PRE-CHRISTMAS PUBLIC ORDER PATROLS
Due to a rise in criminal damage reports in Alresford town over the previous six months, extra Police Officers were on duty on the three weekends prior to Christmas. Working until 0200 hours, two Officers walked the town beat on Friday and Saturday evenings. Unfortunately no-one extra was available to work on Christmas Eve, and this was the only night on which damage was actually caused, to cars in Station Road.
The other weekends were unusually quiet. One night, a small fight was witnessed and broken up by the officers in West Street. Details r occasion, a small quantity of cannabis was seized from a group of teenagers in a car, and on another, at 0145 in the morning a high spirited group were caught walking off with the tables from outside of the Horse & Groom. These were replaced on request and an apology offered. On the same night a local resident was warned for singing drunkenly and loudly whilst walking home through the graveyard behind St John's Church.
So, all in all there wasn't much crime to be dealt with. However, that is not what it is all about. The preventative impact of extra high visibility patrols cannot be measured but it was definitely a worthwhile exercise, which will be repeated in the near future.
LOCK YOUR DOOR EVEN WHEN YOU ARE IN
A recent story about robbers caught on a home CCTV highlights the need for us all to lock doors at all times. The property was guarded by three CCTV cameras, an alarm and sensors in each room, but the unlocked door circumvented all that! Police are studying the images of the intruders who made off with jewellery and cash worth £800.
NEWSLETTER CIRCULATION
We would like to extend the number of households receiving this Newsletter, in the wider area covered by our Association. If you know of anybody prepared to assist in delivering Newsletters in any of the villages that currently don't get a door-to-door delivery, please get in touch with the editor. We can easily print more copies!
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*Member of Hampshire Trading Standards 'Buy with Confidence' SchemeAGM REPORT
Sadly, attendance at the ADNWA AGM was down on previous years, but the quality of the guest speaker was maintained. Those present at the Goods Shed on November 10th heard an enlightening talk on the Probation Service from John Davies, the Area Manager.
He explained the Service's role as a law enforcement agency, its association with the Prison Service and likely future changes. He talked about the "offender journey", plus the emphasis on delivering numeracy and literacy skills and efforts to combat re-offending, given that 50% of crime is committed by the same people.
He believes that any punishment must be appropriate to the offence, which means a mix of custody and unpaid community work. 2000 of the 7000 sentences per annum in Hampshire involved unpaid working, which is far from being the cushy punishment that some people assumed.
There are strict controls and penalties for those who try to buck the system. The work is skill based and designed to build self esteem and respect for the community. Many examples of local projects were given. The organisation is keen to get charities and communities involved with projects that could be used for unpaid work. More info can be obtained from the web site.
There were also tributes to Inspector Steve Sargent, who is retiring after 30 years service. These came from both Alresford Neighbourhood Watch and also from Petersfield Neighbourhood Watch, which he helped to establish during his 10 years of service there, prior to moving to Alresford in 2004. As Rob Fellows, our Chairman put it, 'a man of action, who could be relied on to provide a quick response'.
THINK ABOUT WHAT'S OUTSIDE
- Never leave a key hidden outside your home (e.g.under a doormat)
- Always lock sheds and garages
- Always put ladders or tools away - they could be used by an intruder
- Don't leave packaging for new appliances and goods outside your home. Always crush it and put it in the bin.