Community Contact Wealden Tuesday 10 June to Tuesday 17 June 2008 APPEALS, MESSAGES AND NEWS      Messages Anti Fraud Hotline in Forest Row – from Inspector Richard Allum Fraudulent activity in Forest Row can now be reported to a confidential hotline thanks to a new Wealden District Council initiative. The Anti Fraud Hotline is available 24 hours a day and all types of fraud excluding benefit fraud can be discussed. Cllr Pam Doodes, leader of the district council, said the council needed to be "as vigilant as possible. Although I'm confident that fraud is extremely rare at Wealden, I am firmly behind our initiatives to root out any fraud that does exist" she said. "The new hotline will make it easier for the public and council employees to report fraud in confidence and I encourage anyone who comes across illegal practices to use it." The free number was established following a recent review of the council's anti-fraud and anti-corruption framework, which is available at www.wealden.gov.uk Anyone who wishes to report any suspected fraudulent activity will be asked to provide as much information as possible and email reports can also be made To report any suspected activity call 0800 0853278 or email reportafraud@wealden.gov.uk CRIME REPORT Nothing to report. Vehicle Crime Nothing to report.

Community Contact Wealden Tuesday 3 June to Tuesday 10 June 2008

APPEALS, MESSAGES AND NEWS

Press Release

Advice on Cycle Security – if you love to ride your bicycle read on…

How safe is your bike ? Please consider where you are leaving it .

Some things you may wish to consider whilst using you bicycle: 

• Do not leave your bicycle in isolated places
• Park it safely and considerately, where it does not cause danger or obstruction to others.
• Always lock your bicycle when you leave it , even if you are only popping into your local shop.
• Lock your bike through the frame ,and lock wheels and detachable parts .

There are numerous products on the market but advice from the Crime Prevention Officer on Wealden Policing District, Phillip Edwards is to use locks that state resisted to attack for at least 3 minutes or longer. D shackles and Flexible cables are examples of items that can be purchased.

Owners should take the frame numbers of their cycles and photograph the bicycle. Cycle marking labels and advice leaflets are available free of charge at your local police Stations.

Make sure it is you riding off on your bicycle NOT somebody else.

Messages

Traditional Neighbourhood Watch Press Release

North Wealden police are currently looking for people to become Neighbourhood Watch Area Co-Coordinators in the Uckfield and Crowborough areas.

The job will involve liaising with street co-ordinators, and assisting with the smooth flow of information to and from Wealden Police and the Public.

North Wealden Sergeant Dave Price said, “We are looking to raise the profile of Neighbourhood Watch within the North Wealden area. Neighbourhood Watch is an excellent scheme, with a well proven track record, and I am hoping to build on this. At present I am short of a number of area co-ordinators for a number of areas within Uckfield and Crowborough towns, and would welcome volunteers for the role. It will not be a huge task. Initially the co-ordinators will be the conduit between Wealden Police and the street co-ordinators.

If anyone is interested in becoming involved in this exciting new era for Neighbourhood Watch, I would very much like to hear from them. Alternatively, if they would like more information, I am happy to speak to them about it. I am available on 0845 6070999, ext 33226, or alternatively, my email address is david.price@sussex.pnn.police.uk ”

Wheelie bins

Police are advising that owners of shop premises should consider where the property’s, wheelie/ refuse bin is placed. A number of bins have been set alight in the last few weeks having been placed next to premises which has caused concern.

The advice being given is that the bins should be chained to a secure point not next to a building and that the lids should be locked so that entry can not be gained to them once the premises is closed. This will reduce the risk of fires spreading to buildings that in turn could not only endanger stock but more importantly lives, if they are lit.

Use of body worn video cameras being extended in Sussex

Police officer with body worn video camera. The use of body worn video cameras is being extended with a trial introducing 80 new cameras to Sussex Police.

The trial, funded by the Home Office, will help officers store vital evidence when called to situations involving all crimes with particular focus on domestic abuse and antisocial behaviour, as well as for stop searches and licensing enforcement.

Officers at Brighton and Hove, Worthing, Crawley and Eastbourne will be taking part in the trial, which forms part of a Home Office trial being conducted by a number of Forces.

http://www.sussex.police.uk/news_feed/index.asp?id=23800

CRIME REPORT

Parish	Time and Date	Offence	Address	Details	Serial No.
CHIDDINGLY	Between Mon 02/06/08 and Wed 04/06/08	Burglary	Swansbrook Lane	A business property was broken into, a number of windows were removed, unsure if any items were taken as a result	391 of 04/06/08
STONE CROSS	Reported at 4:40pm Mon 09/06/08	Attempted burglary	Dittons Road	An attempt was made to break into a shed containing stored toys belonging to a play group.	1474 of 09/06/08

Vehicle Crime

Nothing to report.

Community Contact Wealden Tuesday 27 May to Tuesday 03 June 2008

APPEALS, MESSAGES AND NEWS

Messages

Dealing with Doorstep Callers

Fortunately, the vast majority of callers at your door will be genuine. It is the small minority that we need to be aware of and need to be on our guards against. 

How do we know if the caller at our door is genuine? Well, opening comments such as:

• “I’m from the Water Board, there’s a leak next door / up the road and we need to check your water”
• “I’m working on next door’s fence, give me £200, and I’ll fix yours”
• “Do you have any gardening work I can do?” 

These should all ring warning bells.

Beating the bogus caller can be quite simple. Remember to: 

• “STOP”   Is anyone expected? Make sure the back door is locked.
• “CHAIN”  Put the door chain on  Before opening the door.
• “CHECK” Ask for identification, if they have none, do not let them in.

Remember also that many of these callers will target more elderly folk who they hope they will be able to trick more easily.

For somebody who is partially sighted or blind, and could not check an identity card, try to have a neighbour that you could call on to help.

It is your home and you should not let anybody into your home unless you are satisfied you know who they are.

A door chain can be relatively cheap to fit and could save a lot of inconvenience.

Doorstep Caller cards are available from your local police station. Placed at the front door, the card can act as a deterrent to unwanted callers, but can also help remind you to use the door chain.

For more information about distraction burglaries and advice see http://www.sussex.police.uk/operations/op_inroad.asp from the Sussex Police Website

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime-victims/how-you-can-prevent-crime/bogus-callers/ from the Home Office website

Spanish Lottery win notification

For your information really. The Spanish Lottery has reared its ugly head once again. Many of you have emailed in to say that you have received a notification stating that you have won a gargantuan sum of money and that you need to provide your bank details, yes that’s right your bank details (I hope that alarm bells are ringing)  in order for payment to be made. The only payments going anywhere will be FROM your bank account into theirs not the other way around.

Bin these and forget about it. Avarice is a vice worth ignoring as it will lead you into trouble and financial loss. Remember HOW CAN YOU BE A WINNER IF YOU’VE NEVER PURCHASED A TICKET????????!

CRIME REPORT

Parish	Time and Date	Offence	Address	Details	Serial No.
WARTLING	Between 5:30pm Fri 23/05/08 and 7:00am Tues 27/05/08	Burglary	Boreham Street, A22	A commercial site was broken into and a generator floor saw was stolen	339 of 27/05/08

Vehicle Crime

Parish	Time and Date	Offence	Address	Details	Serial No.
LAUGHTON	Between 11:45am and 12:50pm Wed 28/05/08	Theft	King Row	A spot welder that was left in the front cab of a Toyota Hylux truck was stolen	961 of 28/05/08