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RDC News

Issue 45 – Spring  2013

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

Sad News
It is with great sadness we have to report that our neighbourhood watch colleague of some 15 years, Bill Coulson, died at home last month. He was a quiet, knowledgeable, private man who worked tirelessly at all our events and initiatives, and will be sorely missed by us all.

S.E Essex Police and your Neighbourhood Watch team: Mike Hooper, Michael Bubel, 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 as possible.

1. Organisational Changes
In order to improve our service, Castle Point Neighbourhood Watch has moved from Canvey police station and now share facilities with the Rochford District Neighbourhood Watch team, Based in Rayleigh police station.

2. Speedwatch
Community Speed Watch is a scheme to encourage people to reduce speeding traffic through their community. The scheme enables volunteers to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding and poor driving, helping to control the problem locally. Volunteers are required and full training is given. Speedwatch does not operate speed traps, but speed checks. If you wish to become a volunteer, please contact Rayleigh Town Council on 01268 741880 or email: rayleigh.towncouncil@btopenworld.com

3. SCAMS
No news on new scams but the Metropolitan Police has a very useful site and the link is  http://content.met.police.uk/Site/fraudalert
They have also produced a comprehensive booklet ‘The Little Book of Big Scams’ on avoiding being a victim of fraud, identity theft and scams in general. The link to this is http://www.met.police.uk/docs/little_book_scam.pdf

4. Always Report It
Some people have a perception that it is a waste of time reporting incidents to the police as in their view, nothing happens. The simple truth is that if you do not report it, then nothing will happen.

5. Dognapping
There have been several incidents, both locally and in surrounding areas where dog walkers have been threatened and asked to hand over their dogs. Please be on your guard if approached by someone you do not know and again please report any such incident.
(We have now received further information from the police that indicates that the ‘incidents’ were generated by various social networks and not based on actual reports to the police. We apologise for this error. )


6. Co-ordinators Wanted
Rochford District NHW has grown its membership over the last few years, but the population within the district has also increased. We are therefore always looking for new co-ordinators to set up watches in their street/area. If you are, or know anyone who would be interested in taking up the role, please ask them to get in touch with us at the address at the top of this newsletter.

7. Crime Prevention
There has been an increase in the theft of and thefts from motor vehicles. Therefore, we are asking residents to assist us by implementing the following advice from our local Crime Prevention Officer, Emma Clark, and hopefully making it difficult for thieves:
 
Please ensure that your vehicle is LOCKED, windows SHUT and SECURE at all times, with NO VALUABLES left inside.
Do not leave your car keys in the ignition: Even when quickly popping into the newsagent or paying for petrol, make sure your car is locked and that you always take your car keys and bags with you when you leave it.
Never leave anything on display. Any sat nav’s,  mobile phones, tools, ipods, handbags, and coats left in your car are potential targets for thieves as even a bag will make a thief inquisitive as to what is in it. Do not leave the Sat Nav cradle on show
Remove sat navs and stereo equipment and carry them with you once you have arrived at your destination. With this in mind - do not leave any equipment in the glove compartment as thieves will check there first. Mark sat nav’s, car stereo's with either a permanent marker or ultra violet pen you’re your house number and postcode and keep a record of make model and serial numbers.
To help minimise the risk of Index Plates theft, consider replacing standard number plate fixings with clutch head screws; this will offer practical protection against tampering and prevent the plates from being stolen.
When parking away from home, try and park your car in an attended car par or one that uses CCTV. Better still, use a public car park that is part of the police approved scheme Park Mark (www.parkmark.co.uk). These car parks have high standards of design and management to make them safer.
If your vehicle is parked outside your home, consider Security Lighting. Security Lighting such as low level dusk to dawn outdoor security can be an inexpensive and effective security measures and often puts off a thief
At home, do not leave your car keys where they can be easily reached by thieves. Ensure that your keys, wallets, handbags etc are kept in a safe location that is not easily sought after by burglars.
Please be vigilant – if you see anyone acting suspiciously please contact us on 999 or 101:
Emma Clark
Crime Prevention Officer for Rochford and Castle Point. Rayleigh police station.

8. NHW Road Signs
If any watch co-ordinators in Rochford district are interested in purchasing a sign showing their street belongs to a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, they can be purchased from this office. They cost £25 each, and we will negotiate with the council prior to erecting the sign (this is not always a quick process!)
What we recommend is that the costs are shared by the membership, say 50p/£1 each, depending on the number of people in the street/road.

9. An apology
Our last newsletter carried an item on free electrical testing for domestic portable appliances. Unfortunately Rochford District Council have not received any funding for this but discussions continue to secure some.

Useful numbers

Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111
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
Non-emergency police number: 101



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