From Shelly Sidwell, Shropshire Division Neighbourhood Watch Clerk

SHROPSHIRE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NORTH SHROPSHIRE SECTION Date April 2017 Please can we all remember that we live in a very low crime area, however, you may wish to view details of offences that have occurred in your areas. These figures are available on the new website www.police.uk, where you can search for your area and view the different incidents that have taken place over a particular period.

Car Stolen from Garage at Burwin View The lock in the middle of the garage pull door was loosened to gain entry to the garage, the car removed, and the garage door left pulled down to give impression it was securely shut. The car was later found near by undamaged.

Security Advice:

Garages and sheds are vulnerable to burglary, as they are generally quite flimsy structures, but they should not be forgotten. They are often the first places that a burglar will target, because they provide a ready source of tools and implements for breaking into the main house.

A few simple security measures can increase the visual deterrent and reduce the likelihood of garages and sheds being targeted.

 metal up-and-over garage doors can be secured with additional purpose made locks fitted to either side, approximately 300mm up from the floor, to reduce the leverage points

 an external floor mounted, solid steel locking 'T' bar with a closed shackle padlock, will offer a good visual deterrent and make it difficult to force the door open

 Wooden garage double doors can be secured with two substantial hasps and staples and closed shackle padlocks, one towards the top and one towards the bottom.

 garage side or rear doors can be secured with British Standard 5-lever mortise locks and two internal mortise rack bolts, one towards the top and one towards the bottom to reduce the leverage points

Further advice is available at https://www.westmercia.police.uk/article/5368/Outbuildings Van broken into between 23:00 and 07:00 21st March on Broadlands Way, Oswestry Thieves have entered a van and stole approximately £2,200 worth of goods. Four males were seen in a van just prior to the incident.

If you witnessed any suspicious behaviour around this time on Broadlands Way, please call West Mercia Police on 101 and quote incident number 0061S 210317.

Vehicle theft prevention advice:

 Vehicles should be locked at all times and all tools should be property marked.

 When leaving your vehicle overnight, park in well-lit areas and near your home if possible - with valuables removed from the vehicle.

 Tools that need to be left in the vehicle should be stored securely and not left on display.

 If your vehicle is not alarmed, consider having an immobiliser fitted. They can work as a deterrent and will draw people's attention to the vehicle if it is broken into

 Additional locks can also be purchased at minimal cost and should be considered

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website. Tips to Nip Garden Crime in the Bud Although many people take steps to protect their homes and the property inside them, they leave valuable equipment in gardens and unsecured sheds, providing easy pickings for opportunist thieves.

Effective garden security covers everything from boundary fences and gates to the valuables stored inside your shed.

Top Tips for a Safer Garden:

1. Gates, fences and walls should be kept in good repair to stop intruders getting in. Boundary Tips:  Make sure rear garden fences are high enough to make climbing them difficult. A trellis can be used to add additional height.

 Make sure side gates are positioned as close to the front of the house as possible. Thieves will be put off by the fact that they are in full view of the neighbours.

 Grow prickly plants close to vulnerable areas such as windows, fences, boundary walls and drainpipes.

 Don't leave expensive equipment like garden tools, mowers, mountain bikes and power tools in the shed.

 If you have nowhere else to store valuable equipment, take measures to secure your shed. Shed Security Tips:  Keep your shed in good condition.

 Fit a closed shackle padlock to the door.

 Fit grilles or mesh to the windows.

 Invest in an alarm.

 Large items such as bicycles are chained together. It is more difficult for a thief to carry away a lot of large heavy items all at once.

 Ladders are locked to a secure fixture in the shed or garage.

2. Don't leave ladders and tools lying around in your garden - these could be used to break into your home.

3. Mark your garden tools and equipment with your postcode.

4. Well positioned external lighting is a great way of keeping intruders at bay and can be purchased from most large DIY stores.

Remember, household insurance polices should be checked to ensure they cover garden and shed equipment and whether or not any minimum security standards apply. Parking Problems at Whittington School Parking on Castle Street at drop off and pick up school times has become an issue for residents as vehicles are blocking drive ways and footpaths. Residents are having difficulty getting out of their drives and pedestrians are find their way blocked on the footpath.

The castle have offered free car parking at the castle during drop off and pick up school times to ease the issue, as the castle car park operates a donation policy for cars parking there. Theft from Builders working at Selattyn C of E Primary School, Selattyn, Oswestry Thieves broke into the front yard of the school and stole £30 worth of lead and a green Makita Impact Driver power drill from builders between 10:00 and 10:30 17th March.

If you witnessed any suspicious behaviour around this time on Glyn Road, Selattyn, please call West Mercia Police on 101 and quote incident number 0301S 170317.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.