Suffolk Police have had various unconfirmed reports recently that a number of horses have been stolen in the Suffolk area but as yet there is no foundation to them.
Internet forums are buzzing with speculation and text messages reporting incidents have been circulating widely. These incidents usually involve photographs being taken of horses in fields with unknown individuals showing a high level of interest in particular animals. In many cases, the reliability of the reports is hard to confirm and there is no doubt that many false rumours are circulating. There are no police records for a number of the alleged horse thefts and it appears that at least some of the text messages involved are not genuine.
The concerns of horse owners are appreciated, but they should not panic. Horse owners should take this opportunity to review the security of their stable yards and paddocks. Anyone who observes suspicious activity around horses should note down as much detail as possible and report it to the police. Time, date, vehicle registration details and descriptions of any persons involved are particularly helpful. Number plates of vehicles may be cloned, so a full description of the vehicle involved should be taken.
For further advice on security measures please contact your local Crime Reduction Officer on 01473 613500 |
| Peter Taber | 16 Jun 2008 09:00 |
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| I may be stupid, but I thought that volunteer meant that you don't get paid!! |
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The Department for Communities and Local Government and the Home Office, with the Crime and Communities Review Team in the Cabinet Office, would like to understand better how groups of residents and tenants in local communities can be supported to help reduce crime in their neighbourhood, make their streets feel safer, and provide a better environment for all. In many areas, these groups will have formed organised Neighbourhood or Home Watch schemes but this will not always be the case.
“As someone who co-ordinates a Scheme we would like to invite you to get involved by attending one of two sessions we are organising to listen to the views of people like you. We are particularly interested in hearing about the sorts of activities that your scheme are currently involved in. For example, what activities does your scheme take part in that work really well? What other activities might your scheme be interested in doing were it able to? What are some of the difficulties you face in undertaking some activities in your area?
The sessions are taking place on Tuesday, 20 May at the Malmaison Hotel, in Manchester and Thursday, 22 May at Church House Conference Centre, Westminster, London. The session will last from 10am till around 2 or 3pm. Lunch will be provided and travel expenses for all unpaid volunteers will be reimbursed by the Home Office.
A full agenda with timings and specific activities will follow.
Repond to hannah.panayiotou@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk and and list any special dietary requirments that they may have by Friday 16th May. |
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Until NHWN starts communicating, please confirm with your county NHW rep. that you are covered by the NHW PL insurance policy to March 2009.
Your Force Crime Officer Reduction Officer should also know.
Try your area NHWN rep but don't expect them to know.
CaSE are extending cover until 31st May 2008. |
| Peter Taber | 05 May 2008 12:53 |
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NPIA
Anyone with a problem in their neighbourhood or has a report of criminally based or other activity (intelligence) should go to http://www.neighbourhoodpolicing.co.uk and report it.
Use what your increasing taxes are paying for. No doubt a platform for the next election, lets not make it too little too late. |
| John Sheldon | 31 Mar 2008 13:27 |
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Please see amended PLI details for 2008.
Note that the ‘Helpdesk’ contact numbers have been changed.
Marion
Marion Lewis
Chairperson
Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network ( England & Wales)
e. mhnwsg@ntlworld.com
t. 01858 440555
m. 077 131 535 96
f. 01858 446393
As you will know, if you have registered for insurance cover through your local Police, then your Watch currently benefits from free Public Liability insurance (PLI) underwritten by Ansvar Insurance Company Ltd., and this Policy is due to expire on 11th January 2008.
Please note that Ansvar has agreed to extend your existing Policy from 12th January 2008 to 31st March 2008 inclusive, and a new Policy will then be arranged for 12 months from 1st April 2008. Documentation will be provided to Policy Holders in confirmation of such renewal during the month of March 2008.
This is purely an administrative alteration to the renewal date of the Policy in order to align arrangements with financial year end dates, and does not affect or alter the insurance arrangements in any other way prior to 1st April 2008.
Whilst there will be no change of insurer, administration of the insurance is to be passed to the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) with effect from 12th January 2008 working in conjunction with CaSE – Charities & Social Enterprise Insurance Management (CaSE).
NCVO / CaSE will be providing full details of help line numbers and contact points, and a web-site contact, with effect from 12th January 2008. In the meantime any enquiries can be directed as follows:
§ to NCVO at Helpdesk 0800 2798 798
§ Claims can be directed to CaSE at 0845 2252288 or direct to Ansvar at 01323 737541.
§ Any NHW’s who have not registered for PLI cover and who wish to do so between now and 12th January 2008 should in the first instance contact CaSE at 0845 2252288.
§ Enquiries regarding any other insurance requirements, including specific Events, should also now be referred to CaSE at 0845 2252288.
Renewal of the Policy at 1st April 2008 will continue to be free of charge to qualifying NHW's and is currently being finalised. Communications will follow to provide full details of renewal of the insurance cover. In the meantime any enquiries can be directed to NCVO at Helpdesk 0800 2798 798 or to CaSE at 0845 2252288”. |
| Peter Taber | 02 Jan 2008 10:53 |
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| To look at the latest Home Office publication go to http://www.nwinfo.co.uk/news/?id=713 |
| Peter Taber | 17 Oct 2007 21:08 |
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http://www.nwinfo.co.uk/yournews/?id=664
National NHW Update
The new regional and national structure to support the Neighbourhood & Home Watch movement has been developed following the three symposia held around the country in March 2007. The remit of the new structure was very clearly defined by the members of the grassroots Watch movement who attended and it is their wishes which we have used as the mandate for the new representative body at both regional and national level.
Regional meetings will be based on the nine English Government Office Regions and Wales.
They will be attended by elected Neighbourhood & Home Watch volunteers and police staff from each force area in that region.
A volunteer from each regional group will attend a regular ‘national’ meeting and the Chair from that meeting will attend the National Strategy Group for Watch Issues (NSGWI).
Police representatives from each region will attend a national meeting chaired by Chief Constable Frank Whiteley.
Issues from this meeting, can be taken into the NSGWI by Mr. Whiteley.
The volunteer and police representatives will be able to feed back to the regional meetings and the regional representatives can feedback to schemes and organisations in each force area.
The new national body of volunteers which represents all Home Watch & Neighbourhood Watch schemes across England & Wales has been given a working title of the United Strategy Group For Watch Issues (USGWI) and is now the official body which will engage with the Home Office, ACPO and the APA at the strategic level. I am very proud to have been elected as the Chair of the steering committee for the USGWI. The minutes of the first formal USGWI meeting held on 17th July and the proposed Terms of Reference for the group have been posted on the official Watch website at : www.neighbourhoodwatch.uk.com.
Should you require any further information please contact your regional representatives.
Alternatively do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information, or if you are unsure as to who represents the USGWI in your region.
Marion Lewis
Marion Lewis ( East Midlands Regional representative)mktharb.community@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk 0116 2483871 |
| Peter Taber | 22 Aug 2007 15:50 |
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Have you been affected by flooding. Have you had to move out of your home?
Please be warned about looters. Mobile gangs exist for this purpose, just as when the Napoli containers were looted. This has already taken place in the Northern flood areas. |
| John Sheldon | 22 Jul 2007 18:24 |
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NWInfo has been asked by the Home Office for our assistance.
If you order any leaflets via Prolog and have any problems please click 'Contact' & let us know the details.
We will then advise the Home Office.
http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/publicity_catalogue/index.php?cPath=22#32 |
| Peter Taber | 20 Jul 2007 16:02 |
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| I'm the administrator of a NW scheme here in Norfolk and I've heard rumours that there's an important meeting about Neighbourhood Watch on the 11th July but nobody has announced it officially as far as I can gleen from any of the websites - does anyone know more? |
| Harry Stevens, Norfolk | 09 Jul 2007 18:29 |
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John
I could not agree more with your sentiments.
The grassroots membership must be very confused.
The fact that ACPO have made their position clear as to which is now the official NHW site has helped a little. |
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| NW need to embrace the internet in the form of this website and speak up and out. This really is the only independent, open and transparent NW website covering England and Wales. Scheme collapsed, faded or jaded, you are still part of NW here come what may. |
| John Sheldon | 22 Apr 2007 15:29 |
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| NW would work a lot better if we all work for the public,a lot join nw but fade away,better support from the police is needed,not seen a officer for weeks,and i walk a large estate twice a day |
| bryan jennings | 22 Apr 2007 00:20 |
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| i agree with you all the police and courts are a waste of space but we need all the support we can get |
| Ian Lilley | 29 Mar 2007 14:46 |
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WE agree with Tony Bridger 100% and endeavour here at Bridwatch to do the things he recommends. The H.Off supply us with leaflets and we provide a e.mail alert circulation to all members. The Local Police Commander does inform us of Domestic
Burglaries. WE welcome visitors to the Reach Out Centre ( Please see
bridwatch.org.uk for address etc) - say Hello and have a Coffee.
Peter Saxby |
| Peter Saxby, Bridlington | 22 Feb 2007 13:59 |
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| can we get support off staffordshire police and the home office posted by ian lilley nw co-ordinator for chell green avenue chell |
| Ian Lilley | 22 Feb 2007 13:56 |
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Crime stories fill the news these days and today Tony Blair is going to concentrate on finding ways of reducing crimes, in particular through our communities.
Neighbourhood Watch is one of the most powerful weapons in his arsenal.
With 10,000,000 members all around the country, NW is an army of socially aware individuals with existing networks allowing us to communicate
amongst ourselves and with the Police.
2 ways spring to mind in which NW could play a more important role in reducing crime:
1. By providing ways to distribute information to grassroots people in every community in the land.
2. By encouraging members to police their own communities and to feedback intelligence on everything from gun-crime to graffiti to the authorities.
Recently Neighbourhood Watch has been thrown into concussion by lack of support from the Home Office and Police.
This situation is misguided and an ungrateful waste of potential resources from an army of willing volunteers. |
| Tony Bridger, Yorkshire | 22 Feb 2007 09:34 |
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Confidence in policing locally amongst highest in country
One year after Leicestershire Constabulary rolled out neighbourhood policing across the Force, latest figures released from the Home Office reveal that confidence in policing locally is amongst the highest in the country.
Over 69% of people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland interviewed as part of the most recent British Crime Survey said they had confidence in local officers.
The BCS data places Leicestershire Constabulary seventh in the country for overall public confidence in policing and first among its most similar forces.
The survey also found that 64% of people interviewed felt the police understood the issues facing their communities - compared to 60% the previous year.
Assistant Chief Constable Mike Goodwin said: "We are delighted by these findings. The BCS is widely regarded as the most accurate barometer of crime and public perceptions of crime.
"I have no doubt that our high levels of confidence are a direct result of our focus on neighbourhood policing, a focus that will only strengthen over the coming weeks and months."
Leicestershire Constabulary was one of the first forces in the country to roll out neighbourhood policing. The 110 neighbourhoods that make up the Force each have a dedicated beat officer, supported now by police community support officers (PCSOs) and members of the Special Constabulary.
These neighbourhood teams are a highly visible police presence in local communities, consulting with residents to identify the issues important to them and acting with partners to address these priorities.
The Constabulary's belief in the benefits is such that the entire Force is currently being restructured to reinforce neighbourhood policing.
ACC Goodwin explained: "We are reducing the number of basic command units (BCUs) into which the Constabulary is divided from four to three. The boundaries of the three new BCUs will match those of our local authority partners, making the joint working that is central to neighbourhood policing.
"From the beginning of April, in addition to the existing beat officers, every neighbourhood will have at least one PCSO, further strengthening the approach which has earned us an ‘excellent' grade for local policing from the Home Office for two years running."
He attributes the success of neighbourhood policing to the fact it is focused on the priorities identified by local communities, with real emphasis given to community consultation and partnership working."
In addition to being confident in their local police, the BCS found people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland perceived anti-social behaviour to be much less of a problem than those living in other comparable forces |
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Frosty Morning Car Crime
With frosty weather predicted for the coming weeks, Harborough & Lutterworth Police in conjunction with your own Harborough District Neighbourhood Watch Association would like to pass on this seasonal reminder.
Every year at this time, when there is a hard frost on the ground and on the windscreen, thieves get up early. They spend their mornings driving around villages and housing estates looking for the tell tale puff of an exhaust pipe. When they find a car that has been left unattended with its engine running to defrost, they simply jump in and drive it away. Often the victim is able to watch as the thief drives happily on his way in their car. We would urge all our watch members to pass this message on to all their schemes and as many friends and neighbours as possible. Please don’t be tempted to leave your vehicle unattended at any time with its engine running. It is making a gift of your valuable car to people who don’t deserve it. In addition to this, leaving your keys inside may well invalidate your insurance!
Remember, keep it locked, keep it safe!
Community Co-ordinator
Harborough & Lutterworth Police |
| Henry Whatley | 09 Feb 2007 00:50 |
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In the past couple of days I've received two seperate emails, one supposedly from Lloyds TSB, one from the Halifax alerting me to breaches of my internet banking account and asking me to input my details (or follow links within the emails) so that they could be verified - I knew these emails to be bogus as I don't have accounts with EITHER bank
I would suggest that you NEVER follow links within emails, always put the address in the browser yourself and NEVER divulge any personal information via an email |
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[b]Warning following mobile phone thefts in Leicester city centre[/b]
Visitors to Leicester city centre are being warned to keep their mobile phones safe and out of sight following a spate of thefts.
Officers from the city centre local policing unit have received 33 reports of mobile phones being stolen from customers at food outlets over the past three weeks.
In each case the customer, who is sat at a table, is approached by two or three men or women who ask for directions. They then place a map on the table covering the customer's mobile phone and pick it up along with the map as they leave.
Richard Pollard, community initiatives co-ordinator for the city centre, said: "The suspects are described as eastern European and always work in groups of two or three.
"They distract the victim by asking them for directions from a map and then pocket their mobile phone which has been left on display.
"We are urging visitors to the city centre to be on their guard and to always keep their mobile phones, wallets and purses out of sight either in a pocket or a bag."
If you have any information about the people responsible for these thefts or want to report suspicious activity contact Leicestershire Constabulary on (0116) 222 2222. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers, which is free* and anonymous, on 0800 555 111.
* Please note some mobile phone service providers may charge for this call.
Issued on 29/01/07 at 16:10 |
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I find the advice about phoning the company to establish a callers ID at odds with the fact that many rouge traders have an ‘office’ back-up that would add to the deception.
With false passports being used to enter the UK. Any ID produced will always be doubtful in some circumstances.
I would offer the advice to never invite any callers into your home who have arrived at your front door without appointment full stop.
Always use a chain or other device as rouge callers can bully there way into your home.
Recommendations from friends and neighbours can also come from vague sources. It is not unknown for rouges to do a proper and cheap job in an area to gain trust and recommendations.
It is better to pre-think - if you are insured, find out who the company recommend for general building work and repairs. Look in your local area. You will find because of the amount of ‘Lets’ because people cannot afford to purchase property. There are maintenance companies around.
Check with Estate or Letting agencies to see who they use. |
| John Sheldon | 29 Jan 2007 03:05 |
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Leicestershire Constabulary and Trading Standards are warning householders to be on their guard following last week's storms to make sure they don't fall foul of rogue builders or traders.
Officers are urging residents to be aware that rogue builders could be doing the rounds knocking on doors offering to do repairs to property damaged in the recent high winds.
Legitimate businesses such as roofers, builders, plumbers, carpenters and other traders will be working at full capacity over the next few days and both police and Trading Standards are concerned that dishonest traders could take advantage of the situation.
PC Brian Voss the Force's Crime Reduction Officer said: "We realise that many residents will be looking for tradesmen to repair damage to their property or gardens following the storms.
"We would advise caution when dealing with any cold callers. If they cannot produce an official identity card then do not let them in to your home.
"You can even ring the company they say they are from to confirm their identity. A genuine caller will not mind you closing the door for two minutes while you check their ID and most will be happy to make an appointment and return at a later date or time."
David Bull, Head of Trading Standards at Leicestershire County Council, added: "When you need urgent work done on your property it is tempting to accept the first offer that comes along, but our advice is to always shop around.
"It is usually best to employ a tradesman that you know or who has been recommended by a friend or neighbour. Make sure that you know who you are dealing with and how to contact them if you are not happy and don't pay in advance for work to be done.
"Remember do not buy from the door. Speak to a family member or close friend before you agree to any work being done or sign a contract."
Anyone seeking consumer advice can contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.
If you have any concerns about doorstep salesman or tradesmen call Leicestershire Constabulary on 0116 222 2222, but in an emergency phone 999.
Issued on 22/01/07 at 14:38 |
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A topical observation:
After the storms on Friday 3 trees were blown down up an important country road near to my house.
Even 24 hours later, although the police had barricaded the still blocked road by the fallen trees they didn't put up signs at either entrance to the road, which meant that drivers had to drive about 4 miles from each end oblivious of the obstruction - then they found they couldn't get any further and go back.
This was a terrible waste of time and fuel.
Whatever happened to the good old Diversion Signs ? |
| Harry Piper, Kent | 20 Jan 2007 06:21 |
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It does not matter how many times this is repeated
Dial 999 - when there is a threat to life -including road traffic accidents where persons are injured, the road is blocked or a vehicle involved in an accident has failed to stop
- when violence to a person or damage to property is imminent
- a serious offence is actually in progress
- a suspected offender is still at the scene of a crime or any delay in reporting the incident may prevent the offender being apprehended
when serious disruption to the public is currently taking place or, is likely to take place
999 is not for calling to ask what the time is, when the last bus has gone, or who has won a football match! |
| Trish Colling | 16 Jan 2007 01:37 |
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The other day I went to a party in Kent with my wife and our children.
They left early and drove home at about midnight.
I went home with a friend about 4 hours later and when I arrived my family were not there.
Fearing the worst, I contacted Surrey Police and asked whether there had been any reports of mishaps on the route that they would have taken. They said that they had not heard of anything but that they could only speak for the SURREY section of the route and that I would have to contact Kent Police to see if they had anything for that area !!
So - I contacted Kent Police - and I had to explain the whole story again - they too had no reports. They suggested that I contact the Hospitals en-route just in case - but they were only able to give me the details of Kent emergency units and I would have to re-contact Surrey Police about their section of the route.
So I phoned Surrey Police again and had to explain my whole story again to get details of some Surrey hospitals. They said that if I was concerned about my familys welfare I could complete a Missing Persons report - I said I was amazed that they recommended completing such a thing under my circumstances since I always thought a Missing Persons report was for longer term disapearances - but they assured me that it was normal.
By this time it was about 5/6 hours after my family had left the party and I was very concerned for their welfare - the only next step that the Police could suggest was to file a missing person report. About half an hour later 2 policeman arrived at my house ready to do the paperwork. I told them that I was amazed that it was necassary, under the circumstances - but they said they have to file 4 or more such forms EVERY DAY !!
We spent over an hour completing a 6 page document covering every conceivable aspect of our relationship and our mental and emotional states.
Then they came to the FINAL QUESTION on the form - have I perhaps got any idea about where else my family might be?
They asked me whether I could think of any friends that my family might be with.
I gave them the address of one family who I reasoned it was conceivable that my family could be with.
Within 15 minutes I received a phone call from the Police saying that our car was outside our friends house.
The police roused them and our friends to confirm that all was OK.
As it turned out, my wife had arrived home 7 hours earlier and found that she had forgotton her house keys.
She had not thought to leave a message for me and had gone and stayed with our friends.
So what can we learn from that saga? A series of communication deficiencies on all sides.
We certainly have learnt from our mistakes.
What concerned me was the apparent lack of cooperation between the Surrey and Kent Police and the other emergency services.
Had we had a real emergency would our treatment by the Police have been any different?
I hope it never happens to me - but it must be a common occurrence. |
| Simon Tullet | 05 Jan 2007 16:34 |
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PIN number hoax.
There is a rumour going around on various emails saying that if you enter your PIN number backwards during a cash point robbery you can still get your cash and alert the police at the same time.
This is not true!
If you are unlucky enough to be robbed at a cash point or ATM - don't enter your PIN backwards. This will only delay you getting the cash out which could provoke an angry reaction from the offender. It is safer to comply with the offenders request fully, then call the police as soon as the robbery is over. |
| Kate Rodgers | 12 Dec 2006 13:27 |
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| Is it not about time that reflective clothing of some description was compulsory for people riding bikes and some other road users? If you break down in some European countries, it is an offence to get out of your car without wearing a hi visibility jacket. It is about time the UK started to introduce common sense laws to protect its ‘Subjects’. Then all this Police time ‘urging’ could be better spent elsewhere. |
| John Sheldon | 07 Dec 2006 02:42 |
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Road safety advice as clocks change
Officers from Leicestershire Constabulary's Road Policing Unit are reminding motorists, cyclists and pedestrians of the importance of being visible on the roads as the nights draw in.
The clocks go back by one hour this weekend which means it will be getting darker earlier in the evenings.
"It is very easy for pedestrians and cyclists in particular to become almost invisible to other road users so I would urge them to take extra care.
"Children across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland will also be returning to school next week following their half term holidays and I would urge parents to make sure their children are wearing or carrying something bright or fluorescent in poor daylight conditions and reflective materials after dark. Something as simple as wearing a reflective band could literally mean the difference between life and death."
Leicestershire Constabulary is offering this advice to parents:
Make sure that your child can be easily seen, especially at night, on dark days and in bad weather.
Explain to your child why they should always wear something bright.
Bright or fluorescent clothes show up best by day, especially in dull or misty weather.
By night, reflective material is best and shows up in car headlights - remember fluorescent clothing doesn't work after dark.
It is an offence to cycle at night without a white front light, a red back light and a red reflector at the back, so make sure that your child's bike is properly equipped and working.
Motorists are reminded to check that all vehicle lights are working properly and that they are clean and free from grime. Lights should be examined regularly and faulty bulbs must be replaced immediately so it is sensible to carry spare bulbs in the vehicle.
Cyclists are also urged to clean the lights and reflectors on their bikes, check the batteries are working and wear bright, fluorescent or reflective clothing in addition to a helmet.
For more information and links to other useful websites visit www.leics.police.uk |
| Marion Lewis, Leicestershire | 02 Nov 2006 12:13 |
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