It appears to consist of household rubbish, viz. pieces of carpets, clothing, shoes, a swivel chair, assorted plastic, old car foot mats, wood and garden rubbish.

RECENT INCIDENT  AT JOHN LEWIS STORE, BLUEWATER

A woman visited the toilet in John Lewis @ Blue water and hung her handbag on the back of the toilet door. As she carried on about her business, a hand suddenly appeared over the  top of the stall and grabbed her bag clean off the hook!!!

She immediately reported the incident to the head of security, who in turn informed the manager of the store. A couple of days later she had a call from the head of security to say her bag had been found without her purse. So she arranged a convenient time to go and meet the manager to collect her things.

On arriving at the John Lewis store at the agreed time, the manager was not expecting her & neither was the head of security. No one from the store had actually called her as the bag had still not been found.

When the lady got home, her house had been burgled with no sign of forced entry. The Police believe the robbers had used her Driving License for the address and her keys to let themselves in!
 
This is real - it isn't just a scaremongering story. Many will be so shocked at how complex bag snatching crime has become.
 
Please be extra vigilant ladies AND gents (with your man bags) there are a lot of desperate criminals out there!
PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO ALL YOUR CONTACTS SO WORD GETS AROUND

Message Received from a Henham Resident
27th July 2011

Police are warning the public to check labels carefully when taking delivery of parcels at their homes. A new scam has come to their notice whereby parcels are being delivered to residences with the labels showing a correct address, but an unknown name. Soon after the delivery, usually the following day, a woman visits the address saying she believes a parcel intended for her has been delivered there by mistake.  The woman takes the parcel and is not seen again.

Within a few days, occupants of the address start to receive paperwork, often including payment demands for the parcel.  The woman is described as in her 20s, large build and approximately 5’5” tall. She has ‘significant red hair’.

Even if you are expecting a delivery, make sure the label is correctly addressed to you or a member of your household. If you are not expecting a parcel, carefully inspect the label and if there are any discrepancies in the details, you must consider declining the delivery.

If this has happened to you, or you have any information about the scam, please contact Sergeant Rivers on 01234 841212 or text 07786 200011, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously if preferred, on 0800 555111.

Neighbourhood Watch - 5th July 2011

Crime Reduction Advice

Thieves have made off with several thousand pounds-worth of tools and equipment from shed burglaries across the Uttlesford district,

and local Crime Reduction Advisor, Peter Caulfield, warns that these offences could continue for the foreseeable future.

"In the past," he said, "shed break-ins have usually been confined to Autumn and Spring, but now all the signs point to them continuing through the year, and as usual, they generally happen overnight."

Mr Caulfield said that thieves usually target insecure or poorly maintained sheds, but in some of the recent offences, the sheds had reasonable security in place, which suggests that the thieves were unusually determined.

Here are his "Top-Ten Tips" for keeping your property in your possession, not the burglar's:

Site your shed as close to the house as possible.

To prevent snooping, white-out the windows or fit net curtains

If you have opening windows in your shed, then screw them shut.

Fit a "close-shackled" padlock and a heavy-duty hasp and staple. Do not use screws, but ensure that they are bolted in place. If you have a substantial door, then fit a 5-lever mortise lock certified to  BS3621.

Drill out the hinge screws so that they cannot be easily removed.

If the door is suitable, fit hinge-bolts. they are inexpensive and easy to fit. 

Secure tools, mowers, cycles etc with a steel security cable.

Visibly mark all removable items with your house number or name, and postcode.

Fit a shed alarm. These cost from £6.00 to around £25 and can provide great peace of mind.

Do not think that it can't happen to you - it can happen to anyone.
 

Peter also offers a word of caution about external movement-activated lighting. "These lights are very common now, but they are of little use if no one reacts to its activation. All too often someone's first thought will be that an animal may have activated it, not that there might be an intruder! If you intend to install one, try to find the type that includes a buzzer-plug that will alert you. Obviously, to cut down on false activations, you should try to adjust the settings so that the light only reacts to the movement of large objects.

Further information about locks, padlocks and other security measures, can be obtained from Peter by contacting him via the new non-emergency number 101, and asking for extension 395387

Any information, please telephone Essex Police on 03003334444 or Crimestoppers on 0800555111

PC 3041 Alison Rumbold
Temporary Uttlesford Watch Administrator
Saffron Walden Police Station
East St
Saffron Walden
CB10 1LX
Tel No: 03003334444 extn:395388
E-mail: 3041@essex.pnn.police.uk

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH ALERT 16th May 2011

We are having a bit of a hard time with thefts of bicycles at the moment, especially from outside shops. The most recent ones have mostly been padlocked as well, but they are cutting the padlocks and chains, so please be very careful where you leave your bikes at the moment. We do currently have two youths on bail regarding thefts of bikes, pending further enquiries.

Below are a few items of interest that have happened locally over the last week:

Dwelling burglary, Bush End, Takeley, Bishops Stortford,
Between 2200hrs on 09/5/11 and 0600hrs on 10/5/11, someone has gained entry to a property believed by a rear conservatory door. No damage was caused. A Bang and Olufson Beovision Tv, an alluminium Tv stand and a Sony handicam were stolen.

Dwelling burglary, Dunmow rd, Hatfield Broad Oak, Bishops Stortford,
Between 2200hrs on 14/5/11 and 0830hrs on 15/5/11, someone has entered the property by forcing the front door causing damage to the wooden door frame. A John Lewis sewing machine and an Ibanez, sunburst, bass guitar and guitar equipment, was stolen. They have then entered 4 outbuildings and removed a number of tools, gardening equipment and a number of equestrian items.

Attempt theft, St Marys Church, Henham,
Between 1200hrs on 12/5/11 and 2359hrs on 13/5/11, someone has attempted to remove lead from the roof, and has caused damage to it.

Dwelling burglary, Chelmsford rd, Hatfield Heath, Bishops Stortford,
Between 1930hrs on 9/5/11 and 0920hrs on 10/5/11, someone has entered a property by forcing open a rear kitchen window causing minor damage, and has removed a pillow case from a bed, and then removed a number of items of jewellery and cash.

Criminal damage, Viridor Waste management, Henham rd, Elsenham,
Between 1700hrs on 13/5/11 and 0630hrs on 16/5/11, someone has caused damage to a large white metal generator by ripping out the wires and cutting the fuel lines.

Theft from a motor vehicle, Recreation ground, Stansted,
Between 1500hrs on 11/5/11 and 0420hrs on 12/5/11, someone has removed the number plates from a red Honda Civic, by unscrewing them.

Dwelling burglary, Palmer close, Stansted,
Between 1000hrs and 1100hrs on 12/5/11, someone has entered a property by forcing a UPVC ground floor kitchen window. A search was made in the main bedroom and the lounge. A Panasonic 42" TV, a M & G music system and a number of items of jewellery were stolen.

If you have any information regarding the above incidents, please telephone Essex Police on 03003334444 or Crimestoppers on 0800555111

Many thanks

Information Received from Henham Village Resident Pat Russell regarding  stolen puppies.

Pat Russell  - Editor The Link Labrador Rescue South East and Central

patrussell@hotmail.co.uk

Subject: STOLEN GUNDOG - A WHOLE LITTER
Date: Thu, 5 May 2011 11:11:43 +0100

Dorney, Berkshire, someone has stolen this WHOLE LITTER!!!! Please make them too hot to handle!
 A litter of 5 week old working gundog Labrador pups were stolen from an address in Dorney, South Buckinghamshire overnight Mon 02/05/11.
 There are 7 yellow labs (3 bitches & 4 dogs) and 4 black labs (1 bitch & 3 dogs). Not  micro-chipped.
 PC 1803 Graham Johnstone. Call 0845 8505505 with crime ref. GD2161955/11

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH ALERT 13th April 2011

Please be aware that distraction thefts in supermarket car parks are still occurring. We had a couple in our district last year but in recent weeks there have been several more within the Central Division. The details of the most recent are shown below.

Please familiarise yourselves with their methods and be very careful when entering PIN details at ATMS or at the check-outs. Be alert to strangers asking for assistance in the car parks as it could well be a ploy to distract you whilst your purse, wallet or handbag is being stolen.

Reported to police yesterday.

Between 1:15pm and 1:30pm on April 11, 2011, a man approached a woman in her sixties in the car park of Tesco, Fullbridge, and placed a large map on the bonnet of her car, asking for directions to Manchester.  When the woman returned home, she discovered that a bank card had been stolen from her bag, which was in her car when she spoke to the unidentified man.  The woman contacted her bank to get the card stopped, and was informed that an attempt had recently been made to withdraw money from her account, but it had failed because the wrong PIN was entered – presumably by the unknown suspects. The unidentified suspect is described as a white man with a darker complexion, with short, dark brown, hair, around 20-30 years old, of stocky build, wearing a blue and white striped shirt and jeans. 

Between 1:45pm and 2pm on April 11, 2011, an unidentified man approached a woman in her 70s in the car park of The Grove shopping centre, Witham, and asked for directions to Leicester.  Whilst the woman was distracted, it is believed that a second suspect stole a bank card from her bag which was in the back seat of her unlocked car.  The unidentified suspects only stole the card, not the purse or handbag, so that the woman did not immediately realize that her bank card had been stolen.   Unknown suspects then used the card to withdraw £300 fraudulently from the woman’s bank account.

Chief Insp Steve Ditchburn said: "Officers have confirmed that the woman in Witham used an ATM shortly before she was approached in the car park by a stranger asking her for directions.  Essex Police believes that the criminals were probably watching the ATM and noted down her PIN as she entered it using the keypad. 

"I would urgently ask members of the public to be aware and alert when withdrawing cash from an ATM or typing in your number at a self-service check out.  Please try and ensure that your PIN number is kept private when entering it into the keypad and be swift to remove both the card and any money when they are returned to you.  Shoppers should not hesitate to use their spare hand to obscure the keypad as they type their PIN number in.  Also, if you feel another person is standing too close as you enter the number, please politely ask that person to give you a little more privacy and report the matter to a member of staff.

"I would ask members of the public to be aware of this criminal technique, and to keep their valuables, such as bags and purses, safe and secure when they’re in busy car parks – perhaps parking their car or unloading their shopping.  These thieves are taking advantage of the goodwill of shoppers, who respond helpfully to requests such as how to get to the nearest hospital, only to have their goodwill abused and their valuables stolen."

Regards

Peter

Peter Caulfield Ad.Cert.ED & CP

Beat the Burglar

Traditionally burglaries increase at this time of year so we are asking people not to give thieves a chance.
Make your home safe and secure by fitting 5 lever mortice locks on external doors and for all other doors and windows fit secure locks.

It is most important to take extra care when locking up particularly with regard to UPVC doors.  Lift the handle and lock the door with the key.

When you leave your property remove keys from locks and place them out of sight.
With the nights drawing in make your property look occupied at all times by using automatic light timers and you might want to consider installing external lighting.

Nowadays burglars break into properties to steal car keys so avoid leaving car keys near a door or window, and lock your car in a garage or behind a locked gate if possible.

Head of Territorial Policing, Chief Inspector Denise Morrissey, said: “You can beat the burglars by taking just a few simple steps. We do have plenty of crime reduction advice on our website at www.essex.police.uk or by contacting your local crime reduction officer on 0300 333 4444.  District Crime Reduction Advisors offer free advice on crime prevention and making your home safer, and if you are considering installing a burglar alarm will put you in touch with regulated alarm installation companies in your area.”

Regards,

POLICE INCIDENT REPORT

Monday 9^th August 2010.

Doorstep callers

We have had a report of two males and one female, in a white van, calling at households offering to do garden clearance / odd jobs, but charging very high prices.  These people appear to single out the elderly and we have various complaints that the fees they charge were not agreed before hand and are excessively high.

Please can I ask you to advise any elderly neighbours that they should NOT commission any works on their doorsteps and that if they need work carried out, they should ask friends and neighbours for personal recommendations.  Prices for any commissioned works should always be agreed prior to commencing the job and we would advise that you ask for a written quote so that you can prove the price you have agreed in case of any disagreement after the job has been completed.

 If you saw any suspicious or unusual activity around any of these locations or have any information which you think might be of help, please call Essex Police on 0300 333 4444.

 Lindsay Baillie

Essex Watch Administrator, Uttlesford.

01376 556 232 / 07837 341 683  Lindsay.Baillie@essex.pnn.police.uk

Police Incident Report
Date 28th July 2010

COLD-CALLING SECURITY FIRM
Please be aware that there is yet another cold-calling security firm targeting the elderly in Uttlesford, by offering deals on fire and intruder alarm systems. These deals include 'free' alarms. However the associated monitoring and maintenance costs are huge. There is also a hefty cancellation fee should the 'victim' change their mind.

The firm claims to be working with, or be endorsed by the police but this is not true.
The company has been known to call itself 'The Crime Reduction Unit' and 'Crime Research UK'
Please warn your more elderly members not to allow this company to visit them. All phone calls should be reported to Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06. We also advise that they sign up to the Telephone Preference Service to reduce the possibility of receiving these unsolicited calls.

POLICE INCIDENT REPORT

Date 1^st July 2010.

Rogue traders are a menace and, although we don't have a particular problem in our District, every now and again an incident rears it's head and when it does it usually means a victim has forfeited a substantial amount of cash. They are difficult to prosecute for any criminal offence because the victim normally hands the money over willingly but Trading standards have had some notable successes in prosecuting rogue traders.

Rogue traders prey on the elderly and vulnerable, often conning them out of vast sums of money for work that is substandard, unnecessary and overpriced. In some cases no work has been carried out at all. Rogue traders can have seriously adverse effects on a victim's health and confidence once the scam is uncovered.

The message is simple: if you're not sure don't open the door. If you are suspicious of them or they are persistent call 999 immediately. Essex Police is committed to dealing robustly with rogue traders and we would rather have a call that turns out to be genuine rather than no call at all.
Last year's national Rogue Trader operation saw nearly 200 people arrested, £200,000 worth of property recovered, 1800 companies checked and over 10,500 vehicles inspected.

Police and trading standards give the following key crime prevention advice to protect against rogue traders and bogus callers:
• Never engage the services of a cold calling tradesperson.
• Don't be hurried or frightened into employing their services.
• If you require the services of a tradesperson, ask for recommendation from family or friends.
• Get three written quotes before choosing a trader.
• Check whether traders are members of the Local Authority Assured Trader Schemes (www.oft.gov.uk) or the government Trust  Mark scheme (www.trustmark.org.uk).
• Never pay cash upfront.
• If you suspect a rogue trader caller is at your door dial 999.
Please play your part by keeping an eye on elderly and vulnerable residents in your community. If you think they are being targeted by a rogue trader call us immediately.

If you see any suspicious or unusual activity around your neighbourhood or have any information which you think might be of help, please call Essex Police on 0300 333 4444.

POLICE INCIDENT REPORT

Wednesday 12th May 2010.

Distraction Burglary - Takeley between 10:50 – 11:05 on 10^th May

At  Dunmow Road in Takely, offenders were invited into the premises under the premis that they were selling cavity wall insulation. Whilst one male distracted the householder, a second male entered the bedroom and removed items.

Please be very sure about anybody who you invite into your home.  We do not advise that you buy any services on your doorstep as you may have no way of holding individuals accountable for losses or damage once they’ve left your property.

If you see any suspicious or unusual activity around your neighbourhood or have any information which you think might be of help, please call Essex Police on 0300 333 4444.

Many thanks,

Lindsay Baillie

Essex Watch Administrator, Uttlesford.  01376 556 232 / 07837 341 683

Lindsay.Baillie@essex.pnn.police.uk

POLICE INCIDENT REPORT

Monday 19th April 2010.

DUNMOW: theft from motor vehicle using distraction, Tesco car park, 10/4/2010,

Police in mid and north Essex are urging members of the public to ensure that they keep their bags and purses safe and secure in car parks across the region.

At around 11:30am, on April 10, an unidentified man distracted a woman who was inside her car, in the car park at Tesco Stores, Stortford Road, Dunmow. The unidentified suspect used his vehicle to block the woman motorist, who was driving a silver Mercedes, into a parking space as she was leaving the car park.  The unidentified man then asked the woman for directions to “Enfield hospital”. Whilst the woman motorist was distracted, an unknown suspect stole credit cards from her bag which was on the front seat of her vehicle, with the front door window wound down.  Around £1500 was subsequently withdrawn on the stolen credit cards.

The unidentified suspect who spoke to the woman motorist is described as: a white male with a dark complexion, around 25 years old, with very dark short black hair, wearing a black leather jacket, and who spoke with a foreign accent,

Insp Mick Pitcher said: “Thefts using this precise modus operandi are rare. However, I would ask members of the public to be aware of this criminal technique, and to keep their valuables, such as bags and purses, safe and secure when they are in busy car parks, perhaps parking their car or unloading their shopping.

“Police also suspect that the criminals may be watching people using ATMs, to try to read their PIN numbers as they type them in. So, I would also ask members of the public to be aware and alert when withdrawing cash from a cash machine. Try and make sure that your PIN number is kept private when entering it into the keypad and be swift to remove both the card and the money when they are returned to you.”

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact Dunmow station, on 0300 3334444, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

If you saw any suspicious or unusual activity around any of these locations or have any information which you think might be of help, please call Essex Police on 0300 333 4444.

 Many thanks,

 indsay Baillie

Mobile Phone Scam

I've also been sent a report of a mobile phone scam where the perpetrators pose as a High Street bank and call individuals on their mobile phones to apparently warn them about fraudulent activity on their account. When the call is answered a recorded message is played. The message states that they are informing the caller of a 20p transaction that was made to the Netherlands, the caller is then transferred to a ''Fraud Advisor'' who asks personal details.

We would advise that you NEVER give your personal and, or bank details out to anyone over the telephone, unless you are 100% sure of whom you are dealing with . Even then, preferably only if YOU yourself made the call to THEM using a trusted number which is printed on either your bank card or statement.

Kind regards,
Lindsay
 

POLICE INCIDENT REPORT

Friday 26th March 2010.

It would appear that there is another spate of telephone calls being made by persons purporting to be working in conjunction with the British Crime Prevention scheme, and asking for personal details about the residents and security alarms and, or cameras in place.  Please be advised that no such National scheme exists.

Our Crime Reduction Officers and Essex Police, are aware of these bogus calls, and are carrying out an investigation as to their source.

Should you, your Neighbourhood Watch members, or members of your community, receive any such calls we’d advise  to ask the caller who they are, and for their company contact details (It is unlikely that this information will be forthcoming).   If you feel able, you can tell them that you will be reporting this call to Essex Police and to Trading Standards.

Do not give out any personal information about yourself, or others living at your address, and do not disclose any information as what security measures you may or may not have in place.

NEVER agree to, or accept any goods or services from Cold Callers at your door, or over the telephone, without thoroughly checking who the seller is first.

For advice on goods and services:-

Contact:  Essex Trading Standards Tel:  08454 04 05 06

Crime reduction advice can be sought through your local Crime Reduction Officer, Peter Caulfield on 01376 556 233.  If you wish to report such a phone call please call the Essex Police Non-emergency Telephone No  on 0300 333 4444  . 

 Lindsay Baillie

Essex Watch Administrator, Uttlesford.  01376 556 232 / 07837 341 683

Lindsay.Baillie@essex.pnn.police.uk

POLICE INCIDENT REPORT

Wednesday 10th March 2010.

Bogus phone call alert

One of our Watchers has reported a bogus phone call which appears to be a scam.

 A caller with a strong foreign accent, claiming to be from BT Continental attempted to sell the householder a monthly package for £9.99.  I have checked with BT and they have NO association with any such company.  There is a website for this company, but it is very amateurish and gives two contact addresses: one in Essex and one in Nigeria. 

 I have asked Trading Standards to check these people out urgently and would recommend in the meantime that you are extremely wary of these people.  Essex Police recommends that you NEVER buy goods or services over the telephone, unless you yourself have made the call using a telephone number you have sourced yourself.

 Hard Selling Alarm Company

We have AGAIN received reports of an alarm company who are attempting to make appointments to visit people with a view to selling alarm systems.  It appears that this company give misleading information about the charges involved and we have received several complaints.  They also state that Essex Police endorse the use of their alarms.  Essex Police CANNOT endorse the use of any commercial business, so this is untrue.

 If you are interested in buying an alarm system for your property, please contact our Crime Prevention Officer, Peter Caulfield on 01376 556 233 for FREE advice on what you might actually need. 

 Theft of tools/piping from vans

There has been an increase in the number of theft's from vehicles mainly tools and copper piping from the tubes normally on the top. Essex Police would advise:

1.      Removing valuable tools from vehicles overnight and taking the tools into a secure building.
2.      Label van "Tools not kept in vehicle overnight".
3.      Remove Sat-Nav's and valuables, leave nothing in view to tempt a break in.
4.      Fit an alarm to vehicles and use it.
5.      Visible property marking of tools with house number and post code.
6.      Where possible parking vehicle where it can be seen, and/or doors are obstructed.
7.      With copper piping  on plumbers vans etc consider putting an alarm on the tube, a personal alarm can be adapted for use.

8.      Be vigilant, before you go to bed and if you get up in the night just have a peak outside, see anything suspicious dial 999, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 

 BARNSTON: car key burglary, Barnston Green, 8-9/3/2010

Detectives are appealing for information and witnesses after a car key burglary in Barnston, overnight on March 8-9, 2010.

Between around 9pm on March 8 and 5am on March 9, unknown suspects gained entry to a secure property in Barnston Green, Barnston, by forcing the front door, causing an estimated £1000 of damage, and stole various items including a handbag, a small amount of cash and several sets of car keys. The unknown suspects then used the car keys to steal and drive away in a silver Vauxhall Astra, index EO57GHZ.  The total estimated value of the stolen items is around £11,000. 

Detectives are appealing for anyone with information about this crime to contact CID at Braintree on 0300 3334444, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

DCI Mark Wheeler said: "There are a few simple steps that people can take to make themselves even safer. It’s good to ensure that you keep your keys somewhere safe and out of sight. In addition, do not leave cash, bags and wallets lying around. Please keep all accessible doors and window closed and locked. If you have uPVC doors, please ensure that you lock the door with the key - just pulling up the handle does not deadlock the door. If you have a garage, please try to lock your vehicle away safely inside it."

 If you see any suspicious or unusual activity around your neighbourhood or have any information which you think might be of help, please call Essex Police on 0300 333 4444.

 Lindsay Baillie

Essex Watch Administrator, Uttlesford.  01376 556 232 / 07837 341 683

Lindsay.Baillie@essex.pnn.police.uk

Dear All

Uttlesford has one of the lowest recorded rates of domestic burglary - if you want the statistics we had 1.3 burglaries per 1000 households in the last quarter.

That is amazingly low and we are well placed when measured against the most similar group of districts nationally that we are compared against.

Rather than be satisfied with that we are committed to continuing to reduce the number of dwelling burglaries further because it is a horrible crime that we are keen to have as few victims as possible suffering.

One of the latest pieces of information that we have discovered is that many recent burglaries have been committed by entering through UPVC back doors. These doors have a number of different locking mechanisms – some can be locked by simply lifting the handle; In others lifting the handle drives across a closing bolt but a key is needed to lock the door. It is clear from speaking to recent victims that they had thought they were locking their doors when they were just closing them and actually if the handle was operated from the outside their door would still open. This mechanism is also available on conservatories and can be used with wooden doors so this message is for everyone.

Please make sure you know how your locks operate and so when you are locking up you are, in fact, locking up. If you need any assistance with door locks or are confused about this message then please speak to our crime reduction advisor, Peter Caulfield on 0300 333 4444 and he will be happy to advise you.