Local Policing Unit Grange Ward Newsletter May 2021

Local News Update

Welcome to your May 2021 Newsletter for your area ... On 17th May the Government lifted further restrictions on the public, with some luck the final restrictions placed on us all will be lifted on the 21st June. For this to happen we all still need to ensure we follow the current guidance and en- sure we stick to the 2 metre rule and wear a face mask where required. We still need to be cautious to get back to a more normal way of life. May saw ’s intensification week on ‘County Lines’. This was a week of action targeting those who cause the most harm in our communities. The LPU held a range activities including executing warrants, educa- tional visits & presentations, plain clothed and uniformed patrols in your local area along with Joint agency working helping those most vulnerable. We have also seen a slight increase in Burglary offences in your area, please ensure that your property is secure at all times and any suspicious behaviour is reported to us promptly. If any of you wish to set up your own ‘Homewatch’ scheme in your street please contact me directly.

PC Chris Birchall [email protected]

PCSO Nick Fowler [email protected]

Police surgery - upcoming meetings

Because of Coronavirus the weekly beat surgeries are canceled until further notice. Don’t forget you can direct mes- sage via the below social media channels at any time with a question or query. These accounts are not monitored 24/7 and there may be a slight delay in receiving a response.

News Stories From Your Local Area

Arson on Cotton Lane

There was an incident on Cotton Lane this month which is believed to be arson. One property was damaged inside. The fire is believed to have start- ed from the inside of the property. Police are working in conjunction with the local council and housing providers to clear potential hazards and keep the community safe.

If you have any information about this incident please call 101 and quote IML 986416.

Sycamore Road the focus for May’s ‘Street of the week’

ASB surveys have been delivered to addresses on Sycamore Road this month. If you received one through your door then please fill it out and pop it back in the post using the prepaid envelope included. It’s really important to us that you share your views on what it’s like to live in your area and what the issues are that we should be looking at more closely. We want you to have more say in what the local policing priorities are, if it matters to you we need to know about it.

Covid-19 restrictions Step 4 - not before 21 June

Social contact

By Step 4 which will take place no earlier than 21 June, the government hopes to be in a position to re- move all legal limits on social contact.

Business, activities and events

We hope to reopen remaining premises, including nightclubs, and ease the restrictions on large events and performances that apply in Step 3. This will be subject to the results of a scientific Events Research Programme to test the outcome of certain pilot events through the spring and summer, where we will trial the use of testing and other techniques to cut the risk of infection. The same Events Research Pro- gramme will guide decisions on whether all limits can be removed on weddings and other life events.

As we move through each of these phases in the roadmap, we must all remember that COVID-19 re- mains a part of our lives. We are going to have to keep living our lives differently to keep ourselves and others safe. We must carry on with ‘hands, face, space’. Comply with the COVID-Secure measures that remain in place. Meet outdoors when we can and keep letting fresh air in. Get tested when needed. Get vaccinated when offered. If we all continue to play our part, we will be that bit closer to a future that is more familiar.

News Stories From Your Local Area

ASB at the Grangeway Shops

There have been a number of reports recently of youths causing issues in the area of the shops on Grangeway. Underage drinking and loutish behaviour and issues with bicycles and scooters being ridden antisocially have all been reported. Beat officers will be making high visibility patrols of the area to deal with any issues and disperse any groups of youths congregating. Local residents are encouraged to report any antisocial behaviour by calling 101.

News Stories From Your Local Area

Presentation delivered at Halton Lodge Primary School on ASB and consequences

PCSO’s Fowler and Hamilton-Kent have been to Halton Lodge Primary School this month to speak with the students about anti-social behaviour and consequences of crime. It was great to visit the school and listen to the interesting questions that the students asked.

News Stories From Your Local Area

Thieves target unsecured vehicles

Officers are investigating several instances of unknown individuals trying car doors across the beat and wider Runcorn area. We have received CCTV images that are currently being looked at to hopefully identify the offenders.

You can reduce the risks by following some simple advice:

Make sure you have locked your vehicle and your windows are closed too, even for short stops. Use your garage or park in well-lit, well-populated and overlooked areas. Use car parks that have parking attendants and ones with Park Mark accreditation. These car parks are designed to be safe environments and are approved by the police. Remove your valuables. Even bags, jackets, cases and toys have a value to thief. A jacket could contain cash or cigarettes that may encourage them. Lock them away in your boot but only if you cannot access the boot from the rear seats and you cannot unlock the boot from a switch in the cabin. Remove loose change from view. Its presence may tip the scales in any decision on whether to attempt to break in. Remove electronics such as sat-navs. You should also remove any holders or chargers and wipe clear suction cup marks. Any evidence could encourage a thief to look further. If you have expensive in-car entertainment, consider a better alarm. Most car alarms rely on the doors of the vehicle being opened. If you have expensive aftermarket systems or a security cubby, consider fitting a Thatcham approved alarm that also detects entry into the cabin of your vehicle. Keep your vehicle tidy. Clutter in the foot wells could make a thief feel it’s worth a look whilst envelopes left on seats could contain something worth stealing.

News Stories From Your Local Area

Loan Shark Dangers

The England Illegal Money Lending Team has launched a new campaign warning people about the dangers of loan sharks on dating apps and social media sites. Loan sharks are using dating apps and social media sites to trick people into taking out loans. These criminals are trapping victims in a cycle of debt and misery and enforcing repayment by blackmail and threats of violence. The Stop Loan Sharks helpline is open 24/7 on 0300 555 2222. Live Chat is also available on the website between 9am and 5pm weekdays at www.stoploansharks.co.uk.

News Stories From Your Local Area

ASB at Langdale Road

There have been a number of reports recently of youths causing issues in the area of the shops on Langdale Road. Underage drinking and loutish behaviour and issues with e scooters being ridden antisocially have all been reported. Beat officers will be making high visibility patrols of the area to deal with any issues and disperse any groups of youths congregating. Local residents are encouraged to report any antisocial behaviour by calling 101.

News Stories From Your Local Area

Motorcycle thefts

This time of year we usually see a rise in illegal off road bike activity likely due to the good weather and lighter evenings. Unfortunately this also leads to an increase in motorbike and moped/ scooter thefts too.

Operation Scrambler is currently active and we urge any member of the public that sees illegal off road bike activity to report it to us either via 101 or the report an incident feature

Report a road traffic incident | Cheshire Constabulary

As I’m sure you will appreciate tackling a bike moving at high speed presents serious risks not only to officers but to the rider also who often make dangerous manoeuvres to avoid us. Operation scrambler

One of the most successful ways of tackling this issue is to locate where the bikes are being stored and who is riding them, this enables us to deal with the problem before the bike gets mobile and puts the public and other road users at risk.

If you or someone you know has information about who rides such bike or where they are being stored you can let us know in confidence by calling 101, emailing [email protected] or contacting any of the local beat area social media accounts by direct message.

News Stories From Your Local Area

Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch Over the last few months we have been promoting Neighbourhood watch across the Runcorn area. We have seen a number of new schemes start up but the Grange area currently only has one scheme in place which is a real shame. Neighbourhood Watch is all about good neighbours keeping an eye out for each other and sharing information to keep their properties and community safe and make it a better place to live. NHW is not run by the police but we can support members with updates of crime trends in their area. If any residents are interested in starting up a scheme with their neighbours then please drop us a message via social media DM or visit Cheshire Police Alert ::

Why should I join?

Neighbourhood watch supports individuals and groups to create safer, stronger and active communities. They are national based charity that believe in a caring society that is focused on trust and respect, in which people are safe from crime and enjoy a good quality of life. Through the Neighbourhood Watch website www.ourwatch.org.uk members can access a library of resources and materials, for you to use in your own schemes and communities. They tackle a range of both traditional crimes and modern and provide practical advice with materials which are available to download and print. A PowerPoint presentation is included in most of the toolkits which will enable you to use, if you wish, at group meetings or community events, to raise awareness of these crimes.

News stories from your local area

Small rubbish fires a persistent problem in wooded areas

With the warmer weather we have seen a sharp rise in the amount of deliberately set fires in wooded areas on the beat. Likely set by youths theses are potentially incredibly dangerous and tie up much needed resources for the fire service. On the most part the fires are set using rubbish thrown over fences from local gardens or fly-tipped waste but there have been instances of wheelie bins being taken and set on fire also. Please make sure your bins are kept safely in your rear gardens where possible and dispose of your rubbish responsibly . A small fire can grow out of control very quickly in dry conditions and could put your property and family at risk. If you have any information about who is fly tipping waste then please contact directly via Contact Us (halton.gov.uk) or your local housing provider. If you see a fire no matter how small then call 999 immediately.

News Stories From Your Local Area

Community Speed Watch

Community Speed Watch is back up and running in Runcorn after a hiatus due to the lockdown. It provides an opportunity for residents to take positive action in respect of road safety within a controlled environment. As the local PCSO I will co-ordinate the scheme at a local level with the Community Speed Watch Volunteers and Local Authority. Community Speed Watch Volunteers are responsible for adherence to procedural guidelines regarding the handling of evidence, data protection and all operating rules. All speed watch sites will be risk assessed by the appropriate Local Authority in consultation with Cheshire Police’s area Traffic Management Officer and will include directional flow of traffic. High visibility clothing will be provided by the appropriate Local Authority. A Community Speed Watch is designed to be used in situations which require the monitoring of speed of vehicles in pursuit of the following activities: Reduce death and injury on the roads. Improve the quality of life for local communities. Reduce traffic noise and pollution in local communities. If you are interested in participating in a community speed watch scheme then drop me a message via the beat social media channels for further details .

News Stories From Your Local Area

Fatal 5 and Trucam enforcement

Speed enforcement has been carried out across May on Boston Avenue and Heath Road. I am happy to report no activations have been recorded this month.

Please keep to the speed limits when driving, now we are out of lockdown there are more vehicles on the roads and more pedestrians so stay switched on and take extra care at all times.

Remember the FATAL 5

 Careless driving

 Drink and drug driving

 Not wearing a seatbelt

 Using a mobile phone

 Speeding

News Stories From Your Local Area

Cheshire Police Alert System

I realise that I have sent all members this update via Cheshire police alert! However I am asking that you recommend the Alert service to all of your friends, family and colleagues, they can either sign up themselves or ask any PCSO or police officer including myself to sign them up. This way myself and other police officers can contact a great number of people with any important updates or alerts. (Including the monthly newsletter) Sign up at… https://www.cheshirepolicealert.co.uk/ Or if they prefer they can call 101 and ask an officer signs them up! Easy!

‘Cheshire Police Alert is the community messaging system brought to you by Cheshire Constabulary and servicing the whole of Cheshire. By registering with Cheshire Police Alert, you receive news and appeals, local crime information and crime prevention advice - direct to you as an e-mail, mobile text or voice message. Registering with this site is completely free, and not only allows you to receive messages about your local area, but also allows you to feed back information to your local policing teams to help them better police your neighbourhood’

Your Local Policing Team...

PCSO 23512 Nick Fowler