OCTOBER 2009
The voice of Mansfield & District Neighbourhood Watch
Web site http://www.mansfieldnhw.co.uk e-mail mansfield@crime-prevention.co.uk
Subscriptions for 2010
Funding from Mansfield Partnership Against Crime and Ashfield Partnership Against Crime has been secured for the year ending 31st March, 2010, and promised for the year ending 31st March, 2011. The Ashfield funding has been received as our Ringmaster will now be circulating messages for Neighbourhood Watch schemes in Ashfield. So now we cover the whole of ‘A’ Division.
Because the total cost of running the Neighbourhood Watch office has been covered for at least the next year or two the Management Committee has decided that membership subscriptions will no longer be required. However, any donations from schemes will be thankfully accepted!
Security Event – October 20th
A Security Event has been organised for Tuesday, October 20th, at the Civic Centre from 2.00 pm – 7.00 pm. This event is open to anyone who is interested, whether a Neighbourhood Watch member or not. The event will be FREE and allow you to drop in at a time convenient to you between the hours stated. Stands featuring Home Security, Victim Support, CCTV systems, Neighbourhood Watch, Defensive Planting, Window repairs & Security, etc., will be attending and we look forward to seeing you there.
Longer Nights
With the darker nights it is important to report any street lights that are not working by ringing Mansfield District Council on 463463 and asking for the Engineer’s Department. Make sure that you have the number of the lamppost when you are reporting a fault. Repair is usually done in a couple of days but where a failure of the supply of electricity is the cause of the problem then MDC report it to the electricity supplier and it can then take some time to have the light back in action.
If you see a street light not working do not assume that someone else has, or will, report it!
Telephone Scams
Bogus calls designed to convince you to hand over your credit card or bank details are a real problem. Be cautious.
If you are contacted by telephone and told that you have won a prize, think for a minute: did you enter any competitions? Odds are that you didn’t.
The vast majority of the time these calls are scams, originating from abroad and designed to convince you to give over personal details such as your bank account number or credit card information.
If this happens to you, just hang up the phone. If you ever do win, you will never be asked for personal details, nor would you ever have to pay anything in order to collect your winnings – that is a sure sign that something is wrong.
Many people have been taken in by these scams, and some have lost their entire life savings. Don’t be one of them.
· Never give out personal details over the ‘phone
· Always ask for more information
· Be sure you know who you are talking to
· Keep your bank account details safe
Car Security
According to Home Office figures vehicle crime has fallen by 57% since 1995 but it still accounts for about a sixth of all crime and has an annual economic and social cost of £2 billion.
Whilst most car crime is on the decrease some specialist types of vehicle crime are bucking the trend. Both satellite navigation equipment theft and number plate theft are significant and growing problems.
If your number plates are stolen contact the Police immediately. It may seem trivial at the time but if the plates are used to change the identity of another car you can expect to start receiving fixed penalty notices for parking, speeding, etc., and may even be suspected of committing crimes yourself.
If you use portable satellite navigation equipment it is vital to take it with you whenever you leave the car. You must remove the cradle and suction pads too and clean any marks left on the windscreen or dashboard as thieves are known to look for these telltale signs and break in anyway, expecting to find the Sat Nav tucked away in the glove compartment.
And if that is not enough, catalytic converters are one of the new car crime targets!
The ‘Policing Pledge’ and You
The Police will:-
Always treat you fairly and give you access to their services at a time that is reasonable and suitable for you.
Make sure you know how to contact and work with your neighbourhood policing officers.
Ensure there are visible patrols in your community.
Respond to every message directed to your neighbourhood policing officers within 24 hours.
Answer 999 calls in under 10 seconds, and safely attend to emergencies within 15 minutes in urban areas.
Answer all non-emergency calls promptly and attend to priorities or those who are vulnerable within 60 minutes.
Hold regular public meetings to agree your priorities.
Provide monthly updates on progress, and on local crime and policing issues.
Agree with you, if you have been a victim of crime, how often you would like to be kept informed.
Acknowledge any dissatisfaction with the service you have received within 24 hours and discuss with you how it will be handled.
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