Rural Safer Neighbourhoods Report January 2012

Welcome to the latest newsletter from your Safer

Your local Neighbourhoods team for the Romsey Rural beats officers are: ACTION WE HAVE JUSTICE SEEN, JUSTICE DONE UNDERTAKEN IN RELATION A man was arrested and charged and is currently TO YOUR PRIORITIES

on bail for burglaries in East Dean and . You said: You were concerned The same man is also a suspect for a number of about speeding motorists. burglaries in Wiltshire just across the boarder. We did: We continue to receive complaints of speeding in various Two men from Southampton were charged with locations within the rural villages. poaching fish in the river at , Whilst This will therefore remain our being searched officers found a quantity of drugs priority as it has done for some time – the men were also charged with drug offences

now. We have been activity Sgt Christine A man was stopped and charged for drinking and working with our Roads Policing Plascott driving offences in . Unit in various locations in the rural villages and conducting a number Whilst conducting speeding enforcement recently of speeding enforcements and stop in West Wellow, Lockerley and Braishfield a checks. number of offences were disclosed.

You said: You were concerned Six people were caught speeding in West Wellow about burglaries and non-dwelling Five people were caught speeding in Lockerley burglaries like shed and One person was caught speeding in Braishfield outbuildings We did: During the months of November and December few School visits: We will continue to work with our burglaries were reported. However rural village schools carrying out visits and PC Vernon we will continue to focus on working with groups of children, discussing Gook conducting high visibility and plain ‘stranger danger’ and ‘keeping safe’. clothes patrols together with support from our response teams Parish Council Meetings: We are attending and the local Neighbourhood Parish Council meetings, giving regular updates on crimes and outcomes. Wardens. Local Action Group (LAG): Local residents from a number of villages meet with us approx every WORKING WITH PARTNER three months to discuss current issues and AGENCIES Over the coming concerns in their village. We then try to resolve months we will continue to work any problems giving feed back and updates. with our partnership agencies If you would like to join us please email or make VOSA, Environmental Services, contact. and Customs and Excise, where Farm Watch: We are still actively seeking PCSO Jo Cole we will be carrying out stop checks members for Farm Watch, If you own a farm or on vehicles, checking waste other agricultural/countryside establishment carriers license and diesel dipping. please contact us to discuss the scheme further.

CRIME PREVENTION Ask a neighbour to remove your post and check your property when you are away. Get them to park a In recent weeks we have seen a number of oil and vehicle in your driveway.Romsey rural diesel thefts across the county with a small number being reported in our rural villages. Please Saferbe neighbourhoodsHow Does A Burglar’s Mind Work: report aware of the following precautions and do not Burglary on the whole is an opportunist crime. A hesitate to contact us if you need further advice.September burglar will select –his Octobertarget because it offers 2011 him the best opportunity to carry out undetected, with the Heating Oil Thefts – Prevention Tips fewest number of obstacles in his way. A building that 1. Flow Control switches should be turned off and presents itself as unoccupied and insecure is far more the electricity supply isolated when the tank is not in likely to be a target. use. • Side gates open 2. Good quality locks. Close shackle padlocks offer • Accessible windows open most resistance to most burglar tools i.e. the bolt • Doors unlocked cropper! • Ladders left out, allowing access to inaccessible 3. Consider security lights, these can have a very windows positive effect and make any property a much • Garden tools available to force entry harder target for thieves. 4. Defense planting – Planting prickly plants • Untrimmed hedged or high fences prevention around a tank will deter thieves, if not, the smallest natural surveillance. trace of blood or shred of ripped clothing could help Each of these makes access to the building far identify the offender! simpler and is an indication to the prospective 5. A metal grill or cage with a lockable access burglar that it’s worth a second look. point can further improve security. • Keep gutters clean and free from weeds etc and 6. CCTV – This is a valuable means of crime trees and hedges pruned back if possible as this will prevention and detection although can be costly. prevent bogus callers calling at your property. 7. Ensure that the tank is as out of sight as • Never leave a spare key concealed anywhere near possible, if you are unable to do this camouflage as doors – burglars know all the hiding places best you can. • Do not label house keys in case you lose them and 8. Conceal exterior pipe work. they fall in the wrong hands. 9. Keep front gates to your property shut and any side gates locked. SUSPICIOUS SIGHTINGS – We have received a 10. Check your tank regularly and report anything number of reports of suspicious people and vehicles in suspicious to your Safer Neighbourhoods team at rural villages recently. I would like to thank you for Romsey as soon as possible. reporting this and encourage you all to keep up the good work. As a result of the information you have How To Prevent Burglary: Most burglaries tend to passed on we have been able to plan our patrols be opportunist rather than planned, so if your home focusing on areas where these sightings have taken does not look secure or seems unoccupied it could place be at risk. Understanding what burglars look for when choosing their target will help you to identify possible weak spots in your home’s security. COME AND MEET US Mark or etch you property with postcodes, house or flat number. The mobile police office will visit the following locations Keep a record of serial numbers or register items on the following days: with serial numbers a www.immobilise.com Do not leave your car keys or ID documents near Tuesdays: February 7 and March 6: doors, letterboxes or windows. • 9–9.30am Wellow School - layby Always check who’s at the door and don’t open it if • 9.30–10am – Wellow Stores - Lower Common Road you feel anxious or suspicious. • 10.15–10.45am Post Office Close doors and windows, even if you are only going out for a few minutes. Thursdays: February 23 and March 22: Keep your valuables out of sight • 9.30-10am, Awbridge opposite Cowleaze Cottages Leave some lights on if it will be dark before you • 10-10.30am, Lockerley Village Hall return home. Install a visible burglar alarm. Always keep sheds Fridays: Februray 24, and March 23: • 9-9.30am, Hall and outbuildings locked and check them regularly. Cancel milk or other deliveries if you will be away • 9.45-10.15am, Braishfield Hall for days or weeks at a time. • 10.15-10.45am, and Timsbury Hall

Contact your Safer Neighbourhoods team by calling 101 or emailing: romsey.snt@.pnn.police.uk