NEWSLETTER


    March 2001


    Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer
    Billericay Police Station,
    Billericay
    CM12 9AB
    Direct Line 01277 633090

    CRIMESTOPPERS 0800555 111


    Crime Figures 18 January to 16 February 2001


    Burglary


    • 29 January Lilford Drive. Thieves stole £800 worth of tools from a garden shed and caused £50 worth of damage in the process.
    • 29 January Carson Road. Thieves stole £1,000 of sports equipment from domestic Garage.
    • 29 January Carson Road, Thieves stole £1,500 of tools and sports equipment from a domestic shed.
    • 31 January Chestnut Avenue. Thieves attempted to break-in, but failed. £100 worth of damage caused.
    • 3 February Mountnessing Road. Thieves stole £80 worth of tools from a domestic shed.
    • 3 February Mountnessing Road. Thieves caused £10 of damage trying to break into a shed - nothing stolen.
    • 3 February Brightside. Thieves stole £300 worth of personal goods from a garage and shed.
    • 3 February Brightside. Thieves stole £500 worth of tools and sports equipment from a garage, causing £10 worth of damage in the act.
    • 3 February Atridge Chase. Thieves stole £8,000 worth of audio equipment from a secured garage and caused £500 worth of damage in the act.
    • 3 February Station Road. Thieves stole £200 worth of tools from a garage and caused £50 worth of damage.
    • 3 February Upland Road. Thieves stole £250 worth of tools from a garage.
    • 4 February Brightside. Thieves stole £800 worth of tools from a garage.
    • 10 February Stock Road. Thieves stole £500 worth of sports equipment from a garage.
    • 12 February Perry Street. Thieves caused £200 of damage when they broke in to a house and stole £5,000 worth of jewellery.
    • 12 February The Priory. Thieves caused £50 worth of damage when they tried to break into a house.
    • 13 February Connaught Avenue. Thieves caused £75 worth of damage when the broke into a garage and stole mountain bikes to the value of £2,300.
    • 13 February Norsey View Road. Thieves cause £100 worth of damage when they tried to break into a house.

      Theft from Motor Vehicle


    • 11 January Noak Hill Road. Thieves stole a computer worth £3,000 from a Transit Van, causing £50 in damage.
    • 20 January Norsey Woods. Thieves caused £75 worth of damage to a Renault Laguna when they stole personal good and cash to the value of £60.
    • 21 January Lampern Crescent. Thieves stole the jack worth £30 from a Ford Mondeo, causing £50 in damage.
    • 26 January Lampern Crescent. Thieves stole a computer and sports equipment valued at £4,000 from a Renault van.
    • 10 February Stanstead Close. Thieves stole photographic equipment and personal goods to the value of £450 from a Ford Mondeo and caused £100 worth of damage.
    • 10 February Stock Brook Manor. Thieves stole personal goods worth £60 from a Citreon Saxo and caused £200 worth of damage.
    • 10 February Burstead Golf Club. Sports and personal goods worth £1,000 stolen from a Ford Focus. Thieves caused £200 worth of damage to the car.
    • 10 February Stock Brook Manor. Thieves caused £1,000 worth of damage to a Vauxhall Tira and stole a computer worth £2,200.

      Theft of Motor Vehicles


    • 20 January Crown Road. Vauxhall Nova worth £1,000 stolen, but recovered the same day.
    • 23 January Lloyds Bank Car Park. Vauxhall Frontera worth £4,000 stolen.
    • 28 January Crays View. Vauxhall Cavalier worth £2,550 stolen.
    • 11 February Headley Road. Ford Fiesta worth £800 stolen.

    Criminal Damage


    There were 10 reported acts of Criminal Damage between 18 January and 18 February. The cost of this mindless damage amounted to £1,706 - to be paid by ALL OF US directly, from council tax or insurance.

    Message in a Bottle


    Demand is far outstripping supply and we have outstanding requests for over 700 bottles. It will take time to raise the additional sponsorship money and receive the next delivery of bottles - so please bear with us if you have requested one or more bottles and have not yet received them. As soon as the next delivery takes place, we will call all those on the waiting list.

      Doorstep Callers are in Billericay again.


      We have received a number of reports that Doorstep Callers are working the Billericay area again. We should all be on our guard if we are called on by one of these people. We cannot say that all Doorstep callers are selling shoddy goods or poor service, but we can say is that you should be guarded when dealing with these people. Here are some DOs and DONTs that may help you or a neighbour becoming a victim. Genuine suppliers will have no problem with you making these checks.

    • DO - Check the identity of the caller by asking to see an ID card. If in doubt, lock them out while you telephone the company and check.
    • DO - Challenge anyone looking over your property - did you give them permission? Ask them to leave if not.
    • DO - Consider if you really need the work done. Think before you decide. Shop around for the best deal.
    • DO - Ask the caller to leave you with the information to study at your leisure.
    • DO - Remember you should be given the right to cancel a contract after cold calling (that is, you did not ask them to call).

    • DONT - Believe all callers are genuine.
    • DONT - Believe the scare stories doorstep callers tell you - they are rarely true.
    • DONT - Believe genuine tarmac companies have loads over - they dont.
    • DONT - Believe a cash deal is easier or cheaper.
    • DONT - Sign anything or pay for anything until you are sure about it.
    • DONT - Believe special deals for today only - its just high pressure selling.
    • DONT - Let any doorstep caller into your house at any time.

    Our thanks to Essex Trading Standards for these Dos and Donts. If you need advise or help call Trading Standards at any time on 01245 341888 and talk to an officer or leave a message - they will call you back. There have been a number of very disturbing cases reported in Essex, some where doorstep callers have driven elderly people to the bank to withdraw their life savings to pay for un-necessary work which was badly done. Dont be caught out and remember the golden rule IF IN DOUBT, KEEP THEM OUT. If callers become a threat, call the Police on 01277 631212 or 999 if it becomes an emergency.

    The Notice Board


    Well, you may have noticed over the past year that the Neighbourhood Watch Notice Board was showing its age and falling into a sad state of repair. We had tried to fix it but wet rot had attacked its vital parts and we had to retire it before it fell down.

    We would like to say thank you again to Kitts, the local building suppliers, for sponsoring the notice board which has been a land mark for so long.

    We are now looking for a new location and a new notice board, we will let you know how we get on.

    Car Security


    You will have seen the growing number of reported Theft of Motor Vehicles and Theft from Motor Vehicles in the recent newsletters. What is not reported is how many thieves are deterred by security devices such as alarms.
    The car alarm market can be bewildering; insurance companies offer discounts on certain categories of alarms fitted by qualified installers - understanding these terms is difficult enough before you look for the best deal.
    One of our two sponsors, DECIBELS, have agreed to come to the April 11 Members Meeting and explain how alarms work, the best type to buy and the pitfalls to look out for. They will have a range of demonstration equipment available and following a background talk they will be pleased to answer your questions.
    This is not a sales pitch, just DECIBELS continuing their support for Billericay Neighbourhood Watch

    Check your garage and shed security! Many of the burglaries this period involved sheds and garages. You will be surprised at the value of the goods in your shed or garage.

    Diary Dates


    Members Meetings are held on the following dates at the:-
    Billericay Football Club,
    Blunts Wall Road,
    8p.m. Everyone is Welcome.
    11 April DECIBELS Cars Security Talk.
    13 June,
    8 August,
    10 October,
    5 December.

    Billericay Fun Day - 30 June.

    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
    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.