Neighbourhood Watch is a significant crime prevention organisation. To further enhance our reputation let us continue to be vigilant and take greater care in making observations to assist the police to solve more crimes.

The more observant member will have seen in the national press that the Home Secretary has announced that he intends to create ‘ strategic forces’ of at least 4000 police officers or total police staff of 6000. This means amalgamation for most forces, and for Hertfordshire this will mean merging with one or more adjacent forces.

It is stressed that development of Neighbourhood Policing will continue and that the Basic Command Units will remain an important part of policing. We in North Herts are part of the Eastern Area Command Unit of Hertfordshire headed by Chief Superintendent Gary Kitching

The proposed changes should have little effect on the operation of Neighbourhood Watch. However, we cannot be sure that a merger will result in an inspirational lead we have received from our Chief Constable and Police Authority.

Community Co-ordinator North Herts

THREE CHARGED FOLLOWING DRUGS WARRANT AT ADDRESS IN LETCHWORTH

TWO MEN and a woman have been charged with Class A drug offences following the execution of a warrant at an address in Letchworth on Thursday (September 15). Officers from the Letchworth Community Team executed the warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Cash and drugs thought to be heroin and cocaine were seized at the address and four people were arrested. A further search was made of another address in Letchworth that resulted in the seizure of cash and a quantity of as yet unidentified drugs.

Inspector Geoff Camp from the Letchworth Community Team said: “We will take every opportunity to rid the streets of North Herts from Class A drugs. This should serve as a warning to anyone thinking of committing drugs offences that we will proactively target you and put you before the courts.”

Police need the public’s help in keeping crack and other class A drugs out of Hertfordshire. If anyone has any information about where drug dealing is taking place or who is involved in class A drug supply or use, they are urged to contact Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Crack Crime Drug Line on 01707 354695. All calls are treated in the strictest confidence and you do not have to give your name. Alternatively ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source: Corporate Communication Dept, Hertfordshire Constabulary. September 19, 2005.

A day in the life of…PCSO Nikki Williams:

My name is Nikki Williams, and I have been a PCSO at Hitchin police station for just over a year.

I cover quite a large rural area surrounding Hitchin consisting mainly of small villages and hamlets. There are 2 other PCSOs at Hitchin who cover the town and surrounding urban areas, a further 2 for rural areas, a schools PCSO, and 2 who work solely on the mobile police station. We are hoping this number will increase due to the excellent response we have had from the public, but this relies on future funding from councils.

My day starts with checking the computer system for crimes in my areas and liasing with my local ward officer PC Askew. We decide what each of us will be dealing with from any crimes that may have taken place, and head out into our wards. If there has been no crime in our area I spend the day walking in the villages, and attending any meetings or clubs where I can mix with the community and often pick up valuable information that may not otherwise have reached the police.

PCSOs have a Hertfordshire Police marked vehicle that differs from a normal police car in that it doesn’t have sirens or flashing lights. I usually try to park this somewhere highly visible when I go walking, as I find it often provides a deterrent to speeding motorists. Who knows whether the sight of the car may even have put off a would-be burglar or two!

PCSOs do attend low level crime from time to time, but our main purpose is to be a visible presence within the community, thus providing a feeling of safety to local people. One of our other main roles is dealing with nuisance youths. We are finding that our regular presence is gradually having a positive effect in reducing the amount of nuisance related incidents.

Obviously the more PCSOs we have the more of a presence we could provide, surely reducing crime figures in Hertfordshire, and making for a safer living environment.

PCSOs details can be found on the Hertfordshire Police website, so if you would like any of us to attend your youth club, parish council meetings, neighbourhood watch groups or just pop in for a chat please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We look forward to meeting you!

PCSO Nikki Williams

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:

· 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.

SCAM PROMOTIONS - The Warning Signs

• Was the promotion unsolicited?
• Did it come from overseas?
• Does it look too good to be true?
• Do I have to respond ‘at once’ – what’s the rush?
• Do I have to make a purchase to win a prize?
• Do I have to ring a premium rate (090) telephone number?
• Do I have to give my bank or credit card details?
• Do I have to send the money to a PO Box number?
• Am I asked to keep it confidential?
• Can I afford to lose the money?

Before you part with any money, take legal or professional advice because the chances are, once you have sent it, you will never see it again. If you suspect a scam, contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506, or inform the police on 0845 33 00 222.

· For North Herts 371 messages have been sent out since 01/03/2005. 62 Messages have been sent for the month of September. The average messages sent this year (since March 2005) are 61.8 messages per month.

· There are currently 496 co-ordinators covering North Herts.

· Since 1/3/05 there have been 9 new schemes started in North Herts. Well done and thank you for the continued support!!

North Herts NHW Diary:

Saturday 15^th October 05 – Family Learning Week: Letchworth

Tuesday 18^th October 05 – Royston Meridian, Palace and Heath Wards NHW meeting, 7.30pm Town Hall.

Thursday 10^th November 05 – Baldock Town and East Ward NHW meeting, 7.30pm Community Centre.

Tuesday 15^th November 05 – Rushden, Weston & Clothall wards NHW, 7.30 Rushden Village Hall

Letchworth Community Safety Public Meeting: Summary

There were approximately 24 attendees to the meeting. The Community Safety team, from NHDC, gave a short presentation with regards to local NHDC and partner initiatives in Letchworth. The police gave an overview of crime in Letchworth and the meeting was then opened to the floor. It was thought to be a well-received meeting.

Contact Centre Guidelines for NHW

A process for NHW members contacting the Contact Centre or the Control Room with information or seeking a response for things they have seen or been involved was agreed and began on 1st July 2005. The NHW member was asked during the trial period (July - Sept) to ring their own Watch Liaison Officer (Vee Halimana 01462 425 010) to advise them of the fact they made a call. The trial period has been extended for a further three months as it takes time to imbed any new system. This process is critical to the future success of NHW as the scheme is about the two-way flow of information between the police and colleagues in NHW. Thank you for your continued assistance.

Community Co-ordinator North Herts

SCAM PROMOTIONS - The Warning Signs

Contact Centre Guidelines for NHW

IN AN EMERGENCY ALWAYS CALL 999