REPORT TO WITNESHAM AND SWILLAND PARISH COUNCIL – 21ST NOVEMBER 2007
I am sorry that no one from the team can be with you this evening but as some of you will know, we are holding our Partnership Meeting in Wickham Market tonight.
I am also sorry that nobody attended your meeting on 19th September 2007 but I was not made aware of the date. I have since discussed this with Chris Rush.
I am pleased to say that there has only been one crime since your last meeting and that was theft of a concrete pillar from a residential garden and this occurred in Witnesham.
Grundisburgh 5
Westerfield 3
Clopton 2
Rendlesham 7
Melton 23
Recently there has been an increase in theft from motor vehicles in the surrounding area. This is often the case in the run up to Christmas, with opportunists targeting vehicles parked in isolated locations, particularly if small items such as handbags and Sat Nav systems have been left on display. Officers will be paying increased attention to car parks, particularly church car parks and those in rural or isolated areas. Please see advice as below.
Some of you will have received e-mail from me already regarding the security of your vehicles when parked outside village halls during the evening.
At about this time two years ago a number of vehicles left outside Grundisburgh village hall were broken into. I really don’t want to see a repeat of this as we lead up to Christmas but unfortunately it has started in neighbouring villages.
Thankfully there has only been one but it was a reminder to me that we must lock our vehicles and TAKE OUT ANY valuables.
Please also consider the lighting at the village hall. Is it good enough?
Shed burglaries
Crime pattern analysis has shown that the county sees an increase in shed burglaries during the months of October, November and December. In an effort to combat this we sell shed alarms at Woodbridge Police Station for £8.00. Please remember to secure your sheds at all times and consider lighting where appropriate.
This time of year can also see an increase in house burglaries. Please ensure that your homes are always secured and consideration should be given to lights on timers etc
You maybe aware that only a short distance away in Little Bealings have recently suffered an increase in house burglaries and therefore everyone needs to be vigilant.
Operation Arctic
Operation Arctic runs from 01.10.07 until 31.01.08 and is aimed at preventing the seasonal offence of armed robberies at post offices and other vulnerable premises. It is also concerned with ATM thefts and associated ram raid offences, which have historically occurred at Garages, Off Licences, Newsagents and Convenience Stores in both rural and urban areas. Witnesham has some of these amenities, so it is worth bearing in mind.
Patrols will be making regular visits to such premises but members of the public are asked to remain vigilant and report any suspicious vehicles or persons to the police.
In an emergency always dial 999
To report a crime dial 01473 613500
To speak to myself or leave a message dial 01473 383486, but please remember that this number IS NOT for reporting crime and I may not pick the message up for some time if I’m on rest days.
Alternatively I can be contacted by email Victoria.Gilmore@suffolk.pnn.police.uk.
Our website as detailed above also has an email link to contact us.
The Community Intelligence Hotline, 0800 783 9112 is a means of contacting the police (anonymously if preferred) and providing us with any information that you feel would assist us in the prevention and detection of crime.
Please also have a look at the Suffolk Constabulary Website, which can offer further help and advice.
To find the Wickham Market Rural website please see www.safersuffolk.org.uk
Pc 797 Vic Gilmore
Wickham Market Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team