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WATCH WORD For Leicester & Leicestershire Newsletter of CITY & COUNTY NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH – (LEICESTER & LEICESTERSHIRE) Working in SUPPORT of LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE. Charity No. 1072275 Issue 9/2017 The City & County Neighbourhood Watch is here to represent the concerns of members and their families. We operate entirely outside the police chain of command, so we can always promise an independent and confidential service Working in SUPPORT of LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE

CITY & COUNTY NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH (LEICESTER & LEICESTERSHIRE)

SAVE THE DATE! - THURSDAY 7 TH SEPTEMBER 2017 - 7.30pm

CITY & COUNTY NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

MEMBERS YEARLY MEETING

ST THOMAS MORE CHURCH HALL

Have you visited City and County Neighbourhood Watch (Leicester & Leicestershire) Website recently? www.neighbourhoodwatchleicester.net Keep up to date with the latest news: Number of articles (as at 27 February 2017) LOCAL NEWS – Blaby District: 111 – Charnwood Borough: 244 – Harborough District: 178 - Hinckley & Bosworth Borough: 207 - Leicester City: 993 – Leicestershire County: 210 – Melton Borough: 97 – North West Leicestershire District: 260 – Oadby & Wigston Borough: 98 – Rutland County: 12 EAST MIDLANDS NEWS – Derbyshire: 2,250 – Lincolnshire: 855 – Northamptonshire: 1,414 – Nottinghamshire: 739 NATIONAL CRIME AGENCY - 204

FACEBOOK GROUPS

Why not consider joining a Facebook Group for your Area. You will then be able to comment and discuss issues with others in your area, on topics that are of interest to you. Blaby District: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BlabyNeighbourhoodWatchCCNWA/ Charnwood Borough: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CharnwoodNeighbourhoodWatchCCNWA/ Harborough District: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HarboroughNeighbourhoodWatchCCNWA/ Hinckley & Bosworth Borough: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HinckleyBosworthNeighbourhoodWatch/ Leicester City: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeicesterNeighbourhoodWatchCCNWA/ Leicestershire: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LeicestershireNeighbourhoodWatchCCNWA/ Melton Borough: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MeltonNeighbourhoodWatchCCNWA/ North West Leicestershire District: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NorthWestLeicsNeighbourhoodWatch/ Oadby & Wigston Borough: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OadbyWigstonNeighbourhoodWatch/

LEICESTERSHIRE POLICE

Are you cyber secure?

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Issued on 22/2/17 at 4:30 p.m.

People in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are not as secure online as in their homes, according to new statistics out today from government cyber security campaign, Cyber Aware.

Although 82% of UK households have double locks or deadlocks and 89% have window locks, only 39% of people across the East Midlands follow the latest government online advice to use three random words to create a strong password. On average only 51% regularly download the latest software or app updates as soon as they are available.

Latest figures from the Office of National Statistics show that cyber crime was one of the most common offences committed in 2016, with an estimated two million cyber crime incidents, compared to 686,000 domestic burglary offences.

The new National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), advises internet users to choose three random words to create a strong password and download the latest software or app updates.

A weak password can allow hackers to use victims’ email to access many of their personal accounts, leaving them vulnerable to identity theft and fraud. Software or app updates contain vital security upgrades which protect devices from viruses and hackers.

The most common reason people in the East Midlands have given for not downloading the latest software updates is that it ‘takes too long’. However, it only takes a few minutes, compared to the time it can take to recover from a cyber hack.

Sam Hancock, Cyber Protect Officer for Leicestershire Police said: “Protecting our information in the cyber world by using a different strong password on each account, installing software updates and exercising caution when online, should be just as important as putting in place measures to protect our homes and businesses.”

Paul Wenlock, Head of the Economic Crime Unit at Leicestershire Police said, “Statistics clearly show that the number of people being targeted by criminals online is increasing. Three quarters of all online crime is preventable. By using strong passwords, installing anti-virus software on their computers and phones and downloading software security updates when issued, people can make life difficult for online fraudsters. “By taking care of your personal information, thinking about what you are posting on social media and by following these three simple steps you can to protect yourself when online.”

To help bring the impact of cyber crime to life, Cyber Aware is launching a new film showing victims of cyber crime talking about the effect it has had on their lives. You can view the film here.

The video, which was filmed in Manchester, includes victims of cyber crime talking about the impact it has had on their lives.

Alison Marriott, who has been a victim of hacking said: “The whole experience was very distressing. Emails were being sent from my account to my contacts which I had no control over. It caused a great deal of embarrassment as there were lots of phone calls to be made to explain the situation and having to tell people your email has been hacked makes you feel stupid.

"It was also very inconvenient and took days to sort out - I didn’t realise quite how many passwords I had until I had to change them all!”

The Cyber Aware campaign (formerly Cyber Streetwise) is funded by the National Cyber Security Programme (NCSP) and was launched in 2014, with the objective of providing individuals and small businesses with the knowledge to take control of their cyber security and help protect themselves from cyber criminals.

Cyber crime is a serious threat to the UK and the Government is taking action to increase public awareness of the risk. The Government will invest £1.9 billion to significantly transform the UK’s cyber security. NCSP will support the aims of the 2016 National Cyber Security Strategy over the next five years and reflects the importance the Government places on robust cyber security for the UK. The NCSC will actively protect the UK from a range of cyber threats and will coordinate responses to cyber security incidents.

To find out more visit Cyber Aware

If you have been a victim of cyber crime please report it to Action Fraud

Rural Watch Update - February 21/02/2017

During this time of the year we receive a high number of reports around allotment and shed related crime. Here are a few precautions you can take to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of this crime.

 Make sure your shed is positioned in a visible and well-lit area so that someone can spot any suspicious behaviour.

 Keep your shed in good condition so if anyone has broken in or attempted to, you can spot it sooner and report it.

 You should use high quality doors, hinges and locks to prevent criminals from getting onto your property.

 Visibly mark property and record the serial numbers for free on immobilise.com, the national property register. This process will help when you are looking to recover stolen goods.

 Regularly check fencing and equipment protecting your property to check if it is in good condition and repair or replace it as soon as you spot some damage.

 We recommend that the barrier gate around the land is at least two metres high with no gaps.

 Be sure to remove any obstacles that may help criminals from getting on your property i.e.: boxes, bins or machinery that can be climbed on.

 Clearly display signage that you have marked your property and/or that you have CCTV surveillance. This acts as an active deterrent against thieves.

CRIME PREVENTION

. Garden Crime

Don't let green fingered thieves spring clean your shed.

Many people take a great deal of trouble securing their house and the property within it...but what about sheds and garages? With the array of lawnmowers, power tools, garden equipment, bicycles, sports and other valuable equipment kept in them, security measures should certainly be put in place.

Property

Gardening tools and garden furniture are not cheap - what's more they are very saleable items for the thief. Don't make it easy for them to be stolen and remember that tools stolen from your shed could be used to burgle your house.

 Postcode or property mark anything in your shed or garage that is value and might be stolen, for example, lawnmowers, garden furniture, bicycles, sports equipment.  Take photographs of expensive items - they may be useful to police to identify the goods and return them to you, should you be unfortunate enough to have them stolen.  Never leave garden tools and equipment outside, even if you are just popping back into the house. It only takes minutes for an opportunist thief to take them.  Consider fitting a pair of garage door locks that are fitted either vertically or horizontally and can be locked both from the inside and outside of the garage.

POLICE SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM

HINCKLEY & BLABY NPA

Earl Shilton and Barwell

The Earl Shilton and Barwell neighbourhood beat is mainly residential with some industrial areas. Both towns include a shopping area that is well used by the community.

Local beat officers have set up many initiatives directed at crime prevention and detection. The officers are keen to develop links within the community and so will be holding regular police surgeries to identify and tackle specific problems that affect the beat.

Each dedicated neighbourhood team is supported by the Special Constabulary. Your dedicated neighbourhood team

Sgt Gary Butterworth

Collar number: 1556

Hello, I am Sergeant Gary Butterworth, the Safer Neighbourhood Sergeant for the Earl Shilton and Barwell Neighbourhood. I joined Leicestershire Police 24 years ago and have performed uniform duties throughout my service. The Majority of my time being in the Neighbourhood arena. I therefore have vast experience in dealing with localised issues.

I have now been at the Hinckley police station for 7 years and have built up strong working relationships with our joint partners.

I am here to support the community that I serve and will work tirelessly to resolve any issue the community may have from ASB to the threat of Burglary. No incident is too small. I am always here to speak to anyone seeking advice whether formally or informally. So please get in touch. If I can help you I will help you.

 Send an email to your neighbourhood team  Leave a voicemail for Sgt Gary Butterworth by calling 101 and follow the instructions to leave a message for an officer. When prompted, key in the identification number 1556.

PC Michael Statt

Collar number: 3004

I have worked for Leicestershire Police for 6 ½ years and have spent the last 6 years at Hinckley at first on response but later on the Beat Team and Hinckley.

My main objective whilst working at Barwell and Earl Shiton is to tackle the issues that affect people most whether they are crime or anti-social behaviour.

As such if you have any issues or any other matters that you would like to discuss with me please get in touch and I’ll see how we are best able to help.

 Send an email to your neighbourhood team  Leave a voicemail for PC Michael Statt by calling 101 and follow the instructions to leave a message for an officer. When prompted, key in the identification number 3004. PC Rachael Hughes

Collar number: 4231

I joined Leicestershire Police in 2000 and have always worked in uniform roles. I have spent most of my time on the North West area and recently moved to Hinckley and Blaby area.

This is a new challenge for me which I am looking forward to meeting a new community. I am committed to my role as a Neighbourhood Officer and aim to work with partner agencies to reduce Anti-Social behaviour and crime related activity.

I am easily approachable and intend to help the community by listening to issues, queries and questions that the community may have.

 Send an email to your neighbourhood team  Leave a voicemail for PC Rachael Hughes by calling 101 and follow the instructions to leave a message for an officer. When prompted, key in the identification number 4231.

PCSO Nathan Bastock

Collar number: 6544

I joined Leicestershire Police in September 2009 and I am excited to be part of the community on the Earl Shilton and Barwell beat.

My aim is to provide a high visible presence on the beat and to tackle any local problems you maybe having particularly anti-social behaviour.

I am open to any suggestions you have on how to improve the local area and do not hesitate to send me an e- mail with any problems you are experiencing.

Follow the beat team on Twitter www.twitter.com/LPHinckley

 Send an email to your neighbourhood team  Leave a voicemail for PCSO Nathan Bastock by calling 101 and follow the instructions to leave a message for an officer. When prompted, key in the identification number 6544.