Mid Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter

Working together

Early in February a briefing paper was prepared by ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) titled 'Neighbourhood Watch in Context - A Strategic Tool for the Neighbourhood Policing Agenda'.
This gives a considerable impetus to the manner in which Neighbourhood Policing and NHW can improve working together. The report recognises that there is a considerable overlap in the aims of the two bodies and the report sets out a range of supporting measures that are appropriate for police working. It also highlights the NHW role and how the synergies between the bodies can be developed.
Several years ago in another Home Office Report it was estimated that 27% of households in England and Wales were members of NHW schemes and that where households were not in scheme areas 78% said that they would join a scheme if one was set up in their area. So there is considerable scope for enlarging NHW coverage and this should be an important aim for NSTs as the new 'owners' of NHW.
Henceforth Neighbourhood Policing will seek to become more dedicated in providing visible and accessible policing enabling local people to see and have more regular contact with the same officers thus helping lasting and trusting relationships to be built up with the community that is served.

Two-way process

This is a two way process and does give the opportunity to pass on comments and ideas direct to local officers and help them to direct their activities to resolving problems. PCSOs are to be encouraged to make more direct contact with community leaders and key representatives. All this is linked to the concept that will be part of the Neighbourhood Watch 'ownership' by the police that is currently under discussion and will also have an important bearing on improved 'information systems' that are to be introduced later in the year to replace the ageing system that has been in use for a number of years and is now ineffective.
We await with interest the proposals that are to be developed which may later form the basis of a 'Service Level Agreement'.

We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding during this change over period.

This message from C.I. Chris Ball does not alter the general help and advice that NHW Road
Co-ordinators will continue to give to the members of their schemes. The future links and enhanced roles of PCSOs and other members of the NSTs are aimed at improving community contacts both with NHW co-ordinators and the general public. Your local co-ordinator may be able to assist you in making contact with your PCSO if needed, and it will often be helpful for him/her to be aware that there is such a need.

Paths and Driveways

Simple path/driveway alarms can be used to alert you to a visitor. Pebble surfaces can deter offenders as the stones crunch both when driven over or on footfall. Lock-down bollards can be used to prevent vehicular access and protect property on driveways. This is particularly important if caravans and drive-on garden equipment is stored.

Garages and Sheds

Even if you are a modest gardener or a DIY amateur your shed or garage will house equipment running into four figures to replace. Is your security commensurate with the value of the goods within? Burglars can often find the tools of their trade easily accessible right on site; the spade to lift off the patio door or the shears to force the window. Are those tools easily accessible on your property?

Obscure windows so that property cannot be seen, install ground anchors as appropriate and check door security.

Exposed hinge fixings and poor up-and-over door locks are the most common features that make these outbuildings more vulnerable. Doors integral to the home should be treated as external doors when installing security such as British Standard (BS) five lever mortise locks.

Security mark property. Remember that these are the sort of items that next appear in an auction or boot-sale so overt marking should be added to covert methods. Show that you have marked your property with signage available from your local police station.

New No Cold Calling Zone

A No Cold Calling Zone has been created in the Chanctonbury area of Burgess Hill right. This scheme is one of the largest in the area covering in excess of 500 homes and was initiated at the request of local residents in order to protect those most vulnerable from tricksters and rogue doorstep traders.
Signs will be positioned on lampposts saying 'No Cold Calling Zone'. These notices will advise potential criminals that they will have a hard time calling at addresses in this location, and police will be called if the caller is viewed with suspicion.
In addition advice packs will be delivered to all residents, providing practical information and tips on how to check a person before deciding to allow them access.
Genuine callers such as meter readers will expect to be vetted thoroughly and won't mind waiting. Companies who ignore the scheme will be contacted by Trading Standards and advised of residents' wishes.

Sussex Police are committed to catching these criminals and 'Operation Inroad' is in place to pro-actively target offenders. PC Graham Thurley of the Burgess Hill NST said: "It is important to look out for suspicious callers who may be preying on elderly or vulnerable neighbours, police should be contacted immediately so that an early intervention can be made. If possible try and remember their description and make a note of any vehicle and registration number if seen."
West Sussex County Council's Trading Standards Service has an approved trader scheme called 'Buy with Confidence'. This is a register of local businesses who have been vetted to ensure they provide a good service.

For details of traders in this scheme ring
01243 642124 or look on the website: www.westsussex.gov.uk/tradingstandards
Sussex Police can be contacted via 999 if an emergency/crime in progress or
0845 60 70 999 for non emergencies
www.sussex.police.uk

Thank you message

Recently appointed Sussex Chief Constable, Martin Richards, has recently sent a message of thanks to the North Downs Neighbourhood Watch Search Team for the assistance that was provided to Sussex Police in a search operation in the Battle area in December. He says that police colleagues have expressed admiration for the positive attitude and good humour of the searchers despite the atrocious weather that was encountered. He added that it is a great reassurance that members of the public give up their time willingly to assist, often in difficult circumstances.
The Chief Constable has also written a letter of thanks to our retiring Watch Out editor, Jennie Lisney, expressing his appreciation of the work that she has done in the preparation of our newsletter over the past few years.
We are very pleased and grateful for the Chief Constable's interest and support.

Haywards Heath
The Neighbourhood Specialist Team (NST) at Haywards Heath comprises of:
* Sergeant Rachel Mundy
* PC Richard Wooding - town area
* PC Geoff Bennett - rural areas of Haywards Heath
* PCSO Anika Arnold - Lucastes ward & Bolnore Village
* PCSO Stuart Clough - villages to the north east
* PCSO Stephen Low - Franklands ward
* PCSO Gail McCall - town centre & Ashenground ward
* PCSO Jayne Milne - villages to the north west
* PCSO Christian Preece - Bentswood and Heath wards
* PCSO Becky Standing - Bentswood and Heath Wards
* PCSO Jo Wood - Warden Park School in Cuckfield and Oakmeeds School in Burgess Hill

Speedwatch is going from strength to strength. Sharpthorne/West Hoathly and Balcombe volunteers go out regularly; Foxhill have recently started a scheme; Handcross, Staplefield and Scaynes Hill should all be up and running very soon; and Lindfield are in the first stages and seeking volunteers. Rachel Mundy, Geoff Bennett, Richard Wooding and PCs from the Probationer Development Unit have been trained to use the speed gun for enforcement in order to support Speedwatch schemes.

The North Downs Neighbourhood Watch Search Team now has 136 volunteers. As well as searchers, some volunteers are trained as controllers, team leaders and first aiders. The training takes place at Haywards Heath police station, and a couple of exercises are arranged each year to put the training into practice. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should contact Rachel Mundy.
Operation Defect is an ongoing operation across the Haywards Heath area targeting speeding and unroadworthy vehicles.
Operation Respect is running until at least the end of April, where extra police resources are used on Friday and Saturday nights. Over the last couple of months the NST has worked closely with Downland Housing, Hyde Housing and MSDC to help combat anti-social behaviour problems in several wards, and have most recently been concentrating on Bolnore Village. The NST has also been working with the MSDC Rangers to collate all the graffiti tags in the area. Numerous arrests have been made and many of these crimes have now been detected.
Sergeant Rachel Mundy