Ward update (October 2014)

South Northants Brackley
Safer Community Team
Ward Cluster Update
November 2014
PCSO
Clive Ashmore
Wards covered in this update
 Danvers & Wardoun, Washington and Astwell Wards
Nights drawing in?
Securing your home when the nights draw in
Crime statistics show that burglaries increase by up to 20% when the clocks go back and the nights draw in, as thieves take advantage of the darker evenings.
That’s why we’ve come up with some useful tips and advice for keeping yourself and your home safe and secure during the dark winter months.
Burglar alarm systems
Our first tip is to remind homeowners of the importance of burglar alarms –
with dark nights providing useful cover for burglars, you should make sure you always have a working home alarm system. Not only do burglar alarms act as an effective method of alerting neighbours to the presence of an intruder, but alarm siren boxes on the front of houses also act as a visual deterrent to potential thieves, which is in itself is often enough to prevent a burglary.
Front door security
During the festive season, you are far more likely to be visited by relatives and friends, as well as the occasional carol singer, so we recommend fitting a door chain and door viewer to external timber doors. Get into the habit of using the spy hole to check who is at the door and make sure the chain is engaged before opening the door, even if you are expecting visitors to call. You can even invest in a digital door viewer if you want to have the latest in home security technology.
Fit a door chain and door viewer to your external timber door for extra security.

It’s also important that your front door security is up to standard during the dark winter months. External timber doors should be secured using a mortice lock and/or a nightlatch that meets British Standard BS3621 and if you have a
PVCu or composite door then it is a good idea to upgrade the euro profile cylinder in your multi-point lock to British Standard as well.
Personal safety
And last, but by no means least – there are often more social events to attend over the darker months, such as Christmas dos and New Year’s Eve parties, but you shouldn’t let your fun be ruined by compromising your safety.
Although you should avoid walking home alone at night or being left on your own at parties, these situations can still occur and that’s why it’s crucial to take a personal attack alarm with you when you go out.
Are you visible?
As any motorist will tell you, in the dark it’s obviously harder to spot pedestrians, cyclists and anything that isn’t well lit. If you’re a cyclist, it’s important that your bike is fitted with clear, bright lights and that you’re wearing high visibility reflective clothing so that you are clearly visible on the road.
We urge pedestrians to wear bright, reflective clothing so that we can see you.
Parents, think about your children. As the year goes on and the days get even shorter, they’ll be travelling to and from school in darkness or near darkness so make sure they’re kitted out with a bright coat with reflective strips, a school bag with high visibility markings or even simple reflective arm bands so that they are clearly visible to motorists when it’s dark.
It’s simple, be bright and be seen.
CRIMES
I have listed below the Crime incidents reported for October 2014
 2nd – 12th , Theft from a field (Pig Trough stolen) Preston Road, Eydon
 8th , Burglary of an outbuilding (Vehicle number plates stolen) Chacombe
 8th , Theft from a Motor Vehicle (Keys stolen) Chacombe
 5th – 7th , Theft from a Motor Vehicle (Spare tyre stolen) The Avenue,
Whitfield
 3rd , Burglary of a Portacabin (Tools stolen) Upper Boddington
ASB

 No known reported serious Anti Social Behaviour Issues in your village locations.
Locally identified priority
You Said
 Tackling Rural Crime.
We Did
 Patrolled the Peace Demonstration at R.A.F. Croughton
 Cross Border Meeting with our Thames Valley Police Colleagues at
Buckingham Police Station
 Helped at the Young Citizen Scheme Event at Silverstone
 Attended the Helmdon Coffee Morning
 Assisted the Northants Fire Service with home safety visits
 Keep updated with information by visiting:
www.northants.police.uk/communityconnect
Useful Contact Details
To report:
 Fly-tipping Tel: [phone number removed]
 Noise problems Tel: [phone number removed]
 Stray dogs Tel: [phone number removed]
 Action Fraud Tel: 0300 123 2040
The Council out of office hours telephone number is 0800 160 1022

101 is new non-emergency number for Northamptonshire Police
Call 101 to speak to your local officers, discuss concerns you have about where you live or to report incidents and crimes that do not require an emergency response
Telephone: 101
SCT-SouthNorthantsBrackley@northants.police.uk www.northants.police.uk
In an emergency, call 999