Romsey rural area crime updates 3rd February 2012 Burglary Dwelling 30/01/12 – Colt Close, Romsey – Break to integral garage, items stolen. Shed/Garage/Caravan Break in etc 27/01/12 – Goddard Close, West Wellow – Break to shed through roof, metal stolen. 30/01/12 – Bell Street, Romsey – Shop assistant distracted by male from a shop, cash stolen from reception area. 30/01/12 – Market Place, Romsey – Theft of pedal cycle. 30/01/12 – Market Place, Romsey – Theft of purse from handbag. 31/01/12 – Botley Road, North Baddesley – Theft of wood chipper. 01/02/12 – Greenhill Lane, Rownhams – Theft of heating oil. Romsey rural area crime updates 26th January 2012 Burglary Dwelling 21/01/12 – Fyeford Close, Rownhams – Entry gained via smashed window, jewellery stolen. 24/01/12 – Hook Close, Romsey – Entry gained via smashed window, jewellery stolen. Shed/Garage/Caravan Break in etc 21/01/12 – Salisbury Road, West Wellow – Theft of catalytic convertor. 22/01/12 – Clarendon Road, Romsey – Theft of number plates. 22/01/12 – Fielders Way, East Wellow - Theft of catalytic convertor. 23/01/12 – Canada Common, West Wellow – Damage to garden light. 25/01/12 – Middle Road, North Baddesley – Theft of tools from rear garden. PROTECT YOUR SAT NAV Where it’s portable keep it safe by taking it, together with the support cradle and suction pads, with you when you leave the car. Remember to wipe away any suction pad marks left on the windscreen or dashboard as thieves will look out for these. Don’t leave the equipment in the glove compartment – thieves will usually check there first. You can also help by following these tips: • Mark your satellite navigation equipment system with your postcode and house number or your vehicle registration number or another unique number, using special security markers. These are available at local Police Stations. • Making a note of the make, model and serial number of the equipment and keeping the note somewhere safe – not in the car. Consider recording this information on one of the commercially available asset registers. • Don’t leave anything on view in your car. Thieves are opportunists and it only takes them moments to break into your car. • Lock all doors and windows, not forgetting the sunroof, when leaving your car. • Never leave the keys in the ignition when the car is unattended, even while you’re paying for petrol. Don’t lose your satellite navigation equipment to thieves. Romsey rural area crime updates 13th January 2012 Burglary Dwelling 15/01/12 – Rownhams lane, North Baddesley – Entry gained via unlocked kitchen door. Shed/Garage/Caravan Break in etc 15/01/12 – Old Cottage Close, West Wellow – Attempt theft of motor vehicle. 15/01/12 – Warwick Place, West Wellow – Attempt theft of motor vehicle. 15/01/12 – Church Road, Michelmersh – Theft from motor vehicle. 15/01/12 – Harefield Court, Romsey – Theft from locked shed. 15/01/12 – Maurys Lane, West Wellow – Theft from motor vehicle. 15/01/12 – Hollman Drive, Romsey – Theft from motor vehicle. 15/01/12 – Withy Close, Romsey – Theft of doorbell cover. 15/01/12 – Barnes Close, West Wellow – Theft of pedal cycle from front drive. 17/01/12 – Lakeside Avenue, Rownhams – Vehicle window smashed and handbag stolen. 18/01/12 – Hillyfields, Nursling – Break to shed and pedal cycle stolen. CRIME PREVENTION ADVICE Fraud Alert Credit and Debit Card Fraud Card fraud includes the use of stolen cards to make direct purchases and the use of compromised card details to buy items over the phone or via the Internet, in ‘Card Not Present’ or CNP fraud. Protecting your card details is important. Do not write your PIN number down or disclose it to other people. Dispose of statements or slips which contain your card details securely by shredding with a cross cut (confetti) shredder. Do not let others see your PIN number, cover your hand when entering it in any machine. Check your statements regularly, including low value transactions. Notify your card company immediately if you suspect fraud. Use a CREDIT card in preference to a DEBIT card, especially if you are not sure about the location at which you are using the card. Debit cards are linked to your bank account and fraud can result in you becoming overdrawn and not able to withdraw cash. Credit Card companies are very good at spotting unusual transaction patterns. Cash Machines - ATM (Automated Teller Machine) Be aware that cash machines (ATM’s) may have been modified in order to: Copy or ‘Skim’ card details and PIN numbers using hidden cameras. Trap the card in the machine. After the cardholder leaves, the criminal removes the device, along with the card. Be mindful of people behind you at cash machines: They may be ‘Shoulder surfing’ for your PIN Number. Attempt to steal the card using distraction techniques or pick pocketing. Talk you into re-entering the PIN while the criminal watches. If you suspect a device has been placed on an ATM do not attempt to move it. The suspects may be nearby and use violence if their device is likely to be interfered with. Call the police or contact the bank, if it is open, immediately. Romsey rural area crime updates 13th January 2012 Burglary Dwelling 09/01/12 – Hillyfields, Nursling – Entry via conservatory items stolen, two males arrested. Shed/Garage/Caravan Break in etc 07/01/12 – Fryers Close, Romsey – Theft of pedal cycle. 09/01/12 – Rosebank Close, Rownhams – Break to garden shed and two pedal cycles stolen. 09/01/12 – Tanners Lane, Romsey – Theft of catalytic convertors. 09/01/12 – Old Salisbury Lane, Romsey – Break to container and machinery stolen. 10/01/12 – Tottehale Close, North Baddesley – Theft of wellington boots from porch of house. 11/01/12 – Sandy Lane, Romsey – Theft of scrap metal. 12/01/12 – Knatchbull Close, Romsey – Theft from vehicle, rear windscreen smashed and racing bike stolen. 13/01/12 – Clems Drive, Romsey – Theft from motor vehicle, sporting items stolen. CRIME PREVENTION ADVICE Help us to help you prevent burglary Hampshire is cracking down on burglary. We understand that it can be financially costly and emotionally devastating for victims and their families. However, by taking just a few simple measures you can dramatically reduce the chances of it happening to you. Most burglaries tend to be opportunistic rather than planned. So if your home does not look secure, seems unlived in, or provides unobserved access, it could be at risk. Understanding what burglars look for when choosing their target will help you identify weak spots in your home's security. Our 10 Top Tips: Mark or etch your property with your postcode, house or flat number or the first three letters of your house name. Register items with a serial number at: www.immobilise.com Do not leave your car keys or ID documents near doors, letterbox or windows. Always check who’s at the door and don’t open it if you feel anxious. Close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you are only going out for a few minutes. Keep your valuables out of sight. Leave some lights on if it will be dark before you get home. Install a visible burglar alarm. Always keep sheds and outbuildings locked. Cancel milk or other deliveries if you will be away for days or weeks at a time. How does a burglar's mind work? Burglary, on the whole, is an opportunist crime. A burglar will select his target because it offers him the best opportunity to carry out his crime undetected and with the fewest number of obstacles in his way. A building that presents itself as unoccupied and insecure is far more likely to be targeted than one which is properly secured: Side gates open Accessible windows open Ladders left out, allowing access to otherwise inaccessible windows Garden tools available to force entry Untrimmed hedges or high fences preventing natural surveillance Each of these makes access to the building far simpler and is an indication to the prospective burglar that it's worth a second look. Residents of multi occupancy dwellings or flats should be mindful not to grant entry to people via an entry phone system, if they do not know them, and to be cautious of people seeking to 'tailgate' them into buildings. The question is, are the occupants in? Milk bottles or parcels on the doorstep Newspapers and mail in the letter box Unlit houses after dark All windows shut in very hot weather These are signs telling the burglar that he is unlikely to be disturbed in the course of his work. Naturally, circumstances may arise when such situations may be unavoidable. If we can take measures that tell the burglar that this building is too difficult or too risky a target, he will hopefully move on. TO STOP A BURGLAR YOU NEED TO THINK LIKE ONE. To a burglar, a stuffed letter box is a dead giveaway when you’re not at home. Ask a neighbour to remove your post while you are away. Are you leaving a thief the key to your house? Never leave a spare key concealed anywhere near the front door - burglars know all the hiding places Prevent letterbox burglaries by storing keys away from the front door Do not label your house keys in case you lose them and they fall into the wrong hands. Remove temptation Where possible, try to keep valuables out of sight from windows. Make it look as though your house is occupied Install timers which switch lights or radios on and off automatically. Have a neighbour or friend pop round to clear your letter box or doorstep. Encourage a neighbour to park on your drive. If going out after dark, draw the curtains, leave some lights on and a radio playing. To a burglar, a dark doorway is an opportunity to hide. Fit a security light over your front door to deter burglars. If you are away for extended periods Cancel the delivery of milk and newspapers Disconnect the telephone answering machine, or re-word your greeting message to give the impression that you are only temporarily unable to answer. Enlist the help of a neighbour, friend or relative to keep a regular eye on your property and keep the front door clear of deliveries. If you are prepared to leave a key with a willing neighbour/relative, ask for curtains to be drawn and lights to be put on at night. If snow is on the ground a few footprints will make the house appear inhabited. Check your insurance policy. Some insurance policies for contents don't cover you if you are away for more than 30 days. Set your burglar alarm. If you do not have an alarm, consider investing a few pounds in a dummy alarm box. It may well deter the opportunist thief. Romsey rural area crime updates 6th January 2012 Shed/Garage/Caravan Break in etc 31/12/11 – Kimbridge Lane, Romsey – Two males detained for poaching. 31/12/11 – Triangle Gardens, Nursling – Theft from motor vehicle, briefcase stolen. 31/12/11 – Triangle Gardens, Nursling – Theft from motor vehicle, Whacker plate stolen. 01/01/12 – Danebury Way, Nursling – Theft from motor vehicle, bag stolen. 01/01/12 – Latimer Street, Romsey – Theft of mobile phone from public house. 02/01/12 – Sandy Lane, Romsey – Theft of diesel. 03/01/12 – Sandy Lane, Romsey – Theft of tools. 05/01/12 – Rosslynn Close, North Baddesley – Attempt theft from garage. CRIME PREVENTION ADVICE METAL THEFT ·Ensure access to roofs is restricted, for example using splayed guards around rainwater downpipes to prevent climbing. Ensure trees and signs are not within close proximity to the building. If recommending anti-climb measures, ensure you advice signage must be put up (Occupiers Liability Act 1984). · Maximise surveillance by neighbouring properties. · Keep wheelie bins locked up or in rear gardens, as these can often be used to transport the metal and used to assist climbing. · Ensure ladders are locked away or chained up. · Consider using alternatives to lead and copper where possible. · Ensure perimeter security is sufficient. Romsey rural area crime updates 30th December 2011 Burglary Dwelling 27/12/11 – Winchester Road, Romsey – Entry gained by insecure bedroom window, jewellery stolen. Shed/Garage/Caravan Break in etc 23/12/11 – Toogoods Way, Nursling – Garage forced and power tools stolen. 23/12/11 – Triangle Gardens, Nursling – Theft from motor vehicle, wrapped Christmas presents stolen. 23/12/11 – Four Horseshoes PH – Theft of locked moped. 27/12/11 – Betteridge Drive, Rownhams – Garden shed forced and mower and shredder stolen. 29/12/11 – Triangle gardens, Nursling – Garden shed broken into and tools stolen. 29/12/11 – Cupernham Lane, Romsey – Theft of locked generator from porch. 29/12/11 – Green Pond Lane, Romsey – Theft of pedal cycle from garden shed. 30/12/11 – Romsey Abbey, Romsey – Theft of handbag. 30/12/11 – Horns Drove, Rownhams – Theft from motor vehicle, wallet stolen. Romsey rural area crime updates 23rd December 2011 Shed/Garage/Caravan Break in etc 17/12/11 – The Hundred, Romsey – Theft of purse from handbag. 19/12/11 – Botley Road, North Baddesley – Theft from garden shed, male arrested. 19/12/11 – Six Oaks Road, North Baddesley – Theft from motor vehicle. 20/12/11 – New Road, Timsbury – Radiators left at side of property stolen. 21/12/11 – Wynyards Gap, North Baddesley – Theft of scooter from garden. 22/12/11 – Nursling Street, Nursling – Theft from locked garden shed. 22/12/11 – Nursling Street, Nursling – Theft from motor vehicle sat nav stolen. NUMBER PLATE THEFTS Stolen index plates may be used to aid secondary crimes such as theft of fuel from forecourts (bilking), avoidance of congestion charges and parking fines, vehicle cloning and burglary. If they do not report index plate theft, victims may receive summonses for unpaid parking and speeding tickets, or may even be questioned by police in connection with more serious crimes. The following prevention/reduction actions and advice will assist police and partners to reduce the potential risk of crime and prevent members of the public from becoming victims. Park your car in a garage at night or park to prevent access to either front or rear number plate. Park in a safe public car park. If parking on a public road, park in a well-lit spot. Use theft resistant number plates, which are designed to break apart if they are forcibly removed from a vehicle (see right). Fit security screws. Simple anti-theft devices can be easily fitted with a screwdriver in place of existing screws, but cannot be removed using standard tools (use correct security screws appropriate for the pre-existing number plate screw size and application). Ask members of the public to contact police if they notice a car with different number plates on the front and the back of the vehicle. Romsey Safer Neighbourhood Team Message Dear All, Unfortunately there has been an increase in vehicle crime across the Romsey District and we have noticed 3 Distinct MO's; Theft of diesel from vehicles Theft of valuables from within the vehicle Recently, theft of the catalytic converters from vehicles Over the coming weeks we will be increasing our patrols in any vulnerable areas, we will also be carrying a number of operations to tackle vehicle crime. Please can I ask you all to ensure that your vehicles are left locked and secure at all times, also make sure that you do not leave any items inside your vehicle (i.e. sat navs, mobile phones, coats, cd's etc). Please take care when parking your vehicle, try to park in a well lit area where there are not obstructions to the view from the road or from houses etc. Please also continue to report any suspicious activity and pass this message to all those who you represent. If you have any queries or require any crime prevention advice please do not hesitate to contact me. Many thanks Ps 18 Christine Plascott Romsey Safer Neighbourhood Team e-mail: christine.plascott@hampshire.pnn.police.uk Carpet cleaning company warning Neighbourhood Watch has become aware of a company operating in Hampshire who offer to clean your carpets. Initially, a low cost promotion is offered, however the final price escalates which can be excessive once extra’s are added. Furthermore, it has been reported that consumers are not given their cancellation rights in notice form until the works have been completed. Works under £35 are exempt. Cancellation rights in notice form should be given prior to any works carried out, and you must give your written consent if they are to start within the 7 day cooling off period, therefore please read any paperwork thoroughly before you sign any documentation. If anyone has any information that may be connected with this trader, has information about other incidents or requires any advice on doorstep crime they can contact Hampshire County Council's Quick Response Team on 01962 833666, where specially trained officers are on hand to receive information and/or provide assistance. We would advise you not to deal with cold callers at the door or by telephone. If you are considering having some work done, why not use our Buy with Confidence Scheme. These are local traders who have been checked by us which includes companies that clean carpets. Information about this scheme is available online at www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk or by telephoning Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06. How safe is your oil tank? With the ever rising price of heating oil, storage tanks have become a favoured target for thieves. Worst of all the price of replacing the stolen oil can just be the beginning of the cost… With winter approaching many of us are increasingly using our central heating. If you are a householder or business with an above ground oil storage tank which fuels your heating, the Environment Agency would like you to consider how well protected your oil tank is from theft or vandalism. Each year the Environment Agency is contacted by homeowners about leaking heating oil tanks. Worryingly this can be caused during the theft of the oil itself as the tank or pipe work is often damaged. If thieves have taken all the oil they can, or are disturbed during the theft, anything left in the tank will usually be left draining to the ground potentially leading to serious pollution. Cleaning up oil spills is difficult, especially if it enters groundwater, and can be very expensive – easily costing thousands of pounds. It is against the law to cause pollution so you’ll have to take action to clean up any serious spill or leak even where it has been caused by theft or vandalism. Some insurance policies will cover these costs – but often they do not so it is far better to prevent pollution at the outset. Spilt oil can pollute your local streams, rivers and (if it soaks through the soil and rock) groundwater supplies. In the South East of England we rely heavily on groundwater to supply our drinking water so we must protect it from pollution. Oil is toxic, harmful to plants and animals and is a threat to their habitats. The oil in your tank is valuable; to help prevent its theft you should consider the following security measures: Use locks and/or lockable valves – un-secured taps and valves will make oil theft much easier. Remember to ensure that the key/combination is available for refilling, better still, be present for the delivery so that you can see if the correct amount is dispensed without overfilling. Screening the tank – use plants, shrubs or fencing to make the tank less visible. Ensure that there is still room to access all of the way around the tank so that you can check for signs of leaks or damage. About 2 feet or 600mm should be sufficient to maintain access. Re-locate your tank – if you need a new tank, or are thinking about moving your existing tank, consider how you can make it less obvious. Can you move it away from the roadside or to the back garden? Remember, the tank must still be positioned to minimise the risk of pollution and not near to watercourses, loose-fitting manhole covers, wells or boreholes. Check your tank regularly – look for signs of tampering with the tank which could be signs of attempted theft – you may still be vulnerable to theft on another occasion. Also, when checking your tank, look for any signs of corrosion, bulging or staining which indicate it has, or is likely, to leak. However, leaks are not always easy to see – especially if they occur from underground pipework leading into your property, so keep a check on your oil consumption. If the worst happens and you have a leak or spill: • Contact your oil supplier for advice and help in removing the remaining oil • Call our Environment Agency Incident Hotline 0800 80 70 60 (24 hours) • You may also wish to check your insurance policy to see if it covers your oil tank and any spillages. For more information on how to look after your oil storage tank and avoid pollution please visit the oil bank line website at: www.oilbankline.org.uk Fighting fuel thefts in Test Valley Police in rural Test Valley are uniting with local farmers and members of the rural community to try and reduce fuel thefts in the area. Working together with the Test Valley Farmwatch scheme, police officers are introducing a substance that can be used to ‘chemically tag’ fuel so that it can be traced back to its original owner. They will be giving out free bottles of the substance to members of the rural community during September. By adding just 100ml of the liquid to their tanks, farmers and other members of the rural community can protect their fuel and put thieves off from stealing it. Stickers stating that the fuel has been tagged are also being given out with the substance to be displayed on the tanks and act as a deterrent to potential thieves. Individuals living within the rural Test Valley can register to receive a free 100ml bottle of the substance at the Romsey Show on Saturday, September 11, where local police and Farm Watch representatives will have a stand. Alternatively, they can contact the Test Valley Crime Prevention Officer, Melody Manning, by calling 101, or 0845 045 45 45 from outside of Hampshire. Fuel thefts continue to be a problem nationally. With the rising cost of fuel, thieves are continuing to target tanks at local farms, businesses, homes and inside vehicles. Seven premises in Test Valley were targeted in August and police anticipate there may be more over the coming months as more people fill up their heating fuel tanks ready for the colder weather. Last winter (2009-2010), Western Hampshire saw the number of fuel thefts quadruple from the number of such offences during the previous winter (2008 -2009). Local officers are hoping the use of this substance could go some way to ensure that doesn’t happen again in the area this year. PC Bill Williams, from the Andover Rural Safer Neighbourhoods team, said: “Using this substance to mark fuel is a simple but very effective way of making it easily traceable and making it harder for thieves to re-sell. We will be working hard over the next few months to spread the message among the rural communities that this substance is available to them and that it will help us to deter and reduce this type of crime in our area.” Ruth Harper-Adams from Test Valley Farmwatch said: "Fuel theft from farmyards not only has a costly impact, it also creates other huge implications, such as delays in farming operations, and may also create an environmental problem; where tank damage is a consequence." Local farmer, Mark Glover, said: “I think this is a great idea. With the rise in fuel thefts, we will definitely be tagging all of our fuel.” |
