ROGUE TRADERS HIT TOWN

In spite of covering this topic in our last Newsletter, an elderly resident has recently been the victim of fraudsters who convinced the owner that the driveway needed attention. They quoted £1200, then reduced the figure and proceeded to cover the area with a black fluid and dressed it with sandy material. The job was a complete mess, but the householder was then taken to a bank in town and was pressured into parting with £800 in cash. The whole incident was over in less than half an hour.

The victim was intimidated and frightened and succumbed to the pressures applied by the rogue traders who are practised in conning elderly and vulnerable people.

Both Police and Hampshire Trading Standards are investigating, but apart from understanding that the main perpetrator was a thin swarthy man, accompanied by two younger men, operating from possibly a Ford Transit van. They do not have the registration number, or much else to go on.

Before you have any work done -

If at any time a resident feels threatened by a caller, they should call Trading Standards Quick Response Team on 01962 833666.

ADVICE FOR ALL CAR DRIVERS

Reports of car-jacking at petrol stations are all too common. Lock your car while you are re-fuelling (you cannot watch all the car doors while you are filling the tank) and leave it locked while you go to pay.

Also, if, when you return to your car and drive off you see something stuck to your car window, don’t immediately jump out to remove it. There may be someone just waiting to jump in and drive off. Wait till you are clear of the area before investigating what is on the window.

We thank Phoenix for the sponsorship of this Newsletter

Phoenix Auto Services Unit E,

Prospect Road,

Alresford,

SO24 9QF

01962 736343

'Phoenix - Your friendly garage with a personal touch.'

www.phoenix4service.com

HELPING THE INTRUDER

In many instances a burglar can enter a property because it has been left unlocked, so lock up even when you leave the house for a short time. Don't leave keys in locks, especially those with glazed panels. Don't leave keys under the mat, or any other obvious place, especially near a door with a letterbox. Don't leave windows or garage doors open. Ensure ladders or garden tools are not easily available - even a small trowel makes a good implement to break into a house.

CAR SECURITY

Much has been written about car security, but if you just ensure that your vehicle is always locked, and nothing of any value is visible through the windows, this is a good start.

THE LOCAL PCSO'S

There has been a recent staffing change to the PCSO's who have provided a visible Police presence in and around Alresford for some time now. Kerry Digby is moving on to a more populated area of Hampshire. She has performed for us with commitment and enthusiasm and received a commendation for her part in one particular incident in the town.

Melissa Panter is continuing to work here and her considerable local knowledge and experience will be used to good effect. She will be joined by another colleague when training has been completed.

FREE KEYHOLDER REGISTRATION

For many years Hampshire Constabulary has provided a service to domestic residents by recording key holder details relating to audible alarms.

They are now in the process of developing a new and improved process and are inviting new or existing record holders to register their details.

The scheme is designed to apply only to domestic premises fitted with an audible-only alarm (known as Type B). Alarms linked to a monitoring station (known as Type A) have their key holders recorded by the monitoring company and should not register on this scheme.

It should be noted that the police do not automatically attend Type B alarm activations unless there are indications from the scene that there is suspicious activity or that a criminal offence has taken place. Details of this policy can be found on the web site of the Association of Chief Police Officers at www.acpo.police.uk.

The application form is available at-

www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/advice or Phone: 023 8074 5381 (voicemail) or e-mail: keyholder.database@hampshire.pnn.police.uk


CRIME IN PROGRESS? — RING 999 NOW - NOT TOMORROW


LOCAL WATCHES AND CO-ORDINATORS

The structure of Neighbourhood Watch is based on areas being divided into separate "Watches" - groups of properties with a voluntary Co-ordinator acting as a good neighbour.

The list of Watches is used as a cascade system to disseminate crime messages and warnings to householders and also forms the basis for delivering N/W Newsletters to all houses.

Some volunteer Co-ordinators have been operating since Neighbourhood Watch was first formed in the area. When vacancies have occurred there have always been volunteers to take on the job.

All Co-ordinators are now able to receive e-mail weekly crime reports which tell them which incidents of crime and vandalism have been reported to the Police by the public. It is still vital for everyone to continue to be the eyes and ears of the Police, to help keep the area as safe and pleasant as possible.

Welcome to the following new Co-ordinators

Bill Dennay - Orchard Dean
Don Meadwell- Pound Hill/Park Mount
Peter Petheram- Robertsons/Jacklyns
Dr Joan Read- Jacklyns Close/Lane
Carolyn Powers- Oak Hill North
Jenny Hayes- Meadow Close
Paul Batty- Ladycroft

COMMITTEE CHANGEOVER

Following the departure of Secretary Ralph Pointer at the AGM, after four years of dedicated service to local Neighbourhood Watch, new members Dave Rice-Smith, Tony Goater and Jan Berry have joined the Committee to ensure that our crime prevention activities continue.

Familiar names continuing include Chris Webb as Vice-Chairman, Geoff Harris as Treasurer and Andrew Black as Newsletter Editor and County representative.

Russell Hellier continues as overall rural area organiser, assisted by David Pain covering the southern rural sector. John Stevenson acted as temporary Chairman for the March Committee meeting and is also street signs organiser and Media/Press Sec. Jan Berry has joined as Administrator. For all general queries please call her on 01962 732737.

COUNTY-WIDE NW EVENT

There is to be a county-wide NW event, to be held on the afternoon of Saturday, 3 May 2008 in Winchester Guildhall. All NW Coordinators in Hampshire and IoW are cordially invited to attend, and further details will be provided as soon as these have been finalised.

101

In spite of the government removing funding and other pilot counties abandoning the system, Hampshire are to persevere with it for at least the next year. So, please continue to dial 101 for all non urgent calls, including vandalism, graffiti, noisy neighbours abandoned vehicles litter and other antisocial behaviour.

ALWAYS ASK FOR AN INCIDENT NUMBER

Constabulary Column

An update from Alresford’s Sergeant Wayne Curson

Have your say on what the Policing priorities should be. Pick up a form and deposit it in the boxes provided at -

Alresford- Surgery, Library, Community Centre, Coop, Police Station, Arlebury Park or Perins School (for students), Old Alresford- Christie Hall, Tichborne Arms, Bishops Sutton- Ship Inn, Bramdean- Garage, Cheriton- Shop, Itchen Abbas- Trout Inn and Village Hall and Easton- Chestnut Horse.

BEAT OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES

While the following are the areas each officer is primarily responsible for, it is always possible to get a message to the officer currently on duty by using the e-mailbox for the Team which is - meon.valley.north.snt@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

Steve Dicker - New and Old Alresford, Bighton and Gundleton
Steve Thompson - Bishops Sutton, Cheriton and Bramdean
Alex Harrison and Lynn Owen - Itchen Abbas, Easton and Martyr Worthy

USEFUL CONTACTS

EMERGENCY 999 Crime in progress
Life in danger
Violence being used
NON –EMERGENCY 101

Report minor crime
Contact Police officer
Leave messages
Ask for Alresford Police Station

0845 045 45 45 Contact Police officer
Leave messages
ALRESFORD POLICE STATION ENQUIRY DESK
Subject to operational demands, the station is open to the public at the following times -
Monday - Thursday 12.30 – 16.30
Other times by appointment - telephone 0845 045 45 45
Hampshire Constabulary web site
www.hampshire.police.uk
Information on crime prevention and all Police services.