Herts Police issue warning to motorists
Published: 22 October 2011, 14:05 
England Watch Schemes   From: Community Messaging
Hertfordshire Constabulary
Tel: 01707 354584
 
We're asking motorists to remember to remove all their possessions from their cars and vans after a number of thefts over the past two days.

Although vehicle crime is significantly reduced this year - in fact by 700 offences - cars are still being broken into, with Sat Navs being taken out of glove boxes, laptops stolen from under car seats, bags stolen from car boots, sunglasses, toys and mobile phones taken, as well as Catalytic Converters and number plates being stolen.  In some cases the vehicles have even been left unlocked.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Humphries has some advice for us all:

"It can be easy to forget to take everything with you when you leave your car, but the surest way to avoid having anything stolen is to remove it. Most thieves are opportunistic and will take a chance that there is something worth breaking into a vehicle for - especially if there's a bag or coat left in view on the back seat - so save yourself time and expense of replacing items and car repairs by removing all valuables and keeping everything else out of sight.

"I'd also ask residents to report anything suspicious to police straight away via our non-emergency number 101. You know your local area, so if something seems out of the ordinary, please let us know."

Under Operation Scorpion, which has seen a large number of criminals arrested and charged for crimes like theft, enquiries into these incidents are on-going.  Officers will also be out and about in the local community issuing crime prevention advice.

For more advice please visit http://www.herts.police.uk/advice/crime_prevention/vehicle_security.aspx

A date for your diary!
Published: 21 October 2011, 11:03 
Hertfordshire Neighbourhood Watch   From: Jill Dockley
Watch Liaison Officer
Tel: 01438 757379
 
The next Stevenage Neighbourhood Watch Conference is being held on the evening of Wednesday 16th November at the Stevenage Football Club. 

Please put this date in your diary now with further details to follow shortly.

Tackling Burglary In Herts
Published: 6 October 2011, 10:46 
Hertfordshire Constabulary Watch Schemes   From: David Aylett
Police Project Officer

At a recent meeting of Hertfordshire's central NHW committee, HertsWatch, a presentation was given by Insp. Paul Doran on the Police's anti-burglary initiatives and it was felt that some of what was said would be of interest to wider Watch scheme members.

Whilst Hertfordshire is one of the safest Counties in which to live in the UK, burglaries do still unfortunately occur.  When this happens, we are now engaged in a "cocooning" initiative, to try to ensure the neighbourhood is not re-visited by burglars. As part of investigations, homes either side of and opposite where the burglary occurred are being visited personally by officers. Householders are being offered crime prevention advice along with a "Cocooning Pack " containing leaflets with security advice on homes, sheds and garages as well as a UV pen to mark property .This action is aimed at raising peoples' awareness of steps they can take to secure their homes and mark and then register their property on "Immobilise".

To learn more about registering your property on "Immobilise", please see the following link:

http://www.immobilise.com/

To find out more about beating burglary, please see our "Operation Guardian Page.

http://www.herts.police.uk/advice/crime_prevention/beating_burglary.aspx

 

TV Scam Warning
Published: 8 October 2011, 17:48 
Hertfordshire Watch Schemes   From: Jen Pulley
Safer Neighbourhood Coordinator
Tel: 01438 757030
 
Please be aware of a scam where the offenders offer to sell potential buyers brand new flat screen televisions out the back of a vehicle.

The warning follows an incident at the petrol station at Tesco's in London Road, Stevenage, where two men with Irish accents approached a member of the public.

They told him they had brand new televisions for sale at a bargain price in the back of their silver grey Peugeot Partner Tepee people carrier. The victim agreed to have a look but grew suspicious.

However, when he tried to decline, the two men became intimidating in manner and as a result, the victim handed over £150 in cash for what turned out to be a second hand television wrapped in bubble wrap to make it look new.

Stevenage Intervention officer PC David Vince said: "If something is offered to you in unusual circumstances, then don't get involved! If something seems too good to be true, then it probably is.  Buying goods out the backs of cars, at your front door, in a pub or in any situation that is unusual for retail, is to be avoided.  Even if the goods seem legitimate, they could well be stolen and anyone found in possession of them could be charged with handling stolen goods"

If you have any doubt about anything you're offered, just don't do it. If you have been offered televisions for sale in similar circumstances - let us know by calling the non emergency number 101 or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.