PLEASE NOTE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS SITE RELATING TO THE POLICE AND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REFER TO MATTERS IN THE THAMES VALLEY ONLY. ANY QUERIES ON POLICING MATTERS OUTSIDE THIS AREA SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE RELEVANT POLICE FORCES AROUND THE UK.

Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

I am the Neighbourhood Watch Administrator at Bracknell Police Station and look after watches across the Thames Forest Police Area. We have a variety of different Watches within the Bracknell Forest area, these include Neighbourhood Watch for residents, Pub Watch, Shop Watch, Car Park Watch and Senior Watch, all working in partnership with Thames Valley Police and Bracknell Forest Borough Council. We also work closely with other agencies within these organisations, joining together with Restorative Justice, Youth Offending Team and Fire Service to name but a few. Amongst my dutues, I maintain the Community Messaging Website which contains information about what I am doing throughout the Bracknell Forest Area. You can register on the site and obtain access to to messages and become part of Neighbourhood Watch. Register here

I also act as Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator for a large scheme in Binfield and enjoy helping my neighbours be aware of any crime trends in our area and giving them constructive advice on how to help protect themselves and property, so that we can all enjoy a better quality of life and live together without fear of crime on our doorstep.

If you would like further information on how to set up a scheme or would just like a confidential chat about any problems or issues you are concerned about, please contact me at Bracknell Police Station and I will be happy to help.


Margaret Weber - Neighbourhood Watch Administrator at Bracknell Police Station can be contacted by telephone on 01344 823488 or email
margaret.weber@thamesvalley.pnn.thamesvalley.police.uk.
FOR BRACKNELL FOREST AREAS ONLY.

Neighbourhood Watch administrator helps provide a better quality of life - Bracknell (Recent Press Release from Thames Valley Police)

Register with Thames Forest Community Messaging and keep informed on what Neighbourhood is doing in Binfield. Register here

Binfield is also registered as a member of the National Neighbourhood Watch Association. Being part of this Association gives everyone the opportunity to find further information on a great number of topics and information relating to Neighbourhood Watch Schemes, crime reduction, newsletters, conferences, competitions and much more.

I hope the service I provide for the residents of Binfield is useful and with the continued support of our partners (Thames Valley Police, Parish Council, Residents and other professional bodies in the Bracknell Forest Borough) we can continue to grow in strength and effectiveness in reducing crime and the fear of it, out of our community.


What is Neighbourhood Watch?

Neighbourhood Watch is a method of developing close liaison between households in a neighbourhood, the local police and the local authority. The aim is to help people protect themselves and their properties, to reduce fear or crime and improve their local environment by:

  • Improving home and vehicle security
  • Greater vigilance
  • Fostering a community spirit
  • Improving the environment

What Does Neighbourhood Watch Involve?

Individual schemes all have different characteristics, depending on the area in which they are situated and their objectives. However, most schemes have some things in common:

  • Schemes are set up with the co-operation of your local police area and Bracknell Forest Borough Council. Your police area has a team of crime reduction specialists, and your local neighbourhood has a local beat officer who are all committed to reducing crime and improving the quality of life in your area. There is also a Neighbourhood Watch Administrator based at Bracknell Police Station, this role is partly sponsored by Bracknell Forest Borough Council. The Administrator aims to unify communications between all parties involved in local crime reduction as well as address the needs of the community in relation to Neighbourhood Watch issues.
  • Schemes are run by their members through a Co-ordinator and supported by the police and Neighbourhood Watch Administrator.
  • Schemes vary in size from a few properties in sparsely populated areas to many properties on a road or estate.
  • The volunteer coordinator, who is resident of the area, co-ordinates the scheme and liaises with the police. The Coordinator acts as the voice for the community.
  • All Neighbourhood Watch members take steps to prevent crime, improve safety and reduce the fear of crime.
  • Scheme members receive information and messages from the police. This vital communication link increases crime awareness, helps the police search for witnesses, may lead to an arrest and helps motivate members and keep schemes active.

Each scheme is a community initiative, supported by the police, but not run by them . Success depends on what the members make of a scheme, but Neighbourhood Watch gives people the chance to get to know and help each other better, particularly the more vulnerable.

If you would like to know more about setting up the scheme, your local Neighbourhood Watch Administrator at Bracknell Police Station will be only too happy to discuss details and set up a visit to go through the procedures involved. Telephone number 01344 823488.

Neighbourhood Watch involves . . .
  • Working with others to make your community safer
  • What you can do to reduce the risk of crime in your area
  • Knowing what to do when a crime or other emergency occurs
  • Reducing the opportunity for crime by making it more difficult for the would be criminal to act.

There are over 8,700 neighbourhood watch schemes across the Thames Valley. Each scheme a has a co-ordinator, who is in contact with their Regional Administrator. They act a a link between the community, the police and other agencies. Schemes can include two or three neighbours in a village or entire housing estates in large towns.

What is involved?

Your first step is to contact the Regional Administrator for your area, they will check if there is a scheme already running in your area and if not they will give you more information about NHW and how to start a scheme. After speaking to your neighbours and establishing that they are interested, a meeting can be arranged to start up the scheme. This initial meeting is usually held in the organiser's home or local community hall and run by the Regional Administrator assisted by the local police officer.

Who runs the scheme?

Neighbourhood Watch is run by volunteers in the community. The Regional Administrator will support the scheme but each community develops their scheme to suit their needs. Ideally there is a Co-ordinator who is supported by a Deputy. Their role is to distribute newsletters, pass on crime information and be a focal point for contact with the Regional Administrator, police and other agencies. It is not their role to report crime on behalf of their neighbours but ideally Co-ordinators would be made aware of any problems within their schemes by the members.

How much does it cost?

Crime prevention advice and other community safety literature are provided free of charge.

Neighbourhood Watch window sticker and newsletters are also free. The only cost involved is in the purchase of Neighbourhood Watch street signs should you decide to have them. (Not applicable in Binfield, Bracknell Forest Borough Council foot the bill). The cost for these varies from area to area but is usually about £9. Order forms are available via your Regional Administrator.

What are the benefits of Neighbourhood Watch?

  • an opportunity to bring together communities
  • a reduction in home insurance costs
  • an increased awareness of local crime and how to combat it
  • a reduction in the fear of crime
  • a link between your community and the police.

How do I get the information on crime?

Information is sent out to Co-ordinators via the Ringmaster computer system. These messages can be sent via phone, fax or e-mail to your home or business address at times that are convenient to you. You will not receive a message about every crime in your area but will be informed of spates of crime and incidents where a description of a vehicle or person has been obtained. Typical messages may be a warning of bogus callers or suspicious people seen in your area. A Co-ordinator would then pass this message on to their scheme members.

National Neighbourhood Watch?

The Thames Valley Association of Neighbourhood Watch is a member of the National organisation. To find out more about the National NHW initiatives and for further community safety information contact www.neighbourhoodwatch.net.


  • If you have any ideas on how you think Neighbourhood Watch could be improved in the village, please email me.
  • Any issues you feel strongly about that should be addressed in Binfield, ie. better street lighting in secluded areas, abandoned vehicles, rubbish or litter lying around in public places, vandalism or anything else you may feel should be looked into, please email me and I will see it is passed to the relevant bodies within the partnership.
  • Any other information you think should be published on this page that my keep residents better informed, please email me

 


Messages from Bracknell Forest Thames Valley Community Messaging website. Register here

 

 

LOCK, STOP, CHAIN, CHECK

National Neighbourhood Watch Association has joined forces with the Home Office to remind older people to follow the simple LOCK, STOP, CHAIN & CHECK rules before letting anyone they do not know into their home.

The Home Office campaign aims to protect older people falling victim to bogus callers. Bogus callers or distraction burglars are people who gain access under false pretences. Although older people are less likely to be the victims of crime generally, the Home Office has identified that bogus callers do tend to target older people.

As a result the Home Office has launched a national campaign, which started on 18th March 2004, and are encouraging Neighbourhood Watch schemes and associations to get involved in distributing door stickers, leaflets and displaying posters in prominent places to ensure that older people are aware that this crime exists and that they are cautious about letting a stranger into their home.

Binfield OnLine has arranged for copies of the leaflet, sticker and poster to be available at key areas in the Parish, ie., Library, Post Office, Doctor's Surgery and Parish Council as soon as stocks become available. Leaflet downloadable here.

 


Security - Outside your Home | Security - Inside your Home | Flats and Maisonettes

Things to be aware of

Distraction Burglaries

Some burglaries take place when the householder is in residence. These are commonly known as distraction burglaries and are committed as the result of a thief pretending to be an ‘official’ or ‘workman’ and duping the resident into allowing them entry. Once inside their home, the offender distracts the householder’s attention and steals property.

The following tips will help prevent you becoming a victim:

  • When answering your door, use the viewer and put the chain on first
  • If the caller claims to be from a certain company, check that their uniform, vehicle and identity card appears genuine. A typical identity card is credit card sized, made of solid plastic and includes a colour photograph of the official
  • If you are still suspicious, tell the caller that it is not a convenient time to visit and that you will phone to make an appointment
  • Arrange a password with the relevant company or ask that their staff quote your account number when they call, to show they are genuine
  • Do not buy products or services from ‘cold callers’ claiming to be dealers or workmen
  • Remember, it is your house. Do not be pressured into letting someone in just because they are in a hurry. If in doubt, keep them out!

Going Away on Holiday

  • Remember to cancel milk and papers
  • Be careful who you tell where and when you are going
  • Cut lawns before you go
  • Get a neighbour to keep an eye on your home, pushing your mail through the letterbox, opening and drawing curtains in order to make the house look occupied
  • Make use of the Royal Mail letter and parcel holding service
  • Set domestic alarms and give the police details of the keyholder.

consider some of these

OUTSIDE

PERIMETER PROTECTION CONSIDER
 
  • Adequate front boundary fence and gate
  • Natural surveillance not impeded by landscaping such as trees or hedges
  • Adequate side and rear boundary fencing and lockable gate
  • Application of anti-crime paint to tops of walls
  • Battening trellis to fencing
  • Removing climbing aids such as ladders, piles of bricks and other climbing aids
  • Planting prickly plants inside the fence line and below window
SECURITY LIGHTING
  • Installing porch light and PIR switched lights for back garden area.
GARDEN ORNAMENTS
  • Anchoring into concrete and photograph.
GARDEN SHED
  • Fitting ground anchor for securing bikes and mowers, hasp and padlock door, screen window.
GARAGE
  • Fitting appropriate door and window locks, plus a screen window.
SERVICE PATH
  • Fitting lockable gate at entrance.
ON YOUR DRIVE
  • Applying recommended security measures, such as an alarm, locks, marking, lighting.
ALARM SYSTEM
  • Ensuring bell box is prominently displayed.

THE BUILDING

DOORS
  
Front
  • - 44mm thick solid core or one with strong panels, rails and stiles
  • Fitting five lever mortice lock and rim mounted lock (to BS 3621 standard)
  • Fixing with three sets of equally spaced hinges
  • Barrel bolts for night time use
  • Door viewer and door chain/limiter
  • Fitting substantial frame fixed at 600mm centres
  • Letterbox protection with cage if too close to locks
  • Glazing in door or side panels - laminated or protected by polyester film-metal grille secured with non-return screws.
Back
  • BS 3621 standard five lever mortice sash lock as primary protection
  • Fitting key operated mortice or surface bolts 30mm from top to bottom
  • Hinge bolts to protect hinges - one bolt per hinge
  • Upper glazed panel laminated, lower one 9mm thick plyboard.
French windows
  • BS 3622 standard rebated five lever mortice sashlock as primary protection
  • Mortice/surface locking bolts at top and bottom of each leaf.
Other outward opening
  • Rebated stop either shaped or pinned and glued doors
  • Fitting hinge bolts - one per hinge set.
Sliding patio doors
  • Multi-point locking and anti-lift provision on new installations.
  • Fitting push button locks at the top and bottom of older units.
Replacement doors
  • Multi-point locking system on new PVC installations plus anti-jemmy hinges.
  • Customised five lever mortice locks on aluminium doors
Door/side panel glazing
  • Laminated or ‘filmed’ glass - not toughened Polycarbonate in problem areas.
Conservatories
  • Locking systems and glazing as with replacement doors.
WINDOWS
  • Fitting quality locks to wooden or metal windows at ground floor level
  • Grilles, bars, shutters in ‘high security’ areas
  • Glazing as above advice.
FALL PIPES
  • Coating cast iron fall pipes with anti-climb paint above the 2m high level.

INSIDE

INTERNAL DOORS
  • Leaving these unlocked.
SAFE/CASH BOX
  • Coach bolting to a concrete floor or external wall and using to store jewellery, cash and important documents.
SPARE KEYS
  • Making sure these are hidden at all times.
ELECTRICAL ITEMS
  • Keeping these out of view from ground floor windows.
PROPERTY MARKING
  • Putting post code and house number on televisions, video hi-fi, computers, bikes and mowers using an appropriate marker.
PHOTOGRAPHING
  • Taking pictures of antiques, jewellery and other valuables in colour against a white background and scale.
SMOKE ALARM
  • Installing a smoke alarm to BS 5446 standard, one on each floor of your home.
INTRUDER ALARM
  • Seeking advice from your insurer on what kind of alarm meets their requirements
  • Seeking advice from police crime reduction officers on the Force’s alarm policy
  • Seeking advice from independent inspectorate bodies to find a recommended installer
  • Obtaining quotes and advice on the different types of alarms available from three installers before making a final choice

Barbed wire may be used to defend your property, but the law puts certain restrictions on its use. Section 104 of the Highways Act, 1980, says that where barbed wire on land adjoining a highway is a nuisance - which means it is likely to cause injury to people or animals using the road - a notice may be issued by the local authority requiring its removal. Local authorities usually consider barbed wire which is less than 2.4 metres from the ground to be a nuisance to highway users.

The Highways Act does not deal with glass on walls, or nails and carpet gripper on fences. Such methods of preventing entry to your property are, however, highly dangerous. Glass cemented on top of walls, could, through weathering or inadequate workmanship, work loose and blow off causing injury. Depending on the height of the wall, there is also a risk to members of the public walking past who could be injured if they stumble and fall against the glass.

If injury results on your premises, you could be faced with claims for damages under the Occupier Liability Acts. Occupiers of premises have a duty of care to people entering or using the premises. This duty even extends to trespassers, although it is not so extensive as towards people lawfully visiting or using the premises. A trespasser who could not be aware that glass was on top of a wall, or nails on a fence, and was injured, could have a claim against you despite the fact they were not authorised to be on your property.

For further advice on this matter, contact your local crime reduction officer.