Mid Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter

THE world around us has a wide variety of means of communicating an amazing quantity of information to us in sophisticated and almost instant ways. Yet, quite often, what you need to know can be difficult to secure when you actually need it. "When is our delayed holiday flight leaving?"; "Is my train affected by snow on the line?" and so on. And even if you can get a telephone connection rather than an engaged signal, you are quite likely to get a voice from your public utility or numerous other bodies telling you "all our advisers are busy... your call will be attended to shortly".

Even the Sussex Police general call number on 0845 60 70 999 can cause delays and problems despite its frequent upgrade.
Many years ago information about crime and criminals might have largely depended upon this being obtained from your local bobby, provided you met up with him, or possibly from local paper reports or more likely from local gossip.

For a number of years Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) road scheme coordinators have had some of this information sent to them by the "Ringmaster" system which automatically despatches messages by phone or more recently by e-mail. The equipment for this system is now somewhat out-of-date and last summer the Sussex Police Authority prepared a report directed towards improving communication with NHW, and with the general public, building on the success of a local initiative in Hastings that has developed a contact base of some 8,000 people who could be given daily information (when appropriate) about local crime, etc.

Contact base

Further views about this are awaited, but the task of creating a contact base for tens of thousands of people is enormous and costly. One cannot ignore the implications of the further cutback of funding to Sussex Police that the Home Office has dictated. It is appreciated that many people will not want to receive numerous messages about criminal activity, etc, but they may like to know about matters that are of local significance and as yet there is no ready answer to providing this.

North Downs NHW Search

The North Downs Search Team has received good media reporting about its exercise in February and there is more news on pages two and three of this issue. Police Search and Rescue adviser and training police officer Geoff Bennett told the Search Team AGM that the exercise was a great success. A short DVD entitled 'Operation Foil' of the exercise was shown to members. Both SUSSAR - (Sussex Search and Rescue) and the Lowland Search Dogs Team joined the exercise (pictured) and it is hoped that good links with both these bodies can be developed.

THE City of London Police is currently investigating a number of frauds involving the mass sale of worthless or fake shares to customers over the telephone. This type of fraud is known as a 'Boiler Room' fraud. The problem is now increasing at an alarming rate with victims losing their life savings in their thousands.

The typical victims of such a fraud are usually over 50 years old and have some money to invest. The amount of money that victims lose are dependant on how much they are willing to risk and varies from £1000 to £500,000. The City of London Police have therefore asked us to assist them in raising awareness to prevent you from becoming a victim.

Boiler rooms get their name because of the high pressure selling techniques used to sell their product. Their operations are usually based overseas, often in Spain, but they may use UK addresses, agents and bank accounts to make themselves appear to be legitimate. They may also use modern telephone technology to appear to be calling from the UK. They make their money by ringing UK investors, without invitation, and selling shares to them. These shares, if they exist, often carry very high risk and may be worth a lot less than you pay.

The sales staff are well trained and very persuasive and will use numerous techniques to convince you that they are genuine. They can be very persistent, never taking 'no' for an answer. They phone their victims every day until they finally make a sale. The reality is that once you have parted with your money you will either receive certificates for worthless shares or never receive anything at all.

Mobile Phone law changed
New Legislation to increase the penalty for using a handheld phone whilst driving has now come into force.

If you accept a roadside fixed penalty notice, you will receive three points on your licence and a fine of £60. If a case goes to court, in addition to points, you could face discretionary disqualification on top of a maximum fine of £1,000 (or £2,500 in the case of drivers of buses/coaches and goods vehicles).

Why are the penalties going up? Research has shown that if you are using a mobile phone whilst driving, you are four times more likely to have a crash. In fact, if you use any type of mobile, be it hands free or hands held, reaction times are worse than if you were driving under the influence of alcohol. It is dangerous because a telephone conversation (or texting) distracts from the mental concentration needed to drive safely. You put yourself and other road users at risk.

Are there any exceptions? There is an exception for calls to 999 or 112 in a genuine emergency where it would be unsafe or impractical to stop. Two-way radios are not covered by this offence but other devices for sending or receiving data are included if they are held while driving, i.e. a PDA, Blackberry or similar device.

So, what is the law about mobile phones while driving? It is illegal to drive a vehicle or ride a motorbike and use a hand held mobile or similar device. It is also illegal to supervise a learner and use a hand-held phone.

Hands-free phones are a distraction and you risk prosecution for not having proper control of a vehicle, if the police see you driving badly while using one.

Search and Rescue cont'd

Training will run all year, for anyone who is interested in joining the Neighbourhood Watch Search Team.

Lowlands Search Dogs - Sussex is part of the Lowlands search dog (the national organisation) and the Association of Lowlands Search and Rescue (ALSAR).
Currently there are eight dogs in the team of a variety of breeds; three Australian Kelpies, two border collies, one Patterdale terrier and two Jack Russells. Three of the dogs are qualified and operational. All the dogs are family pets and are trained by their owners. A dog team normally consists of three personnel: a dog handler and two others.

They are currently recruiting. They are especially looking for those who have an interest in playing a support role. All that is required is an interest in map reading, radio communication, first aid (not essential) and most importantly a commitment to looking for missing people.
Dog handlers need to have a keen interest in training their dogs. This requires considerable time and patience as it takes 18 months or more to train a dog to an operational standard. The dog can be of any breed but it must be well socialised with both people and other dogs, have learnt basic control (good recall and safe with stock and wild life) and have a strong play drive. They are happy to give advice to anyone about the suitability of his or her dog.
They are always looking for people who will hide for them (as a missing person). It is important that the dogs have people they don't know to search for when training. Most training sessions take place on a Sunday afternoon across East and West Sussex.

Anyone interested can contact: secretary Annette Sawyer at: or call on 07920 485008.

Shed Alarm
3 way alarm incorporates movement detector and chime
Cost: £12 each

Driveway Alarm
For use on driveway / outhouse to alert you to visitor
Cost: £20 each

Vehicle Alarm
(not shown)
Cost: £20 each

Personal Attack Alarms
Two silver alarms shown are supplied with a key ring. Choose from the new louder and larger (10cm) style or the compact version.

Cost: £5 each either large or compact

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Out and about

Identity theft is on the increase

Identity theft is not new but has been on the increase and it is worth taking a few simple precautions to avoid this happening to you. Your address and personal details can be obtained very easily from letters, public utility accounts and even bank statements that are discarded without care. Do cut these up before putting with your waste, if possible using a shredder, but at least ensuring that account or credit card numbers cannot be read or copied.

Using your credit or debit card in a "reader" when making a purchase should be done carefully so as to screen the entry of your "pin" from the eyes of someone nearby.

The possibility of you being a victim may be quite unlikely, but it does happen.

Smoke Alarms

Our local Fire and Rescue Service ask us to remind you that regular checks of your smoke alarm should be made by pressing the test button to ensure that the battery is still working. A weekly check is advised and although batteries do last quite a long time it is best to ensure regular replacement is undertaken. Even if a major fire is a small risk the damage caused by smoke can be quite extensive and costly to rectify. And remember that it is usually smoke that kills, not fire.

Unscheduled Callers at the Door

It is important to be alert to unscheduled callers who may especially target elderly and vulnerable householders. Of course not all unexpected callers are those with some criminal intent in mind, however you should be on guard, both for yourself and perhaps your neighbour, so that any caller who is of the unwelcome kind is well aware that you are vigilant and assertive rather than a possible victim.

The following list contains a number of suggestions to keep in mind:

1. When you are aware there is someone at the door, stop and think about whether you are expecting someone. Keep in mind that a genuine visitor will be happy to wait while you take your time.

2. Lock doors (back or patio for instance) that you are not using to receive this caller.

3. Use door viewer or window to see if you recognise the caller.

4. If in doubt keep them out, don't even open the door. Use the nominated neighbour card or point to the door sticker if you have these.

5. Always use the door chain or doorbar even if you know your caller; this will establish good practice and ensure that cautionary procedure is second nature.

6. Ask for ID but remember it is very easy to make a plausible ID cheaply and quickly on home computers. ID must be verifiable. If you are in doubt phone the company to check the caller is genuine.

7. Reduce the number of callers you are likely to encounter by registering for 'self-read' utility meters and/or registering a Careline password. Discuss these options with your electricity, gas and water provider.

The police do want to hear from you when you have problems at the door. If you are a 'Lifeline' alarm customer press the alarm button to get help otherwise dial 999 in an emergency otherwise dial 0845 60 70 999.

More information on dealing with bogus callers.