Have
you noticed any suspicious activity which may be connected with the following
crimes? If so please do not hesitate to bring this information to the attention
of local Police on 0845 60 60 365 stating that you are responding to a Neighbourhood
Watch message and quoting the reference shown beside the incident location. Alternatively information can be passed to CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800
555 111 or via PCSO 6639 Becky Heseltine on 01325 346832
Did you know? That it can take just six seconds for a car window to be smashed and property taken from within the car. Handbags, mobile phones, loose change, jackets and even a carrier bag of rubbish have all been targets in theft from vehicle offences in Darlington. No matter how short a period you intend to be away from your car - Please do remove all valuables from view. ZERO THE OPPORTUNITY - remember six seconds is all it takes...
May 2008...
Thefts from parked cars
PARKSIDE - At around 4.15pm April 25th a window of a parked car has been
smashed and a handbag stolen.
LOWTHER DRIVE - A lap-top computer and a camera have been stolen from a parked
car, a door of the car was prised open to gain access.
WESTLANDS ROAD - Overnight between April 24th - April 25th 4 wheel trims have
been stolen from a parked Ford Mondeo.
SALISBURY TERRACE - An aerial has been stolen from a parked car overnight.
BEDFORD STREET - Between 4.45pm - 5.15pm April 23rd a lap-top computer has been
stolen from a parked car.
TEBAY CLOSE - Between midnight - 6am April 24th a money bag has been stolen from
a parked car.
Bogus Caller Distraction Burglaries
A series of distraction burglaries have been reported in the County Durham
area in recent weeks.
WHILST NONE OF THESE INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED IN DARLINGTON, PLEASE READ ON,
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT AS MANY RESIDENTS AS POSSIBLE ARE MADE AWARE OF THE
TACTICS EMPLOYED.
PLEASE NOTE ESPECIALLY THE POSITIVE OUTCOME OF SIMPLY ASKING TO SEE IDENTIFICATION, BUT DO ALSO REMEMBER THAT IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS CAN EASILY BE CREATED AND WHEN PROVIDED SHOULD BE CHECKED THOROUGHLY.
If you are aware of any information which may be linked with these offences
please do contact local police.
Information that does not need an early police response can be reported via
myself on 01325 346832
Where attendance of a police officer is needed please cal 0845 60 60 365
Where an incident of this type is in progress always call 999
At approximately noon April 24th a home in COUNDON was visited by a male who stated he was working around the corner renewing pipes to avoid an explosion, asking the occupant to turn on taps and run them until water turned brown. The man was described as very friendly, speaking of a wife and children. He placed a chair beside the sink and invited the occupant to sit to watch the water before leaving to collect some equipment, he did not return.
An amount of cash was stolen from the address.
DESCRIPTION of male given as aged 30 - 40 years, height 5'8", medium build,
dark tanned appearance, black short cut untidy hair, dark eyes and a small black
moustache. Also described as wearing a dark coloured donkey jacket.
A large 'posh' silver coloured car was seen at the address by a neighbour, a male matching the description of the caller to the victims address was seen to get into the passenger seat of this car.
Just before 11.30am a male has approached an address in NEWTON AYCLIFFE, he has stated that he is working at a house nearby and that a pipe has burst. The male has asked the occupant to go into her kitchen and to empty the cupboard beneath the sink and to run the water continuously. At this point an expected visitor has arrived at the address, and has asked the male for identification, the response has been "my boss has got it, I'll go and get it", the male has not returned.
DESCRIPTION of male given as aged late 20s / early 30s, slim build, height 5'10", thin face with olive complexion and a moustache. Also described as wearing a dark coloured puffa style jacket and black woolly gloves.
At around 2.45pm April 24th 2 males have approached an address in CHESTER LE STREET and stated they were from Dynorod and requested the occupier to turn on upstairs taps, the callers have entered the house but on being challenged to provide identification have stated that it was at another house and have left.
DESCRIPTION of male 1 - Aged early 30s, height 5'8", short dark hair, clean shaven, with an Irish accent and wearing a dark coloured padded jacket.
DESCRIPTION of male 2 - Aged mid to late 30s and of larger build that the first male.
Between 12.45pm - 1.30pm April 24th a male has approached an address in TUDHOE VILLAGE where he has stated that was working nearby and that a pipe had burst, he has then asked the occupant to run the kitchen taps to ensure that her water is not muddy, and has requested that she empty the cupboard under the sink. The male has pulled out a chair for the occupant to sit on whilst watching the water. A neighbour of this address has witnessed two unknown males get into a dark coloured vehicle and drive off.
DESCRIPTION of male 1 given by occupant as aged in 30s, height 5'9", short dark coloured tidy hair, dark skinned complexion and wearing a dark blue coloured all-in-one, possibly a boiler suit.
At around 1.30pm April 24th a male has attended and address in SPENNYMOOR where he has stated that he is from the Water Board and has requested that the occupant empty the cupboard under the sink, it has later been discovered that jewellery has been stolen from the address.
There are matching methods used in these incidents such as the request to empty the cupboard under the sink or the provision of a chair for the occupant to use whilst watching the water coming from the taps.
Even if there has been no crime, for example you may be aware of a near-miss, this may be connected with these incidents. It is extremely important that police are made aware of all available detail. You may prevent another person falling victim to such a crime or assist in tracing those responsible.
To protect garages and sheds take a look at your security. Can screws securing
hinges and hasps be accessed from outside - if so then no matter how good your
locks are a thief can simply use a screwdriver to unfasten these items. Is your
property marked - lawnmowers and other power tools are far less attractive to
thieves if boldly marked with ownership detail. Do you have an alarm in use
- whilst stocks Neighbourhood Watch members can purchase a movement sensor alarm
for just £3. Just contact Jacqui below. Strictly one per household at
this special price.
Stop ID Fraud
http://www.stop-idfraud.co.uk/index.htm
Have you made your new year resolutions? Back in October 2007 National Identity Fraud Prevention Week was held, this was aimed at raising awareness of the risks of falling victim to one of the UK's fastest growing crimes.
By following the link above you can still take an on-line test to check whether
you are taking enough care to protect your identity from theft.
Junk Mail & Junk Telephone Calls
There has been a large increase in the number of queries and concerns regarding mail items which promise cash and prizes, the vast majority of Neighbourhood Watch members are of course very conscious that it is very likely that the result of responding to such approaches will be a hefty telephone bill or a plague a sales approaches.
Please keep spreading the word amongst friends and family to be very wary of
junk mail and junk telephone calls.
You may find the addresses below useful.
To reduce the amount of personally addressed junk mail coming through
your door contact
The Mailing Preference Service
Freepost 22
LONDON
W1E 7EZ
Telephone 0845 703 4599
www.mpsonline.org.uk
You will need to allow at least 4 months before you see a reduction in the mail
you receive
To reduce the amount of unaddressed leaflets which are delivered
by Royal Mail contact
Royal Mail Door to Door
Streamline House
Sandy Lane West
OXFORD
OX4 5ZZ
To reduce the amount of telephone sales calls contact
The Telephone Preference Service
5th Floor, Haymarket House
1 Oxenden Street
LONDON
SW1Y 4EE
www.tpsonline.org.uk
It will take at least 28 days for the telephone calls to be reduced
Thefts from cars......
Thefts from vehicles are a major problem, the public really do need to be aware of this and remove all valuables from their car. The message is please do not store sat-nav equipment in the glove box - this equipment is so attractive to thieves they will break in in the hope such items have been stored in the glove box if they are given any hint whatsoever that it may be, ie suction marks on the windscreen where the cradle has been or even having witnessed a driver use the equipment prior to leaving the car. Opportunist thefts from vehicles continue to be a problem. There are still members of the public who have not yet heard the message 'never leave any item which may tempt a thief on view'.
How can you help? - By finding just 2 people who haven't yet received the message, and then ask them to do the same - please help to spread the word.
Items that you know have no value should be hidden away or taken with you too, it may not be until after a thief has smashed the window of your car that items are found to be worthless, i.e. what looked like a handbag that would contain cash turns out to be a make-up bag, or a carrier bag that a thief hoped would contain newly purchased designer clothing turns out to contain the discarded wrappers from your lunch.
One area of Darlington where Neighbourhood Watch members have rigorously spread the word on removing opportunity have seen a reduction in thefts from cars in their area, proving that sharing the message can and does work.
Jacqui Snowball
Community Liaison Officer
Darlington Police - Community Safety Partnership
Tel: 01325 346832
Email: Jacqui.snowball@darlington.gov.uk
Becky Heseltine
PCSO 6639 Becky Heseltine
Community Safety Partnership
Central House Annexe
Darlington
DL3 6JX
Tel: 01325 346839 / 346832
Email: Jacqui.snowball@darlington.gov.uk
For the residents of Darlington
Local police contact details, campaigns and a host of useful information
A smoke alarm is a device that will detect a fire in the early stages and
give warning to ensure that you have vital extra time to escape.
Why install a smoke alarm?
Each year over 500 deaths and 11,000 injuries occur in fires in the home.
Many of these deaths and injuries could be prevented if people had early
warning and were able to get out in time.
Having correctly fitted and operating smoke alarms in you home could help to
save your home and the lives of your family from fire.
It is now possible to submit a request online for free installation of smoke
alarms.
If you notice a household that does not have any smoke alarms suggest that
they do the following;
Contact Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service HQ tel 0191 3843381
Complete the online application form
http://www.ddfra.co.uk/ddfb/feedback.nsf/smoke+alarm?openform
Details required are
Name
Address
Telephone Number (to arrange suitable time)
With their permission you can submit/make request on their behalf
