Police Community Surgery : In the Post Office, Bletchingley -  The Police Surgery is where a member of the local Policing team will meet each month to liase with the residents.

Neighbourhood Police Panels : Held in the Bletchingley Village Hall in the Doctor’s Surgery on the 2nd Monday of every other month between 7pm and 7.30pm before the Parish Council meeting.  The next dates are  9th August, 11th October and 13th December 2010. The Panel Meetings are open to all residents. The object of the meetings are for residents to raise concerns regarding crime or issues in the area, plus obtain crime prevention advise, and get an update of reported crime within Bletchingley. It also offers you an opportunity to help set local policing priorities whether speeding, underage drinking or anti-social behaviour. Come to a future meeting and share your views – you could make a difference to your neighbourhood.

Your Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team
PC Nick Shrapel,  ID No:  1460 – contact number 01483 637 503
PCSO Lorraine Wells, ID No: 13853

Surrey Police number for incidents or crimes - 0845 125 2222.

Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111 – You can leave details of the crime without giving your name and address.

Neighbourhood Watch Area Co-ordinators:

West – John Spedding – 01883 742 037 – dhale.consults@googlemail.com

Di Turner – 01883 743 598 – globetrotters@diandray.freeserve.co.uk

The latest  Neightbourhood Watch Update is posted at the bottom of this section.

WHAT’S NW ALL ABOUT?

Its all about being a good neighbour. 31 of us each look after a street or a part of one and we aim to:

• welcome newcomers to the village and ensure they have someone to call on.
• tell them about facilities and provide a contact for further information.
• warn neighbours of scams and nearby crime incidents, give advice about how to avoid being a target.
• alert police to problems in the area such as bogus callers and provide held if you suffer a crime and don’t know what to do about it.

AND THE POLICE?

We are constantly in touch with the Surrey Police, especially our two neighbourhood specialist police officers PC Nick Shrapel and PCSO Lorraine Wells. Lorraine has an informal 11am surgery every 3 weeks at the Post Office, and at least one officer WALKS the village almost every day. When you see them why not stop and have a chat?

SPEEDWATCH is here – so WATCH YOUR SPEED!

5 people have now been trained to monitor traffic through the village.  It takes an hour’s video and theory and a single practical session using the camera and logging information to be qualified.  Then you go out with one or two others for about 45 minutes whenever it suits.  Speeding is noisy, dangerous and makes crossing the High Street a real problem.  The team could do with a few more helpers.  Maybe you?  Contact the Parish Clerk for more details.

DOES BOREDOM = CRIME?

Not all crime is down to young people but work continues on developing activites that they feel able to engage with. These include the BAGaged BMX/skate ramp and kick about area, the new playground at Grange Meadow, the Surrey Youth Service Street Dance and Youth Bus (for details phone 743598). Efforts are also underway to re-establish the youth club and Kim Wantling (742998) would welcome enquiries from both adult helpers and potential members.

Neighbourhood Watch remains an active organisation, with an excellent team of coordinators.  We would welcome more especially in Coneybury, Barfields, Clare Cottages, Church Lane and Walk, Nightingale Way, Hart Close and Castle  Street.  If you can help please call Di on 743598 or globetrotters@diandray.freeserve.co.uk

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Again recently rogue traders with a variety of stories have been in the area. Police advise householders always to check ID and request that they keep an eye open for approaches to vulnerable neighbours as such people are a frequent target.

The weekly police report to NW did not list any crime for Bletchingley but local people are aware that a house in White Post was set on fire and that a man was arrested. The police are intensifying their efforts to pin down the window-breaking vandals and are having some success.

The next Community/Police Panel Meeting is on MONDAY 12TH JULY at 7pm to 7.30 in the village hall and PCSO Lorraine Wells’ next “surgery” in the Post Office is on WEDNESDAY 21ST JULY at 11am.

These are regular chances for local people to say what they think about village security, traffic etc. and to ask questions, but are usually ill-attended, which may eventually make the police wonder whether villagers are completely satisfied with the situation. NW urges everyone with a relevant concern to attend one or both meetings.

Contacts: Police non-urgent – 0845 125 2222
Neighbourhood Watch: Di Turner – 01883 743598

WATCH OUT FOR ROGUE TRADERS

The Tandridge Community Safety Partnership is warning residents to watch out for unscrupulous salesmen or workmen in the area, who try to pressurise elderly and vulnerable residents into having unnecessary work and repairs carried out to their homes.

In many cases they con the victim out of thousands of pounds, the work is of a poor standard, left unfinished or could be dangerous. Residents are advised to follow these guidelines before getting any work done:

•  Never buy from anyone who knocks on your door without an appointment.
• Don’t let them in, if you don’t know who they are, no matter how persuasive they seem.
• Even if they have an appointment, check their identity. If you are still not sure, don’t let them in.
• If you decide to have some work done, make a plan of what you want to do and get written quotes from more than one company.
• Ask friends and neighbours to recommend companies.
• Agree on a written contract covering details of the work, costs, payment dates, start/finish dates, guarantees, dispute resolution etc. Don’t rely on a handshake.
• Ask for details of satisfied customers and try to check them out.
• Never pay in advance, especially not in cash. Reputable companies will always accept cheques.
• If it is a large job and the trader needs some money in advance pay in stages. Only pay if you are happy with the work done.
• If you pay or agree to pay over £35 for any services or goods sold during a visit to your home or place of work you have seven days to cancel the agreement. Any money you have paid should be returned to you and the caller must give you a written cancellation form setting out your rights when you agree the contract. If the caller does not, they are committing a criminal offence and the agreement isn’t valid.

 If you have a complaint about a product or service,contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.

 If you suspect Rogue Traders are operating in your area, call Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111.

Tandridge District Council’s Care and Repair Agency can help older or disabled people with house repairs, improvements and adaptations. Call the Care & Repair Agency on 01883 732818.

The Buy With Confidence scheme is free and only has details of local businesses which have been checked, monitored and approved by Trading Standards officers. Call08454040506 or visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk.