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Mid Sussex Neighbourhood Watch in conjunction with Hassocks Neighbourhood Watch present:
   
Mid Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter
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Spring 2006 Issue No. 15 |
Current issue: Winter 2009 | Previous: Summer
09 | Spring 2009 | Winter 08 | Summer 08
Spring 08 | Winter 07 | Summer 07
| Spring 07 | Winter
06 | Summer 06 | Spring 06 |
Trading Standards success
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In November 2005 West Sussex Trading Standards was
successful in obtaining an Anti-Social Behaviour Order against a
doorstep trader living in the Chichester area and operating throughout
the County.
The individual involved had targeted older vulnerable consumers by
calling uninvited, sometimes approaching householders in their back
gardens, and offering to carry out work which may well have been
unnecessary. There was no written notice of the customer's right to
cancel the contract which is required by law.
Once the work had commenced, the price inevitably rose
considerably and the customer was encouraged to go to the bank for more
money.
The ASBO effectively stops the individual involved from cold calling
and from increasing the agreed price for a job. This was the first ASBO
in the country to be obtained by Trading Standards in the County Court
as part of other proceedings.
Those other proceedings were also successful in that an Interim
Enforcement Order was also made which ensures that the individual
concerned trades within the law in future.
New Hon. Secretary of MSNHW
We are pleased to announce we have a new secretary on
Mid-Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Committee. Her name is Julie-Ann Cole,
who has lived in Hurstpierpoint for some nine years with her young
teenage son.
She is a NHW Area Coordinator within the village and works part-time
locally. She also works voluntarily supporting an online Community
Support forum NFHiB for victims of Anti Social Behaviour throughout the
UK. Access can be made via www.hassocksnhw.org.uk
and www.copthornenhw.org.uk.
Julie-Ann says "it is a wonderful opportunity for me to lend my support
locally to Mid Sussex Neighbourhood Watch and work alongside Mid Sussex
police and other agencies to help continue effective ways to reduce the
fear of Crime and Anti Social Behaviour within our local community.
Encouraging
"Also to encourage more community spirit to enable more
people to be involved and join NHW, working together, looking out for
each other for their mutual advantage".
Although relatively new to NHW, she has been overwhelmed by the
friendliness of all concerned and has been made very welcome. She is
sure she will enjoy her new role as secretary and looks forward to
meeting you in the near future.
Julie-Ann can be contacted on 01273 831683 or email:
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Both of the above Orders are intended to prevent future
harm to consumers and are part of new work now undertaken by West
Sussex Trading Standards. Traditionally, Trading Standards has
prosecuted businesses for criminal offences and this continues.
Preventing problems
The new area of work concentrates on preventing problems
rather than curing them and this is achieved by asking the court to
grant an order, similar to an injunction, preventing future problems.
If the business breaches the order by repeating the behaviour that the
order is intended to prevent then Trading Standards can take the
individuals concerned back to court very quickly. The penalty can be
fines or imprisonment.
Trading Standards is keen to build on past successes in this area and
to protect vulnerable residents.
If you become aware of a doorstep selling incident about which you are
concerned then please report it by telephoning 01243 642124.
Margaret Butler
TRICKSTER
DON'T BE SCARED - BE AWARE.
Trading Standards invites you to come and see a musical theatre group
presentation about bogus callers and when you should be cautious.
This is a light hearted approach to a serious problem. Learn about
typical techniques such as:
Offers of cheap tarmaccing
Antiques door-knockers
Carpet Sellers
Sales of electrical goods
Join us at:
The Martlet Hall, Burgess Hill, West Sussex,
On Thursday, 27th April 2006 at 10am
The performance will last just under 2 hours which includes a break for
refreshments. Trading Standards and several other agencies, including
Neighbourhood Watch, will be present to give advice and information and
to answer any questions you may have about the subject. If you have any
enquiries, or would like tickets for this FREE event, please call:
Margaret Butler on 01293 895117.
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Neighbours from Hell in Britain - support
on line
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Neighbours From Hell in Britain (NFHiB) was created in
early 2002, due to the site creator's personal experiences with
repeatedly anti-social, noisy, inconsiderate and rude neighbours. A
'NFH' (Neighbour from Hell) can come from any walk of life and any part
of society - the large amount of collective experience and information
contained within NFHiB can help you address neighbour issues in almost
any situation, operated entirely by volunteers who have themselves
suffered from abusive neighbours writes Julie-Ann Cole.
The NFHiB Forum Community exists to enable people who are suffering
with similar problems to come together as a voice for change and most
importantly as a means of supporting one another through what can be
truly awful times that are both physically and mentally exhausting.
What constitutes anti-social or un-neighbourly behaviour? What makes a
NFH? Inconsiderate parking, persistent and deliberate acts of trespass,
aggressive or threatening behaviour, harassment, violence, loud music,
smoky bonfires, unacceptably loud noises, especially at inappropriate
times, and late night DIY. These are only a few examples of the ways
neighbours can shatter our peaceful and quiet enjoyment of our own
homes.
Thoughtless distress
Sometimes people are thoughtless and don't realise their
behaviour is causing distress to their neighbours. In this case,
perhaps a quiet word will ensure the inconsiderate behaviour stops.
These people are not really Neighbours From Hell. They are just
inconsiderate! But others revel in the idea that they are causing
misery to their neighbours. Or they are aware they are causing misery,
but don't care enough to stop. Or they have some ulterior motive for
causing distress. These three latter types are undoubtedly NFH.
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What can be done about them? Some people suggest
mediation. Whilst there is a place for skilled, sensitive mediation
provided through professionally trained mediators, one might be
forgiven for thinking that if a person was reasonable enough to abide
by the results of mediation, surely they would have been reasonable
enough not to cause problems for their neighbours in the first place?
The one thing visitors to NFHiB soon realise is that they are not
alone. There are, unfortunately, many, people suffering from abusive
neighbours. Currently the website has some 8,800 members. This is, of
course, the tip of the iceberg of the untold misery NFH inflict on
their innocent victims.
The advice on the NFHiB website is based on personal experience and
shows how you can make written records of anti-social behaviour (useful
to provide evidence of their behaviour to the authorities) and useful
tips on how you can get the police and local authorities to take your
case seriously; and useful contact numbers of organisations that can
help people with antisocial neighbours. It also shows how you can make
a complaint against councils, housing authorities or the police, if you
believe your problem with your NFH isn't taken seriously by them.
NFHiB's input was used for the Government's written
evidence ref. House of Commons, Home Affairs Committee; Anti-Social
Behaviour, Fifth Report of Session 2004-05 [ web ] and written evidence.
The website Neighbours From Hell in Britain, or
NFHiB, for short, can be found at www.nfh.org.uk. There is a very active discussion
board (www.nfh.org.uk/forums) and also a wealth of
information, advice and resources that you can access.
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Emails to the editor
Credit Card Fraud - A Personal Experience
The introduction of PIN numbers in the UK for credit
cards has reduced the incidence of fraud here, but beware of use
overseas where PIN numbers are not obligatory. In December I spent over
a month in the US with a 10 day side trip to Mexico.
Whilst in Mexico I hired a car from a well known company
named after a siege. The use of credit cards for car hire is virtually
obligatory. In Mexico I handed my credit card over and it was in my
sight all the time although full details were recorded. It seems
fraudsters located in Belize were given these details and they then
proceeded to milk the account to its limit. The Credit card company
increased my limit so the thieves then took this extra bonus. Their
haul was over £5000!
Peter Ray
Correction for last issue
Thank you for the Newsletter which we always find very
interesting. However, my eye was caught by the article on the back page
(Autumn 2005 issue) about immobilising mobile phones, and immediately
tried to log on to the web site as printed, thinking the misspelling
(immobolise) was a trade name or similar. It is a misspelling.
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The only way I could log on to the correct site was by
typing in the complete address http://www.immobilise.com
Attempts at using shortened versions didn't work.
Joan Hill
Editor: My apologies for the error in the last issue but with an
American spellcheck, I missed it when proof reading. Please note my
new email address:
Compelled to write
Having just read the Autumn issue of Watch Out, I felt
compelled to advise you of a few errors in spelling on the back page.
The more serious ones are: the mis-spelling of thieves, and advice (2nd
para.)(2) and the word possess (3rd para.)
I was convinced that the words "immobolising" and "immobolise.com" in
para. 4 must be incorrect, but a trial showed that it is the spelling
used by that website, (see above).
I would be happy to check future editions of Watch Out before
publication.
Michael Cheetham, Hurstpierpoint N.W.
Editor: Offer accepted.
The
leaflet - 'Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour in Mid Sussex' - has been
provided by the Mid Sussex Crime and Disorder Partnership and is being
distributed by Neighbourhood Watch who support the work of Mid Sussex
CDRP in tackling Anti-Social Behaviour.
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Prove the property is yours - not the burglars!
One of the main problems police officers have when they
recover property believed to be stolen is managing to identify it, so
the Mid Sussex Police are encouraging people to security mark their
valuables. Sometimes the police have no choice unless of course they
can prove it to be stolen, but to give what is obviously stolen
property back to the thieves and burglars. Many people believe that it
won't happen to them and that their household insurance will replace
the items stolen. Whilst that may be true for impersonal items such as
TV's, videos and stereos, they will never be able to replace personal
items which hold sentimental value such as jewellery, watches and
valuable mementos whose description are often reported incorrectly.
We would like to offer a simple test - without looking at your own
watch, can you say whether the numbers are all displayed, or just the
12 & 6, or is it Roman numerals, or just bar markings on the hours?
Or what is the serial number of your DVD player? It is amazing how few
people would know these details and it illustrates the dilemma officers
are faced with when trying to reunite property to its rightful owner.
Marking all your property and recording serial numbers means the police
stand a greater chance of identifying the offender and returning
non-replaceable items to their rightful owners. Keep a secure list of
serial numbers, makes and models of electricals, take photographs of
jewellery and other valuables, or consider using a video to film them.
Property can be marked with Smartwater, a sophisticated property
marking facility that acts as a deterrent to theft and can be likened
to DNA. Each invisible sample which is dabbed on to valuable items is
unique in composition and can be recognised under ultra violet light.
The solution carries a microscopic particle and when the particle is
magnified it reveals a unique number which in turn can be referenced to
a database which associates the property to its original location.
Owners can also postcode their belongings using a UV marker pen, these
are available to purchase for 50p, also a leaflet 'Coded for Keeps'
gives sound advice.
Smoke Alarms Save Lives
Smoke Alarms are effective in detecting many of the
60,000 house fires that the Fire & Rescue Service are called out to
each year...but many of the 500 deaths and 11,000 injuries could be
avoided if YOU look after your smoke alarm.
We are still attending fires in cases where a smoke alarm didn't work
because the battery was missing or needed replacing. Many people are
tempted to remove the batteries from smoke alarms because they keep
going off when you don't want them too.
You can buy smoke alarms at DIY stores, hardware and electrical shops,
and at many supermarkets. They should meet BS 5446 Part 1 and carry the
Kitemark.
Keith Parvin, Deputy District Commander, Mid Sussex West
Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.
Main Tel: 01444 452329 Mobile Tel: 07736507138.
email:
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Useful numbers
Police crime prevention co-ordinator for Haywards
Heath and the southern part of Mid Sussex Shirley Deakin Tel: 01444
445848.
email:
Police crime prevention co-ordinator for East Grinstead and the
northern part of Mid Sussex Hilary Winfield: Tel: 01293 583952:
email:
Web-sites - Log on to www.hassocksnhw.org.uk for the latest
developments from Mid Sussex NHW.
This 65 page handbook gives essential
guidance to home owners for the safety of their home. It includes
sections on Prevention, Detection, Escape, and advice specific for
families with children.
Free copies are obtainable on the basis of one per household by
telephoning 08456 087 087. This is an automatic caller answering
service and you will be invited to give your home address for its
despatch.
Please be ready to give this as the time allowed for each part of your
address is fairly short. At the end, you may be asked how you learnt
about the handbook being available. Please reply to this "from local
fire service". The booklet is well worth obtaining.
Security Products
New Stock now available from Mid Sussex
Neighbourhood Watch
Shed Alarm
3 way alarm incorporates movement detector and chime
Cost: £12 each
Driveway Alarm
For use on driveway/ outhouse to alert you to visitors Introductory
offer, we require quality control feedback!
Cost: £16 each
Vehicle Alarm
Introductory offer, we require quality control feedback!
Cost: £20 each
Personal Attack Alarm
Fits onto key ring Cost: £5 each
Personal Attack Alarm
Can also be used as a door alarm Cost: £6 each
Window Alarm Cost: £5 each
Door Alarm Cost: £12 each
Glass Guard Alarm
Sounds when windows are attacked Cost: £5 each
NHW Gatepost Sign Cost: 50p each
UV pen (permanent) Cost
50p each
UV torch Cost: £7 each
UV Key ring torch Cost: £5 each
Total (cheque only payable to Mid Sussex NHW).............If you wish
to purchase any of the above items please contact Hilary Winfield,
Crime Prevention Co-ordinator, on 01293 583952 or email:
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Out and about
Spring into action
Most of us are looking forward to the arrival of Spring.
But it is also the season that marks the start of a fresh spate of
burglaries from insecure sheds, garages and outhouses. Just how secure
are your garden tools? What about your lawn mower? Ladders? Theft of
gardening equipment is at the least frustrating and can be very costly
to replace, but this type of theft is preventable if you take the time
to consider where you keep your gardening tools:
Are they left outside or kept locked
away?
How easy is it to gain entry into your
garden?
Ensure that would-be thieves are prevented from gaining access around
the side of your home and to the rear. Use high fencing and gates
locked with good quality closed shackle padlocks. Plant shrubs around
your perimeter and train prickly climbers to group up any vulnerable
sections of fence or wall. Hedges are great but make sure yours does
not have any gaps by encouraging brambles to grow within to make it an
impenetrable barrier. Think about security of your shed with doors kept
locked with a good quality mortice lock or closed shackle padlock.
Many sheds are inadequately secured by using the wrong type of padlock
which offers little or no resistance to bolt croppers. Check to see if
the hinge side needs protection; can the door easily be removed by
unscrewing the hinges? Shed windows can be vulnerable; how well are
yours fitted? Obscuring the windows internally will prevent a would-be
thief from looking in - especially important if your shed is in a
vulnerable location.
Consider anchoring your equipment with a ground anchor, ladders stored
chained together and fixed to the shed. Security mark all your
possessions with your postcode, plus house number or name initials,
this can be done by using a UV permanent marker.
'How safe is your Garden' leaflet is available from your Crime
Prevention Co-ordinator. See page 3 for details.
North Downs NHW Conference
The successful Annual Conference that we have held
jointly with Crawley and Horsham NHW for the past three years, is being
arranged again on the morning of Saturday 29th April, 2006 at
Maidenbower, Crawley. All NHW Coordinators will receive invitations to
attend. As well as having several presentations, the Conference gives
the opportunity for the Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent
Wayne Jones to report on progress during the past year and also look to
the future. Although not open to members of the general community,
there will be a report in the next issue of Watch Out.
A community responsibility
Solving crime is a community responsibility. Local
residents have often come across incidents that have them thinking 'I
wonder what they are up to'. The youngster trying car doors, the man
tinkering with a vehicle number plate, teenagers exchanging their
pocket money for small packets or a group running away from freshly
damaged fencing. Could they all be pointing towards a crime being
committed ? What do you do about it, who do you tell and how can you
tell them ? Is it all too easy to leave it to someone else because you
do not want to get involved or face repercussions. By taking just a
couple of minutes to make a report could mean that the community is
safer and free of crime. So why not phone Crimestoppers?
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Crimestoppers was launched 15 years ago to help with
this very issue. It guards the callers anonymity, they do not have a
1471 facility, and you may even qualify for a reward. Everyday
nationally some twenty people are arrested and charged as a result of
information given to Crimestoppers. Why not help keep your community
safe by reporting activity that may be linked to crime? Call
Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Remember that all emergencies should be
reported on 999. To call Sussex Police use the non emergency number on
0845 60 70 999.
"Are you a cartoonist ?"
Our Association is seeking help from someone who would
be able to draw / sketch a cartoon - similar to a "Giles" type - that
we want to try to use in a possible leaflet. If you have that skill, or
know someone who may be able to help, I would be very pleased to hear
from you. Contact Geoff Coe at 01444 461326 or
'Buy With Confidence' good trader scheme
West Sussex Trading Standards have officially launched a
good trader scheme called "Buy With Confidence". All businesses will
have undergone a strict vetting and auditing process to make sure they
are giving the customer a good service, complying with both the spirit
and the letter of the law. If you want a reliable roofer or your car
serviced by a reputable garage, why not contact Trading Standards
office or go to their website for a list of approved traders? If you
know of a reliable business who is committed to fair and honest trading
let them know of the scheme. Trading Standards are always on the look
out for new members. For more information call 01243 642125.
Copthorne NHW back in action
Until last year Copthorne was lucky to have a thriving
NHW scheme under the direction of Ian Whittaker but following his
departure, the NHW went into a slight decline. Now, we are pleased to
inform you that after the intervention of Peter Chatfield, a committee
has been formed and the Copthorne NHW scheme is under new management.
The committee consists of Eddie Lord, Peter Chatfield, Farug Ahmed,
Alec Neil, Roy Souter and Gary Bur-field-Wallis, the web design guru.
Gary, who works for Rogue Interactive LLP, has already made an
excellent job of the new website at: www.copthornenhw.org.uk
Copthorne NHW is most grateful for Rogue Interactive's support. To
update the information on current co-ordinators, a short questionnaire
was sent out with a 70% response including some very good ideas to
pursue. The next meeting is on 16th March at 7.30pm in the Copthorne
Village Social Club. If you feel you would like to get involved or to
become a road co-ordinator, contact Eddie Lord on 01372 714905 or email
on
Our thanks for sponsorship of Watch
Out
go to the Crime & Disorder Reduction
Partnership. Next issue
Articles for inclusion in the Summer 2006 issue of
'Watch Out' should be forwarded to either the chairman Geoffrey Coe on
email:
or to the editor, Jennie
Lisney on email:
The closing date is 20th May 2006
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