REPORTED CRIME IN OUR AREA 16.02.2020

Alcester Police North SNT. Latest Weekly Report. Sunday 16th February 2020

Hello all.

This is our latest weekly report and prompt to see if you have any questions, suggestions or concerns for the Alcester Police North SNT. Thank you to those that have contacted the Team this week. If you need to be removed from this email circulation list, please let me know asap. Welcome to those that have been added to the list.

Incidents of a public interest from the last week:-

STUDLEY

  • *Vehicle Crime. Manor Road, Studley. Offender(s) have cut a hole in the door to works van and have gained entry. £2000 worth of power tools stolen. Overnight 13th & 14th February. 0052 14/02/2020
  • *Attempt Burglary. Middletown Lane, Studley. Two males wearing grey jackets and balaclavas have tried to enter premises and also a vehicle on the driveway. One of the males was carrying a pair of metal snips. 12 Midnight 13/14th February. 0001 14/02/2020
  • *Suspicious Circumstances. Bromsgrove Road / Spernal Ash. Black VW Polo seen acting suspiciously in the area. Three males on board. The last three letters of the registration number was ‘DYS’. Seen daytime on the 11th & 12th February. 0162 12/02/2020

MAPPLEBOROUGH GREEN

  • *Burglary Business. Birmingham Road, Mappleborough Green. Staff Only area of premises entered and items stolen including bank cards, mobile phones and cash stolen. Thursday 13th February. 0454 13/02/2020 & 0002 14/02/2020

BEARLEY

  • *Vehicle Crime. Oaktree Close, Bearley. Front and rear number plates stolen from vehicle. Between 12th & 13th February. 0361 13/02/2020

WOOTTON WAWEN

  • *Burglary Business. Wawensmere Road, Wootton Wawen. Hole cut in garage door in order to try and gain entry. Nothing believed stolen at the time of the report. Intel from the area suggest that four males wearing balaclavas / carrying a crowbar, approached the garage through a hedge nearby. Overnight 9th & 10th February. 0162 10/02/2020

HENLEY

  • *Vehicle Crime. Cherry Orchard, Henley. Slab thrown at window of works van. Entry not gained. Nothing stolen. Overnight 15th & 16th February. 0153 16/02/2020
  • *Vehicle Crime. Mount Road, Henley. Offender(s) have cut a hole in the door to works van in order to gain entry. Various power tools stolen. Between 13th & 14th February. 0132 14/02/2020
  • *Vehicle Crime. The Croft, Henley. Offender(s) have cut a hole in the door to works van in order to gain entry. Various power tools stolen. Between 12.05pm and 12.25pm. 0196 13/02/2020
  • *Suspicious Circumstances. Birmingham Road, Henley. Report of man flagging down cars saying that his baby needed urgent medical help and needed cash. He offered to sell jewellery in return. This is a well-known scam in which very cheap jewellery is offered in return for cash. A silver car was parked nearby. 10.45am Monday 10th February. 0132 10/02/2020

HOCKLEY HEATH

  • *Vehicle Crime. Car Park, Stratford Road, Hockley Heath. Two work vans entered. Offender(s) have cut a hole in the doors to gain entry. Various tools stolen. Overnight 12th & 13th February. 0054 13/02/2020

CLAVERDON

  • *Vehicle Crime. Langley Road, Claverdon. Offender(s) have cut a hole in the door to works van in order to gain entry. Various power tools and a bike stolen. Between 11am and 2.30pm Tuesday 11th February. 0237 11/02/2020

TANWORTH

  • *Burglary Business. Farm, Danzey Green, Tanworth. Barn entered and power tools stolen. Reported morning of Friday 14th February. 0086 14/02/2020
  • *Theft. Poolhead Lane, Tanworth. Private post-box forced open and letters taken. Between 11th & 12th February. 0331 12/02/2020

LAPWORTH

  • *Suspicious Circumstances. Stratford Road / Motorway junction, Lapworth. Male seen waving passing cars down. The man said that he needed to get to Luton and needed cash for fuel. Possibly the scam in which very cheap jewellery is offered for sale. A Silver VW Passat was need parked nearby. 10.15am Friday 14th February. 0123 14/02/2020

Theft of Catalytic converters –  There have been a number of incidents around Warwickshire and bordering forces where Catalytic Converters have been stolen from vehicles. In many of the cases the offender(s) have pulled up next to the vehicle they want to steal from, removing the converter in a matter of minutes, before driving off again. Sometimes in daylight.

Here are a few preventative measures that can be taken to protect and hinder further thefts:-

  • Park vehicles so as to prevent access underneath. For example up against walls, hedges and buildings.
  • Mark catalytic converters with a serial number. Stickers can also be purchased for vehicle windows warning that the Converter has been marked.
  • Ask a garage to weld the bolts. Always obtain professional advice before doing this as it may permanently damage or affect the converter.
  • Fit a Lock / CatLock. Some Converters can be fitted with a lock / device that protects the vulnerable parts from attack.
  • Install security camera(s). Working cameras that record footage can identify an offender and their vehicle for a future investigation. A camera that also alerts you of movement in real-time is much better.
  • Park in well-lit & busy areas. This type of crime is likely to be opportunist, so the offender will be looking for an area they can operate in without being disturbed.
  • Install alarm(s). An alarm can bring unwanted attention for the offender, so will be a deterrent when activated. An alarm system that also notifies you direct is better.
  • CatClamp. The CatClamp ‘clamps’ to the exhaust pipes, not the converter, allowing different sized and shaped converters to be protected. It will hinder any attempt to remove the converter.
  • Store your vehicle off road. A vehicle that is in a secure area like a garage will be better protected.
  • Be vigilant. The Offender may drive past or at least stand by a vehicle for a few seconds before attempting a theft.

Vehicle Crime – How to keep your vehicle safe and sound – Having your car broken into and losing your things to thieves can be very distressing. Here are a few simple steps you can take to keep your vehicle, and what’s in it, safe.

  1. Always lock it – Fuelling up or popping back into your house to get something are perfect examples of how easy it is to turn your back for a moment and forget your vehicle is unsecured. So get into the habit of locking your vehicle even if you’re only going to be away from it for a moment. Vehicle on driveways are just as vulnerable and recent crime trends in the area show that most vehicle crime involves insecure cars and vans.
  2. Close windows and the sun roof to prevent ‘fishing’ – Leaving windows and the sunroof open invites fishing for items through the gap by hand or with, say, a bent coat hanger, which could also be used to unlock a door for them to get in. Thieves can be ingenious. Don’t give them the opportunity.
  3. Secure your number plates with tamper-resistant screws – The easiest way to change the identity of a stolen vehicle or avoid speeding tickets and parking tickets is to fit stolen number plates. Using security screws to attach your vehicle’s number plates makes it harder for thieves to get your number.
  4. Fit locking, anti-tamper wheel nuts to secure alloy wheels – Stolen wheels are valuable, either as parts or for their scrap value. Using locking wheel nuts reduces the risk of your vehicle’s wheels being stolen.
  5. Secure anything that’s on the outside of your vehicle – Anything left on roof-racks, tailgate racks, holiday top boxes or in tool chests are easily stolen when the vehicle is parked. The use of cable locks, padlocks and self-locking tools chests, which are secured to the vehicle, makes them more secure, but still, don’t leave things in them if you can avoid it.
  6. Take it with you or hide it – Your mobile phone, coins for the car park, sunglasses, packs of medication or other items that can earn quick cash are irresistible to the opportunist thief. Remember, the cost of replacing a window is often much more than that of what’s stolen. And it should go without saying that wallets, handbags, purses and credit cards should never be left in an unattended vehicle.
  7. Hide electrical items and leave no clues – Leaving sat nav mounts, suction cup marks on windows or cables on view gives it away that you have left a Sat Nav, smartphone or other device in your car. Even if they can’t see the Sat Nav or iPad they might still break in to see if it’s stored in the car, out of sight.
  8. Tool theft from vans – Vans are often targeted by thieves for the tools stored inside. If you have to leave tools in a van overnight, it’s a good idea to mark them clearly with your name / company name and address using paint pens and seal with a clear lacquer spray. Alternatively, you can use a variety of other property marking systems. Items that are clearly marked are less desirable and more difficult to sell on. Consider using a lockable cabinet within your van to store tools – a number of security rated products are available. Small cameras are also designed to record inside vehicles. You can also take photographs of items of value, make a note of the serial numbers and consider registering them online at a property register site.
  9. Park in well-lit and busier areas – It can take less than 30 seconds to break into a vehicle. Parking in well-lit areas and busy streets increases the chances of a thief being seen, so they’ll probably steer clear.
  10. Take your documents with you – Having a vehicle’s registration and insurance documents could let a thief pretend to be the owner. Which means they could sell it on quite easily. So, never leave any documents in the vehicle.
  11. Choose your car park wisely – If possible, always try to park in well-lit and staffed car parks or those with a Park Mark safer parking award.
  12. Thieves do not like attention – Fit an alarm which will alert you and the neighbours that the vehicle is being attacked. Real time alerts that get sent to your phone are particularly useful. Sensor lights and motion beams can also be used to deter and detect.
  13. CCTV – Good clear footage is always useful after the event to try and identify any offenders. Cameras that alert you in real time about movement is particularly useful allowing you to ring the police while the offenders are still in the area. Be careful how you publically share footage of people acting suspiciously outside your premises as the offender or associates may be able to view this and see how good the quality of your footage is and where the cameras are situated.

Crime prevention advice – Nobody thinks they’ll be a victim of crime until, of course, it happens. But if you’re clued in to the criminals’ tricks and tactics you can stay one step ahead. Browse our pages below for first-hand knowledge, industry best practices and practical crime prevention advice from officers and specialist teams all across the police. https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/

Special Constabulary Recruitment – Could you be a local hero and become a Special Constable? – Our Special Constables are voluntary, part-time police officers who work in some of the most important areas of modern policing. Would you be willing to make a real difference to the communities in our area? As a fully-trained Special Constable, you will have full police powers, wear a police uniform and work alongside regular police officers and police staff, with opportunities for promotion and to develop your leadership and management skills. In return, you will be required to commit a minimum of 16 hours a month, although many people do significantly more as the hours can be flexible to fit around your work and home life commitments. For further information visit our website – https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/specialconstables

Police Surgeries – We have arranged further mobile police surgeries around the area. Please pop along for a chat. There will be various crime prevention leaflets available.

Wednesday 19th February

Coffee Morning at the Henley Baptist Church Hall  – 10:30am -11:30am

Sunday 23rd February

Earlswood Allotments – 12 midday -1pm

Wednesday 4th March

Coughton Alcester Road – 2pm -3pm.

Sambourne layby Whitemoor Road – 3:30pm -4:30pm

Wednesday 11th March

Claverdon Village Shop Car Park – 12:30pm -1:30pm

Langley layby adjacent to Old Post Office – 2pm -2:30pm

Thursday 19th March

Bearley Sports Club Car Park – 2pm -3pm

Wootton Hall Park Wootton Wawen – 3:30pm – 4:30pm

Friday 20th March

Tanworth In Arden – Near to the Village Hall –  2pm – 3pm

Ullenhall – Village Hall Car Park  – 3:30pm – 4:30pm

If you have any questions regarding the above please contact us on the details below or via the Warwickshire Police website. If you would like to be removed from the Teams email circulation list – please let us know.

Regards.

ALCESTER POLICE NORTH SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM

 

Team email –                                                  Alcesternorth.snt@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

SGT 1284 Angus Eagles                            angus.eagles@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

PC 427 Sue Blundell –                                Sue.blundell@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

PCSO 6273 Aadila Hussain –                    Aadila.hussain@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

PCSO 6330 Sanjay Singh –                       sanjay.singh@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

PCSO 6350 Taylor Brooke                         taylor.brooke@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

PCSO 6336 Mark Lucas –                           mark.lucas@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

Alcester Police Office Phone Number – 01789 444816    (not to be used for emergencies or priority calls. Always report incidents on 101)

Twitter –                                              @AlcesterCops

Facebook –                                        Alcester Police

Instagram –                                       southwarwickshiresnts

Website –                                           https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/