The most annoying crime has been the theft of copper telephone cable from the A25, leaving hundreds of local people with no phone connection and sometimes no broadband or TV either. The profit of course was in the high price of metal nowadays and the haul this time was worth £6000. The cost to us was far higher in terms of lost services and aggro. We have to face the fact that in hard times even more than in easy ones any pickings are worthwhile. Fuel and metal of any kind are of interest to thieves. Properties with unkempt frontages (suggesting a lazy attitude to security, vulnerable residents or no one at home recently), no lights on after dark, open side gates and garage doors are all what criminals see as “triggers” as they stroll down your street, looking for the easiest pickings. Make it hard for them and they’ll choose somewhere else.
The other source of income for criminals now is internet scams. These are now so numerous and sophisticated that the national NHW scheme is running a “Tell us your story” enquiry in which you can give info. about any scams you’ve encountered by sending details (to be shared anonymously unless you wish to be identified) to enquiries@ourwatch.org.uk and using the title “Get Safe Online”.
You may have heard that for the first time elections by the public on 15th November will select 41 Police and Crime Commissioners to start work a week later. One for our area is to be selected and you’ll soon be reading/hearing who the candidates are. Please do look at their cvs and vote.
Crime in the village continued low in the past few weeks – goods stolen from an unlocked vehicle, entry gates removed (metal again!), a car stolen from a drive after the keys were taken from the house, fuel drained from a vehicle, an attempted house break-in and a successful one in which the burglar entered by a fanlight. No, not a triangular midget miscreant; a larger window was reachable underneath, but have a look at your place and see if it could happen to you!
I’m always on 01883 743598 to hear from you and so is PCSO Lorraine Wells on her voicemail, 01483 633308.
Di Turner.
