West Mercia Police BROMYARD Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) bromyard.snt@westmercia.pnn.police.uk September 2015 About your team Safer Neighbourhood Teams work with local people and partners to identify, tackle and solve issues that matter to the community where you live. Making neighbourhoods safer by cutting day to day crime and anti-social behaviour is at the heart of keeping people in West Mercia safe. Thanks to an investment in mobile tablet style computers, these will enable officers to spend more time on patrol on the street and in neighbourhoods. Officers will continue to come to people when they need them and provide a high quality service however you contact us - in person (on the street, at community bases and at partners and communities together [PACT] meetings), on the phone or online. Where we work Get in touch 101 to talk to your local SNT or report a crime Bromyard.snt@westmercia.pnn.police.uk www.westmercia.police.uk / @NHfdShireCops Only call 999 in an emergency, when a crime is in progress or life is in danger. Your team Police Constable John Meek 1950 PCSO Steph Annette 6440 PCSO Sue Berrett 6439 Bromyard Police Station, New Road, Bromyard, Herefordshire, Hr7 4AJ. Covering: Bromyard Town, Tedstone Wafre, Tedstone Delamere, The Downs, Edvin Loach, Edwin Ralph, Thornbury, Whitbourne, Upper Sapey, Collington, Pencombe, Ullingswick, Risbury, Stoke Prior, Docklow, Bredenbury, Hatfield, Hampton Charles, Bodenham, Hope under Dinmore, Felton, Stoke Lacy, Munderfield, Acton Green, Linley Green, Bringsty Common, Ocle Pychard, Burley Gate, Little Cowarne.
For September 2015 You said your priority was: Antisocial behaviour at The Kempson play park Date set: 04 th June 2015-31 September 2015 We undertake to: High Visibility Patrols Request the community to keep reporting Deal robustly with youths involved Prosecute for any offences noted. 01 st June 2015 Reports of youths using trail bikes on the play field. Officers dispatched, but the youths legged it as the Officer arrived. Enquiries are ongoing 03 rd June 2015 Reports of youths calling other children names in and around the park. Officers dispatched but the youths could not be identified. 4 th July 2015 Reports of persons using trial bikes on the park. Enquiries ongoing. 24 th July 2015 Play area closed due to unsafe play equipment. Reports received of youths painting the play area with paint. Rude pictures and words used. Currently the paint containers are with our scene of crimes officers for fingerprinting etc. 5 th August 2015 Youth group held at the park. All in order. 12 th August 2015 26 th August 2015 No incidents reported. Youth Group had about 10 people attending. Tchoukball instigated by the MYLO project to engage the young people with positive play. -2-
Rural Watch Newsletter Good Morning Folks, Please see the article at the bottom of the newsletter regarding the harvest season and mud on the road. Our roads are just about to get busy again as everyone returns to normal routines after the summer holidays. With a noticeable increase of traffic at peak times coupled with the tractors and recent rainfall it is a timely reminder to all to drive carefully. Also included is the phone number for Hereford highways to report any serious mud concerns (always worth carrying with you when you are out and about). The spate of thefts from sheds and outbuildings has been continuing across our patch and reports are still being received of garden equipment being stolen. Please make sure you do all that you can to secure your sheds/barns and outbuildings. Use property markers if you can, such as Smartwater. If you are able, store valuable items in sheds near to the house and use the shed down the bottom of the garden for plant pots etc. Padlock any side gates or gates that lead onto fields at the back of your property and ensure your fencing line is as secure as it can be. Incidents of note 0123-S-100815. In Upper Sapey a padlock was bolt cropped off and a unit containing alcohol was entered. The thieves made off with most of the contents and due to the rural isolated location nothing was seen or heard. 0273-S-120815. A large quantity of heating oil was stolen from a property in the Pencombe area. Approximately 275.00 worth of heating oil was taken when the thieves accessed the tank across an open field. 0150-S-210815. A shed at Linley Green was targeting by thieves. They cut the padlocks off the shed, had a good look around but it is thought nothing was taken. Please be vigilant in this area. 0662-S-260815. Two bridles were stolen from a stable yard in Upper Sapey. The bridles were inside an unlocked stable. A gentle reminder to keep all equipment locked away out of sight when not in use. 0154-S-280815. A sheep was killed by an unknown dog nr Brockhampton, Bromyard. The farmer found the dead animal when carrying out daily checks. Please keep all dogs on leads when around livestock. The farmer would be within his/her rights to shoot the dog if it was found to be worrying his/her livestock. 0223-S-300815. A quad bike with VRM VU05 EEM red in colour was stolen from a farm in the Winslow area of Bromyard. It was left in an unlocked barn and it is though that the thieves have wheeled it out to the road, where it has been loaded onto a vehicle. Suspicious Incidents. 0247-S-150815. VRM VA57 FZV an orange transit van with roof mouldings was seen in suspicious circumstances (as reported in my previous rural watch alert).
0394-S-220815. A small white Peugeot car was seen in the Munderfield area of Bromyard, the vehicle occupants were seen flagging down passing vehicles. They were trying to tell passers by that they desperately needed money and would offer to exchange your cash for some their GOLD. These types of scam have been seen in and around the County for some time and people who have been taken in by this are just left with a pile of junk metal. 0378-S-200815. A telephone call was made to a Bromyard resident, stating that they were working on behalf of the ambulance trust. They offer you advertising space in a magazine they say is working in conjunction with Police and Emergency services. This is obviously for a PRICE. Do not be fooled, there is no such thing and neither the Police nor other emergency services would ask you for money in this way. Good news. The owner of the 60 sheep found nr Hatfield has come forward to take the little beauties home. Who doesn t love a happy ending! Right that s it for now folks, remember don t make it easy for thieves, keep it locked. Kind regards Steph Message from Police Inspector Bob Barnett - West Mercia Police As summer is drawing to a close (what Summer!) the nights are drawing in and unfortunately more than bats come out in the dark. West Mercia Police will be launching its annual Lighting Up campaign during September. When you leave your house remember to lock it securely, as well as leave some lights on. If you are going away or know you will be back after dark, I use timer switches as an effective tool to turn my lights on. A lit house is always a deterrent to anyone thinking of stealing from you. They can be purchased quite reasonably from most Supermarkets or DIY outlets as well as via the internet. The week commencing 28 th September 2015 also sees the start of the National Rogue Trade week. A rogue trader is someone who cold calls you and who tries to get you to agree to work being done there and then. This is a criminal offence. They normally want payment in cash and will offer to take you to the bank to collect the money. In many cases the people who do it also take the opportunity to steal from residents. They normally target vulnerable people so if you see strange vehicles or people at a vulnerable neighbour s house and you have any concerns, take the registration number and description of the people there. There are strict penalties for traders who break the law in this respect. Anyone with information about such traders can ring the police or Herefordshire Councils Trading Standards Team. Lastly, I am still pushing Watch Schemes. If you are interested in setting up a watch or just in more information, then Mr Paul Crumpton can be contacted by email at paul.crumpton@westmercia.pnn.police.uk or by telephone on 01905 727402 or through our switchboard on 101 extension 67102.
West Mercia Horse Watch is a scheme supported by West Mercia Police to help horse owners be aware of equine related crime in their area, enabling them to take preventative action to keep their horses, tack and vehicles safe. It also provides an opportunity to help other horse owners who may become a victim of crime. All you need to do is complete the form below. The Police can also be contacted if you have information that needs circulating. REMEMBER - Urgent information must be passed directly to the Police and if the Police are required to attend immediately - dial 999. This scheme should not be seen as a substitute for how you would normally deal with the Police reporting crimes and incidents. To report non-emergency crimes just dial 101. PLEASE COMPLETE THE DETAILS BELOW AND RETURN IT TO: Lesley Williams (3214) West Mercia Police Headquarters Hindlip Hall PO Box 55 Worcester WR3 8SP Data Protection Act and Telecommunications Act Authorisation I would like to join Horse Watch. My details are: [Please use BLOCK CAPITALS] Name of Business if relevant: Full name of contact (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms) Forename Surname Address Post Code Email Telephone: 1. I the undersigned, give West Mercia Horse Watch the authority to place my details on a computerised database in respect of Horse and Rural Watch. 2. I also agree to receive automated messages by email generated by the West Mercia Police Horse & Rural Watch Signed: Date: You can also register for alerts by accessing the West Mercia Internet Site, select 'Work with us', 'Join a Watch Scheme' and then 'Horse Watch'.
Take extra care on rural roads during harvest season The Safer Roads Partnership, Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police are warning motorists of the dangers that may be present at this time of year as farmers are using the roads more when harvesting and moving their produce. Agriculture is one of our region's key industries and this time of year is very busy in the farming calendar with many crops requiring harvest and transportation, often within a short window of opportunity in order to ensure consumers can enjoy the produce in prime condition. However, this burst of activity traditionally sees a rise in road collisions, many of which are preventable. A significant proportion of the collisions involving agricultural vehicles occur on rural roads with 60mph speed limits, and many near turnings into farms. The typical causes of the collisions are poor overtaking manoeuvres and inappropriate speed, with drivers finding themselves unable to stop in time when presented with a slow moving or wide vehicle. A further hazard is caused by mud and debris being brought onto the roads by tractors and other vehicles that have been working in the fields. In the last three years*, there have been 75 collisions across Warwickshire and West Mercia where mud was recorded as a contributory factor. Under the Highways Act (1980), farmers and contractors have a legal obligation to ensure their vehicles are cleared of any mud or debris before entering the public highway. Excess mud on the road is a danger to cars, motorbikes and cyclists and can change the way a vehicle handles, causing skidding, especially in wet conditions. Chief Inspector Adrian Knight, Head of the Force Operations Department, Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police said: "Every year we face problems with agricultural vehicles leaving large amounts of mud and debris on the roads during the harvest season. While the majority of farmers take steps to ensure they keep the roads clear and safe, not all are as diligent. "We would like to remind farmers and contractors of their responsibilities under the Highways Act. We have already taken action against offenders who haven't complied with this legislation and will continue to take a tough stance against anyone who we believe is being reckless and irresponsible." Anna Higgins, Communications Manager at the Safer Roads Partnership, said: "We appreciate that during this time of year farmers have to increasingly use the region's roads to transport their crops and that this will affect local traffic at times. Although many drivers of agricultural vehicles use the roads in a responsible way, we are reminding them to be aware of the impact they can have and consider other road users while they undertake their work. During busy traffic periods, pull into a lay-by or safe place to allow other vehicles to pass safely, to avoid traffic build-up and prevent unsafe overtaking manoeuvres. "We would also like to remind general motorists that extra care and patience should be taken during the harvest season when there is a necessity for more agricultural vehicles to be on the roads. While it can be frustrating travelling behind an agricultural vehicle it's not worth getting impatient and putting yourself and other road users at risk with dangerous manoeuvres." Drivers of agricultural vehicles or anyone wishing to report any issues regarding debris or mud on the road can contact the following agencies: Herefordshire: Herefordshire Council - Highways: 01432 261 800