North Cotswolds Local Policing Team
Bourton and Northleach Area
Your next local Neighbourhood Co-ordination Group meeting is at:
The Westwood Centre, Northleach
Tuesday 6th March 2012 at 1900hrs
Everybody welcome
Neighbourhood Co-ordination
Gloucestershire Crimestoppers
Police in the North Cotswolds are urging residents to think back over the last 48 hours and call them if they recollect any unusual behaviour or anything out of the ordinary. The request follows reports of eight burglaries overnight in the area.
The burglaries happened at two public houses, two hotels and four private homes.
Inspector for the area, Brian Clifford, said: “We believe these burglaries are connected and they are each being thoroughly investigated so that the offenders can be brought to justice.
“We’re particularly eager to hear from local residents who may have seen any suspicious or unusual activity in the areas where the burglaries happened. No matter how small or insignificant you think the information may be it could turn out to be vital to our investigation, so please make sure you contact us.”
http://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/Latest%20News/Press%20Releases/2010/September/item18189.html
Gloucester Police Crime Reduction
April 22 2010
Crime in Gloucestershire is down and confidence that the Constabulary and councils are dealing with local issues is up, according to the latest British Crime Survey and Home Office figures.
The statistics, released today (April 22), show that in the 12 months to December 2009, crime across Gloucestershire fell by 11 per cent.
This was the biggest percentage reduction in crime for the entire South West of England and only five police force areas in England and Wales recorded larger decreases……….read more
Theft of Quad Bikes in the Cotswolds
Police in the Cotswold’s and Stroud are continuing to remind quad bike owners to pay attention to the security of their vehicle following the theft of four quad bikes across the division in the last few weeks.
On March 12 two quad bikes and a trailer were stolen from the Bourton on the Water area. A quad bike, trailer and pressure washer were stolen from Compton Abdale on March 16. A fourth quad bike, a red Honda, was reported as stolen from a tool shed in Berkeley on March 27.
PC Mark Godsland, Divisional Crime Prevention Design Advisor for the area said; “Quad bikes are not only used for recreation but also as a valuable part of modern day farming. However, they can be a valuable commodity for thieves and it’s therefore very important that owners make sure that they are secured properly. We are carrying out general patrols in these and other areas and carrying out proactive stop checks when appropriate to deter, disrupt and detect criminal activity.”
“A number of different products are available to secure quad bikes, including a drive on clamp ramp and various padlocks and chains. However, these items should be used in addition to simple crime prevention methods such as making sure the ignition key is removed and ensuring that the garage or shed it’s in is kept locked.”
More information about crime prevention methods is available on the crime reduction pages of the Gloucestershire Constabulary website, or you can contact your local Crime Reduction Officer on 0845 090 1234.
Scambusters – your guide to beating the scammers!
A scam is a scheme designed to con you out of your cash. There’s a scam out there for everyone. If you
let down your guard and think that you won’t be fooled, then you too could become a victim.
Scammers are becoming more sophisticated and aim to con us all. Bogus sweepstakes and lotteries, get-rich quick schemes and fake health cures are some of the favoured means of separating the unwary from their money.
But the number of scams just keeps on growing. If you think you have been the victim of a scam,
or suspect a scam, see the back page for what to do. No matter how small the amount of money
you have lost. It is important that the scamsters are stopped.
Distraction Burglaries
Distraction burglary is a despicable crime as the offenders target the most vulnerable members of our society; these people will try anything to trick their way into victim’s homes.
“We the Police will, of course, do all we can to locate the offenders and to investigate this matter fully as we continue to crack down on distraction burglaries across Gloucestershire.
“We would urge members of the public to take extra care of their elderly neighbors simply by watching out for anyone suspicious loitering around or perhaps challenging someone you don’t recognise calling at an elderly neighbor’s house.
“Gloucestershire Constabulary is working with vulnerable and elderly people to make them aware of the methods of distraction burglaries and advise them what to do if a stranger calls, but we need your help. Working together we can ensure vulnerable members of our community are safe and those who prey on them are locked up.”
Crime Prevention advice –
The following simple steps will help reduce the possibility of being targeted by bogus callers:
- If someone knocks on your door check who it is by looking through a window or peep hole.
- If it is not someone you know or trust or a business caller who has made a pre-arranged appointment, do not open the door.
- This advice applies whatever uniform the caller appears to be wearing or ID card they are carrying and however urgent their business claims to be.
- Tell unexpected callers to leave and come back later at an agreed time when you can have someone with you.
- In the meantime, check their credentials by calling the organisation they claim to represent. Do so by looking up the number in the phone book rather than relying on the one on their card as this could simply put you through to an accomplice of a potential offender.
- Genuine staff from utility companies won’t mind waiting while you do this or will call back later
- Watch if the caller appears to be in a hurry and never feel pressured or embarrassed into letting someone in.
- The golden rule is ‘if in doubt, keep them out’.
We would like to take this opportunity to urge the community to contact Police immediately if they are suspicious of people calling at their house. We would much rather receive calls of suspicious circumstances that turn out to be legitimate than see the residents of Gloucestershire become victims of bogus callers.
Officers from your local Safer Community Team are available to offer you further crime prevention advice. If you would like to meet a local officer contact Gloucestershire Constabulary on 0845 090 1234.