Alcester Police North SNT. Latest Weekly Report. Sunday 20th September 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 would like to be removed from this local email circulation list, please let me know asap.

For operational and privacy reasons not all incidents are listed below.

Incidents of a public interest from the last week:-

STUDLEY

• *Vehicle Crime. New Road, Studley. Two males seen entering and stealing from parked car. Details of the offenders and their vehicle (Silver Van) passed to police. The van was spotted by police in Eldorado Close and the two male occupants were arrested on suspicion of theft. They were taken into Custody and the investigation remains ongoing. 3.10pm Saturday 19^th September. 0275 19/09/2020.
• *Anti-Social Behaviour. Middlemore Close, Studley. Apples thrown at houses. 9pm Friday 18^th September. 0196 19/09/2020
• *Theft. Allendale Crescent, Studley. Pedal cycle stolen from rear garden of house. Dark Navy Trek Xcaliber-9. Between 16^th & 18^th September. 0180 18/09/2020
• *Anti-Social Behaviour. Basketball Court area of Pool Road, Studley. Report of ongoing problem with people congregating in the area and generally being a nuisance by leaving litter, playing loud music and possibly taking drugs. Reported 16^th September. 0061 16/09/2020
• *Suspicious Circumstances. The Slough, Studley (Redditch end). Male seen visiting house and taking photos of premises and vehicles outside. Man was driving a black / grey Vito van. Daytime Monday 14^th September. 0232 15/09/2020

HENLEY

• *Vehicle Crime. Birmingham Road, Henley. Wing mirror stolen off vehicle. Between 29^th & 30^th September. 0300 16/09/2020
• *Suspicious Circumstances. High Street, Henley. Three males seen climbing wall into garden of premises. They ran off towards the north end of the High Street. No offences disclosed at the time. 4.45am Monday 14^th September. 0035 14/09/2020

TANWORTH

• *Suspicious Circumstances. Broad Lane, Tanworth. Male seen to jump over gate and walk around the rear of property. When the man realised he was being watched he ran back to the road and got into a Silver Estate car that then drove off. Described as a white male, slim build, early 20’s, average height, wearing a scarf around the lower part of his face. 12.30pm Monday 14^th September. 0164 14/09/2020

HATTON

• *Suspicious Circumstances. Pinley Road, Hatton. Two males wearing high vis vests, in a blue pick-up seen acting suspiciously at premises. The last three letters of the registration number were ‘DKU’. 11.25am Wednesday 16^th September. 0268 16/09/2020

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://crimestoppers-uk.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 or 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, your insurer won’t pay out because you won’t be covered.
2. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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