Country Watch Newsletter

Tandridge Country Watch Newsletter

Bulletin No: 05 5th March 2020

Email: @.pnn.police.uk

Dear Country Watch Members,

I have included the following to our Neighbourhood Watch members, but I make no apology for raising it with you further, and as a single matter of particular importance at this time.

The issue is not confined to Tandridge, but is nationwide. The Catalytic Converter thefts from vehicles are being undertaken in broad daylight. The perpetrators even have the audacity and venality to block a road of traffic for however long it takes, with a masked lookout to confront anyone who dares to challenge. In a car's exhaust system, catalytic converters clean up harmful gases before they exit the exhaust pipe.

It is located in a box on the exhaust pipe under a car. In order to steal it, thieves slide under the car and use high-powered cutting tools to detach the box from the pipes around it. The prices of certain precious metals have skyrocketed in the last 18 months. Palladium is now worth £1,300 per ounce, while rhodium goes for £4,000 per ounce, Although there are 10,000 different types of converters, the cars that are most often targeted are hybrid vehicles.

Since hybrid cars have two power sources - electric and petrol or diesel - the catalytic converter is used less frequently to process pollutants. The metals are less likely to corrode, meaning they are worth more and thus attractive to thieves. We advise that vehicle owners consider taking the following safety measures: Mark catalytic converters with a serial number to make it distinctive Place a protective covering over the catalytic converter Install CCTV and alarms Park vehicles so as to prevent access underneath Should you come across a theft taking place, please dial 999 immediately.

Kind Regards pp. Karen Hughes Tandridge Safer Neighbourhood Inspector

Crime Prevention

Should you require further information on crime prevention matters or require a new Country Watch sign then please contact our Crime Reduction Adviser, Mr Mark Howells via [email protected] or 101 ext: 37044

Incidents of note in Tandridge

Reported crimes across rural Tandridge

Scotts Hill, Outwood – Sometime overnight between 29/02 & 01/03/20 offender(s) have forced entry to a container and stolen tools, an air rifle plus tins of ammunition (Ref: 45200024473)

Ivy Mill Lane, – Sometime overnight between 26/02 & 27/02/20 offender(s) have forced entry to a stables/tack room. They have failed to gain entry to the tack room but have turned away the CCTV camera and stolen the hard drives from the cameras (Ref: 45200022826)

Church Lane, – Sometime between 11/02 and 25/02/20 offender(s) have stolen a diesel generator and a quantity of tools stolen from a storage area on a hard standing (Ref: 45200022155)

West Park Road, Newchapel – Late on 22/02/20 offender(s) have attempted to steal from a secluded commercial outbuilding by prising open the metal cladding to the building, gaining entry but leaving immediately upon activating the alarm and smoke cloak (Ref: 45200021514)

Flower Lane, Godstone – Sometime overnight between 22/02 and 23/02/20 offender(s) have forced entry to two portacabins, a messy search has been conducted and tools have been stolen (Ref: 45200021386)

Flower Lane, Godstone – Sometime overnight between 22/02 and 23/02/20 offender(s) have forced entry to business property and stolen two vehicles and diagnostic equipment (Ref: 45200021383)

Butlers Dene Road, – In the early hours of 23/02/20 offender(s) have gained entry through an annex door. The victim has returned from night out noticing front door open, cupboards and fridge open inside and a vehicle had been stolen with work tools inside (Ref: 45200021296)

Halliloo Valley Road, Woldingham – Sometime overnight between 20/02 & 21/02/20 offender(s) have forced entry to multiple buildings and had items stolen from within them (Ref: 45200020590)

Eastbourne Road, Newchapel – Sometime overnight between 19/02 & 20/02/20 offender(s) have gained entry and caused damage to and stolen dog cage panels (Ref: 45200020450)

Reported environmental issues in rural Tandridge

Nothing to Report

If you have any information to assist with the investigation of these crimes please contact by telephone on 101 quoting the crime reference number

You are free to circulate this document to any of your contacts

Horse Watch, Farm Watch & SUSSEX – POLICE REPORTS

Nothing to Report

General information

Crimestoppers Do you know somebody who is carrying out criminal activity but fear the consequences of being identified as the person who reported them? Maybe you've seen or heard something about a crime but don't know what to do. Are you scared to come forward and be a witness?

If you feel like this, it's easy to think there is nothing you can do, but there is. Crimestoppers is there to support you. Tell them what you know, either by phone on 0800 555 111 or on the anonymous online form and nobody will ever find out who you are https://crimestoppers-uk.org

We are asking everyone to be extra vigilant and to call us on 101 if you see anyone or any vehicle acting suspiciously. If you have any information on this report then please call 101, Ref: 4520####### or you can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

More information about securing your property can be found by visiting www.surrey.police.uk

Country Watch Signs For CW Members the first sign is free...additional signs (£10 each) from Police Station. Please bolt/screw them onto gates/fences and check they are clean and not obscured by foliage. To obtain a new sign, if required, please contact Email: [email protected]

National Equine Crime Database http://www.necd.org.uk/assets/NECDVirtTour/controller.html

Saddle Marking (Equine community) If you would like your saddles marked (free) then please email your interest to [email protected] (signs cost £10 each)

Getting and using a horse passport https://www.gov.uk/horse-passport/overview

Environmental Issues http://new.surreycc.gov.uk/do-it-online Report a problem - Potholes, fallen trees, road signs damaged, street lights not working? There are lots of issues that can be reported direct to Surrey County Council online

REMEMBER! If you are calling to report an incident, please ensure you state that you are a Country Watch member and the following:

A crime is in progress! Suspects are still at the scene. Firearms…if any seen or suspected, (explain your working knowledge of firearms, if you have any). Exact location. Any vehicle registrations or partial registrations seen that may connect. If you are in a vehicle, give details of your vehicle so contact staff can use this as a marker to direct officers.

Please be vigilant and if you have any information or see any suspicious vehicles please contact us on 101 or via our online services.

If you wish to report a NON URGENT crime visit: https://www.surrey.police.uk/contact-us/report-online/report-a-crime/

This form should be used for reporting non-emergency matters only and may take several hours for us to respond to any incident reported through this online service.

Alternatively you can report it anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

An important part of the Country Watch network is Report, Report, Report! 999

Tandridge Beat Facebook Page

Are you following our Tandridge Beat Facebook page? Find news and updates from the Safer Neighbourhood Team. We have a growing audience and would love you to join us. https://www.facebook.com/TandridgePolice

Don’t forget you can also tweet us @TandridgeBeat

Just a gentle reminder that our Safer Neighbourhood Team mail box, Facebook and Twitter account are not monitored 24/7. To report incidents please call 101 or in an emergency 999.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Tandridge Safer Neighbourhood Team Telephone: 01483 630220 Email: [email protected]

Tandridge Neighbourhood Watch

The Tandridge Neighbourhood Watch organisation have a Web site which also lists previous newsletters not only for Neighbourhood Watch but also for Country Watch. www.tandridgenhw.org

If you wish to provide information on non-urgent suspicious matters or unusual behaviour you have observed which may be useful intelligence for us at a future date please email: Tandridge Safer Neighbourhood Team [email protected]

The information you provide will be read and treated in confidence when the staff are next on duty.

If you change your contact details please keep us informed so that you continue to receive the bulletin. Thank you.

TEAM NORTH OFFICER SGT /NSO

Caterham Hill PCSO 13690 Amy Ord PS 2210 Fee Mead & Portley PCSO 14276 Terry Pearson PC 3939 Wayne Stephens PCSO 12599 Rupert Kelley Warlingham Woldingham Tatsfield

Caterham Valley PCSO 12599 Vicky Seymour Harestone PCSO 13539 Stuart Wren Godstone South Godstone Nutfield South Nutfield

TEAM SOUTH

Limpsfield PCSO 13853 Lorraine Wells PS 40573 Jon Vale PCSO 12875 Hermione Pilbrow PC 40300 Kevin Stimson Hurst Green Holland

Smallfield PCSO 12437 Conrad Cheeseman Outwood Blindley Heath Lingfield Dormansland Crowhurst Fellbridge

Message Sent By Ken Richards (Surrey Police, CountryWatch Administrator, Reigate & Banstead, Tandridge)