October 2011
With the dark nights drawing in, West Mercia Police urges you to 'Lighten Up!' if you want to reduce your chances of being burgled over the autumn and winter months.

Less than one per cent of homes in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Worcestershire are burgled every year - but unlit houses which appear to be empty can be a target for thieves.

West Mercia Police is today, Monday 24 October, launching its 'Lighten Up!' campaign, which aims to give local people home security advice, ahead of the clocks going back this Sunday (30 October).

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Edwards said: "Most burglaries are carried out by opportunistic thieves, but a few simple precautions can significantly lower the risk of your home being burgled.

"A well-lit home gives the impression that someone is in, so invest in timer switches to turn lights on while you are out.

"Low-energy or dusk to dawn sensor light bulbs are also a good idea, as you can make savings on energy and costs too.

"I would also recommend ensuring you have plenty of outside lighting as this will also deter the burglars.

"Finally, I would urge everyone to property mark your valuables and make the details viewable to the police by registering them on Immobilise - www.immobilise.com.

"It's free to register your belongings and should the worse happen, it will improve your chances of getting them back if they are lost or stolen."

Further home security advice is available on the force website www.westmercia.police.uk

October 2011
Drain covers are going missing across the county - RECENTLY OFFENHAM AND BENGWORTH - apart from the theft aspect there is the potential for a serious accident or expensive damage which could happen to your vehicles if you drive into a hole. At a time of the year when many of you will be driving late at night or early in the morning please be vigilant.

October 2011
I have received a report from a member of Neighbourhood Watch regarding a scam falsely claiming to be someone from
BT contacting people about an imaginary unpaid bill. This scam has been going on for well over a year now.
There is a message regarding this on the BT website, the content of the warning from BT is as follows:

"Someone claiming to be from BT called saying I'd be cut off unless I paid them"

Please be very careful as criminals have been phoning some of our customers and trying to trick them into giving out
their bank details. During the calls they'll claim you owe money on your bill and threaten to disconnect your phone line
immediately if you don't pay them over the phone.

Unfortunately some customers have given out bank account details because they've been worried about having their phone
line cut off.

A number of phone companies have been targeted and the police are investigating. BT Security is also looking into the
incidents.

BT may have to call you about a debt, but we'll never disconnect a phone line during the call.

Don't give out any banking details over the phone unless you're absolutely certain who you're talking to."

Internet Safety – Protecting Children Online Children are spending more and more time on the internet – whenever they can and wherever they are. As parents, we can’t hope to know what they’re up to every minute of every day, but it’s our responsibility to ensure children understand how to stay safe online and why it’s so important. West Mercia Police has launched an e-safety campaign which aims to raise awareness of the potential dangers which exist online and inform parents about how they can keep their children safe. Please click on the attachment to see a copy of our e-safety poster. From here, you can link through to a dedicated e-safety page on the force website where you can find out about the e-safety 5Ps for parents and the SMART rules for children. You can also sign-up to receive community safety advice in the future. LINK [SouthWorcester_West_Mercia_Police_E-Safety.pdf] Which you will find on the West Mercia Police website.

Oil Thefts - general information

We have recently seen a number of reports of the theft of heating oil or diesel. Due to the quantities involved vehicles fitted with tanks or drums are often used. These may be pick-up type vehicles with tanks, or drums on the back, or transit type vans with tanks or drums concealed inside. Please keep a look out for any such vehicles that visit your area and are unknown to you and please report any such sightings to the police call center, via the switchboard, on 0300 333 3000, or if a crime is in progress obviously dial 999.
With its relative high cost heating oil is an attractive proposition for the thief and they are actively targeting fuel tanks at farms, transport depots and domestic properties. The thief may be using the oil for their own use or selling it on. These tanks can contain many thousands of pounds worth of oil and it therefore makes good sense to take a few precautions to protect them.
Siting Your Oil Tank
Obviously most people will not be in a position to move their tank, however the following is worth considering if you are going to have one installed. The position of the tank can have a significant effect on how hard a target it is in the eyes of the thief. If the tank is close to the house, with one or more windows capable of giving a view of it, then the thief may consider the chances of being seen too high. If the tank is close to a road, path, drive or alleyway then it will be a far easier target. Hiding the tank behind the garage, shed or some other type of outbuilding is fairly commonplace, but it can give the thief the advantage.

Control Switches
Control switches that control the flow of oil should be turned off and the electricity supply isolated when the tank is not in use.

Padlocks
A thief will usually come equipped with a limited range of tools to attack your tank so it's worth spending a little more on good quality locks. Close shackle padlocks are the best as they offer most resistance to the most popular of burglar tools; the bolt cropper. Remember that buying a padlock for the tank is a good investment and it is worth paying for the extra quality.

Oil Level Gauges
Remote electronic oil level gauges are now available which will set off an audible alarm if the oil level in the tank suddenly drops or falls below a quarter full. These gauges can be located in the kitchen or perhaps a utility room to warn of any potential problem. There are two or three different versions on the market at the moment. Also get into the habit of regularly checking oil levels so that you will know if you have lost any.

Security Lights Security lights can have a very positive effect and make any property a much harder target for the thief. It's not always necessary to floodlight the area with high power beams, as a more subtle level of lighting may be all that is needed. Low energy 'dusk till dawn' lights positioned close to the tank should, in most cases, provide sufficient light to illuminate any suspicious activity.

Defensive Planting
Defensive planting is nature's way of helping to reduce crime. Thieves will not wish to force their way through or over a prickly hedge. The smallest trace of blood or shred of ripped clothing could help the police identify the offender. These shrubs can, if planted around your tank, provide an effective and decorative thief proof barrier.

Securing Your Oil Tank
Following on from the defensive plant tactic, fences and walls can also make life difficult for the thief. A wooden or metal fence, trellis or wall can give significant protection to the tank, but it must be remembered that the oil tanker driver will need access to fill the tank. A metal or grill cage with a lockable access point across the top of this wall or fence can further improve security. The wall or fence should be as close to the tank and as high as possible. Of course a trellis could also be decorated with defensive planting. A product called 'Tank Guard' surrounds the existing storage tank with a metal enclosure. This sheet metal enclosure has lockable access doors to allow filling and maintenance and has internal anchorage points to fix it to the concrete base. A tank guard costs less than one tank full of oil and will last many years.

 

Aldington Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators are -

Aldington Neighbourhood Watch Organiser is-

Brian Palmer, Corner Cottage, Main Street

Brian	Hop gardens and Mill Lane	830745
Mike and Margaret	Village Street - west including Chestnut close	834129
Keith and Judy	Main Street south side	830153
Steve and Jane	Main Street north side	831148

This website is edited by Robin who may be contacted by email.

Aldington Neigbourhood Watch have a property marking kit which residents can borrow. There are ultra violet pens or more permanent methods. Marking ensures that if items are recovered by the police they can be identified and returned.Please contact your co-ordinator if you would like advice or help.