Alcester Police North SNT. latest Weekly Report.

Sunday 6th September 2020

STUDLEY
Theft. Near to Church, Castle Road, Alcester. Leafblower and Rucksack
stolen while the owner was nearby at the graveyard. Rucksack contained car
keys, bank cards and mobile phone etc. Around 3pm Wednesday 2nd September. 0336 02/09/2020  Vehicle Crime. New Road, Studley. Brown Handbag removed from boot of
car. Bag contained gift card, glasses and bank cards which were used at a
shop nearby. Around 3pm Tuesday 1st September. 0279 01/09/2020
MORTON BAGOT
Vehicle Crime. Chesters Green Cottages, Morton Bagot. Window of secure
vehicle smashed and entry gained. Purse and glasses stolen from inside.
Between 3.30pm and 3.50pm, Sunday 30th August. 0280 30/08/2020
ULLENHALL
Vehicle Crime. Crowleys Close, Ullenhall. Doors on secure works van forced
open and various power tools stolen. Between 12.20am and 7.50am
Wednesday 2nd September. 0036 02/09/2020
EARSLWOOD
Vehicle Crime – Damage. Poolhead Lane, Earlswood. Rear window of
vehicle smashed. Between 30th & 31st August. 0125 31/08/2020

Crimestoppers – If you have information on a crime that you would like to pass to
police anonymously, please consider using the independent charity Crimestoppers.
Crimes in progress should always be reported to police on 999 or 101 as required.
Their website states “ We’re an independent charity that gives you the power to
speak up to stop crime, 100% anonymously. Whoever you are, wherever you live,
from communities to companies. By phone and online, 24/7, 365 days a year. We
also share advice on how to protect the people you care about from crime, so
everyone can feel safe. After receiving your call or a completed anonymous online
form, we create a report that brings together all the information you gave us, making
sure it doesn’t contain any information that could identify you. Your report is sent to
the relevant authority with the legal responsibility to investigate crimes, make arrests
and charge people in order to bring them to justice. This could be your local police
force or an agency such as the UK Border Agency or HM Revenue & Customs”.
Find out more with what we do with your information here – https://crimestoppersuk.org/
Community Speed Watch – Warwickshire Police’s Community Speedwatch scheme
is relaunching as part of a phased reintroduction in the county. Community
Speedwatch (CSW) is a national initiative where active members of local
communities join together to monitor speeds of vehicles in their local area with
support from the police. In Warwickshire each group uses the LTI Speed Lasers
independently purchased by either the group itself or the local parish council. Any
vehicles found to be exceeding the speed limit are referred to Warwickshire Police
and receive a letter with the aim of educating drivers to reduce their speeds.
However, in cases where education is ignored and there is evidence of repeat or
excessive offences, even across county borders, enforcement and prosecution
follow.
Inspector Sally Bunyard-Spiers said: “Speeding continues to be a concern for many
communities in both rural and urban environments and we are delighted that we are
able to start a phased reintroduction of the Community Speedwatch Scheme in
Warwickshire. “Warwickshire Police is very grateful to all the CSW volunteers who
use their own time to help make Warwickshire’s roads safer for everyone, often
enthusiastically supporting national anti-speeding campaigns.”
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe said: “I would
encourage anyone who is concerned about speeding in their community to consider
signing up as a Community Speedwatch volunteer. As well as helping Warwickshire
Police and partners to raise awareness of speeding, the visible presence of CSW
helps to reduce the speed of vehicles to the speed limit, improving the quality of life
for local communities and most importantly helping to reduce death and injury on our
roads. This is something I am keen to support.”
Warwickshire Police is keen to support and develop further CSW groups and as
soon as COVID restrictions allow we hope to be able to progress the training of
newly formed CSW groups. Volunteers receive appropriate training, and are
supported by officers and staff including a new soon to be appointed Road Safety
Officer who will oversee the CSW groups. The aim of CSW is to make our roads
safer, and to ensure no CSW members or the public are put at risk, a full risk
assessment is carried out for each group.
If you are interested in forming a CSW group in your area, please contact your local
Safer Neighbourhood team. The details of your local SNT can be found by visiting
www.warwickshire.police.uk and entering your location. For more information about
CSW please visit https://www.communityspeedwatch.org
Is your vehicle attracting thieves? Don’t let thieves get an easy ride. Follow these
ten simple rules to protect your car.
1. Lock your vehicle – Locking your vehicle, even when filling up, popping into a shop
or if parked on your drive, greatly reduces the possibility of it being targeted by an
opportunist thief. Even if you have locked your vehicle, check you haven’t left any
windows or the sunroof open. Remove all valuables, especially those that can be
seen from outside the vehicle. It is actually illegal to leave your vehicle running
unattended while you de-ice it or warm it up in cold weather. If someone takes it
while it’s left like this, it may affect your Insurance claim.
2. Keep the keys safe – Vehicles today are by and large more difficult to steal than
ever, unless the thief can access your key or fob to clone them. Keep your keys safe,
out of view when at home, and away from your front door. It’s not uncommon for car
keys to be stolen from inside your home by thieves fishing for them with a stick and
hook through the letterbox. When not in use, keep your electronic car key in a
security pouch to prevent it being scanned by thieves to open and steal your car
nearby.
3. Be aware of carjackers – The fact that you’re in the car isn’t always a deterrent to
someone trying to steal it. In traffic, drive with the doors locked and when queuing
leave enough space in front of your vehicle to enable you to get out of a tight spot. If
your vehicle is bumped from behind, wait to pull over – somewhere safe and
preferably where there are people. After all, you don’t know the person who has
collided with you; they could well be hijackers. If you’re at all suspicious, consider
calling the police. If someone threatens you, it’s better to hand over the keys to the
vehicle than become a victim of assault. Then call 999 as soon as possible, and ask
for the police. If your car is stolen, some modern vehicle alarm and tracker systems
have the facility to isolate or shut down fuel systems, bringing the vehicle to a halt
and leaving the thief high and dry.
4. Park responsibly – It’s always advisable to avoid parking in dark and secluded
areas. It’s worth an extra five or ten-minute walk if it means your vehicle is left in a
well-lit and busier street. And if possible, always try to park in illuminated and staffed
car parks or those with a Park Mark safer parking award. To find one, simply check
out Park Mark.
5. Watch for illegal tow trucks – Thieves often attempt to lift vehicles from the street,
literally. So, if you see a towaway crew acting suspiciously – especially if their
vehicle isn’t branded or if they’re not in uniform – then please report it immediately.
As with every report of suspicious behaviour made in good faith, we’ll never blame
anyone for calling us if it proves unfounded. Car parks with height-restricted
entrances help prevent illegal tow trucks and removal vehicles. And fitting a
Thatcham rated category 1 or 2 alarm system with tracking, immobilisation, anti-grab
and movement sensors can help protect and trace your vehicle.
6. Fit good in-car security locks – Bear in mind that built-in steering locks aren’t
necessarily thief-proof. Many can be forced and broken. Fitting a Sold Secure
steering wheel, gear lever or clutch pedal security device can give your vehicle
added protection.
7. Double-check electronic locking – Electronic devices can be used to jam the
electronic signal from your key fob to lock your vehicle. Always manually check your
vehicle has locked before walking away. If unsure, lock it manually, then scan the
immediate area for anyone hanging around. If a potential thief who’s watching feels
they’ve been spotted, they’ll probably move off.
8. Before you buy, check for cloning – Changing the identity of a vehicle, known as
vehicle cloning, can be as simple as adding stolen number plates. When buying a
vehicle, always check the DVLA V5 document and make sure the Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) on the vehicle is the same as on the document. Make
sure you check more than one of the VINs as well as the engine numbers on the
vehicle. Check a used vehicle you’re buying.
9. Secure your port – Many modern vehicles are fitted with engine management
diagnostic ports, which can be accessed without the thief needing to open the
vehicle doors, boot or bonnet, but which can unlock and start your vehicle. If your
vehicle has this type of port, consider fitting a lockable cover.
10. Be aware of test drive thieves – Test drive thefts are where a thief answers an
advert for a vehicle sale pretending to be a genuine buyer. When they meet the
vendor they ask for a test drive and never return with the vehicle. Take steps to
avoid this by going with the prospective buyer on any test drive and don’t leave
anyone alone with the vehicle and its keys. Ask any potential buyer for contact
details and to see their driving licence and insurance. Never leave the vehicle keys in
the ignition – keep hold of them.
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 (Covers both North & South areas)
Alcester Police Office Phone Number – 01789 444816 (not to be used for
emergencies or priority calls. Always report incidents on 101). Online reporting
services are also available on our website – https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/
Twitter – @AlcesterCops
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Website – https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/
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them to report incidents or to pass on important information.
Please call us on 101, 999 or use the online reporting forms as
required.