GOING ON HOLIDAY?

Everyone needs a holiday sometime. And however much you like your home, there is nothing like a change of surroundings.

But you want to come home and find everything as you left it. Four out of five housebreakings occur when a house or flat is empty, so don't advertise that you're away on holiday. Have you: Arranged for pets to be properly cared for?

ALRESFORD SHOW

Neighbourhood Watch will be at the show again this year, which takes place on Saturday September 4th. We will be sharing a pitch with the Police, so look for their mobile Police Station or our banner. Do call by for a chat.

CONGRATULATIONS

It may seem as though PCSO Steve Hull has been with us forever, but it is in fact only a year. However, in that time he has become a key part of the Police Team, and recently received the District Commander’s Congratulations for his outstanding work with the community of Alresford. Well done Steve. Keep it up!

We thank Prospect Fencing for their sponsorship of this Newsletter

KEEP YOUR GARDEN SECURE

Suppliers of Fencing, Pergolas, Sheds, Summer Houses, Decking, Gates, Garden furniture and much more.

Call Andrew or Ashley on 01962 733990 or visit our website www.prospectfencing.co.uk

Prospect Fencing Ltd
Prospect Road
Alresford
Hants. SO24 9QF

LOCAL EVENTS COMING UP

These events are being advertised locally through schools, parish notice boards, media and youth contacts.

2010 BMX DAY FOR THE YOUTH. ALL WELCOME!

Where: Stratton Bates Recreation Ground
When: Friday 20th August
Time: 10.00 till 12.00 and 13.00 till 15:00

All welcome bring your own bike if you like, or the team will bring some.
There will be safety talks and checks as well.

COMMUNITY FUN DAY

An outdoor party is being held to mark the centenary of one of the town’s open spaces.
The Stratton Bates Recreation Ground on Grange Road was opened in 1910 after Colonel Stratton Bates gave the land to the community.
The Town Council and the police are organising the party
Where: Stratton Bates Recreation Ground
When: Sunday 22nd August
Time: 12:30 till 21:00
Wild west show, falconry display, fun fair, bands, hog-roast, hot dogs, go-bowling, magician, salsa, west coast and line dancing, side stalls and more....
Car boot - five pounds - contact 01962 732079

NEVER TOO OLD TO SURF INTERNET

Where: Alresford library
When: Wednesday 25th August
Time: 10:00 till 12:00

Meeting to set up scheme for the community.
Free tickets from the library. Coffee and biscuits.

AGM DIARY NOTE

The 20th Annual General meeting of the Association will be held at Alresford Golf Club at 19.30 on Thursday 30th September. This is earlier in the year than previously, to encourage more members to attend. All are welcome, particularly Coordinators. Bar facilities, plus tea and coffee, will be available following the meeting.

COORDINATOR NEWS

There are no Coordinator changes to report, but all Coordinators are reminded that the weekly Crime Reports give a good summary of crimes/problems and the areas in which they occur.If you are in New Alresford, please let Don Meadwell know your e-mail address, if you have not done so and you will be included in the Crime Report distribution. d.meadwell@btopenworld.com

SELF INFLICTED?

Recently there were 4 sat navs stolen from cars in one night, in New and Old Alresford. All the cars were left INSECURE!


CRIME IN PROGRESS? — RING 999 NOW - NOT TOMORROW


"ONE OF THE PROBLEMS CAN BE CONVINCING THE VICTIM THAT IT IS A SCAM"

This quote is from the Trading Standards website, which has a lot of useful info on scams- http://www3.hants.gov.uk/tradingstandards/tradingstandards-scams.htm

Many scammers name drop - pretending they represent an organisation that you recognise, but in fact they have no connection, or at best very little. They can also try to convince you that you have already previously agreed to something you haven’t.

Recent local reports are of callers trying to sell alarm systems, saying they are “from Neighbourhood Watch” or are “working on behalf of the Police or the Home Office” when they are nothing of the sort.

You are at liberty to tell anyone who cold calls, at the door or on the phone, that you are not interested, then shut the door or hang up.

Never give anyone who has called you, any personal details, unless you are absolutely sure they are who they say they are. If in doubt, call them back, using a number from the directory, a letter or statement you have from the organisation.

The best way to contact Trading Standards is through Consumer Direct - 08454 04 05 06. This is a government funded organization passing all calls to the local TS office. Complaintsrequire immediate action e.g. about doorstep traders, are telephoned through.

If anyone is a victim of doorstep crime, has any information about the scams on the current scams list on the website, or requires any advice on doorstep crime they can contact Hampshire County Council's Quick Response Team on 01962 833666, where specially trained officers are on hand to receive information and/or provide assistance.

USEFUL CONTACTS
Mention that you are in an active Neighbourhood Watch area when placing calls
EMERGENCY 999 Crime in progress
Life in danger
Violence being used
NON –EMERGENCY 101

Report minor crime
Abandoned Vehicles
Street Lighting
Anti Social behaviour

0845 045 45 45 Contact Police officer
Leave messages
ALRESFORD POLICE STATION ENQUIRY DESK
Subject to operational demands or, by appointment - telephone 0845 045 45 45
Hampshire Constabulary web site
www.hampshire.police.uk
Alresford & District Neighbourhood Watch web site
www.neighbourhood.watch.alresford.org
CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111
Call anonymously with information about crime
Mention that you are in an active Neighbourhood Watch area when placing calls

Constabulary Column

from
Alresford’s Sergeant Amanda Smith

I was disappointed that anti social behaviour (ASB) reportsan increase for May and June.However, Hampshire Constabulary and Winchester Community Safety Partnership (WCSP) are once again working together to reduce the number of ASB incidents across the district, until the end of August.

ASB includes any vehicle nuisance, neighbour disputes, noise from pubs and issues with youths. There will be dedicated ASB patrols throughout the summer. Any attending officers now have clear patrol instructions for ASB. A search of the area in the car is now no longer an option. An investigation will be carried out and the informant should be updated.

I keep saying that it is OK for young people to use the parks; it’s the behaviour that matters! Please can parents be aware what their children are up to in the evening and weekends, and encourage no alcohol; it will be seized and disposed of, by my team!

While the good news is that criminal damage and vehicle crime is down, non dwelling burglaries and thefts are on the increase.

There have been a number happening over our area, including shed breaks and thefts of garden furniture, equipment, (strimmers etc) plus ornaments, plants and hanging baskets.

HOW TO CONTACT THE POLICE

http://www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/localpolicing/central/winchester/east/1WBSNT2.htm