Pocklington Policing update March 2017

Pocklington Policing update March 2017

1. Priority

Issue: Pocklington Town Centre area (Evenings):

Throughout March we are to continue our high visibility patrols of the Pocklington Town Centre area to deter potential anti-social behaviour. These patrols include regular checks on peripheral areas at Pocklington Infants’ School, Maxwell Road (periodic reports of criminal damage and youths causing annoyance), All Saints Church (periodic reports of anti-social behaviour on an evening), the Tennis Club (reports of anti-social behaviour, (ASB)) and town car parks (reports of low level anti-social behaviour). Criminal offenders will be challenged robustly, arrested or reported for summons. Penalty Notices for Disorder or warning letters may be used in appropriate cases however, those who offend should expect to be arrested and dealt with if their anti social behaviour amounts to criminal offending.  The exercise of discretion should not be expected.

2. Community Priorities: to target Poaching, Rural Crime and reduce Criminal damage and ASB

1. Pocklington Farmwatch, Poaching & Wildlife Crime

The aim of this crime reduction initiative is to deter and prevent rural crime and increase links with partnership agencies and local landowners to provide a rural watch scheme to further prevent and deter crime. The victims are often in isolated locations and the key objective is to engage with these isolated members of the rural community. Operation Galileo is a poaching initiative that is ongoing, covering a large area which is now being monitored by PCSO Cliffe.

2. Pocklington – Vehicle related nuisance

To reduce anti-social behaviour (ASB) and its impact on the communities within the Pocklington area as well as taking positive action against offenders who cause ASB with their vehicles.  Hotspot areas in Pocklington will be checked regularly and any drivers using their cars to cause alarm or distress will be considered for warnings and possible seizure of their vehicles under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act.  (One section 59 warning has recently been issued.)

3. Examples of crimes in your area

• Access was gained into a van in the Barmby Moor area and items stolen from the footwell.
• The rear windscreen of a car parked on a drive in Barmby Moor was damaged – no access was gained.
• A door and several benches have been damaged at the Tennis Club.
• A property on a building site was broken into and items stolen.
• 2 bicycles were stolen from outside a property in Barmby Moor.

4. News and Appeals

SHED AND GARAGE SECURITY

Often the security of gardens and the outbuildings in them are forgotten about while people focus on ensuring their homes are safe. However by making a few modifications, sheds and garages, along with the equipment stored in them can be made more secure.

So if you haven’t assessed your security for some time then we would urge you to look at your sheds, garages and outbuildings and see how secure they really are. Do you need a better lock, an alarm, lighting, or even CCTV?  Below are some areas to consider:

• Make sure your shed or garage is secured with a good quality lock.  Consider bolting a pad-bolt to your door with domed coach bolts and large penny washers and nuts with nylon inserts on the inside, instead of simple screws which can be easily prised through soft or rotten wood. Use 2 pad bolts spaced evenly for better security. Use large, good quality padlocks with hardened steel shanks.
• Use the same methods for fixing hinges as with the pad-bolts, if the hinges are small, use security screws which can’t be unscrewed.
• Keep back gates locked when not used.
• Do you have security/motion sensor lights? They can be a great deterrent if your home or garden is secluded from street lighting.
• Garden tools, DIY equipment and leisure items such as fishing and golf equipment should be locked away in storage cupboards within outbuildings to form a second line of defence to thieves.
• Motorbike and pedal cycles should also be locked even when they are in a shed or garage.
• Many shed/garage windows are never used, if this is the case – why not screw them shut. Fitting mesh or steel bars across the window from the inside allows light to enter but means the thief has to go to a lot of trouble to remove them. Replace broken glass with laminated glass.
• If you have a household alarm consider extending it to cover your outbuildings, fit a bespoke shed/garage alarm or buy an inexpensive, but effective battery operated shed alarm.  Anything which makes a loud noise will send a thief running!
• As well as protecting property in sheds and garages, people can also stop thieves stealing plants by using heavy plant pots which will be less desirable to walk off with.
• For reference record a description and add photographs of your cycles, golf clubs, fishing equipment, tools and any other valuable property on www.immobilise.com

Finally when you're out in your garden, ensure your house is secure to prevent “sneak in” burglars from taking advantage of an open door or window as opportunistic criminals are always on the lookout!