Community Safety and Anti-Social Behaviour

News

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Neighbourhood Police Panel Meetings

PLEASE NOTE there is a drop-in surgery outside Budgens QE Park GU2 9LX, on the last Tuesday of every month for one hour 6.30pm. please come along and discuss any issues you have with the team.
 

This is your chance to tell the Police YOUR PRIORITIES, hear the concerns of others in your area, vote on what you want them to act on as a priority and have your chance to influence how they Police YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD.  (Neighbourhood Panel Meetings in Worplesdon are no longer being arranged due to low attendance. Instead there will be setting up Police Surgeries around the area. You are welcome to drop-in and discuss any issues you may have. Dates and times will be included on the web-site, in your local newsletters and advertised locally in the coming months.)

At the September Police Community meeting for Stoughton, there was a presentation on use of he Police helicopter.  Further information can be found on the police web-site.

Crime Map

If you have any concerns or issues, in the first place please contact a local team member of the Safer Guildford Partnership.

Neighbourhood Watch

Is my area covered?

Local crime levels in Guildford are amongst the lowest in the country but many residents are worried about the possibility of crime affecting them.  Help to keep crime levels low and to reassure those worries by forming a local Neighbourhood Watch Group.

What does being part of a NHW involve?

• Looking out for your neighbours, particularly the vulnerable ones, as you go about your daily life.

• Working together to make your neighbourhood feel a safer, nicer place to live in.

• Using crime prevention advice to make your home, your property and your family more secure.

• Keeping your eyes open for the unusual and informing the Police quickly of any suspicious occurrences.

IT DOES NOT INVOLVE REGULAR ACTIVITIES OR PATROLLING THE STREETS, AND IT COSTS NOTHING.

Neighbourhood Watch schemes are an excellent way of helping each other.  They are easy to setup.  For help and guidance, contact one of a local team member from the Safer Guildford Partnership or a Crime Reduction Officer PC Steve Cake (1840) (01483 630546)

Neighbourhood Watch schemes are often the beginnings of local Residents Associations and can even become a charity.

www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/nbhwatch

www.neighbourhoodwatch.net

www.saferguildford.org.uk/neighbourhood-watch/welcome-to-the-neighbourhood-watch

Surrey Police are advising how to reduce the risk of burglary with the following ten top tips:

1. Gates and Fences – Have a rear fence/wall at least 1.8 metres high and a lockable gate to a similar height. If there is a footpath to the rear of your garden increase the fence height to two metres by attaching a trellis. Thorny hedges could also be planted by the property to deter burglars.

2. Garages and Sheds – These are often left unlocked and may be full of tools ideal for breaking into the rest of the house. Fit sheds and garages with strong padlocks and ideally an alarm.  Ladders should always be locked away, or secured laterally to the side of the house with a good security chain and padlock.

3. Windows –30% of burglars enter via an unlocked door/window. Ensure doors and windows are locked, particularly when leaving the house.

4. Keys – Never hide a key outside –a thief will often find it (they know where to look). If you’ve moved into a new house, consider changing the locks. Never leave keys near a window or door (thieves can steal car keys to take cars, often using a hook or magnet pushed through the letterbox)

5. Secure all doors – 67% of burglars target doors when they  break in. Check the frames, hinges and glass panels. Fit chains and door viewers. Patio doors will also need special fitted locks. Visit www.securedbydesign.com for advice on the best equipment to use.

6. Lighting – Leave a light on to give the impression there is someone at home. Nearly 60% of burglaries take place in the evening or night. Time switches can be fitted to operate radios and lights when the house is unoccupied.

7. Burglar Alarms – Visible burglar alarms make burglars think twice. Those connected to a monitoring service are the best.  Specialist advice is available via your local Crime Reduction Advisor. Several quotes are advised.

8. Postcode your property – Marked property can deter burglars because it is harder for a thief to see on and may also help police secure a conviction.   Make the burglar aware with an ‘Our property is marked’ sticker in the window.

9. Good Neighbours – Anyone acting suspiciously in the neighbourhood should be reported to the Police. Look out for older people and the vulnerable who burglars target. Join the local Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) scheme or form a new one.   NHW can really help a community work together to fight crime. Ask your local police for details or visit www.surrey.police.uk.

10. Insurance – Insurance relieves the financial worry of replacing stolen goods and many insurance companies offer reduced premiums for people with good home security.

Also burglars don’t like door chains. When at home or away – keep all doors locked.  When answering the door:

Door bars or chains are really useful in dealing with callers. A chain llows the door to be opened wide enough to be able to see the person or people outside, to talk to them, and if they have an identity card, they can hand it through. The caller cannot then easily push their way in.

While checking an identity card the door should be closed. It is not rude or unfriendly to do this and genuine callers will understand.

If in any doubt at all about the caller DO NOT LET THEM IN and contact the Police.

The door bar or chain is there only for use when answering the door to callers. For the rest of the time, the door should be kept locked with the bar or chain off.

Further advice is available from your local Crime Reduction Advisor – who is contactable on each borough/district on 0845 125 2222 and they will be able to give more detailed help on making homes secure.

Old News

Police Newsletter for Stoughton Autumn 2008 (PDF)

Police Newsletter for Park Barn and Westborough Autumn 2008 (PDF)

Police Newsletter for Jacobs Well & Worplesdon Autumn 2008 (PDF)

Police Newsletter for Normandy Autumn 2008 (PDF)

Police Newsletter for Pirbright Autumn 2008 (PDF))

The trial closing of Stoughton Rec. at night has been successful and will continue for the foreseeable future.  See Community Safety at Stoughton Rec.

At a successful public meeting on 28^th April 2007, organised by the Police and the Safer Guildford Partnership's Stoughton team, residents chose speeding and anti-social behaviour as their top priorities.