January Alerts

11 January 2010

Report of a break to a garden shed in Spring Rise, Puriton.
 

At sometime during the day of 9 January 2010 access was gained to the rear garden of the property. Bolt on the shed door was unscrewed and entry gained. Nothing appears to have been stolen.
 
Please remind members of the security of property including sheds, garages and outbuildings. Also that suspicious activity should be reported to the police as soon as it is noticed - use the general number 0845-456-7000 and ask for the call to be tagged NHW.
 
In an emergency, ie crime in progress, life threatening or suspicious callers at the door - then always dial 999.

If you have information about any crime, phone the police on 0845 456 7000 or you can call anonymously to the independent charity CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111. For general information about Neighbourhood Watch nationally see the www.mynhw.co.uk website.

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8 January 2010

Police are warning that heartless crooks are using the cold weather as a ploy to get into homes to steal cash and jewellery.

Since December 29 2009 there has been a new tactic used - claiming they need to check the boiler or pipes because of the cold snap.

There have been five similar reported incidents across Bristol and South Gloucestershire including Frampton Cotterell, Greenbank, Mangotsfield, New Cheltenham and Speedwell. No similar offences have been reported in this part of Somerset as yet.
 
All five victims have been elderly, times of visits vary from around lunchtime to the early evening. In all instances there was a person claiming they needed to check the boiler due to their neighbour having trouble with frozen pipes. Cash, cheque books and bank cards were amongst items stolen.
 
All the victims have described their visitor as white, aged 20 to 30 and short, with short fair or light-coloured hair.

The second man seen at the house of one of the incidents was said to be about 30, 6ft tall, of large build and scruffy.

Anyone with any information which could help police enquiries into these incidents is asked to call the Burglary Team at Staple Hill Police Station on 0845 456 7000 who are co-ordinating the investigation at this time. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org. They never ask for your name or trace your call.
 
Call police immediately if you are suspicious of anyone knocking on the door of frail elderly people in your street. Thankfully the simple step of never opening your door without the door chain does prevent this type of crime.

Police advice to beat doorstep crooks includes:

• Always use the door chain
• Ask to see identification - genuine callers expect this. If you're unsure of a caller, don't open the door
  
• Join the utility companies' password schemes
  
• Don't keep cash at home
• Call police immediately if you are suspicious of a caller - use the 999 system
  

If you have information about any crime, phone the police on 0845 456 7000 or you can call anonymously to the independent charity CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111. For general information about Neighbourhood Watch nationally see the www.mynhw.co.uk website.

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