Press Release
“Stop Making Life Easy for the Burglar”
An astonishing sixty five per cent of all burglaries reported in Crewe during April involved the burglar simply walking through an unlocked door.
Police say they find it hard to understand why so many people are leaving their homes wide open to crime. They have issued another warning to people to lock up.
Nineteen of 29 burglaries in Crewe during April were sneak-ins. The burglar had to do no more than press the door handle and push the door open. Fifteen of these were carried out late at night, mostly while the family were asleep upstairs.
Detective Inspector Nigel Groom, in charge of the Cheshire Police Eastern Area Burglary Unit said, “Carelessness on this scale is difficult to understand.
“We have been living for some time with a situation where a third of all burglaries in this area are carried out through insecure doors. That is bad enough, but these latest figures in Crewe almost double that rate.
“We are running an active campaign to encourage people to lock up. We have backed this up with repeated warnings about the number of burglaries involving insecure premises.
“Although the situation in some parts of the Area has improved, many people in Crewe seem to leave their doors unlocked as a matter of routine and even go to bed without turning the key.
“They should realize that there are criminals who specialize in this type of burglary. They prowl the streets, nipping in and out of gardens and checking doors, just to find one which is unlocked. When they do, it means you are going to loose cash, cards, laptops, games consoles, jewellery and anything else which the burglar can lay his hands on and carry away easily.
“And you can usually forget about claiming off the insurance. Most insurance companies will now refuse to pay up in any case where they find- or even suspect- that the property has been left insecure. It’s not hard to understand their point of view. Anyone who leaves a door unlocked is just declaring their property “open house” to a criminal.
“Our advice is to keep doors locked at all times- whether you are outside or in the house- and always check all the doors and windows before you go to bed.
“We have a lot of success identifying and arresting burglars and in collecting evidence to convict them but we would prefer that the burglaries do not happen in the first place. As crime prevention devices, a lock and key can be very effective, as long as they are used.
“A lot of people obviously feel ‘it can’t happen to me’. I have to tell them ‘it can and does.’”
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Distraction Burglary - Crewe
Please be aware of a recent distraction burglary that took place in the Coppenhall area of Crewe between 13:50 & 14:15 on 13/04/2010. I am circulating this to all coordinators in Crewe & Nantwich as I would like everyone to be aware of this and make neighbours/family members aware, particularly if you know people who may be more vulnerable to this type of crime. It is worth being mindful that these types of crime can happen over the whole area and people who operate in this crime often operate during daylight hours. As such if people see any suspicious behaviour in relation to people knocking on doors and loitering i an area please make the police aware via 0845 458 0000.
A male approaches the back door of the property and opens the door to speak to the occupier. He states that they are working in a house nearby and need to check the water pipes. He is allowed in to the property and this male asks the occupier to run the taps upstairs whilst he remains downstairs. He then went upstairs and told occupier someone else was downstairs. When occupier went down and looked for second male he had made off through entry point and had removed items, including cash, from different rooms within the house whilst he had been in the property.
Description: Offender has been described as 5 ft 7, white male, slim build, short dark hair, early 20's, he was wearing a navy blue bomber jacket, with lighter coloured gloves, trousers and shoes.
A male approaches the back door of the property and opens the door to speak to the occupier. He states that they are working in a house nearby and need to check the water pipes. He is allowed in to the property and this male asks the occupier to run the taps upstairs whilst he remains downstairs. He then went upstairs and told occupier someone else was downstairs. When occupier went down and looked for second male he had made off through entry point and had removed items, including cash, from different rooms within the house whilst he had been in the property.
Description: Offender has been described as 5 ft 7, white male, slim build, short dark hair, early 20's, he was wearing a navy blue bomber jacket, with lighter coloured gloves, trousers and shoes.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Crewe & Nantwich Policing News - March 2010
Improving Safety Year-on-year reductions in East Cheshire’s crime figures demonstrate the strength of policing here, says the Cheshire Police Eastern Area crime manager, Detective Chief Inspector Darren Hebden. Nearly three thousand fewer people were victims of crime in 2009-10 than in the previous 12 months. Since Cheshire Police re-organized in 2005 crime in Eastern Area is down by thirty per cent. DCI Hebden said the continuing improvement is due to targeting of criminals responsible for burglary, theft and other offences, allied to work done by Neighbourhood Policing Teams in partnership with other agencies. “East Cheshire is a safer place than it was and is becoming even more safe”, he said.
Bottom to Top Cheshire Constabulary is now number one in the league table which reflects people’s satisfaction with policing services. Less than three years ago the force was in last place. The introduction of Customer Service Desks has played a major part in the improvement. Last year Eastern CSD contacted 50,000 victims of crime or anti social behaviour by telephone, voicemail or letter. It is recognized by other Police Forces as a model of customer service and is used for pilot projects and fact-finding visits.
Lock-up Warning as Burglar Gaoled Police Officers said the case of a man who carried out more than twenty sneak-in burglaries in Congleton underlined their repeated warnings to people to lock up. The man was sent to prison for three and a half years. Detective Constable Darren Harper said, “We put a lot of time and effort into catching people like this and collecting evidence against them, but one third of all burglaries in this area involve the criminal simply walking through an unlocked door. People must accept responsibility for the security of their own homes.”
Hitting the Right Note Police Officers made it clear they would not allow drunken hooligans to disrupt the Nantwich Jazz, Blues and Music Festival over the Easter Weekend. Inspector Bob Hassall, in charge of Nantwich Neighbourhood Policing Unit said, “We have powers to stop people drinking in the streets, where appropriate and we will order people out of town when necessary. Thousands of people come into town to enjoy the festival and we will not allow that to be spoiled by a few who see it as an excuse for drunken violence.” Cheshire East Council assisted with staff so that a CCTV facility could be monitored throughout the festival.
Message for Irresponsible Drivers Police say a custodial sentence imposed on a teenage driver who made off after a collision should send a clear message to other drivers who ignore the law. A baby travelling in another vehicle was injured in the collision, which happened after the 17 year old stole drink from a shop in Sandbach and headed towards Middlewich. At South Cheshire Youth Court he was sentenced to six months in a Young Offenders Institution after admitting driving while disqualified, driving without due care, failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic collision, failing to report a road traffic collision, driving without insurance and shoplifting.
Purse Dipper Warning Shoppers in Crewe town centre were warned to protect themselves against pickpockets after a series of purse and bag thefts. Police Community Support Officer Paula Davies said, “There are simple precautions people can take to beat purse-dippers. Being aware of the danger and keeping alert is the key thing. We are on patrol in the town centre and anyone who wants advice can talk to us.”
Campus Surgeries Weekly Police surgeries have been introduced for nearly three thousand students on the Crewe campus of Manchester Metropolitan University. Police Community Support Officers Ainsley Threadgold and Colin Charlesworth say that, among other things, they will provide a bridge between students and the local community. Ainsley said, “We can give the students some insight into their effect on other people and let people outside know about difficulties the students might face. The parking problem in streets around the University is one issue where that might help.”
Hitting the (Long) Trail Dan Bennett, a Personal Safety Trainer for Cheshire Police Eastern Area is currently trekking 2,178 miles on foot along the mountainous and rugged Appalachian Trail in the United States. Dan-a former soldier- is making the journey with his brother to raise money for the Help the Heroes appeal. “Home” for five months is a tiny light-weight tent and he expects to lose at least two stone in weight. “Before and after pictures of some people who make this journey are so different you can’t recognize that it’s the same person,” he says. Dan’s progress is recorded on a website www.aquonelogcabinrentals.com/AT.html
Bottom to Top Cheshire Constabulary is now number one in the league table which reflects people’s satisfaction with policing services. Less than three years ago the force was in last place. The introduction of Customer Service Desks has played a major part in the improvement. Last year Eastern CSD contacted 50,000 victims of crime or anti social behaviour by telephone, voicemail or letter. It is recognized by other Police Forces as a model of customer service and is used for pilot projects and fact-finding visits.
Lock-up Warning as Burglar Gaoled Police Officers said the case of a man who carried out more than twenty sneak-in burglaries in Congleton underlined their repeated warnings to people to lock up. The man was sent to prison for three and a half years. Detective Constable Darren Harper said, “We put a lot of time and effort into catching people like this and collecting evidence against them, but one third of all burglaries in this area involve the criminal simply walking through an unlocked door. People must accept responsibility for the security of their own homes.”
Hitting the Right Note Police Officers made it clear they would not allow drunken hooligans to disrupt the Nantwich Jazz, Blues and Music Festival over the Easter Weekend. Inspector Bob Hassall, in charge of Nantwich Neighbourhood Policing Unit said, “We have powers to stop people drinking in the streets, where appropriate and we will order people out of town when necessary. Thousands of people come into town to enjoy the festival and we will not allow that to be spoiled by a few who see it as an excuse for drunken violence.” Cheshire East Council assisted with staff so that a CCTV facility could be monitored throughout the festival.
Message for Irresponsible Drivers Police say a custodial sentence imposed on a teenage driver who made off after a collision should send a clear message to other drivers who ignore the law. A baby travelling in another vehicle was injured in the collision, which happened after the 17 year old stole drink from a shop in Sandbach and headed towards Middlewich. At South Cheshire Youth Court he was sentenced to six months in a Young Offenders Institution after admitting driving while disqualified, driving without due care, failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic collision, failing to report a road traffic collision, driving without insurance and shoplifting.
Purse Dipper Warning Shoppers in Crewe town centre were warned to protect themselves against pickpockets after a series of purse and bag thefts. Police Community Support Officer Paula Davies said, “There are simple precautions people can take to beat purse-dippers. Being aware of the danger and keeping alert is the key thing. We are on patrol in the town centre and anyone who wants advice can talk to us.”
Campus Surgeries Weekly Police surgeries have been introduced for nearly three thousand students on the Crewe campus of Manchester Metropolitan University. Police Community Support Officers Ainsley Threadgold and Colin Charlesworth say that, among other things, they will provide a bridge between students and the local community. Ainsley said, “We can give the students some insight into their effect on other people and let people outside know about difficulties the students might face. The parking problem in streets around the University is one issue where that might help.”
Hitting the (Long) Trail Dan Bennett, a Personal Safety Trainer for Cheshire Police Eastern Area is currently trekking 2,178 miles on foot along the mountainous and rugged Appalachian Trail in the United States. Dan-a former soldier- is making the journey with his brother to raise money for the Help the Heroes appeal. “Home” for five months is a tiny light-weight tent and he expects to lose at least two stone in weight. “Before and after pictures of some people who make this journey are so different you can’t recognize that it’s the same person,” he says. Dan’s progress is recorded on a website www.aquonelogcabinrentals.com/AT.html
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Cheshire Police Ranked Top in Country
Number One for Public Satisfaction
Cheshire Constabulary has topped the UK’s rankings for public satisfaction, incredibly this comes only three years after Cheshire was ranked worst in the UK for the same measure.
Deputy Chief Constable Graeme Gerrard said: “We have achieved this through a variety of measures that has put service for victims and witnesses right at the core of policing services in Cheshire.”
To improve the service to victims and witnesses the Constabulary looked at a number of different areas to see what could be done differently to give a better service. Particular areas, highlighted by members of the public as being a priority, where looked at. For example; having access to officers on days and at times to suit victims needs, being updated regularly on what was happening with the crime they had reported and when needed, responding in a timely manner.
Graeme added: “We made changes to the way in which we work in a number of areas. Members of the public who contacted us, and their enquiry did not require an officer to attend straight away, were offered an appointment to see an officer at a location and time to suit their requirements.
“This was key because it not only gave people what they wanted, but it also freed up police officer time to improve the response to 999 calls. The appointment system achieved this by cutting the time spent by officers turning up to peoples homes when they were not in.
“Another area we improved was contact with victims and witnesses. We introduced service desks whose primary role is to contact victims and witnesses and keep them updated about progress in their case. This is a prime example of the ‘You said, we did’ approach. The public said we were not meeting the needs of victims and we had to change and we responded by using the feedback to shape service delivery.
Cheshire Constabulary has topped the UK’s rankings for public satisfaction, incredibly this comes only three years after Cheshire was ranked worst in the UK for the same measure.
Deputy Chief Constable Graeme Gerrard said: “We have achieved this through a variety of measures that has put service for victims and witnesses right at the core of policing services in Cheshire.”
To improve the service to victims and witnesses the Constabulary looked at a number of different areas to see what could be done differently to give a better service. Particular areas, highlighted by members of the public as being a priority, where looked at. For example; having access to officers on days and at times to suit victims needs, being updated regularly on what was happening with the crime they had reported and when needed, responding in a timely manner.
Graeme added: “We made changes to the way in which we work in a number of areas. Members of the public who contacted us, and their enquiry did not require an officer to attend straight away, were offered an appointment to see an officer at a location and time to suit their requirements.
“This was key because it not only gave people what they wanted, but it also freed up police officer time to improve the response to 999 calls. The appointment system achieved this by cutting the time spent by officers turning up to peoples homes when they were not in.
“Another area we improved was contact with victims and witnesses. We introduced service desks whose primary role is to contact victims and witnesses and keep them updated about progress in their case. This is a prime example of the ‘You said, we did’ approach. The public said we were not meeting the needs of victims and we had to change and we responded by using the feedback to shape service delivery.
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