Royston Community Team

Rural Watch

September 2007

Covering Arbury, Ermine, Weston & Sandon Wards.

SECURITY MARKING SESSION – Fordham Memorial Hall

Saturday 15 September - 0900-1200 hrs

This will be for G4D = Barkway, Barley, Reed Nuthampstead, Newsells, Kelshall & Therfield

Geoff Curtis from the North Herts Police Crime Prevention Panel has kindly agreed to conduct free security marking on items such as bicycles, garden tools etc, in fact, anything that potentially could be stolen from your garage or garden shed. This will take place in the village hall on Sat 15 Sep from 9am to 12pm.

Your postcode and house number/initials will be etched onto your items and this can be done on metal, plastic, ceramic and glass (please note, however, that this is done at the owner’s risk).

If you would like to have your possessions marked, please contact Janette Kingsley (01763 284032) to book a time slot. Each etching takes just under 5 minutes and it would be helpful if you could say how many items you will have.

Other areas will be arranged in due course.

What should I do if I witness a crime?
If you see a crime or offence being committed report it - or ask someone else to report it if you can't leave the scene. If the incident is very serious or someone is badly injured and an immediate police response is required, call 999. In other circumstances, phone 0845 33 00 222 and an operator will connect you to the correct resources.

If the incident involves violence, you should not intervene unless you are confident you can do so safely. Instead, call the police immediately. If you are a witness to an incident then you may need to describe to police who was involved or explain in detail what actually happened. Pay attention to people's height, build, hair colour and length and in particular their clothes. Write down what you saw if you possibly can.

If the crime occurs in Hertfordshire, please contact our main central switchboard number – 0845 33 00 222.

What will the police want to know?
The police will normally want to know the following information:

· Your name and address

· The telephone number you are calling from

· A main contact number (mobile or home number)

· The exact location of the incident you are reporting

· The nature of the incident

· Descriptions of the people involved

· Whether you are a witness to the incident or reporting it on behalf of someone else

· If you are still watching the incident, you may be asked to stay on the line.

If you are reporting a road accident you may also be asked:

· The number and type of any vehicles involved

· The number and extent of injuries

· Whether the road is blocked

· Whether there is any debris in the roadway

No / top / av

Ashwell	West end / Newham way	29/08/07 1850 – 1925	28 veh / 31 mph / 25.4 mph
Ashwell	Station rd (40 limit)	29/08/07 1930 – 2000	28 veh / 48 mph / 33.4 mph
Bygrave	Upper Bygrave	07/08/07 1045 – 1110	14 veh / 30 mph / 24.8 mph
Barley	High Street	16/08/07 1700 – 1730	33 veh / 40 mph / 28.6 mph
Barkway	Royston Road	29/08/07 1535 – 1555	28 veh / 32 mph / 24.8 mph
Therfield	The Causeway	29/08/07 1610 – 1635	10 veh / 27 mph / 24.4 mph
Newham	Ashwell road	06/08/07 1235 – 1300	21 veh / 30 mph / 24.6 mph
Weston	Damask Green Road	29/08/07 1725 – 1750	35 veh / 29 mph / 23.7 mph
Rushden	Moon and Stars	29/08/07 1645 - 1705	20 veh / 29 mph / 26.1 mph
Hinxworth	High Street	29/08/07 1800 - 1830	35 veh / 35 mph / 26.3 mph

G4E; - Ashwell, Hinxworth, Bygrave, Newnham & Caldecote

On Thursday 9^th August, a 19 year old male was arrested and later released with a caution after patrolling Officers stopped the car he was driving and found him to be in possession of an offensive weapon. (Crime no. G4/07/901).

On Thursday 16^th August a garage in Ashwell Road, Newnham was broken into during the afternoon and a man’s blue Trek 800 mountain bike was stolen from within. (Crime no. G4/07/926).

Thieves stole fuel from a Mercedes which had been left parked and unattended in Swan Street, Ashwell overnight of Sunday 19^th August (Crime no. G4/07/932).

A Vauxhall Astra parked in Back Street; Ashwell was broken into overnight of Tuesday 21^st August. The thief smashed an offside window enabling them to lever the door open. Once inside they stole a quantity of tools and a CD player.

(Crime no. G4/07/936).

G4D; - Barkway, Barley, Reed, Nuthampstead, Newsells, Kelshall & Therfield

Several plants were pulled up from a garden in Hay Green, Therfield overnight of Monday 6^th August. (Crime no. G4/07/891).

Thieves stole a skip from a yard in Buckland overnight of Wednesday 8^th August. (Crime no. G4/07/899).

At 3pm on Tuesday 14^th August, two males approached the rear of a property in Reed End, Therfield and attempted to get in by kicking the conservatory door. The resident was alerted by the sound and went to see what the males wanted. They advised the resident that a large water main had burst further down the road and that they needed to enter her home to ‘release the pressure on the system.’ The males entered the house and the resident turned on the taps before asking them to leave, which they did, empty-handed. Two similar incidents occurred in Sandon on Tuesday 21^st August, however, the males involved in this incident are reported as being white males as opposed to Asian males in the Sandon burglaries. These males were described as aged in their early 50’s and late 20’s, one wearing a dark smart jacket and the other wearing a grey zip up jacket. (Crime no. G4/07/914).

A 17-year-old youth from Barkway has been reported after he was found to be in possession of cannabis on Friday 17thAugust. (Crime no. G4/07/928).

An Ifor Williams trailer was stolen from the High Street, Barkway overnight of Sunday 26^th August. (Crime no. G4/07/950). During the same evening, vandals cut a barbed wire fence, which surrounded a field in Barkway. (Crime no. G4/07/951).

G3C; - Sandon, Wallington, Rushden, Clothal & Weston

At 5.30pm and 6pm on Tuesday 21^st August, two males called at the addresses of two elderly residents in Dark Lane, Sandon, stating that there was a problem with their water supply. One of the offenders went to the rear of the property whilst the other knocked at the front door. Once the front door was answered the male forced their way in and turned on the taps in the kitchen before making a brief search of the house. Nothing was stolen from either house and the two males made good their escape in a dark coloured or black Mercedes displaying either a ‘54’ or ‘56’ registration. The males were described as being of Asian origin and spoke with a distinct Indian accent. One was dressed in a smart dark coloured suit and the second was stocky build and wearing an anorak or coat with a green woollen hat.

(Crime no’s G3/07/741 & G3/07/742).

Between 11pm on Saturday 25^th and 10am on Sunday 26^th August, an intruder broke into a house in Ashanger Lane, Clothall by removing a conservatory window. Once inside they helped themselves to an envelope containing a quantity of cash which had been left on the side, before making good their escape. (Crime no G3/07/757).

A minor assault that occurred in Weston was reported to us on the 12^thAugust, a male has now been charged with this offence and will be appearing before court.

TWO PEOPLE ARRESTED AND PROPERTY RECOVERED FOLLOWING JOINT OPERATION WITH OTHER FORCES

Two people have been arrested and property has been recovered following a joint operation carried out by officers from Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.

Officers executed a series of warrants at addresses in Potton, Bedfordshre on Thursday morning (August 2^nd).

Two caravans and a car were recovered as part of the operation.

Amy Goldhawk, 28 of Common Road, Potton, Sandy, Bedfordshire and Albert Thomas Smith, 31, of Common Road, Potton, Beds have been charged with offences under the Proceeds Of Crime Act.

APPEAL FOR WITNESSES FOLLOWING FATAL ROAD TRAFFIC COLLISION IN LETCHWORTH

POLICE are appealing for witnesses and information following a fatal road traffic collision on the A505, Letchworth on Friday August, 10.

The collision happened at 9.40pm when a Honda accord, which was being driven from the junction with Stotfold Road, was in collision with some trees at the junction with Briar Patch Lane.

The driver, a man from Letchworth, was taken to Lister hospital where he later died.

The road was closed for around three hours.

Inspector Terry Robb is investigating the incident and said: “Three cars are believed to have been on the road travelling in the same direction at the time of the collision. I would appeal to anyone in those vehicles or any other witnesses to contact police with information.”

Anyone with information should call Sergeant Wayne Simmons on 0845 3300 222.

FURTHER ARRESTS FOLLOWING INCIDENT IN LETCHWORTH

POLICE can now confirm there have been a total of six arrests in connection with a shooting incident which happened at Boscombe Court, Letchworth Garden City at 11.40am today.

Five men, four who are in their 20’s and one who is in his mid 30’s, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. A woman in her 30’s has also been arrested in connection with the incident.

Two men remain in hospital at this time.

Although police are seeking witnesses and information about the incident, officers are confident at this stage that there is no-one outstanding in relation to what is an isolated dispute.

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Kitching said: “This is obviously a very serious situation but we are confident that we know who was involved and what caused the incident.

“This is an isolated dispute but we are very mindful how residents in Letchworth Garden City will be feeling at this time and want to reassure them at this stage.”

Anyone with information should call Hertfordshire Constabulary on 0845 3300 222. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. You do not have to give your name and you could be entitled to a cash reward.

From Sgt Frost

Over the last two months in we have experienced change and moving issues forward within the community.

With summer holidays continuing I would like to remind parents that they should be aware of where their children are and what they are doing. Parents should ensure that their children can not get access to alcohol and that they understand that we all have an obligation to behave responsibly and respect others in our community.

We have also reminded the public through the local media that the alcohol banning zone is in place and are reminding everyone to adhere to this. We will confiscate alcohol and enforce this legislation. Last weekend Police seized a bag of alcohol from youths in this area.

We have seen the introduction of the first No Cold Calling Zone for Royston in Mill Road, already well received this has been hailed a success. We’re hoping to implement more of these.

Two people were been detained for shoplifting from Somerfield by PCSO TRUSSELL. This demonstrates the important role that PCSO’s play helping the Police and the Community.

We have also positively dealt with those behaving in an anti social manner in the town and a number of anti-social behaviour charges have been brought against those behaving inappropriately. This has included an £80 fine for swearing in the street. This type of behaviour will not be tolerated.

Royston remains a low crime area and by working together we can ensure that it remains that way.

If any of you want to contact me, please do so on 01438 757926. or via e-mail at: peter.frost@herts.pnn.police.uk

Total for 2003 – 2004 = 80

Total for 2004 – 2005 = 26

Total for 2005 – 2006 = 6

Total for 2006 – 2007 = 17

Reported Hare coursing Incidents in our area.

	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Jan	Feb	Mar	April
03-04	3	13	28	3	8	13	9	3
04-05	4	13	4	0	4	0	1	0
05-06	0	3	0	0	1	1	1	0
06-07	0	4	4	6	1	0	2	0

Dates Hare Coursing and Nuisance Patrols Carried Out.
04/08	05/08	12/08

Last time we attended

RUSHDEN	20/02/07	SANDON	08/02/06
THERFIELD	25/04/07	REED	07/03/07
BARKWAY	16/05/07	BARLEY	08/01/07
KELSHALL	16/04/07	NUTHAMP	01/05/07
ASHWELL	06/12/06	BYGRAVE	08/01/07
CALDECOTE	05/01/07	WESTON	08/03/07
RADWELL	24/04/07	WALLIGTON	20/02/07
HINXWORT	01/03/07	CLOTHALL	09/05/07

Area	Last Meeting	Next Meeting	Location and Time
G4E	15^th August 2007
G4D	18th July 2007
G3C	27^th March 2007	11^th October 2007	Village Hall, Rushden.

Our first Locality Panel Meeting took place at kelshall Village Hall on the 19th April, we had a very interesting meeting and my first tasks were set.

Locality

Members

Martin Dingemans, Eric Gurney, Howard Marshall, Simon Holtom, Robert Law, Teddy Faure-Walker, Michael Meredith-Hardy, Steve Jarvis, Andrew Young, Tony Hunter, Gill Renison, Peter Shuttlewood, Keith Bone.

Meeting

19/04/07

Tasks set

1. Reducing Incidents of Nusience Motor cycling and Nusience 4 X 4 use, by increasing weekend patrols.

2. Supply uncorrupted data of the true speed of vehicles travelling on, A507 Radwell, London Road Barley, Causeway Therfield, Damask Green, Station Road, Newnham Road & Mill Street Ashwell, Mill Street Rushden and the A507 Clothall on Wednesdays.

Please click on the below link to meet some of the people we wish to becomes friends with.

http://www.herts.police.uk/CCTV/gallery.htm

Rural Watch

On Thursday 16th August a garage in Ashwell Road, Newnham was broken into during the afternoon and a man’s blue Trek 800 mountain bike was stolen from within. (Crime no. G4/07/926).

Jan

RUSHDEN

SANDON

THERFIELD

ASHWELL

BYGRAVE

CALDECOTE

Please click on the below link to meet some of the people we wish to becomes friends with.

On Thursday 16^th August a garage in Ashwell Road, Newnham was broken into during the afternoon and a man’s blue Trek 800 mountain bike was stolen from within. (Crime no. G4/07/926).