101 SINGLE NON-EMERGENCY NUMBER

Beginning this month, 101, the single non-emergency number (SNEN), will be rolled out nationally to all police forces in England. The roll-out will start in London and the south of England and will probably be completed by the end of 2011. This means that by early next year, people will be able to dial 101 wherever they are, if they want to talk to the Police about non-urgent matters.

101 becomes a true alternative to 999. You will even be able to dial 101 from Dorset if you want to talk to Hampshire Police, as callers will be given the option of either speaking to the local force relevant to their current location, or to any other force in the country.

From July 2011 calls to 101 will cost 15p for the entire call, no matter how long the call or what time of day it is. This applies to both landlines and mobile phones.many, this will be cheaper than the current cost. Calls to some existing police non-emergency numbers (such as 0845) can cost up to 40p per minute.

WHAT IS 101 FOR?

Call 101 for any non-emergency contact with Hampshire Constabulary. This includes the reporting of crime as well as anti-social behaviour issues, leaving a message for an officer or member of staff, and general advice and information.

WHAT IS 101 NOT FOR?

101 is not for reporting emergencies. If you or someone else, is in immediate danger, or you witness a crime taking place, always call 999.

ADNWA AGM DIARY DATE

The 21st Annual General Meeting will be held at Alresford Golf Club, Tichborne Road, on Thursday 22nd September 2011, at 7.30 p.m.

We thank Prospect Fencing for their sponsorship of this Newsletter

HNWA AGM

Two ADNWA committee members attended the annual members day/AGM of the Hampshire Neighbourhood Watch Association held on 21st May at Crofton Community Centre, Stubbington.

Chief Constable, Alex Marshall gave a positive approach to cuts of up to £50m, with crime actually going down 10% in 2010; now lowest for 30 years. Buildings will have to be reduced - many are non-operational sites. Other venues will be shared - including local authority, fire service, supermarkets etc. He said it was not easy, with many political situations to overcome; however, buildings do not prevent crime. He prefers Police to be out and about;to interact with public and cut down paper work.

The result is fewer bosses, with Winchester now being part of Northern Operational Command Unit (the County is now divided into 3 OCU’s instead of 6).

He acknowledged Neighbourhood Watch activity and said it should be better used. There is also a need for more Special Constables.

Some relevant questions were dealt with., including the ANPR (number plate recognition) system, which will be expanded. ANPR helped catch a murderer recently.

999 BY SMS TEXT MESSAGE

If you cannot makecalls, you can now contact the 999 emergency services by SMS text from your mobile phone.It works throughout the UK on all networks.

Emergency SMS is part of the standard 999 service and has been designed specifically for people with hearing loss or difficulty with speech.

Since September 2009, the service has successfully handled hundreds of real emergency calls. Criminals have been arrested, lives have been saved and babies have been born safely.

You will only be able to use this service if you have registered first. For more information visit: www.emergencysms.org.uk or www.rnid.org.uk/esms.

E-MAIL SCAMS ASKING FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Beware of e-mails that begin “I am away from home, either on some sort of emergency, or on holiday and I have lost/had stolen my wallet/purse/cards. Please, friend, send me some money, urgently…………”

Usually, the language used is so obviously false, spelling errors etc., that you know something is wrong.

Do not reply to the e-mail – the account has been hacked. Phone your friend to check they are aware they have been hacked.

Also, whenever you receive a suspicious e-mail with a file or link to a website, do not click open the file or the link. This in itself may well download a file that will infect your computer.

CO-ORDINATOR NEWS

Long standing Committee member and area Co-ordinator Russell Hellier moved out of our area in March. We welcome Andrew Kennedy, who has taken up the role of Co-ordinator for Easton. The good news is that Andrew, as editor of the Easton & Martyr Worthy News, has agreed to enclose 400 copies of this Newsletter with E&MWN, meaning all homes in the area will now get a copy.

We also welcome Frazer Budd, who has taken over the East Street Watch in Alresford.Co-ordinators are the absolute key to communication, acting as a link between the population, the Committee and the Police and we are very grateful of their support.

Also, if you are unfortunate enough to be a victim of a crime, please let your Co-ordinator know. If appropriate, they can than alert other householders.

“CAR KEY BURGLARIES” are on the increase

This is where the criminal has located the vehicle they wish to steal and then he burgles the house, extracts the keys through the letterbox, or enters through insecure doors, to locate the keys in the premises. The vehicle is then just driven away!

Never leave your keys in view from outside your home, particularly in the hall.

“MICROSOFT” CALLERS NOW GETTING ABUSIVE

Several people locally have recently received calls from foreign sounding callers purporting to be from Microsoft. They tell you that you have a virus or other problem with your computer and will help you fix it. All they really want is money and if they can, your bank account details. When challenged, one caller has taken to swearing before hanging up. Note, that neither Microsoft or any bank will ever phone you to offer their services or ask for your details. Just put the phone down………………

Constabulary Column

Here are the Crime trendsthe whole area,April of this year, compared with the same period last year:

I am saddened by the increase of criminal damage in the residential streets of New Alresford, fence panels contributing 11 of these crimes. If any resident has any information as to who may be committing these offences, please contact my team. Other damage offences have occurred to children's play equipment at Sun Hill School and Arlebury Park recreation ground. One piece of good news, is that offences of damage to crops have recently been detected by the team.

Vehicle crime appears to be targeted at commercial premises, where some larger vans and plant have been stolen. The message for those residents who have these types of vehicles, or live near commercial premises - please be on the lookout for suspicious behaviour.

The message of not leaving valuables in vehicles appears to be getting through, with a slight reduction, although vehicles left at beauty spot car parks have been targeted most recently at Hinton Ampner and Cheesefoot Head. Walkers; please don't leave anything in your vehicles, even in the boot, take them with you. Better still, take only what you need and leave the rest at home. The red Carsafe Scheme “no valuables” cards, to display in your vehicle, are available from the Police Station, the Library or Arlebury Park Council Office.

There is good news with regard to the reduction in reported ASB, with some excellent team and partnership work to resolve long standing issues.

However, with the summer now upon us and the holiday period just around the corner, we cannot be complacent. As last year, there is a force wide campaign to reduce ASB. I have organised specific foot patrols and we will target the areas we are called to.

In all cases please use 101 if you have anything suspicious to report. Hampshire’s commitment to the 101 service has been justified; see the separate article.

ALRESFORD POLICE STATION

The review of Police properties across the county requiring significant savings to be made by the constabulary over the next few years, while protecting frontline policing services, is likely to recommend the selling of the Police station in Station Road. We are assured that it will not close until an alternative, fully functioning, base for the Safer Neighbourhood Team has been found within the community. A number of locations are already being considered.