Theft of Motor Vehicles

    • 12 June Linkdale: Thieves stole a red Mitsubishi Space Wagon valued at £7,000
    • 14 June Radford Crescent: Thieves stole a red Ford Mondeo valued at £15,000

      Criminal Damage There is not enough space to list all 28 reported incidents of criminal damage. The mindless morons caused £6,565 worth of damage to property this period, which we all pay for in increased rates and insurance premiums.

      New Inspector at Billericay Steve Tutton has been promoted to Chief Inspector and moved to new duties in Basildon. We wish Steve every success in his new post and thank him for the considerable support he has given to Neighbourhood Watch. Steve is replaced by Inspector Richard Croft, whom we welcome to Billericay and wish him a happy tour of duty with us.

      Fun Day at Billericay Many thanks to all those you turned out to support us by winning coconuts and all those who turned out to help run the stand. Again many thanks to JB's Greengrocers for supplying the coconuts at trade price.

      ADT Intruder and Fire Alarms Please note that ADT are mounting a sales campaign throughout the whole of Essex. It will comprise both telesales and cold calling/distributing leaflets at private addresses. Mr James Dougherty, on 07771 800353, will be responsible for the good conduct of his sales team and is available to answer any queries.
      ADT are the sponsors of the National Neighbourhood Watch Association and therefore this is likely to be mentioned in any literature that they distribute. However, no one should feel obliged or pressurised to purchase any product that they do not want or need.

      Marshalls Paving They drive many different vehicles in many different colours, they post flyers through doors and call back later as a follow-up. If you see one of their vans or receive a flyer, please call Essex Trading Standards straight away on 01245 341888, they would love to talk to them! You do not have to leave your name, address or phone number, just say where and when you saw them.

      Crime Figures There has been so much reported crime that I am having trouble getting it all on the sheet. Theft from Motor vehicles is the main problem area, especially theft of very expensive tools from commercial vehicles. In some cases the value of the equipment stolen runs into thousands of pounds. At first reading the theft of commercial tools may not seem as traumatic as a house burglary, but consider that the livelihood of the victim probably depends on the tools of the trade. Not only may the victim not be able to do any work and earn a living until the tools have been replaced, but they may go out of business completely because they cannot afford to replace the tools.
      Please, if you use such tools, either remove them from the van at night or ensure you have additional locks, window protection and an alarm system.
      If you are in the trade and are offered second hand tools, please think what it would be like if your own tools were stolen. If you think there is a chance that the tools you are offered may be stolen call the Police on 01277 631212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. You do not have to leave your name or number and there could be a reward if your information leads to an arrest.

      Fraud We were treated to an amazing talk on fraud by Matthew Cooper, one of the countries most prominent fraud consultants, at the last members meeting.
      The scale fraud and ingenuity of fraudsters is quite amazing. Fraud is often seen as a 'victimless crime' - well it is not. Besides the times when members of the public are taken for their hard earned cash, we all pay about £1 per week each in extra charges to cover the cost of fraud. Here are some tips that may prevent you from becoming a victim:

    • Don't let you credit/bank card out of sight when making a transaction.
    • Don't discard your receipts, they have your card number and signature on them.
    • Check you statements and report errors straight away.
    • Never write down your PIN of tell anyone what it is.
    • When using cash machines, make sure that no one can see you enter you PIN.
    • Don't keep you cheque book and cards together.
    • Never leave your credit / bank cards in your car or in an unattended wallet or purse.
    • Keep your cards in a safe place, a secure handbag or a secure pocket in your coat or trousers.
    • Consider using a card protection scheme (many are free)
    • Remember YOU may be liable for the fraud cost.

      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.

      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 Day.