POLICE “QUESTION TIME” CHAIRED BY MP

On October 5th, 35 people attended a meeting in Alresford Community Centre to ask questions about local policing.

The meeting was organised by MP Steve Brine with Chief Inspector James Fulton, Police commander for Winchester and East Hants, Pat Reddin, Winchester Inspector and Amanda Smith, Alresford’s Safer Neighbourhood Team Sergeant. There was also mix of local councillors, residents and business owners.

Chief Inspector Fulton, said the Police would continue to work to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, focusing on violent crime and re-offenders in particular; adding "The challenge is to maintain contact with local communities at a beat level, ensuring that we deliver on local concerns that reduce crime, apprehend offenders and prevent re-occurrence."

There were several questions regarding relocation of the Police station. There are currently two main possibilities, the Fire Station or the Council Offices. Parking is one issue to be resolved.

Other questions included CCTV, training of PCSOs, Police productivity, single crewing of Police officers and speeding around local villages.

Following the meeting, Mr Brine said: "This was a well-attended, positive meeting ,which I hope went some way to reassure residents of future policing plans in Alresford and surrounding areas.

ADNWA AGM

The 21st AGM was held on Thursday, 22 September 2011 at Alresford Golf Club.

Retiring Chairman John Stevenson welcomed about 25 people including, Sergeant Amanda Smith and guest speaker, Tanya Thompson, Crime Prevention Officer who gave a comprehensive, practical and current report on crime prevention aids, leaflets and equipment.

In his address, John said it was important to remember the key word in Neighbourhood Watch was ‘neighbour’ and that we should help our neighbours to try to prevent crime.

4X4 drivers WANTED

Do you own a 4X4 vehicle, have good knowledge of how it operates and have experience of using your 4X4 in extreme weather or other challenging conditions?

Would you like to volunteer with the emergency services and other agencies using your vehicle to support the Police in times of need?

All volunteers will go through a vetting process, have a clean driving licence and at least three years of driving experience. They need to be available to help at short notice and at different times of the day. Mileage costs and out of pocket expenses would be covered.

If you are interested in this new and rewarding volunteering opportunity, please email hq.volunteers@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

CRIME PREVENTION TIPS

• Keep bags closed and not on the end of a trolley, or underneath a pushchair.
• Students, keep your bag with you all the time, do not leave in an unlocked locker.
• At work, make sure your bags are secure and phones are not left on desks/work spaces
• At a cashpoint, hide your pin number and put cash straight into your wallet or purse
• In a pub, club or at a party, do not leave your personal items unattended  
• Do not leave valuables in cars or be seen placing items in the boot. Leave them at home.
• Put expensive garden ornaments out of the way of passers-by; perhaps in the back garden?
• Think about defensive planting
• Fuel thefts can be prevented by ‘Security Tagged Tank’ stickers available from the Police.
• Evidence of ownership important. Take photos including a ruler, to show the size
• Try to ensure you are in when internet shopping or fresh produce deliveries are due
• If you cannot be at home, do not put a note on the door; try to make an arrangement with a neighbour.
• Most burglaries occur between 3 and 5 in the afternoon. Lock up before the school run!

COMMITTEE NEWS

At the recent AGM, thanks were expressed to Ray Curtis, who will continue as a Coordinator.

John Stevenson, as well as relinquishing the Chair, has also stepped down from the Committee and our thanks go to him, for all his efforts on behalf of the Association.

Two new members were welcomed to the committee, Andrew Kennedy, from Easton, (Rural West) and Malcolm Miles, from Cheriton, (Rural South).

Responsibilities this year are- David Pain - Chairman
Gareth Rees - Vice Chairman / Treasurer
Jennie Roberts - Administrator
Andrew Black - Newsletter Editor
Geoff Harris - Media Communications
Don Meadwell - Town Coordinator Liaison
Ken Mills - Road signs maintenance

MESSAGE TO ALL COORDINATORS

Whilst it is very difficult to visit all Co-ordinators regularly for one-to-one chats, the Committee would like to thank you for your efforts in keeping your particular Watch up to date.  In an ideal world it would be great to have good, local, close contact as small communities, but in modern times this is almost impossible.  In reality, if we can keep the communication going between residents, Co-ordinators, the Committee and the Police, then we are getting most of the way towards achieving our aim.  Thank you all very much indeed for your continued efforts and especially to Mary Cooper, of Beauworth, who is handing over the role after many years, to Sarah Townsend. Welcome too to Elaine Capp for Northington.

SCAMS

Scams all try to catch you off guard, in a hurry, or to suggest to you that you may have some problem they could help you with.

The advice is NOT to give out personal details, or give payment of monies over the phone, to anyone you cannot verify as being a genuine representative of the organisation they purport to be.

Constabulary Column

from
Alresford’s Sergeant Amanda Smith

There will be some changes to the team/beat areas which will commence in the New Year as part of the District’s restructure. I emphasise that the area is not losing resources, just that they will be deployed differently. The local Safer Neighbourhood Team will not be leaving Alresford, and the Police Station will not close until a satisfactory new home is found.

Recorded crime in the area has fallen overall and these are figures for the period from 1 January for 2010 and 2011-

Staddle stones, garden ornaments and garden machinery are still being targeted and the theft of household diesel has risen due to the economic climate. One manifestation of antisocial behaviour is kicking in fence panels. Patrols have been increased and have made a difference. There is an operation in place to help pick up vehicles that have been stolen. It is difficult for the Police to put up surveillance cameras – due to bureaucracy – but the public can put up as many cameras as they like, so any help from Neighbourhood Watch is appreciated.

CALLING HAMPSHIRE CONSTABULARY

We want to get people in the habit of contacting the Police when they see things which are suspicious. Some people just don’t like contacting the Police, but it is very important that they do so. Perhaps you think the police will not care, or that they will view the crime as too trivial.

It is important that all incidents are reported, no matter how small they might be.

The Police keep records of all crimes reported, which influences how crime is dealt with by all parts of the criminal justice system.

Don’t put off calling because you think your call won’t be responded to. While it is not efficient or sensible to dispatch an officer to every incident e.g. wing mirror broken off, it helps them build the bigger picture and the Police can target areas that have incidents. And do ask for an incident number, even if it isn’t needed for an insurance claim.

When you call, you should mention that you are in Neighbourhood Watch. It helps them assess the value of our contribution to community safety.

Statistic - the number of non-emergency calls in Hampshire in a month runs to over 70,000!

So remember - CRIME IN PROGRESS 999 - NON EMERGENCY 101