Police Newsletter

April 1st to 30th 2020

Shrewsbury Rural East Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT)

About your team Insp Safdar Ali Sgt 3250 Rebecca Thomas

PCSO Lyn Birch PCSO Jacqui Baldwin PC Mark Milton

Safer Neighbourhood Teams work with local people and partners to identify, tackle and solve issues that matter to the community where you live. Making neighbourhoods safer by cutting day to day crime and anti-social behaviour is at the heart of keeping people in West Mercia safe. We are keen to promote closer links with local residents & would like to increase the number of Neighbourhood Watch, Speed Watch, Rural Watch & Horse Watch Schemes – they are easy to set up & require little effort to maintain, please ask how. Officers will continue to come to provide a high quality service however you contact us - in person (on the street, at community bases and at partners and communities together [PACT] meetings). Please join us on social media – if your parish, group or area have a website, ‘page’ or email address, please let us know. or email us for help & advice.

Where we work Shrewsbury Rural East is based at - Pontesbury Police Station, Minsterley Road, Pontesbury, SY5 0QH. We work in the Parishes of Acton Burnell, Frodesley, Pitchford, Ruckley and Langley, All Stretton, Smethcott and Woolstaston, Astley, Atcham, Bayston Hill, Berrington, Buildwas, Cardington, Church Preen, Hughley and Kenley, Church Pulverbatch, Condover, Cound,Cressage, Harley and Sheinton,Leebotwood and Longnor, Leighton and Eaton Constantine, Uffington, Upton Magna, Withington, and finally Wroxeter and Uppington

How to get in touch  101 Extension 7704803 to talk to your local SNT at Pontesbury Station.

 [email protected]  www.westmercia.police.uk Pontesbury Police Station @ShrewsburyCops

Only call 999 in an emergency, when a crime is in progress or life is in danger.

PONTESBURY POLICE STATION OPENING TIMES

WEDNESDAY’S - 4 pm To 7 pm

The Police Station is staffed by volunteers. Sometimes due to circumstances beyond our control we may not be able to have the station open to the public. If the station is closed and you need to speak to a member of the team please contact us using the details above.

The Safer Neighbourhood Team will also hold Police Surgeries : https://westmercia.police.uk Occasionally due to circumstances beyond our control we may not be able to get to the Surgery or Meeting. If officers are not at the location and you need to speak to the team please contact us using the details above.

The Data below is for the Period 1st April – 30th April 2020

Acton Burnell FB22,

ASSAULTS BURG RESIDENTIAL BURG BUSINESS & COMMUNITY THEFT OTHER CRIMINAL DAMAGE RTC-DEATH/INJURY RTC-DAMAGE ONLY ROAD RELATED OFFENCE SUSP CIRCUMSTANCES ASB PERSONAL ASB NUISANCE……………………….1 ASB ENVIROMENTAL

Frodesley FB07

Ruckley FB08

ASSAULTS BURG RESIDENTIAL BURG BUSINESS & COMMUNITY

-2- THEFT OTHER CRIMINAL DAMAGE RTC-DEATH/INJURY RTC-DAMAGE ONLY ROAD RELATED OFFENCE SUSP CIRCUMSTANCES……………..1 ASB PERSONAL ASB NUISANCE ASB ENVIROMENTAL

Pitchford FB23

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All Stretton FB51

Smethcott FB03

ASSAULTS BURG RESIDENTIAL BURG BUSINESS & COMMUNITY THEFT OTHER…………………………..1 CRIMINAL DAMAGE RTC-DEATH/INJURY RTC-DAMAGE ONLY ROAD RELATED OFFENCE SUSP CIRCUMSTANCES ASB PERSONAL ASB NUISANCE ASB ENVIROMENTAL

Woolstaston FB04

ASSAULTS BURG RESIDENTIAL BURG BUSINESS & COMMUNITY

-3- THEFT OTHER CRIMINAL DAMAGE RTC-DEATH/INJURY RTC-DAMAGE ONLY ROAD RELATED OFFENCE SUSP CIRCUMSTANCES…………………1 ASB PERSONAL ASB NUISANCE ASB ENVIROMENTAL

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Astley FB46

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Atcham FB30.

ASSAULTS BURG RESIDENTIAL BURG BUSINESS & COMMUNITY THEFT OTHER CRIMINAL DAMAGE RTC-DEATH/INJURY………………………1 RTC-DAMAGE ONLY ROAD RELATED OFFENCE…………...…1 SUSP CIRCUMSTANCES ASB PERSONAL ASB NUISANCE…………………………….1 ASB ENVIROMENTAL

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Bayston Hill FA16

ASSAULTS BURG RESIDENTIAL BURG BUSINESS & COMMUNITY THEFT OTHER………………………………1 CRIMINAL DAMAGE……………………….2 RTC-DEATH/INJURY RTC-DAMAGE ONLY………………………1 ROAD RELATED OFFENCE SUSP CIRCUMSTANCES…………………8 ASB PERSONAL……………………….…..5 ASB NUISANCE ………………………….. 2 ASB ENVIROMENTAL

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-4- Berrington FB29.

ASSAULTS…………………………………..1 BURG RESIDENTIAL BURG BUSINESS & COMMUNITY THEFT OTHER CRIMINAL DAMAGE RTC-DEATH/INJURY RTC-DAMAGE ONLY ROAD RELATED OFFENCE SUSP CIRCUMSTANCES…………………1 ASB PERSONAL ASB NUISANCE…………………………….5 ASB ENVIROMENTAL …………………….1 ______

Buildwas FB52

ASSAULTS BURG RESIDENTIAL BURG BUSINESS & COMMUNITY THEFT OTHER CRIMINAL DAMAGE RTC-DEATH/INJURY RTC-DAMAGE ONLY ROAD RELATED OFFENCE SUSP CIRCUMSTANCES…………………1 ASB PERSONAL……………………………1 ASB NUISANCE…………………………….1 ASB ENVIROMENTAL ______

Cardington FB50.

ASSAULTS BURG RESIDENTIAL BURG BUSINESS & COMMUNITY THEFT OTHER CRIMINAL DAMAGE No Offences in April RTC-DEATH/INJURY RTC-DAMAGE ONLY ROAD RELATED OFFENCE SUSP CIRCUMSTANCES ASB PERSONAL ASB NUISANCE ASB ENVIROMENTAL

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Church Preen FB09

ASSAULTS BURG RESIDENTIAL BURG BUSINESS & COMMUNITY THEFT OTHER CRIMINAL DAMAGE RTC-DEATH/INJURY RTC-DAMAGE ONLY ROAD RELATED OFFENCE SUSP CIRCUMSTANCES……………………1 ASB PERSONAL ASB NUISANCE

-5- ASB ENVIROMENTAL

Hughley FB10

Kenley FB21

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Church Pulverbatch FB02

ASSAULTS BURG RESIDENTIAL……………………1 BURG BUSINESS & COMMUNITY THEFT OTHER CRIMINAL DAMAGE RTC-DEATH/INJURY RTC-DAMAGE ONLY ROAD RELATED OFFENCE……………1 SUSP CIRCUMSTANCES ASB PERSONAL ASB NUISANCE ASB ENVIROMENTAL

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Condover FB01

ASSAULTS……………………………….1 BURG RESIDENTIAL BURG BUSINESS & COMMUNITY THEFT OTHER CRIMINAL DAMAGE……………………1 RTC-DEATH/INJURY RTC-DAMAGE ONLY ROAD RELATED OFFENCE SUSP CIRCUMSTANCES………………4

-6- ASB PERSONAL ASB NUISANCE…………………………1 ASB ENVIROMENTAL

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Cound FB24

ASSAULTS BURG RESIDENTIAL……………………1 BURG BUSINESS & COMMUNITY THEFT OTHER CRIMINAL DAMAGE RTC-DEATH/INJURY RTC-DAMAGE ONLY ROAD RELATED OFFENCE SUSP CIRCUMSTANCES ASB PERSONAL ASB NUISANCE…………………………1 ASB ENVIROMENTAL

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Cressage FB26

ASSAULTS BURG RESIDENTIAL BURG BUSINESS & COMMUNITY…..1 THEFT OTHER CRIMINAL DAMAGE RTC-DEATH/INJURY RTC-DAMAGE ONLY ROAD RELATED OFFENCE SUSP CIRCUMSTANCES ASB PERSONAL ASB NUISANCE………………………..1 ASB ENVIROMENTAL

Harley FB25

Sheinton FB27

ASSAULTS BURG RESIDENTIAL BURG BUSINESS & COMMUNITY THEFT OTHER CRIMINAL DAMAGE RTC-DEATH/INJURY RTC-DAMAGE ONLY

-7- ROAD RELATED OFFENCE SUSP CIRCUMSTANCES………………1 ASB PERSONAL ASB NUISANCE ASB ENVIROMENTAL

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Leebotwood FB05

Longnor FB06

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Leighton & Eaton Constantine FB28

ASSAULTS BURG RESIDENTIAL BURG BUSINESS & COMMUNITY THEFT OTHER………………………………..7 CRIMINAL DAMAGE…………………………1 RTC-DEATH/INJURY RTC-DAMAGE ONLY ROAD RELATED OFFENCE SUSP CIRCUMSTANCES……………………4 ASB PERSONAL ASB NUISANCE ASB ENVIROMENTAL

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-8- Uffington FB34

ASSAULTS BURG RESIDENTIAL BURG BUSINESS & COMMUNITY THEFT OTHER CRIMINAL DAMAGE RTC-DEATH/INJURY RTC-DAMAGE ONLY…………………….1 ROAD RELATED OFFENCE SUSP CIRCUMSTANCES………………..2 ASB PERSONAL ASB NUISANCE…………………………..10 ASB ENVIROMENTAL

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Upton Magna FB31

ASSAULTS BURG RESIDENTIAL……………………….1 BURG BUSINESS & COMMUNITY THEFT OTHER CRIMINAL DAMAGE RTC-DEATH/INJURY RTC-DAMAGE ONLY………………………..1 ROAD RELATED OFFENCE SUSP CIRCUMSTANCES ASB PERSONAL ASB NUISANCE………………………………2 ASB ENVIROMENTAL

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Withington FB33

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Wroxeter & Uppington FB32

ASSAULTS BURG RESIDENTIAL BURG BUSINESS & COMMUNITY THEFT OTHER………………………………1 CRIMINAL DAMAGE……………………….1 RTC-DEATH/INJURY RTC-DAMAGE ONLY ROAD RELATED OFFENCE SUSP CIRCUMSTANCES………………….2

-9- ASB PERSONAL ASB NUISANCE…………………………….1 ASB ENVIROMENTAL……………………..1

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Key

Assaults None Crime: Minor to serious assaults

ASB Personal None Crime: Anti Social Behaviour against an individual

ASB Environmental None Crime: Anti Social Behaviour such as Litter or Fly Tipping

ASB Nuisance None Crime: Anti Social Behaviour not aimed at an individual

RTC – Death/Injury None Crime: Collision resulting in death or injury

RTC – Damage Only None Crime: Collison resulting in damage to vehicles or property

Road Related Offence None Crime: Speeding/Dangerous Driving etc

Criminal Damage Crime: of damage to property

Burglary Dwelling Burglary of an actual dwelling

Burglary Business Burglary from a none dwelling building such as offices, warehouses

Theft Crime associated with theft, Robbery, make off without payment

Concern For Safety Non Crime: including missing people

Incidents Worthy Of Note

As many of you will know, the rural areas across Shropshire and our neighbouring forces have been subject to the thefts of power tools, Quad Bikes, agricultural machinery to name but a few. Officers are continually working together to act on information - much of which is provided by the public – to tackle those responsible. There have been recent arrests of travelling criminals of whom there is intelligence that links them to the type of offences being reported weekly.

-10- We are carrying out disruption operations with teams patrolling the rural areas through the night when the criminal is mostly active. Whilst we would like to try and second guess the criminals next target, the vastness of our rural area makes it very difficult. I would like to thank those who have been able to contribute information to ourselves. It is this information that helps to identify possible offenders. Although the offending mainly takes place during the night time, the criminals will drive around your areas in the day to recce potential targets. Should you see a vehicle acting suspicious, consider reporting it via the ‘101’ system. Please do not approach any of these people. Remain safe at all times.

As and when we have successes, my aim will be to provide the good news in the monthly newsletter as well as social media.

Thanks again for your continued help and support.

Speeding Issues

During this current Lockdown period, the Camera Partnership have suspended Speed Enforcement across the Force area. With the roads much quieter, there has been an increase in complaints of speeding across the West Midlands in general. In an attempt to try and address this, we have been spending some time in some of your areas. Currently, there is only one handheld speed gun available and we are having to share this equipment with our colleagues on other areas. Last week, we were at Leighton and the old A5 outside of Atcham. When we have spare time, we will endeavour to visit as many of the other areas as possible, ideally when members of the public are travelling to work in the morning.

Some of you are already aware of the Community Speed Watch. Below is a summary by Mr Mark Booth with how the CSW works:

If there is interest in any particular area we first need to carry out a speed survey to ensure the average speeds are within our safety range to offer the scheme. Following this I need a group of at least six people who would be willing to take the training. One of this group must be willing to take on the role of coordinator. This role is easy but I use this person as my direct contact. Once I'm happy we have enough volunteers to operate a CSW group I will then attend the area and identify safe locations for the group to operate in. I take pictures of the areas and complete a risk assessment. This can be done by myself or the coordinator can join me to offer their local knowledge.

Following these steps I then arrange a training day to suit the group’s commitments. This is followed by a short live training session to make sure everyone is happy with what to do. The team are then free to arrange when and how often they conduct the CSW sessions. The running of the group is down to the coordinator and group members. I will always be there for support and will supply all the equipment. It is imperative that the groups comply with the H&S rules which will be in every member’s booklet which I issue during the training.

The only thing I require from the group is the prompt return of the recording sheets so I can send out letters to the offending drivers.

-11- We have group coordinators meetings once a year where we discuss our successes and look at ways to improve the way we operate. We are also looking at a monthly newsletter and I'm trying to arrange days where members can go out with officers in our vehicles to see how we operate.

In the short time I have been coordinator we have doubled the groups and seen a marked decrease in the number of offenders. This is the goal we are all working to, as this will make our communities safer for all.

Please let me know if you require any additional information, as I would be glad to offer whatever I can to help. I am also willing to visit areas looking at becoming a CSW group and explain a bit more about the scheme.

Regards

Mark

Mark Booth Community Speed Watch Coordinator West Mercia Police Road Safety  01952 608766  [email protected]  www.westmercia.police.uk/roadsafety follow us on twitter @ThinkSaferRoads

ShrewsburyCops – Tweets

Pontesbury Police Station @ShrewsburyCops

Please have a look at Shrewsbury Cops Tweets as an excellent source of information letting you know what is going on

INITIATIVES

Introduction to the

‘Safer School’ initiative

West Mercia Police created the ‘Safer School’ initiative in 1996. By coincidence, this was the year of the Dunblane school tragedy. At that time, understandably there was considerable interest by schools. The Police and Shropshire Council held introductory presentations over a 4-year period to encourage schools to be involved, however only three schools pursued the initiative to an accreditation. As the -12- initiative appeared to fail initially, Shropshire Council re-invented the initiative to great effect. Today, 140 Shropshire schools have been accredited and further schools are in the process. Private and schools outside Shropshire are now interested/involved in Safer Schools. Background • It is a realistic effective security and safety approach for all schools – all schools can achieve the accreditation, and this applies to academies. • An impartial initiative by the Shropshire Council and West Mercia Police. • The methodology of Safer Schools is to minimise any expenditure. • Implementing essential measures, good practice and measures specific to the location of the school i.e. a suitable fence relevant to the need and location. • Schools taking ownership and responsibility for themselves. • Covers both physical measures and good working practice. • The essentials of ‘Safer Schools’ include good communication, good record keeping and promoting the schools ‘Safer School’ involvement. Principle aspects covered by the initiative • Staff, visitor and pupil/student safety on the school premises. • Property security i.e. PCs, Ipads, cameras ………… • Premises security i.e. trespass, anti-social behaviour, vandalism, burglary. Advantages of ‘Safer School’ involvement • For both prospective and existing parents/carers/students, the initiative illustrates a school’s approach to security and safety. • A comprehensive focus on security and personal safety. • Pro-active surveys. Specific surveys asking parents/carers and pupils/students for their school concerns. • Incident recording as an aid to identifying an issue or, most importantly, identifying there is not an issue or problem. • Police involvement through the initiative. • Schools are updated with any concerns/issues. • Schools know they are following best practice with Shropshire Council and West Mercia Police involvement. • Can be an important aid for an Ofsted inspection. • Good for school publicity and promotion material i.e. school website. • Able to display a distinctive Safer School sign and certificate. • The initiative is a contribution to safeguarding and a site security risk assessment.

West Mercia Police • West Mercia Police provide excellent support, particularly in attending the Safer School Group meetings at schools.

A ‘Safer School’ presentation illustrating the framed certificate and Safer School sign.

-13- Surveys An important aspect of the Safer Schools process is informing and involving the broader school community i.e. parents/carers and students/pupils. ‘Safer School’ letters, surveys, newsletters and a ‘Safer School Group’ demonstrate this communication. The purpose of this approach is to be pro- active towards security/ safety and a ‘Safer Schools’ parent/carer survey is a highlight of the initiative. This survey is in use by nearly all Shropshire Primary/Junior/Infant schools and many Senior/Special schools. In addition to the parent/carer survey, Senior/Primary and Special schools use a pupil/student survey. Both these surveys are thoroughly tried-and-tested and overwhelmingly school feedback indicates that they are worthwhile. What is the process? Whether a school is new to Safer Schools or been accredited for 20 years, to achieve, continue and update an accreditation, Crime Prevention can support and assist a school with the following: • Holding an annual ‘Safer School Group’ meeting – including leading/chairing the meeting. • Involving/informing students/parents through surveys/letters and newsletters. • Recording incidents at the site and reviewing. • Reviewing and advising on any concerns/issues at the school, including survey feedback. • Reviewing and advising on security/safety measures in accordance with a checklist. • Publicising and promotion of a school’s ‘Safer School’ involvement – policy, website etc. • Providing the school, all the updated draft documents and the ‘Safer School’ certificate. Recognition of Safer School involvement includes a Safer School sign, framed certificate and on request, student certificates and badges.

Ian Bartlett Crime Prevention Officer Health and Safety Team Shropshire Council (01743) 252821(direct) or 252819(office) 07990 085941 mobile [email protected]

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MINI POLICE OFFICERS

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Our Mini Police Officers have now been with us for several months and have been a great success outside the schools. They are currently working hard at Condover and Longnor Schools for the current term before they revisit other schools on our area.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

It’s ‘Easy & Effective’ – but we need your help

The aim of a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme is to bring together like minded neighbours who wish to create a strong friendly community where crime and anti-social behaviour is less likely to occur.

By being a member of a Watch scheme you will be a valued link between your community and the Police – via email, text message, Facebook, WhatsApp or SnapChat (whatever suits you). The police will not run the scheme, as to how that is done is up to the members, however the Police will provide help and advice.

There is no lower or higher limit on how many members there can be in a scheme. We have street signs that can be provided and installed free of charge to help keep your area safe. It has been proved that where there is a NHW scheme in place, crime and ASB decreases and the area becomes a safer and more pleasant place in which to live.

-15- You may (or may not) decide to have regular meetings of your members; if so SNT Members or Police staff will do all they can to attend and support those meetings if requested. You can formalise your scheme on the National register or just keep it informal and liaise direct with us at Pontesbury Station.

Being a coordinator or a member can take as much or as little time as you wish; all we ask is that if you have a concern or become aware of any unusual or suspicious activity you report it to Police via your chosen means or if appropriate for more urgent matters via telephoning the ‘101’ number.

NHW members are valued by the Police for the time and work they do to lessen crime and help keep Shropshire a low crime area. We can also advise on Rural Watch, Horse Watch & Speed Watch schemes.

For more information please visit www.westmercia.police.uk and www.ourwatch.org.uk

Or come and have a chat with our Police volunteer Arthur Jones at Pontesbury Police Station on Wednesdays between 4pm and 7pm.

Police officer numbers across West Mercia boosted by national uplift campaign

The ranks of West Mercia Police have been bolstered with an additional 76 officers recruited as part of a major government campaign launched last September, according to figures released today (30 April).

This means that the force is well on track to recruit the 93 new officers earmarked for West Mercia in 2020-21, part of the government’s “Join the Police” campaign to recruit 20,000 extra officers in England and Wales over three years. These officers are in addition to the planned recruitment of 215 new constables funded from council taxes, as a result of the Police and Crime Commissioner listening to communities across Shropshire, Herefordshire, Telford & Wrekin and Worcestershire.

There are now 2240 police officers at West Mercia Police, the highest level for the best part of a decade.

Rachel Hartland Lane, Director of Business Services at West Mercia Police, said: “Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, we are continuing to focus on our key priorities, including recruiting new police officers to help us in our response to the crisis and beyond.

“Since the first student officers started their roles under the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) programme in January 2020, West Mercia Police has welcomed 80 student officers through the PCDA route, with another 30 due to start their police apprenticeship on 4 May. This is in addition to 19 new officers who have joined us in 2020 under the previous route to policing. 76 of these new officers were funded by the National Uplift Programme, with the remainder ensuring that we maintain optimum staffing levels in response to the turnover of officers who retire or leave the service each year.

“Our police apprentices are already playing their part in the COVID-19 crisis, joining experienced officers on the frontline out on patrol across our communities, engaging with the public, explaining the reasons for the regulations and encouraging people to stay at home.

“Recruitment remains ongoing during this difficult time to attract and retain the best staff from a range of backgrounds to serve the public, and a substantial uplift in officer numbers gives us an opportunity to increase the diversity of our workforce – something we are really keen to achieve to give the best possible service to our

-16- communities. Adjustments have been made to the recruitment process to ensure compliance with the current health recommendations and to ensure swift and efficient processes to get officers out on our streets.”

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “Last year I promised the communities of West Mercia that I would increase police officer numbers after the public said they wanted more visibility. The investment I made to achieve this, along with the support from the Government’s uplift programme, saw officer numbers rise to the highest since 2012.

“I am pleased that, despite the ongoing health crisis, West Mercia Police remains focused on ensuring the recruitment is on track. I look forward to welcoming the new recruits as they step into the role of keeping our communities safe.” Chief Superintendent update on local policing response to COVID-19

West Mercia Police officers will be providing reassurance and support to their local communities over the coming weeks after the government’s appeal for the public to limit contact with others.

Chief Superintendent Tom Harding said today that he believes local communities will work with the police to help support the NHS in their response to the COVID-19 virus.

He said: “There is no doubt we are entering a critical phase to our policing response to COVID-19 and we are currently working to focus our resources towards our frontline response. I’m confident our communities will work with us and we will support them by educating and guiding where we can. We’re engaging with business and individuals - the majority of whom are respecting the new rules to protect themselves and their families. However, a small minority have been advised and dispersed. The advice is simple - Stay home, save lives.

“I’m really pleased to see the majority of people are now listening to government’s request for us to limit non- essential movement as this is helping to support the work of the NHS. For the minority who think it’s still okay to ignore the warnings then we won’t shy aware from using our enforcement powers to protect our communities. We will direct, fine and arrest if necessary.

“We will also be out speaking with the public and conducting roads policing checks which will involve randomly stopping people to make sure their journey are within the rules.

-17- “This global pandemic is a national emergency and I am sure we will all work together to help protect the elderly, the vulnerable and those most at risk in our communities. By following the national advice we can all help to make a difference.”

Chief Superintendent Harding said officers themselves are practising social distancing and are working alongside the same colleagues to prevent them coming into contact with more people than is absolutely necessary.

Our chief officers will continue to work closely with our partners both locally and nationally to ensure we all provide the service needed to keep the public safe and informed.

Our advice to the public remains the same. We’re here in number - if you need us and we can be contacted via our website or 999 in an emergency situation.

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-19-