July 2008 - Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter

PREVENTITIVE MEASURES AGAINSTTHE SNEAK THIEF

With the warm weather (hopefully) on it’s way it’s that time of yea when many domestic burglaries take place as a result of an insecure property or sneak-in.
Burglaries can have a huge impact on people’s lives and yet by improving security, residents can reduce the chance that they become victims of sneak-in
crime in the future.
A sneak-in burglary may also mean that an insurance company will rejecting a claim.
Typically, the number of sneak-in burglaries increases during the summer months so please be aware that open and unlocked doors and windows are easy targets for burglars.
Do enjoy the warm weather and light evenings but remember if you are out in the
garden or just in another part of your house make sure the rest of your home is secure - it only takes a matter of seconds for opportunists to sneak-in.
The average value of items stolen in a burglary is over £1,200 - a lot of money
considering that in some cases it may be preventable by simply shutting a window.
Anyone who is concerned about home security issues or would like additional crime prevention advice should contact Derbyshire Police on 0845 123 33 33.

Holidays
To help make homes as safe as possible when homes are empty during the holiday season this is a checklist of useful tips:

Tell a neighbour when the house will be empty and ask them to keep an eye on the property.
Supply them with a key, so that they can take in post, put the rubbish out on the
right day, and if possible open and close the curtains so the property does not
seem empty
Set timer switches for lights and radios to make the house seem
occupied
Hide or lock away any valuables, such as jewellery or silver. Few burglars are professionals, and won’t want to waste time searching
Avoid leaving the car parked on the road and lock it in a garage if possible
Cancel newspaper and milk deliveries
Have an efficient burglar alarm installed and consider having it monitored, this may also reduce home insurance costs
Ensure all external doors are locked
Fit window locks on all opening windows and ensure they are locked
Install outside lighting
Lock up your garage and garden shed, as well as any garden tools and ladders, which can be used to gain access to properties
Don’t leave house keys in an obvious place
Don’t leave cash lying around
Cut the lawn before you go
Don’t put your home address on luggage labels when travelling to your destination
Then enjoy your holiday!

 

June 2008 - Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter

BE ON YOUR GUARD AT ALL TIMES

These are topical items I have been informed about by the Belper & District Neighbourhood Watch Support Group and the police.

Distraction burglaries
Distraction burglaries are still occurring.
Please be vigilant and careful when answering your door to callers. If you are suspicious of any caller, do not let them in and please call the Police on 0845 123
3333 to report the incident. Police are considering making some areas “No Cold
Calling” zones if there is enough evidence of these sorts of problems.

Beware at the cashpoint
There have been severalincidents of cards being taken from individuals at cashpoints and then used to withdraw more cash.
This tends to happen when an individual is distracted, but there has also been instances where a gang of four men have threatened to hurt a person if the card
and money were not handed over.
Please be very careful when withdrawing cash from cashpoints.
Make sure no-one can see your PIN as you enter it and that they are not standing close enough to read over your shoulder.
Be extra careful at night if it is dark and there are only a few people about.

Scams everywhere?
Every time you put on the news or read anewspaper these days, another scam is being reported and there are so many nowadays, it is difficult to know who to believe.
The most prevalent seem to be telephone calls that try to get you to give personal details or ask you to press a key on your telephone keypad.
Please do not do either and make sure that you report these to the Police.
Other scams include letters that suggest you have won a great deal of money or a holiday.
Once again, do not be fooled by these as if they appear too good to be true, they probably are.
Lastly, watch out for email scams that try to get you to open links to other websites.
These can result in you innocently giving the scammer access to all your details on your computer. Never open an email from someone you do not know and
make sure you have the most recent virus software running daily checks on your system.
Personal details
This is a simple reminder to be aware when inputting any personal details to any
sites on the internet for example banking. There are sites that appear to
be real but are actually attempts to gain your details for fraudulent purposes.
If you want to use safe official sites for internet banking always go to their site, rather than using links that may have come via unsolicited email.

 

 

May 2008 - Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter

WATCH OUT...SNEAK IN BURGLARS ARE ABOUT

This is a reminder with the oncoming spring and summermonths ahead...every year the rates of sneak in and insecurity burglaries go up due to windows and doors being open.
Always try to close and lock any door you are not directly observing particularly if you are in the garden or go out.
It literally only takes a few seconds for someone to gain access.
Also think about protecting your garden equipment by purchasing a good quality lock for your shed, and shed alarms can be fairly inexpensive as well.
Property marking all garden tools with a post code and house number, using gloss paint, will be a deterrent as thieves will be less inclined to take items they can’t use or sell on.
Try not to leave any tools out that can be used by opportunist thieves to break into your property. By taking a few simple steps you can greatly reduce your
chances of being targeted.
Fake notes:
There have been several incidents of fake £20 notes in circulation in nearby areas.
There are several security measures built into bank notes and some fakes are quite clever at mimicing some of these but they won’t be able to replicate them
all.
Some of the detection devices on the marketmay not pick up these fakes.
For more information on ways of detecting fakes visit the bank of England
web site. www.bankofengland.co. uk/banknotes/security/

Warning about unsolicited callers:
This is a general reminder to always make sure you check the identity of any unknown and unsolicited caller to your house.
All services will have identity cards that you can check with the organisation they
represent and if you have a peep hole or door chain please do use it.

Warning about charity collectors:
There have been reports that charity collectors are operating in the Belper area.
Never allow anyone into your house without checking their identity with the organisation they represent using a phone number from the phone book.
Never disclose any bank details to anyone and if you wish to donate to a charity always contact the charity direct.
If you have any concerns about anyone who comes to your door contact Derbyshire Constabulary on 0845 123 33 33or 999in an emergency.

Another Scam:
There is another scam underway where your phone rings and the only thing you hear is a voice (female) telling you to“Press 9 now”.
This will connect you to a premium rate number or allow the scammers to use your number to make international calls.
This is very costly and there is little you can do to prevent it once you
have pressed 9.
If you receive a call like this, please do NOT press 9, just put the receiver down immediately.
If these calls continue, please report it to the Police.

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April 2008 - Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter

BOGUS CALLERS AND DISTRACTION BURGLARIES

There have been many warnings recently about distraction burglaries and bogus callers and so this month’s article contains some information, passed to me by the Belper & District Neighbourhood Watch Support Group, about how they may
operate.

They usually operate in teams of 2 – 5+ and may be male or female and have even been known to use young children to gain access to a property.

They avoid houses on busy main roads (in case Police Patrols pass).

They will often park up on the edge of an estate and walk through to identify target houses.

They listen through letter boxes for signs of occupancy.

They touch ground floor windows with the back of the hand to test if there is heat in a room to see if it is occupied.

They will not wear gloves as they draw attention to themselves.

They hold internal doors by the top corner edge above the handle area
If they find a large amount of cash when they are working with a partner, they will often leave it and come back alone later.

They will avoid houses with nicotine stained curtains as they know it is an expensive habit and there is unlikely to bespare cash in the house.

They will often return to a pensioner’s house within 4 – 6 months after a large amount has been stolen as they know pensioners save approximately £50 per week.

They will often ask to see a rent card, health card or similar information as they know these are kept with cash that has been hidden.

They will sniff cash to see ifit smells musty as this means it may be part of a larger stash.

They will look for houses with dirty curtains, closed windows and poorly kept gardens as they know these signs indicate a person is not mobile. This makes distraction burglary easier as they know they are unlikely to be followed as they move around the house.

They will look for signs of single occupancy.

A single milk bottle often indicates a lone occupant.
An intercom entry phone or bell may indicate the occupant is not mobile and this
makes the premises worth targeting
Wheelchair ramps and grips or side doorhandles also indicate that the occupant is not mobile
They will follow “Meals on Wheels” vans to locate pensioner’s homes and will follow pensioners back from the Post Office and note addresses in order to return later

They will sniff the inside air by lifting the letter box. Musty smells, urine and worn
carpets often indicate that money is not being spent on the property and could
mean it has been stashed away by the elderly resident
They will target houses with poor paintwork for the same reasons as above and
may offer to undertake work for free to gain
access.

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This months article contains topical items I have been informed about by the police and Belper & District Neighbourhood Watch Support Group.

Peddlers
This is a reminder from the police for anyone visited by callers selling products door to door.
Genuine sellers will have a Peddlers’ Certificate which authorises them to sell items in the area and they must have this with them. This Certificate is granted by a Chief Constable and is valid for one year and applies throughout the United Kingdom. Certificates cannot be issued to persons under the age of 17. A person who acts as a peddler without acertificate commits an offence.
Derbyshire Police do not encourage residents to purchase items from door to door sales people, but if you choose to purchase anything, please do not invite them into your home and do not leave your doors open or unlocked whilst you go back into your house to get your money.
Please report any suspicious callers to the Call Centre on 0845 123 33 33 so that they can be checked out.

An incident of deception
An incident that occurred recently in the Belper area involved a young male knocking at the home of an elderly lady asking to use the telephone as he had run out of petrol and needed to ring a taxi. The lady let the male in and he said he was going to ring his dad for help. He then told the lady that his father had been involved in a serious accident and was in hospital and persuaded her to hand over £50 for his transport to get there.
The police ask that if there are any similar incidents to call them on 0845 123 33 33.

And another!
Another local incident was that of offenders claiming that they had come to replace windows in a lady’s house They persuaded her to withdraw money from a bank in Derby and took her to the bank where she handed the money to them. It is thought they were using a white glazing van with words on the side, one being ‘window’.
If you have any information regarding this or similar incidents please contact Derbyshire Police on 0845 123 3333 or anonymously to Crimestoppers by ringing 0800 555 111.

And again!
There have been a couple of reports of people being contacted by phone supposedly from a bank asking people to confirm their bank card details. The police wish to strongly stress that such details should not be disclosed as a bank will never contact anyone in this way.
If you are contacted in this manner put the phone down, dial 1471 to try and obtain their number, and report this to Derbyshire Police.

A warning
Please make sure, when filling up with petrol, that you lock the car when going to pay. In fact it is advisable to lock your car whenever you leave it even if just to get a car park ticket or to post a letter.

 

SOME CALLERS CAN CATCH YOU COLD

I have received a few notices through the Belper & District Neighbourhood Watch Support Group which I thought would be useful to pass on:
Cold calling:
There have been a number of charity collectors in the area recently. Apparently these are Agency staff acting on behalf of recognised organisations.
But please make sure you do not give your personal and bank account details to anyone cold calling at your door.
If you want to donate to a registered charity, ask for the form to be left with an envelope so that you can send it on yourself.
If you have any doubts about callers, refuse to open the door and advise them you will contact the Police if they persist.
Dial 999 in an emergency and 0845 123 3333 to report suspicious callers.
Crime prevention officers can be contacted for free advice through the normal helpline on 0845 123 3333.
Keep your Car Safe:
Most of us are proud of our cars and want to keep them safe.
Vehicle crime is reducing, but there were over 1.7 million vehicle related thefts in the UK in 2005/6.

Most vehicle crime is opportunistic and can therefore be prevented.
This advice may seem obvious, but following it could make a difference.
Do not leave items on display – even an old coat or plastic bag can tempt a thief Use immobilisers that prevent your vehicle from starting without the correct key
Park safely, preferably in your garage if you have one when at home, or use car parks that are police approved or have an attendant Use a steering lock every time you leave your vehicle unattended
Get an Alarm fitted Have you vehicle registration number etched onto your windscreens
Mark your car stereo, CD player etc. with your registration number
Keep your car safe!!!!

B&DNWSG Office at The Cottage Project The Belper& District Neighbourhood Watch support Group has premises at the Cottage project on Chapel Street in Belper opposite the bus station.
The office will be open on Thursday 11th February and hen every second Thursday between 12-30pm to 2-30pm.
This is for anyone to drop in or advice or to purchase security items.
There is free tea or coffee and biscuits for everyone who comes along and you are guaranteed a warm welcome.
Key Individual Networks Belper Police are looking for people to join their Key Individual Networks (KIN) to provide thoughts and pinions on a range of issues that affect your neighbourhood.
You do not have to belong to any other organisations, and you need only be involved as much as you want.
You will be asked to give feedback occasionally about issues that affect your community.
The intention is to widen the consultation between the police and the local community, give prompt information about local issues and enable you to influence local policing.
If you are happy to join, please get in touch with you Safer Neighbourhood Team at Belper Police and they will provide you with more information.
They will not pass on your personal details to anyone else, but may invite you to attend meetings once a quarter to discuss the setting of priorities in your neighbourhood.

 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR...AND BEWARE OF SCAMS

There has been a warning by Trading Standards that there is a scam going on that has been confirmed by Royal Mail.
A card is posted through your door advising you that a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) has been unable to deliver a parcel to you. The card asks you to ring a premium rate number (09066611911).
Do not ring this number as a recorded message is all you will hear and by then you will have been charged £15.00.
If you receive a card like this, please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 02072396655 or ICSTIS (the premium rate service regulator) at www.icstis.org.uk.

Motorbike thefts
Police are warning that there has been a spate of motorbike thefts in the north of the county recently They are advising all owners to ensure they secure their motor bike when not in use and recommend that they are security marked.

Pedestrians and cyclists beware
Last year110 pedestrians were killed or seriously injured on Derbyshire’s roads. 47 pedal cyclists were also killed or injured during the same period.
Roughly a third of those were children under the age of 16.
Derbyshire Police are asking motorists to take extra care now the evenings are darker earlier.
Please drive more carefully in the morning and at night, slow down when approaching road junctions and pedestrian crossings.
Make sure you have your lights switched on and that they are in a good condition.
Be considerate of cyclists as headlights can dazzle.
Give them a wide berth when overtaking.
Dip your headlights when meeting oncoming traffic or following another vehicle.
Use fog lights when visibility is seriously reduced, but make sure you switch them off when visibility improves.
Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists will all benefit from wearing high visibility clothing.
Cyclists should make sure that they have lights fitted that work and always wear a helmet.
Pedestrians should wear fluorescent clothing, or belts, armbands and even straps on bags.

The Belper & District Neighbourhood Watch Support Group have a selection of high visibility belts, armbands and straps for bags and dog leads on order and hope to have these available soon.

Visa/Mastercard scam
Please be aware of a current scam from someone purporting to be from the Security and Fraud Department at Visa.
They claim that your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern and ask you to confirm details from your card; information they have already obtained.
The only information they do not have is the 3 digit security number on the reverse which they request during the conversation. Transactions on the cards have then been made within a few minutes of the phone call.

Personal details
The police would also like to remind you to be aware of any possible attempts to obtain credit card, bank details, orpersonal details overthe phone, the internet or through the post.
Many times these seem rather crude but they can be very
sophisticated designed to trick you into revealing
information useable to obtain money. Please keep in mind when dealing with any requests where this request is coming from.
Did they contact you?
Did you ask to be contacted?
Banks will rarely contact you and they will never ask for personal or card details.
Also be aware that some scammer will try to confuse and panic you into giving this
information.
Contact the company direct from the phone book rather than any numbers provided.
A legitimate caller will be happy that you are checking up on them and it is not impolite to decline any request for information.

 

BE EXTRAVIGILANT OVER FESTIVE PERIOD

Derbyshire Police are warning householders not to be taken in by cold callers who offer home security equipment.
They report that a number of residents have said that they have felt pressurised by sales people claiming to be working with or affiliated to the police.
One firm is reported as using hard sales tactics to get older and vulnerable people to sign up to have monitored security alarms fitted at a cost of several thousand pounds.

Police advise anyone who is considering having security systems fitted to ensure they get three quotes from reputable companies and not to rush into buying anything until they are fully satisfied.
Crime prevention officers can be contacted for free advice through the normal helpline on 0845 123 3333.

Several burglaries have been reported recently in the Belper area including Milford and Holbrook.
Some of these were distraction burglaries at neighbouring properties with the offenders pretending to be from the Waterboard.
No ID was shown but the offenders managed to talk their way into the property.
Please be extra vigilant and ensure that you close and lock all windows and doors when you are not directly observing them.
Also never allow anyone in your house unless you are sure of their identity
and do not be pressurised into letting anyone into your house with stories of an emergency.

Each year, burglars prey on empty homes during the festive season.

This is some advice to help with protection of property over the Christmas and holiday period, most of which is easy to implement inexpensively, but it’s often simple things that make a difference.

Never leave bags of presents on display in your car, always lock everything in the boot and try not to leave a car containing valuables unattended for long.

Mark expensive presents, such as electronic equipment, with your postcode by engraving or using an ultra violet pen, and possibly take photos of them.

Store Christmas presents in places which are well hidden and difficult to reach - for example at the back of a wardrobe, or in the loft

Try to avoid putting presents under the tree too long before Christmas - the longer they are on display the more opportunity there is for burglaries to take place

Equally, try not to position the Christmas tree right by the window, as this will attract attention to presents from anyone looking in.

Even if you are at home, remember to keep back doors and windows locked - careless home security can make things easier for thieves

Check whether your insurance covers additional Christmas presents

Be extra vigilant when admitting strangers into your home.

Keep the door chain secured, always ask for identification and only invite callers into your home if you are completely satisfied that they are who they say they are.

I wish you all a happy and safe Christmas and New Year.
Valerie Thorpe

 

SOME SPARKLING ADVICE ABOUT FIREWORKS

The ‘season’of fireworks is imminent and although fireworks can be great fun formany people, both old and young, it can also bring misery to others and to many animals.
I thought that for this month’s article I would reiterate the law on fireworks.
There is now a ban on discharging fireworks between the hours of 2300 and 0700.
This is part of a range of measures introduced by the government to ensure that people can still enjoy fireworks whilst clamping down on their anti-social use.
The ban does not apply to events such as bonfires on 5th November which must end by midnight and New Year’s Eve which may continue until 01-00.
Other measures introduced make it illegal for anyone under 18 to carry fireworks in public places and shops must not sell fireworks louder than120 decibels.
Penalties for infringement of these laws are up to a £5,000 fine and six months in jail.
Some reminders to make Bonfire night a safe and happy one:
Fireworks:
Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114
Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks
Keep fireworks in a closed box
Follow the instructions on each firework
Light them at arm’s length, using a taper
Stand well back
Never go near a firework that has been lit.
Even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode
Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them
Always supervise children around fireworks
Light sparklers one at a time and wear glovesNever give sparklers to a child under five
Keep pets indoors
Fireworks are explosives
Keys:
Apparently more than half of us give a spare set of keys to our home to a neighbour or friend when we go on holiday and then never ask for them back.
Since more than half of people do not change the locks when they move into a
new home those spare keys could be with a neighbour you don’t know and who
could get into your home.
Home security experts recommend changing the locks when you move into a new home and consider using key safes, for a spare set of keys, the combination of which can be provided to a neighbour whilst you are away and then changed on your return.
Graffiti:
There has been an increase in criminal damage and graffiti is becoming a problem in the area.

Please do report all crime, however minor, to the police on 0845 123 33 33.
No incident is too trivial or a waste of police time (a reported crime does not automatically mean that an officer will attend).
B&DNWSG Office: The Belper & District, Neighbourhood Watch, Support Group office, at the Cottage Project on Chapel Street in Belper opposite the bus station, is open on the second and fourth Thursdays in each month between 12-30 and 14-30. This is for anyone to drop in for advice or to purchase security items.

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BEWARE BOGUS COMPANIES OPERATING
Please be aware of a company selling damp proofing around Derbyshire.
If work needs doing always get more than one quote from recognised traders or ones recommended by friends or family. Derbyshire Police would not encourage anyone to buy or commit to anything at the door and not to let strangers into the house. If you are in any doubt about a caller do not let them in.

Unsolicited phone calls:
Derbyshire Police would like to make you aware of a security company which is operating in Derbyshire.
They phone people up and offer crime prevention and fire safety checks, as well as information about how to avoid identity fraud. Police advice is not to accept unsolicited phone calls and/or house calls especially from companies offering security advice.
Avoid buying from anyone who use high pressure sales techniques and always obtain several quotes. Ask friends and family for personal recommendations.

ATM Machines
ATM machines across the country are occasionally targeted by organised gangs, who add a device which picks up information from the magnetic strip of cards which are inserted.
These devices are well disguised and rarely noticed unless the user is aware of the possibility. The cash machine will work as normal, and the first that most people know is when their bank statement arrives with various withdrawals and purchases they have not made.
The device transmits information from the card usually only a short distance, to the offender’s lap top, and from this they can manufacture a duplicate card using all the copied details. The fastest turnaround from downloading information to making and using a cloned card is under 2 hours!
As well as the card information from the magnetic strip, the offenders
also need to know the corresponding PIN, and a pinhole camera would make up part of the device, a simple way to frustrate these offences is to cover the keypad with a spare hand when keying in the code.
Offenders will often maintain observations of the ATM, as the devices used are quite sophisticated and expensive, in the event that a member of the public notices the ATM is not quite right they will quickly recover the device and make off.
If you become suspicious of an ATM or of persons nearby, make immediate contact with the Police or the bank. Do not remove the device yourself.
Offenders have used violence to recover these from the public in the past.

Gunsafe initiative
As part of Derbyshire Constabulary’s ongoing Gunsafe initiative, officers are appealing to young people not to carry Ball- Bearing (BB) and imitation guns on the streets.
The Gunsafe initiative was launched by Derbyshire police earlier this year and is aimed at reducing guns and raising awareness by reducing the number of sales of the weapons and educating parents and young people not to carry or buy such weapons.
BB and imitation guns look like real firearms, which means that if someone is seen carrying one in public they could find themselves facing an armed police officer and being arrested.

Distraction Burglary
A recent distraction burglary in Alfreton resulted in a lady being injured when a group of four men forced their way into her home. The elderly lady initially answered her door to two young men who claimed to be working down the road and said they needed to check her water. She
refused to let them in. Following her closing the door, the bell rang and as she opened it, one of the men
forced his way past trapping her against the wall. A quantity of cash was stolen. The men were described as young, white and smartly dressed.

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HELPING YOU NOT TO FALL FOR SCAMS

A scam is a scheme which is intended to con you out of your money and there are many around these days and they are becoming more sophisticated.
If you think you will not be fooled then you may become a victim and people can become victims when they are vulnerable through, for example illness.

Some scams around are:
Lotteries, Premium rate phone, Letters predicting the future, Pyramid selling, Miracle health cures, Work from home, Foreign money offers, Email spam, Bogus holiday clubs, Career opportunity, Online dating, Investment, Charity publishing, Landbanking scams.

If it’s too good to be true – then it probably is!
A scam will try to: catch you unawares, contacting you, without you asking them to, by phone, email, post or sometimes in personsound pleasant, well spoken and kind (on the phone or at your door) have slick, professional leaflets and letters be persistent and persuasive rush you into making a decision, ask you to send money before you receive their tempting offer or win.

By offering something for nothing such as:
you’ve won a major prize in a draw or a lottery (even though you haven’t entered one) an exclusive entry to a scheme that’s a surefire way to make money, a way to earn easy money by helping them get money out of their country, the chance to join an investment scheme that will make you huge amounts of money.
They’ll ask you to:
send money up front - an administration fee or tax, the list is endless but it’s always a ruse to get you to give them money, give them your bank, credit card or other personal details, ring an expensive premium rate number, buy something to get your prize.
Never send any money or give any personal details to anyone until you’ve checked that they are genuine.
There are hundreds of examples but we can all protect ourselves by being sceptical - is it likely that someone you don’t know, who has contacted you out of
the blue, will give you something for nothing?
If you discover a scam let your friends and family know and if you have become a
victim of a scam report it to one of the organisations listed below who can also provide advice:
For scams in general –
Consumer Direct Tel: 08454 04 05 06
For investment scams –
Financial Services Authority Tel: 0845 606 1234
Mailing: If in doubt, bin the letter.

PRESERVING YOUR IDENTITY WHILE ABROAD

I recently received some information about passports from the Belper Neighbourhood Watch Support Group which I thought would be useful to pass on.

If your passport is lost or stolen you must report it to the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) and also to your local Police Station. The crime reference number and details provided by the Police should be inserted into the relevant section of the declaration of loss/theft form (LS01) that should be completed and returned to
the IPS in order to get a replacement passport.

A few tips when going abroad:
Take two photocopies of your passport before you go.
Leave one with a relative or friend and take the other
with you, keeping it separate from your original passport.
Keep your passport with you when travelling in either your hand luggage or a zipped pocket.
Make sure you know where it is so you can produce it when you are asked for it.
Make sure you keep your passport safe when you arrive at your destination.
If there is a safe or safety deposit box available, consider using it for your passport and other valuables.
Never surrender your passport to anyone who you have reason to believe is not official.
Sometimes hotels will ask for your passport on check-in. If this is normal procedure according to your travel operator, make sure you collect it back at the earliest opportunity.
If your passport is lost or stolen whilst you are abroad, report it to the local Police and get in touch with the British Consulate or Embassy for further advice.
The photocopy you can provide will help you get an emergency passport if necessary.

Valuables in cars:
I recently received a telephone call from a lady whose car had been broken into twice in the space of a few weeks and items stolen.
Please do not leave anything on view in cars – not even in the foot well.
Take things with you if possible otherwise lock them away in the boot.
Even an old coat on the back seat is a target for someone to ‘smash and grab’.

Street Co-ordinators:
Many thanks to South Duffield street co- ordinators for replying to
my recent note; I shall be in touch soon.

An observation: In the past few months I have, on a couple of occasions, been mistaken for Councillor Valerie Thorpe who is not me.

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WATCH OUT, THERE MAYBE A SNEAK THIEF ABOUT

Sneak-in burglaries:
Yes, it’s that time of year again!
Many domestic burglaries take place as a result of an insecure property or sneak-in and may lead to an insurance company rejecting a claim.
Burglaries can have a huge impact on people’s lives and yet by improving security, residents can reduce the chance that they become victims of sneak-in crime in the future. Typically, the number of sneak-in burglaries
increases during the summer months so please be aware that open and unlocked doors and windows are easy targets for burglars.
Do enjoy the warm weather and light evenings but remember if you are out in the garden or just in another part of your house make sure the rest of your home is secure - it only takes a matter of seconds for opportunists to sneak-in. The average value of items stolen in a burglary is over £1,200 - a lot of money considering that in some cases it may be preventable by simply shutting a window.
Anyone who is concerned about home security issues or would like additional crime prevention advice should contact Derbyshire Police on 0845 123 33 33.

Holidays: To help make homes as safe as possible when homes are empty during the holiday season this is a checklist of useful tips:

Tell a neighbour when the house will be empty and ask them to keep an eye on the property.
Supply them with a key, so that they can take in post, put the rubbish out on the right day, and if possible open and close the curtains so the property does not seem empty
Set timer switches for lights and radios to make the house seem occupied
Hide or lock away any valuables, such as jewellery or silver.
Few burglars are professionals, and won’t want to waste time searching
Avoid leaving the car parked on the road and lock it in a garage if possible
Cancel newspaper and milk deliveries
Have an efficient burglar alarm installed and consider having it monitored, this may also reduce home insurance costs
Ensure all external doors are locked.
Fit window locks on all opening windows and ensure they are locked
Install outside lighting.
Lock up your garage and garden shed, as well as any garden tools and ladders, which can be used to gain access to properties.
Don’t leave house keys in an obvious place
Don’t leave cash lying around
Cut the lawn before you go
Don’t put your home address on luggage labels when travelling to your destination.
Then enjoy your holiday.

 

 

IF YOU WANT TO GET ON YOUR BIKE THEN TAKE CARE
Tens of thousands of bicycles are stolen every year, and many are neverrecovered, but bicycle theft is preventable, and here are some ways in which you can protect yourproperty.
Do not leave your bicycle in isolated places Park your bicycle safely and considerately where it will not cause a danger or obstruction to others - particularly the elderly or the very young, or those who are disabled in some way
Always lock your bicycle when you leave it, even if it is only for a minute while you pop into a local shop
Use proper cycle anchors or robust street furniture e.g. trees, parking meters, railings (but do observe requests not to use them) for securing your bicycle whenever possible. If provision is inadequate, bring this to the attention of the relevant Local Authority or propertyowner Lock your bicycle through the frame Lock the wheels and other detachable parts Remove smaller parts which cannot be secured and take them with you when you can, especially lights and quick release saddles
There are many different ocking products on the market nd price is not necessarily a eliable indicator of quality and esistance to attack by thieves.
Look for products that have been tested against attack.
Marking your bike can act as a deterrent to theft and may also help the police to return it to you f it is stolen and subsequently ecovered. To be effective, a security marking must:

i) be clearly visible - hidden marks do not deter theft unless hey are backed up by visible ones – eg a tamper proof label

ii) be securely fixed - if it omes off easily and leaves no race then it won’t deter a thief.

iii) be placed in two separatelocations on the bicycle and not on any part which is readily removable or replaceable (iv) give clearinformation that will quickly lead the finder to the owner of the bicycle

Your postcode, together with your house or flat number, or the first two letters of your house name, provides a simple and unique way of identifying your bicycle. There is a range of marking systems on the market including; engraving, etching, ceramic marking, punching, die stamping.

There are a number of companies on the market which will offer to security mark and register your bicycle with a unique number, and cross reference this to your personal details on their computer database. If you choose to use this service make sure that:

(i) the security mark applied meets all the criteria set out above in respect of visibility, permanence and safety

(ii) the mark is accompanied by the company’s telephone number. Aunique number is no good to the police who find a lost or stolen bicycle if they don’t know who to contact to link it to the owner’s name andaddress!

(iii) the company you use is following the National Cycling Forum’s Code of Practice for Security Marking and Registration of Pedal Cycles which has been endorsed by the Police, the Home Office and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Finally, keep your own record of your bicycle - its make/model, frame number and colour together with a photograph.

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THE CURSE OF ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
As several people have contacted me in the last few months regarding vandalism, graffiti and petty crime, I thought it would be helpful to pass on information from the police website about anti-social behaviour.
Anti-social behaviour is often abbreviated to ASB and covers many types of low-level persistent nuisance.
Behaviour that can cause nuisance and annoyance It is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress It creates significant and persisten problems in neighbourhoods.
It leaves communities feeling intimidated and afraid Anti-Social Behaviour is defined in the Crime and
Disorder Act 1998 as:
“Behaviourwhich causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm ordistress to one ormore people who are not in the same household as the perpetrator”
Examples include:
Noise nuisance,
Verbal Abuse,
Damage to property including vandalism and graffiti.
Intimidating gatherings of people in public places.
Racial abuse
Litter and dumping rubbish, fly tippingDrug or alcohol misuse and drug dealing
Nuisance motorcycles
Misuse of fireworks
Begging, prostitution and kerb crawling.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. The key issue is the impact that these actions have on victims, witnesses and the community we live in.
Please do report anti- social behaviour problems and incidents to the Derbyshire Police on 0845 123 33 33 or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Anti-social Behaviourcan have devastating affects on communities.
We need to work together with the police to tackle the causes of anti-social behaviour and identify actions required that will improve everyone’s quality of life.

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HELPING TO KEEP YOUR MOBILE PHONE SAFE

As theft of mobile phones seems to be rife I thought the following information would be useful.

If you’re making a call on your mobile in a public area, make sure you always keep an eye on what’s going on around you.

Try to avoid using your mobile phone in public at night but if you do try to find an area that’s well-lit. Train stations and bus stops are areas that thieves target. If you’re not making a call, make sure that your phone is hidden away.

Keep it in a front pocket or inside a bag.

Don’t attach it to your belt or around your neck.

Teenagers are more likely to have their mobile phone stolen than any other age group.

Make a note of the make and model of your phone, as wellas your handset’s unique identification number (IMEI number).

This can be found behind the battery, or by dialling ‘*#06#’ on most phones.

Keep these details in a safe place and completely separate from your phone, as you’ll need to give them to your service provider if your phone is lost or stolen.

Mobile phones have in-built security features that you can use to protect it.

For example, you can set up a pin number that you have to key in before you make a call which stops anyone else using your phone and protects any personal details your have in your phone book or your text message inbox.
If your phone is lost or stolen, report it immediately to your network provider who will be able to block both the handset and the SIM card so that theycan’t be used any more.
Also report the theft to the police on 0845 123 33 33.

For those who have access to the internet, there is a Mobile Phone Register at http://www.immobilise.com/.
Immobilise.com is a free service that allows you to record the details of as many of your possessions as you wish on a secure, offsite inventory.
There is also the option to upgrade your free account and add photographs and certificates of ownership.
The recorded information can help you after loss, theft or fire when completing insurance claims, reporting stolen or lost property to the police and mobile phone networks.

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BEWARE FOREIGN ACCENTED CHANGE SEEKERS

I recently heard that a man, who spoke with an Eastern European accent, was approaching elderly ladies on Town St asking for change.
He then walked towards the station and approached an elderly gentleman. The gentleman was asked if he could change some £1 coins and as he took out his wallet the man made a grab for it.
Fortunately the gentleman was ‘on the ball’ and the man did not get away with anything. I understand that the man was not working alone, which means that this was not just an opportunistic attempt to grab some cash.
I know people wish to help, if for example someone require change, but please do think about your own safety.
There is always the option to politely decline and keep purses or wallets tucked away. This incident happened early one weekday afternoon in Duffield and serves to remind us all to be vigilant at all times.

Derbyshire police are warning motorists not to leave their vehicles unattended while they defrost the windscreen.
The alert comes after two cars were stolen from driveways when the engine was left running to warm up the car.
In each case the driver had gone back into his home and left the engine running and when he came back a few moments later the car had been stolen.
Officers advise that anyone who needs to warm-up the car or defrost their vehicle’s windows should stay with it at all times while the engine is switched on.

Please do report (non-serious) crimes and incidents to the police on 0845 123 33 33 (for serious crimes use 999).
I am aware incidents occur and I’m also aware that they are not always reported.
There are a couple of reasons for this: one is ‘the police won’t do anything about it and I’m wasting my time’and the other is ‘I don’t like to waste their time because they’re busy’.
To the first I do agree that they will not necessarily come out, but the incidents will be recorded and it may be that the information is acted upon as another piece of the jigsaw that helps to convict someone or nips something in the bud that may have escalated in the future.
As regards the ‘police are busy people’ well it’s their job.
If the police do not know that these crimes are happening they assume that all is well and for certain nothing will then be done and it could escalate I am weary of being told by the police that ‘hardly anything happens in Duffield – we Duffield residents know otherwise!
I know that crimes and incidents affect different people in different ways but if it is of concern to you then it may well be of concern to others.
Let’s try and make a difference together.

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WATCH OUT... THERE ARE THIEVES ABOUT

Beware of car snatches: The latest police warning concerns thieves putting stickers on rear windscreens to obscure the view.
These are only noticed when, for example, reversing out of car parks or drives.
As you get out of your car to remove the sticker, the thief jumps in and drives away with your car contents.
Take car and ensure nothing is attached to windows before unlocking your car.It is also a good idea never to leave your car with your keys in the ignition when getting out of the car, however briefly.

Garages and garden furniture etc: It will soon be the time of year when thefts of lawn mowers, garden furniture and ornaments start to be reported.
Try to make garages and sheds secure and also secure garden furniture.
If possible try to cement down ornaments like troughs andwhere possible make them not visible from the road.
Try to make things as difficult as possible for the thief.

Emergency services: A recent request from the police, fire and ambulance service, is for house numbers to be clearly displayed on properties.
This is to make it easier for them to find the location of the caller requiring help and so save valuable time.
It’s also suggested that at the emergency site a flashing light or person with a torch could be situated outside during darkness or someone outside the property during daylight.

Crime statistics: In the last year or two I have been able to put together some statistics regarding crimes that have taken place in the Duffield area in the previous 12 months.
This has enabled me to identify trends and how crime levels relate to information publicised by the police. Unfortunately I am no longer informed by the police, via the Belper and District Neighbourhood Watch, of the crimes committed.
This is because on one occasion last year, in another police division, a crime was reported with some information that was in contravention of the Data Protection Act. This has resulted in a blanket ban on all incidents being reported from the police.

New Inspector: There is a new Inspector at Belper Police Station (the fourth in two years).Inspector Lanir took over in January as Inspector Szabo moved to Ilkeston.
The Belper and District Neighbourhood Watch Support Group has now obtained premises at the Cottage Project on Chapel Street in Belper opposite the bus station. The office will be open on February 8th and every second Thursday between 12.30 and 2.30pm.
This is for anyone to drop in for advice or to purchase security items.
Non-emergency police telephone call number: 0845 123 33 33 is the Call Reception Centre for non emergency calls for policing services and reporting across the whole of Derbyshire.

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THE PERILS OF OVERDOING THE BOOZING
When it comes to alcohol - know your limits
One Friday evening a young man in his early 20’s decided to go into Derby.
He ‘enjoyed’ himself by drinking too much and, in the early hours of Saturday morning, went to get a taxi home.
He was taken for a ride, literally, by someone posing as a taxi driver and was propositioned.
The young man was by now terrified but managed to escape from the car.
He then ran down the nearest road and, in order to attract attention, stupidly smashed a house window and screamed for the police to be called.
This was about 3am. The house owner suddenly woken at that time was also terrified but called the police, who responded quickly and caught the young man.
The consequence of this was that the young man had beenterrified, arrested and had to pay an £80 ‘Fixed Penalty Notice’.
He also now has a police record which means that some jobs may be out of this man’s future options (such as Public Sector/Social Services/ Emergency Services and possibly Military).
Also, if he ever comes to police notice again, he will almost certainly be charged with any future offence he commits.
The young man has a responsible father who, the next day, took his son to the victim’s house to enable his son to apologise and offer to pay for the damage, By this time the young man had sobered up and was by then embarrassed by his actions, naivety and having to face his victim.
The innocent house owners, who had no more sleep that night, spent two hours clearing up glass, had theinconvenience of having a window boarded up for a week to await a custom made piece of glass (which added to the expense for the young man) and two pets (who had been asleep in the room at the time) were nervous of re- entering the room for some days.
All highly inconvenient and expensive to all concerned for the sake of a few beers.
NB:This is a real incident!

A campaign launched last October reminds young people that alcohol doesn’t make you invincible and urges young drinkers to know their limits and to stay within them. The joint Department of Health and Home Office campaign is aimed at 18 to 24 year olds, although it also applies to younger, illegal drinkers and tries to get the message across that too much alcohol actually makes you vulnerable, even while it makes you feel tough.

Recent statistics show that getting drunk can get you hurt -
70% of peak-time Accident and Emergency admissions are alcohol-related
Half of all violent crime is alcohol-related
One in three rapes happen when a victim has been drinking

Younger people are more likely to drink heavily -
Nearly half of young people drink above the daily recommendations.
It is a campaign aimed at encouraging common sense by not trying to demonise alcohol or stop people enjoying themselves but to know their limits.
The campaign also recognises that businessess should do more to stop illegal sales.

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CHRISTMAS - season of vulnerability to burglars and thieves
For many, Christmas is a time of giving, spending time with family and friends and enjoying the festive season... unfortunately, it’s also a time when homeowners are more vulnerable to burglary and crime in the home.
Generally at Christmas, more time is spent away from home - shopping, Christmas parties, visiting family and friends or going on holiday. But leaving homes empty often means more risk of burglary.
Each year, burglars prey on empty homes during the festive season, hoping to get away with the valuable contents - even the wrapped presents under the Christmas tree.
Taking a few simple safety precautions could help prevent you becoming another Christmas crime statistic.
Never leave bags of presents on display in your car, always lock everything in the boot and try not to leave a car containing valuables unattended for long Mark expensive presents, such as electronic equipment, with your postcode by engraving or using an ultra violet pen, and possibly take photos of them Store Christmas presents in places which are well hidden and difficult to reach - for example at the back of a wardrobe, or in the loft. Try to avoid putting presents under the tree too long before Christmas - the longer they are on display the more opportunity there is for burglaries to take place Equally, try not to position the Christmas tree right by the window, as this will attract attention to presents from anyone looking in.
Even if you are at home, remember to keep back doors and windows locked. Careless home security can make things easier for thieves Check whether your insurance covers additional Christmas presents Be extra vigilant when admitting strangers into your home. Keep the door chain secured, always ask for identification and only invite callers into your home if you are completely satisfied that they are who they say they are
A reminder of police phone numbers:

Non-emergency police calls: 0845 123 33 33
Call Reception Centre (CRC) for non- emergency calls for policing services across the whole of Derbyshire.

Emergency calls: 999
A life is in danger.
A crime is being committed
Offenders are still in the area.
A serious road collision has happened.
There is a possibility of violence or criminal damage.

Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111
Crimestoppers Trust anonymous hotline number.
Whatever the circumstances callers are not asked for their name and no attempt is made to trace the call.
To contact the police with information about any crime:
Phone anytime on 0800 555 111 - FREE call anywhere in the Country.
Name, address or phone number will not be asked The caller will not be contacted – Crimestoppers will give a phone number to ring back if necessary.
An anonymous cash reward, paid by CRIMESTOPPERS TRUST, may be available if the information results in an arrest or charge The informant will not have to go to court No one will know who gave the Police the tip off.

I would like to wish you all a safe and happy Christmas, Valerie Thorpe.

 

SHREDDING IS THE KEY TO THWART BIN RAIDERS
Bin raiding has recently been in the news again. Surveys have concluded that an average of one in five bins contains a bank account number and sort code that could be related to the full name and address of a household member.

Tips and advice to protect personal information and limit fraud are:
Never throw away whole receipts, bank statements, utility bills or any other documents that could be used by a fraudster to assume your identity
Always make sure personal information put into refuse bins is thoroughly destroyed preferably using a shredder.
Check your bank statements against receipts and contact your card issuer or bank immediately if you find an unfamiliar transaction.
Never give personal or financial information to ‘cold callers’ Internet fraud is one of the fastest growing areas of illegal activity in the UK.
If you shop online, take a few easy steps to ensure that your personal information is protected.
For many years the intense security that protected most internet-based transactions arguably made shopping online safer than shopping in the high street.
But over the last few years, clever hackers have succeeded in a number of internet scams - convincing those who bank online to give their account details, for example, and creating false credit card encryption screens.

So: Make sure your web-browser is set to the highest security level Use a recent version of a web browser - they have better security features.
Look for a padlock symbol at the bottom of the page and ‘https’ at the beginning of the web address. If those are not there, do not enter credit card information If you have concerns, telephone the company to ask about its encryption Print out your electronic receipt and keep it safe
Check bank and credit card statements to make sure the details match Never disclose your PIN to anyone, including people who claim to be from your bank.

BEWARE OF POSEURS TRYING TO GET INTO YOUR HOME
Distraction burglary is a particularly nasty crime targeted at vulnerable people, usually but not exclusively, the elderly. Offenders pose as being from utility companies, roofing repairs or some other such pretext to get invited into the victim’s home.
A recent incident in Duffield involved an offender posing as a policeman. Bogus callers can also turn up as builders or gardeners and also try to con the householder into paying for unnecessary work.
Once inside they may employ some ruse, for example getting the householder to turn the water on and off whilst the offender ‘checks out the pipes in the bathroom’ whereas, in reality, they are searching the home for the victim’s cash and valuables.
Often there will be more than one offender, with one keeping the victim engaged whilst the other searches the house.
Another method is a youngster claiming to have lost a ball in the garden or a pet dog and whilst the victim helps them search, an accomplice slips into the house and steals.
If someone calls and you are in any doubt don’t let them in.
Make sure your back door is locked, put the chain on the door and check their details before letting them in.
It is believed there is a massive under reporting of this offence for which there are a number of reasons:
The elderly are generally proud people and may be too embarrassed to tell their family or they may be pressured into going into a home.
To be a victim of crime is upsetting for anyone. For the elderly to have their home and trust violated, to lose their hard-saved cash and valuables, the effect can be devastating.
The criminals, who specialise in this type of crime, identify victims by looking for tell-tale signs:
Lack of’ maintenance of home or garden may indicate a person lacking mobility Single bottle of milk outside can mean a lone occupant