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RDC News

Issue 44 – Winter  2012/13

THANK YOU – We wish to record our thanks to the Rosca Trust who have generously agreed to sponsor this copy of our newsletter.
                
KEEP WATCHING
Covering the area of Rochford District Council
Including: Ashingdon, Barling Magna & Sutton, Canewdon, Rawreth, Great Wakering, Hockley, Foulness, Hullbridge, Pagelsham, Hawkwell, Rayleigh, Rochford & Stambridge

S.E Essex Police and your Neighbourhood Watch team: Mike Hooper, Michael Bubel, Bill Coulson, John Metcalfe, Debbie Agambar would like to thank you for your continuing support.

Please contact us by using the above number.  Our office is staffed from 10.00 am – 12.00 am each weekday. Please leave a clear message on the answer phone at other times and we will get back to you as soon a possible


1. Be vigilant
Remember NEVER give your personal details, including computer passwords, over the phone. We have reports of a company cold calling elderly people in our area offering to help them with their computer virus problems, and asking them to log remotely onto their computer, then sign up for an expensive maintenance package.

2. Email Scams
Be suspicious of all unsolicited or unexpected emails you receive, even if they appear to originate from a trusted source. Your bank will never ask you to reconfirm your login or security password information by clicking on a link in an email and visiting a website.

3. Aged 65 Years or over – FREE domestic portable appliance testing
If you are an Essex resident aged over 65 years, Trading Standards, in partnership with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, are providing a free electrical safety portable appliance testing service for all your small domestic appliances (toasters, kettles, microwaves etc.) Just call them on 0845 6037626 or email trading.standards@essex.gov.uk
And don’t forget….. Whatever your age, you may still be eligible for a FREE Home Fire Safety Check and a FREE smoke alarm from Essex Fire and Rescue Service: Just call 0845 601 2495
If you already have a smoke alarm, remember to TEST IT WEEKLY.

4. Unscrupulous Burglar Alarm Companies
We mentioned this in our last newsletter, but there are indications that a company is back in the area using telephone cold calling and offering free surveys and even free alarms, but with this offer, comes a large unwarranted bill. Some of them say they are with Essex Police or are in some way working with the Police or Home Office, which is just not true.

5. Winter Awareness
The usual warning at this time of year, ensure that purchases are not on display through your front window or on the back seat of your car. Bearing in mind the recent increase in burglaries, you need to make sure windows and doors are secured on an evening or when away from your property.
If you are going away cancel milk/papers, let your neighbour know and use timer switches to make sure your house is not left in darkness

6.The Five Most Stolen Items
1. Portable computing devices - Due to their popularity laptop and tablet PC (iPad) theft nowadays is a significant risk.
2. Smart Phones - Many people find themselves victims of phone theft when taking their hi-tech phones out with them.
3. Cash and Jewellery - Make sure you keep valuable out of sight and where possible place them in a secure place such as a safe.
4. Bicycles - In the UK, a bicycle is stolen approximately every minute of the day.
5. Home entertainment systems - Many sets are being stolen because they are valuable, light-weight, and common place in most UK homes.

7. Security of valuables
It’s surprising how many expensive items we all own these days – phones, cameras, computers, kindles, tablets, bicycles  – and how many are lost or stolen each year.
IMMOBILISE.COM runs a national database where you can register details of your property. Registering with Immobilise is free and only takes a few minutes to set up your account.
 If your phone, bike, computer or any other registered item is lost or stolen, you can use Immobilise to instantly tell police, insurers, and the second-hand trade. This will help greatly in the recovery of your property and capture of thieves. An online checking service is used by all UK Police forces to trace owners of lost and stolen property. Immobilise is also checked daily by a huge range of recovery agencies and lost property offices. As a direct result of Immobilise there are over 250 cases a week where property is returned or information collected that assists the Police in investigations involving stolen goods. Immobilise is also the only ownership registration service supported by all UK Police forces, the Greater London Authority, and the Mobile Phone Industry.
To register and for more information, go to www.immobilise.com

8. Crimestoppers Telephone 0800 555 111
Don’t forget, if you have information about a crime or possible crime you can ring the above number (calls from landlines and most mobiles are free). You will not be asked for your name – nobody will know you called. You won’t need to speak to the police.

9. Doorstop selling
Our recommendation is that you should never buy anything on your doorstep. Remember you always have the option to say NO, but the longer you take to do this, the more chance you will end up buying something.

10. Did you know?
Research has found that the more people who get to know their neighbours, the lower the levels of crime in their area, children thrive more, and schools fail less. Pensioners tend to be best neighbours. Part time workers know more neighbours. We are still a neighbour-friendly nation, but let’s make it even better.

11. Co-operative streets
Everybody needs good neighbours!
Apparently, the UK is half as neighbourly as it was 30 years ago. Last year, a Co-operative Streets Campaign was launched on BBC Essex and it has been a great success with thousands of people throughout Essex getting involved.
There are many things you can do as a good neighbour, for instance:
    Take in parcels. / Take the dog for a walk. / Water the plants. / Take back library books. / Do a bit of DIY or gardening.
Who knows when you might need similar help?

12. Police and Crime Commissioner
Most of you will be aware that the new PCC for Essex is Nick Alston. Whatever your view is of the creation of this new post, it does provide you with another avenue to make your views known. Nick’s address and Email is as follows:
Nick Alston, 84 Station Road,Clacton,CO15 1SP
nick@nickalston.com

Useful numbers

Trading Standards - Buy with confidence:

Consumer contact: 08454 04 05 06
Trade contact:         0845 603 76 26

Springboard Group - For small household repairs, trustworthy gardeners etc:  01702 545140
Alcoholics Anonymous - All enquiries are treated in the strictest confidence: 0845 769 7555
Crimestoppers - For general information to police given anonymously:  0800 555111

Non-emergency police number: 101