Mid Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter

Neighbourhood Policing is a term that we increasingly hear about, but does it work in Mid Sussex and does it work for you? When the police re-organisation in Sussex took place in 2003, police districts were arranged so that they covered the same geographical areas that were covered by each local authority. Within each police district Neighbourhood Police Teams (NPT) were established and in Mid Sussex we have three NPTs based in Haywards Heath, East Grinstead and Burgess Hill. Each NPT is led by an Inspector and each covers its main town and a number of surrounding villages.

The previous system where your local area was looked after by a 'community beat officer' was changed to give each village or town ward area a 'lead officer'. That lead role would be backed up by other officers in the NP Team so as to give the assurance that in the absence of the local lead officer. there would always be someone from the NP Team readily available right up to the Inspector.

The intention behind this change was to ensure that your 'neighbourhood' would have better support and contact than may have existed in the past. The 'Neighbourhood' that is embraced in the NPT is quite large with some 60,000 or so households in Mid Sussex District being covered by just three teams.

Better support

It is perhaps a bit misleading as the term 'neighbourhood' is one that most of us regard as relating to a more limited local environment. The work of each team of police officers has to be arranged so as to allow for shift working, district or divisional priorities, sickness, leave, training and the considerable time requirements that are needed to deal with crime.

NHW co-ordinators receive national awards
 

Daily speed monitoring by a dedicated group in Sharpthorne and West Hoathly has not only affected driver behaviour but also provided reassurance to local residents. Their success has encouraged other communities to form speed-watch groups.

'Friends Together' was formed in the Bentswood Ward of Haywards Heath in response to the need for three disparate residents groups in working together to tackle anti-social behaviour. 'Young Pilgrims' provide sporting and social opportunities for youngsters who would, for a variety of reasons, not engage in positive leisure activities. Their constitution and Child Protection policy confirms their commitment to equality - be that in terms of race, faith, ability or socio- economic background. The club has grown to

In a previous issue of Watch Out, Geoff Coe pointed out that the nature of crime is changing, from the more traditional view of car crime and house burglary to a more anti-social type of behaviour. The card carrying burglar has not really gone away though and is no longer the masked man wearing striped pyjamas with a bag over his shoulder marked 'Swag'. He is much more likely to sidle up to you in stealth mode and extract your money by deception.

The criminal has moved on and so must the Neighbourhood Watchers. The increasing use of the Internet has opened up unrivalled opportunities for criminals to help themselves to your hard earned and heavily taxed money. No one is more likely to look after your own money better than you are, so it is vital to watch out for nefarious transactions on the web.

As someone who uses e-bay a good deal perhaps I could be permitted to offer some general tips on bidding on e-bay, which may just prevent someone making a silly mistake. Undoubtedly the MOST important confidence booster in a particular trader (either commercial or private) is the trader's Feedback Rating. This is described in percentage terms, and it's possible to read all the feedback left by individuals after each transaction has been completed.

Time it takes

The major problem in doing this is the large amount of time it takes to wade through sometimes hundreds of entries just to get to the neutral and negative feedback so that you can make a judgement on the seller's character. Fortunately there is a website to help do this at www.toolhaus.org

Enter the traders e-bay name and you can read all the neutral and negative feedback of your prospective seller in one easy list. It can be very illuminating.

The spring conference of Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators from Mid Sussex, Crawley and Horsham took place at the Maidenbower Centre, Crawley on 29th April and was attended by some 130 members. Guests included the High Sheriff of West Sussex, Charles Fraser, Sussex Police Authority Members Ann Swain and Margaret Collins and West Sussex County Council Leader, Henry Smith.

The main presentation was given by Chief Superintendent Wayne Jones and covered a range of matters, reviewing policing of the Division in the past year, neighbourhood policing, the proposed merger of Sussex and Surrey Police forces (Ed: now put on hold by the new Home Secretary) and priorities for the year ahead.

He said that although total crime was up by 1% it was matched by increased detection rates. Overall there was least than one burglary per day over the whole district. Violent crime had increased by 5% but many were very minor.

Outside our area

There was a particular problem about criminals coming into the local districts from outside our area. There have been many instances of Satellite Navigation systems being stolen from cars. Care needed to be taken to avoid leaving obvious signs that these are installed when cars are left unattended.

During 2005 there were 30 road deaths in the North Downs Division and this is a real concern. New licensing laws have come into force and are expected to have an impact on public place violent crime.

PCSO Elaine Anscomb at the NHW Conference.

from page 2
...has worked to good effect in the parish. She was supported by a PCSO from Crawley, Ken Oldershaw and a local road co-ordinator Mary Grace, who jointly highlighted their close working in tackling local problems.

The final presentation was given jointly by Christine Hatcher, Anti Social Behaviour Co-ordinator for Horsham and Louise Sunderland, a Neighbourhood Warden based in Steyning. They gave a talk on aspects of dealing with A-SBs in both urban and rural communities.

Changed your service provider?

Calls barred or changed your service provider? You will not receive calls from Sussex Police if you have registered your phone to stop calls from barred numbers. That means if you are a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator you will not get automatic messages.

Similarly you may have stopped receiving emails from Sussex Police if you have changed your service provider. The computer that sends messages out, which is called Ringmaster, does not receive incoming mail, so all of those auto-messages showing your new address have not been picked up! Make sure that the Crime Prevention Officers have your details by calling on 0845 60 70 999 or emailing

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Name......................................................
Telephone or email................................

Out and about

Summer Crimes - new publications

Sussex Police have just produced the 'Op Sunshine' leaflets to alert householders to summer crimes including walk-in burglaries. For instance Sussex Police have leaflets describing the 2006/07 Policing Plan - Contacting Sussex Police , a new and most useful leaflet describing all the contact methods and the handling of your calls.

Theft of Satellite Navigation Systems & Tools

It takes seconds to break your vehicle window or force the door. Thieves can easily spot Sat Navs or power tools left on display. These are highly desirable items for thieves.

Fixing brackets and power cables left in vehicles also draw the thieves attention. Remove these and all items of value from display, leave the glove compartment open to show nothing is stored within.
  Security mark the Sat Nav and your other valuables.
  Make sure your vehicle is locked and alarmed.

Mid Sussex NHW are selling simple movement detectors and other security devices. See page 3 for further details.
For further information call the North Downs Crime Prevention Unit 0845 60 70 999 extension 35213/4 or e mail or Dial 999 in an emergency.

Problems with neighbours - Can they help?

Noisy or inconsiderate neighbours? Boundary or hedge disputes? Problems with pets, vehicles, ball games in the road, rubbish or bonfires? Dispute over use of common areas e.g. shared gardens? These types of disputes can escalate over time and often lead to the involvement of the local council, police, solicitors, landlords and even the courts.
Horsham District, Crawley & Mid Sussex Mediation Service, including Adur, Arun & Worthing, is a local organisation that was set up to help people.
Mediation is a way of resolving disagreements through the help of an independent 3rd party - the mediator. These mediators are trained volunteers who will not make judgements or take sides but will encourage everyone involved to find a solution that is acceptable to them all. Their aim is to bring people together to talk over their problems and difficulties. They offer a free, and confidential service.
If you think they could be of help please call them on 01403 258900. Alternatively, write to them at - Alphacom House, 8a Oakhill Road, Horsham RH13 5SB or email:

Operation Holster launched in Sussex

The police are launching a new campaign to try and cut down on the use of imitation firearms. In the past two years in Sussex there has been a noticeable increase in the number of offences involving imitation firearms, from 29 in 2003 to 98 in 2004. These offences range from violent crime to simple unlawful possession. These incidents could involve air weapons, BB guns, replicas or even toy guns but they all have one thing in common - to the passer by or observer they may appear to be a genuine firearm. Any such calls from members of the public are taken seriously and in the absence of any information, Police will respond to each and every 'firearm' incident as if it is the real thing.