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Lewes Town & Rural Neighbourhood Watch Bulletin August 2008
NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING – it’s a winning formula Surveys show that residents across Sussex are noticing the difference that neighbourhood policing makes. As the months go by, they should start to notice even more benefits. Assistant Chief Constable Robin Merett said “We believe we are on a winning formula. We already have dedicated neighbourhood specialist teams in every part of Sussex. This year we have been given funding by the Police Authority for another 47 police officers. The message we are hearing loud and clear is that the people of Sussex are keen to see more resources put in to local policing. And that is what we are going to deliver.” More special constables are also being recruited in to these teams to join the existing police officers, PCSO’s and police staff working alongside colleagues from partner agencies. Police Authority member Bob Tidy, lead member for neighbourhood policing, said ”The people I speak to in Sussex welcome the development of neighbourhood policing. They tell me that, provided their money is going in to local policing, they are prepared to pay for it. I am very pleased that, despite the pressures on our budget, the Authority has been able to find money to invest further in neighbourhood policing across Sussex.” |
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Shortly before 0430 hours on Thursday, 24th July, morning occupants of a residential premises in Gundreda Road, Lewes were woken by noise. When they went to investigate they saw several canes tied to together. It is believed the offenders tried to use the canes to hook keys from within the house, through the cat flap. No entry was gained. This method is commonly known as fishing, whereby some people tend to leave their keys to their house and car near to a door. Offenders use various poles or even fishing rods to hook the keys and enter the home, steal car keys and vehicle or both. People should always be conscious not to leave keys within a short distance of letter boxes or other points of entry.
Recently Distraction burglaries in rural areas are going up. Please can people (especially the elderly) remember to lock their front doors even when they are at home, as a current favourite MO is just to walk in people's front doors regardless of weather they are at home or not. And not to answer the door to unexpected callers - get a door chain / spy hole etc Further information on crime prevention is also available on the Sussex Police website at
Between Friday the 11th and Sunday the 13th of July two sheds were broken into in the area of South Chailey. Garden equipment was stolen from each and is believed connected to a series of incidents in the Wivelsfield Green area. This type of incident is unfortunately not confined to Lewes District and Police are requesting owners to be vigilant. PC Vitler the Neighbourhood Specialist Officer states “Sheds and outside storage areas are often overlooked by occupiers when securing their property but often contain high value equipment such as power tools, lawnmowers, bicycles and various other garden equipment. This type of crime is attractive to criminals due to the fact that the property is often insecure, of high value, difficult to trace and easy to sell. Simple actions such as ensuring that your shed is in good condition, securely locked with heavy duty padlocks and that your property is marked with anti theft security markings will help prevent yourself from becoming a victim of crime. Various low cost shed alarms are also available from the internet or good local hardware stores and offer a good deterrent to would be thieves.”
CRIME FIGURES DOWN – AGAIN! Annual crime figures show another big drop in reported crime in Sussex, with more than 13,700 fewer victims of crime in the policing year to the end of March. Knife crime appears to be down too, contrary to recent publicity. Commenting on the 2007-2008 crime figures, published in July, ACC Robin Merett said “These are excellent results. Most important is that there were more than 13000 fewer victims of crime in Sussex last year. The figures show that Sussex remains a safe place to live. They are a tribute to the work police officers and staff, and the partners with whom we work closely. Now we want people to feel safe as well as to be safe and we must continue to work on this.” SUSSEX IS THE BEST! Sussex is the best and that is official. Following last month’s report that 97.5% of emergency 999 calls had been answered within the 10 second target time in 07/08, the National Policing Improvement Agency has confirmed that this performance was the best of all police forces in England and Wales. ……………………………………….. In July Lewes police were targeting vehicles involved in anti-social behaviour. A white Vauxhall Nova was seized by police, in Nevill Crescent, Lewes. The vehicle was seized under section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002. This power allows police to seize motor vehicles used in a manner which constitutes a specified offence and which causes, or is likely to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public. PC Ellison” We have had numerous complaints over the previous months about various vehicles in Lewes Town. Many of the vehicles and their drivers have had a section 59 warning previously. Once they have had the warning, should the vehicle or person come to police notice again for similar incidents police can seize their vehicle. Hopefully this will warn those committing similar offences that police will act on complaints received about anti-social behaviour involving vehicles.” Several other vehicles/drivers have received their first warning.
PC Duncan Ellison Neighbourhood Specialist Officer Lewes 0845 6070999 ext 63434 Duncan.ellison@sussex.pnn.police.uk
Website: http://www.sussex.police. |
