NEWSLETTER
September 1999
Sandra Burton, Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer
Billericay Police Station, Billericay CM12 9AB 01277 631212 ext 45431
It is probable that much of this crime was drug related. If you think that drug dealers and drug takers are in your area, please call Kevin Hopton on 636454 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.
Crime Figures
Due to an administration problem we are unable to publish the crime figures for this month. We will try to publish two months worth in October.
Who's Who
Police Inspector: Steve Tutton - 631212
Community Liaison PC Kevin Hopton Officer Direct Line - 636454
N W Liaison Officer: Sandra Burton 631212 ext 45431
Crime Prevention Officer: Colin Mead 01268 532212
Billericay Police Station - 631212
Diary Dates
Members meetings are on 13 October and 8 December. Everyone is welcome at the Billericay Football Club at 8pm. It is a relaxed a friendly meeting, where you can learn something from the guest speaker and voice any concerns to the Police.
If you have access to the Internet, visit our web site at
www.btinternet.com/~billericay.nw/site/index.html
It is packed with very useful information and hot links to other sites. Many thanks to Roy and Sandra Burton for setting up and maintaining the site - all at their own expense.
NW Items for Sale
Haynes Home Security Manuals
: £3 (£9 in the shops)Golf Marking Kits: £4 (£6 in the shops)
Tamper Proof Tax Holders: £1 each
Call us at the Police Station or come to a meeting if you wish to purchase any of them - all great value and make good Christmas gifts!
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
Can you help?
Can you please help to find Kim, a missing Lilac couloured femal Burmese cat (small, light fawn/cream colour with short hair). She should be wearing a collar with an address disk.
Last seen on the evening of 10 August.
Would you please check your garage, shed and other outbuilding to she if she has been shut in.
Great last minute news Kim the cat has been found and is now back at home in Mountnessing Road.
I
s your property marked?When did you last check the marking?
Yes, I know it is not the most interesting subject in the world, but as far as protecting your property it is one of the most important.
Basildon Police have a huge room full of recovered property that they cannot return to the rightful owners because they have no idea to whom it belongs.
Every few months the Police have an auction of property that cannot be returned to the owners.
True, a lot of the property may have already been replaced under insurance claims, but a lot of the property in the Police store would seem to be of sentimental value; that cannot be replaced.
Besides the chance of getting you own property back, Property Marking can help to catch thieves. When the Police stop suspicious looking people and find them with, say, six video recorders in the back of the van it is almost impossible to identify the goods as stolen unless they have been marked with the owners house number and post code. I am sure that the Police have been frustrated on many occasions by having to let suspects go for lack of evidence of stolen property.
Property marking is not difficult or even time consuming. Most property can be marked with an ultra violet pen; some may require a different technique. We have the pens, marking kits and some comprehensive instructions that will help you. The pens are free of charge and the kits can be borrowed for a week (we do ask for a small returnable deposit). All you need to do is ask!
The best way to mark your property is by using you house number and your post code, for example:
1 / CM12 9AB
So what happens when you move - no, you do not have to leave all your possession at the old house!
Strike through the old marking so it can be read and write the new one below it.
1 / CM12 9AB
50 / SW1H 9AT
The Police can still check even if the property has been re-marked by thieves.
It may not be so easy to mark Jewellery and delicate valuables, so don’t try unless you are an expert. The best way is to photograph them against a plain background with a ruler alongside the item to give an idea of size.
If you need help or information, please contact us at the Police Station.
Start to finish in 45 minutes
The recent hold-up of ‘Going Places’ in the High Street was a great success, but not for the criminals. Within 45 minutes of the hold-up the criminals were arrested in Hornchurch. Thanks to all the people who called in with descriptions and the car registration number. Keep it up.
Another good result by the Billericay Police was the capture of car thieves in Radford Way - it is probable they were responsible for a number of crimes in the area.
It's a dogs life in the Police
Well, that's what Police Dogs say, come along to the October Members meeting and meet one of the Dog Team, who will give a talk on what the team does and, with luck, a demonstration.
The Door Step Callers are still at it
There are still reports coming in of door step callers in the area and reports from the public that they have been had over.
A local resident who has been conned by callers was brave enough to call us an warn us. The callers (a father and son team) did some very sub-standard work on the fascia and sophit boards and there have been problems ever since.
The easy way not to get caught is don't use door step callers.
CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555111
How to beat burglary
The following extract from Crime Prevention News shows that some quite simple measures will help you to beat the burglar.
Burglary can be beaten through simple security measures according to Home Office research. Burglary of Domestic Dwellings - Findings from the British Crime Survey gives the strongest evidence yet that home security measures are effective in reducing the chance of being burgled.
There were 1.6 million burglaries against domestic dwellings in 1997. Just under half of these were attempts in which the offender failed to gain entry.
In most burglaries entry is forced. However in 22% of burglaries entry was gained through an unlocked door or window, in 6% entry was gained through false pretences and in 6% the offender had a key.
Even the most common security devices, such as deadlocks and window locks greatly reduce the chance of being burgled. Homes that have intruder alarms, security light and window grilles reduce the risk even further.
The report concludes that even basic home security measures, such as deadlocks and window locks are effective in reducing the chance of being burgled.
BUT remember, security devices are effective ONLY if you use them. There is no point in fitting window locks and then not locking the windows when you leave the house unattended. LOCK IT OR LOSE IT.
We have plenty of home security information - just ask!
It is probable that much of this crime was drug related. If you think that drug dealers and drug takers are in your area, please call either Kevin Hopton on 636454 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111
You do not have to give your name
Fire Fighting
Those of you who attended the August Members Meeting will remember the comments from our guest speaker from the Fire Brigade - the two most essential home fire fighting appliances are an extinguishers and fire blankets.
Most domestic fires, if tackled early enough, can be dealt with using these appliances.
A number of the people at the meeting admitted to having neither, so we have looked round for a discounted supply which we can sell to our members.
We have obtained a supply of Fire Blankets, normally retaining at £17, available to members for £14.
We will be able to obtain fire extinguishers (1.6 kg size) for £21 (usual cost £25) if there is enough interest.
If you would like to purchase a Fire Blanket, please call us at the Police Station or drop us a line. Also let us know if you would be interested in an extinguisher - if we get enough interest we will order them (we need to order 10).
A security device can protect your home, fire fighting equipment could save your life.
The Fire Brigade has lots of information on fire safety in the home - if you need help please contact them at the fire station.
If you do have a serious fire - remember the three OUTS:
GET OUT, GET THE FIRE BRIGADE OUT AND STAY OUT.
Open Day at Basildon Police Station.
No it does not mean they let all the baddies out - it means they let all the goodies in to have a look round the station and see how the team operate. You will have plenty of oportunity to look at the displays (such as Police Vehicles and the Dog Team), lets the kids have fun in ‘Kids Corner’ and talk to the officers.
The Station will be open, as part of the Basildon 50th Anniversary, from 10am to 4 pm on Saturday 25 September.