NEWSLETTER

Quiz Night

Many thanks to all those who rightly pointed out that I had the wrong date in the last newsletter! The real date is Saturday 29 November 7:30 at the Women’s Institute Hall. Tickets are available from Hazel Morley on 01277 652609. Tables of eight are ideal. Entry per person is £5 for Mayflower Twinning Association Member, £6 for non‑members; ploughman’s supper is included in the price. Sharpen up your wits for Christmas!

Dark Nights and Street Lights

If any of your streetlights are not coming on at night (or if they stay on during the day) please call Basildon Council Streetcare line on 01268294949 and tell them the street name and the lamppost number. They are open 9 to 5 but have an answer phone service out of hours. Remember, dark streets help criminals.

Operation HAWK

Steven Greener (Basildon Division Crime Reduction Officer) came to see us at the last members meeting. The position of Crime Reduction Officer has existed for a number of years and has now been given a higher profile and permanent staff. One of the first operations mounted by Steven is Operation Hawk.

The principle behind Operation Hawk is that members of the public—you— help to reduce Thefts from Motor Vehicles be telling the Police about cars and vans with valuables on display. The Police will then contact the owner and explain the error of their ways. The direct approach may well have a greater impact than just posters.

If you would like to help this initiative, please note the following details about the vehicle and get them to WPC Julie Dawes (01268 244028) at Billericay Police Station as soon as possible:

Make

Model

Registration Number

Day and Time of Observation

Location

Police Community Support Officers

These are a new addition to Essex Police and WPC Julie Dawes has been training the Wickford and Billericay Officers, who will be starting their duties in November.

Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) are members of the support staff employed, directed and managed by Essex Police. They will work to compliment and support regular Police Officers, providing a visible and accessible uniformed presence. PCSOs are not replacements for Police Officers but they are there to deal with some of the tasks that do not require the experience or powers held by a Police officer.

So, what will they do? In support of regular Police Officers they will work in a targeted patrol area to address the fear of crime, environmental issues and anti-social behaviour. They will also, among other duties, provide crime prevention advice and visit crime victims.

All PCSOs will have the following powers:

· Issuing fixed penalty notices (e.g. riding on footpaths, dog fouling, littering)

· Power to confiscate alcohol and tobacco

· Power to demand the name and address of a person acting in an anti-social manner.

· Power of entry to save life or prevent damage.

· Removal of abandoned vehicles

· Additional powers are being considered by central government.

Come along to the December meeting and meet the PCSO for Billericay in person.

Cycle Marking

Getting or giving a new bike for Christmas? Start on the right foot by getting it security marked. Come along to the Police Station Car Park on Saturday 3 January 2004 and we will be pleased to mark your bikes free of charge. If you had your bike marked over a year ago, it may be a good idea to freshen up the UV markings, so do come along and we will do that as well.

Christmas is coming!

As if you have not noticed! It’s that time of the year again when we all go out for lots of retail therapy and unfortunately it is also Christmas for the criminals.

The dark evenings are here and all our homes are beginning to fill with the presents we have bought. The burglars know this and there will be the annual rise in break-ins.

Take that little extra care at this time of the year to prevent yourself becoming a victim of crime.

· Set your security and timer lights to come on when it gets dark to make your home look occupied.

· Keep your pile of presents out of sight; put them where they cannot be seen from the outside, remove the target.

· Check your locks are working, and use them every time you leave the house.

· When you are out shopping put your purchases and all your personal possessions out of sight, locked in the boot of your car.

· Keep your purse or wallet in an inside pocket, preferably a pocket with a zip or button fastener.

· Don’t leave your purse or wallet on the counter while you discuss your purchase with a shop assistant (you will be surprised how many people do!)

· Don’t let your credit card out of your sight. There really is no need for a shop assistant to disappear with it into the back room for 10 minutes.

And when you receive lots of presents

Don’t forget to mark them with your postcode and house number. Use an ultra violet marker pen as soon as possible after you get the gift. While you are about it, check the rest of your valuables and re-mark them if you are in doubt.

If you have not got a marker pen, call into the Police Station, we will leave a supply at the front desk, just ask for one, they are free of charge.

It is getting colder . . .

Time to switch on the heating. Take a few minutes to check things out:

Carbon Monoxide is poisonous to both people and animals. It is often difficult to detect because you cannot see it, smell it or taste it. About 40 people die each year from faulty home heating appliances. Some of the problem signs are:

· Staining, sooting and discolouration on the appliance or around the appliance.

· A yellow or orange flame could mean carbon monoxide is present if the appliance normally burns with a blue flame.

· A strange smell form the appliance.

If you notice any of the above, STOP USING the appliance and immediately contact British Gas or another CORGI registered installer.

You may want to consider installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home, which sounds an alarm if carbon monoxide levels become dangerous. You should that the detector has the BS7860 Kite Mark.

Gas Leaks. Gas, is of course, highly flammable, which is why a strong smell is added to it so that you know straight away if, for instance, you leave a burner turned on.

If you smell gas:

· Turn off the gas at the main gas tap (usually at the meter).

· DO NOT use any electrical switches, including things like doorbells. The tiniest spark from these could ignite the escaped gas.

· Do not smoke or use naked flames.

· Check that you have not left burners switched on. If you have not, you may have a gas leak.

· Open windows and door to let the gas out.

If you think you have a gas leak, call the Gas Emergency Service (0800 111 999) from a phone outside your house.

Last but not least

Thanks to Stephen Foggo and Alan Wood for their efforts in raising money for Neighbourhood Watch funds by taking part in the Barlylands Charity Walk.