NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

							      CHASE POLICING DIVISION
       NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
            NEWSLETTER

                                E-mail edition

                              June - July 2008

   STAFFORDSHIRE POLICE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

                           ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Please come and join us on Saturday 11th October 2008 at Staffordshire University,
Beaconside, Stafford, between 10am and 4pm
                            This year’s conference theme is:

                ‘999 the Emergency Services in the Modern Era’

The conference is FREE other than your personal transport costs and there is a FREE buffet
lunch. Why not take this opportunity to meet with other like minded members of
Neighbourhood Watch, not just from your local area, but from across Staffordshire.

The conference is always well attended and places are limited. To enrol as a delegate or to
obtain further information, please contact the Neighbourhood Watch Team by the latest
Friday 29th August on:

                                 01543-464218 (Vicki)
                                 01785-234129 (Ash)
                                 01785-234427 (Ray)


                         Free Smoke Detectors
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is offering every household a FREE professional fire
safety check of their home including a FREE domestic smoke detector where required.

Contact your local Fire & Rescue Service using their information and advice numbers (listed
on the back of the newsletter). You can also book a fire safety check on line at:

                             www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk




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                                         E-mail Offers
Unfortunately, due to costs, the printed version of this eight page newsletter is only delivered to
Area Co-ordinators and Deputy Area Co-ordinators in the Chase policing area, however, there is an
e-mail copy which can be sent to anyone with an e-mail address. If any members of your
Neighbourhood Watch scheme would be interested in receiving the e-mail copy, please ask them to
contact the Neighbourhood Watch Team with their e-mail address.

WatchOUT warning messages can also be sent by e-mail in the Cannock, Rugeley, Stafford and
Stone policing areas. If you have members who already receive WatchOUT broadcasts but would like
to change to receiving them by e-mail, they need only contact the Neighbourhood Watch Team with
their e-mail address details. If you have members not currently receiving messages, they will need
to fill in a data protection form in order to be registered. Forms are available from the
Neighbourhood Watch Team. Team contact details are on page 8.


                                    Recruitment Drive
How many members of your Neighbourhood Watch scheme receive the WatchOUT messages?
Having between one-in-five and one-in-ten helps to ensure that information from the WatchOUT
broadcasts gets around to everyone, and encourages scheme members to take an active interest in
what’s going on. If you want to have a ‘recruitment drive’ to encourage more of your members to
volunteer, the Neighbourhood Watch Team can provide letters to put through doors. If you are
unsure who currently receives the WatchOUT messages within your scheme, the team can provide
you with that information.


                                       PRIZE QUIZ
    THIS MONTH THE WINNING ENTRY WILL RECEIVE A DOOR
                     HANDLE ALARM
The alarm hangs on the inside of the door handle. If an intruder touches the external door handle,
the alarm emits a loud siren, alerting you that someone has tried to gain entry into your property.

                                     This month’s question is:
           What is the date of this year’s Staffordshire Police
                  Neighbourhood Watch Conference?
                             (The answer is in the newsletter)

       Telephone 01543-464218 or 01785-234129 with your answer, or post it to:
 Neighbourhood Watch, Police Station, Wolverhampton Road, Cannock, Staffs, WS11 1AU

                          Entries must be received by Friday 25th July 2008
          Results and correct answer will be published in the August-September newsletter


                          APRIL - MAY PRIZE WINNER
Rugeley PCSO Sean Nicholls pulled the winning entry out of a hat. Mrs Sandra Murcott, Cheslyn
Hay, correctly stated that according to Home Office figures, vehicle crime has fallen by 57% since
1995

                                       Did You Know?
During the past six months, Specials have completed more than 10,000 hours of service across Chase Policing
Division. Amongst other things they have attended 331 incidents of anti-social behaviour, confiscated 984
drinks from underage offenders, made 75 arrests, stop-checked 309 vehicles, issued 146 penalty notices and
carried out 6 breath tests.



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                            Beware Counterfeit Money

During the past few weeks, a number of counterfeit £20 notes have been used in the Chase Policing
Division. Although counterfeit bank notes are rare, it pays to be careful and check your notes
whenever exchanging them with someone to ensure that they are genuine, and if you have any
doubts, compare the note to one that you know is genuine.

When checking bank notes don’t rely on just one feature but check a few. For example:
The feel of the paper
The raised print area
The metallic thread and the watermark
The quality of the printing
The foil features

Counterfeit notes are worthless and should be handed in to the police.

For further information go to www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes or telephone Bank of England on
020-7601-4878


                               Tips from Co-ordinators
Ann, Rugeley
A simple way to make working/holidaying neighbour’s homes look occupied and less vulnerable to
crime is to take in their wheelie bins once they have been emptied. A wheelie bin sitting on the edge
of the curb all day is an advertisement that the occupier is not at home.
Eileen, Rugeley, and Dusty.
Scam phone calls are rife again. The calls are being made on a variety of topics including debt
advice and phone line checks. Some ask the recipient to press a number on the phone key pad to
get further information. Beware of such calls. By pressing a number you could be transferred to a
high premium charge phone line.
Andy, Rugeley
With the soaring cost of heating oil there could be a trend in thefts of such fuel in the near future. If
you have oil heating, make sure that your premises are secure and try to illuminate your tank at
night. If possible, have a good view of the tank from your house.


                 Rising Fuel Costs – beware Siphoning!
With the cost of diesel and petrol still rising, there is the potential for unscrupulous criminals to steal
fuels by siphoning it from cars. To make your vehicle less attractive to potential thieves:

Where possible, garage your vehicle when not in use.
If you can’t garage your vehicle, park it in a well lit space.
Away from home, avoid isolated spaces and try to park in a busy, well lit space where anything
suspicious will be spotted by passers-by.
Fit a locking petrol cap.
Report any suspicious activity to the police immediately.




          Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service Open day
                        13th September 12.30pm – 4.30pm
                                   Free entry
Demonstrations, Fire House and Control Room tours, B-B-Q, climbing Wall, games , and much more

       Fire Service Headquarters, just off the A34, Pirehill, Stone. Telephone 08451-22-11-55

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                                      LOCAL NEWS
CANNOCK & RUGELEY NPUs
Beware bogus window cleaners
A bogus window cleaner has struck again in the Cannock area, claiming to have cleaned an elderly
resident’s windows on behalf of the regular cleaner. The man took money from the resident but did
not clean the windows.

It is wise to carefully check the identity of anyone calling at the door, and not to deal with any
strangers on the doorstep.

New Web Site for Rugely.
www.rugeleyonline.co.uk has been redesigned and the site is an on-line guide to anything and
everything about Rugeley. There is a Neighbourhood Watch link where you can read recent
WatchOUT messages that have been sent to the Rugeley area, along with information about local
policing and a new page which is collecting a list of active Neighbourhood Watch schemes in the
area. Why not e-mail Lisa at: lisa@rugeleyonline.co.uk to add your scheme name to the list.

The First No Cold Callers Zone
The first ‘No Cold Calling’ zone in Chase policing area is in the process of being set up in Attlee
Crescent, Rugeley. The residents in Attlee Crescent already have an active Neighbourhood Watch
scheme and have now chosen to discourage cold callers knocking on their doors. Every resident has
been given a pack of information explaining the hazards of rogue traders and bogus callers, and a
directory of useful telephone numbers including who to call if they need any work doing at their
homes. Street signs are currently being made and will soon be displayed in the street stating that
the residents do not want uninvited traders calling at their doors.

No cold calling zones are free to set up. If you think there is a need for one in your street, please
contact the Neighbourhood Watch Team for further information.

Street Warden Scheme extended
Extra Street Wardens have been brought in to work a late-shift until around 9pm targeting areas in
the Cannock and Rugeley district suffering from anti-social behaviour, litter and other nuisances.
The wardens will carry out patrols as well as visit youth clubs and community groups and visit
vulnerable members of the community offering support and information. The wardens have also
been given two new vans to get around the area.

                  Street Wardens can be contacted on 01543-437430

                                  STAFFORD & STONE NPUs
Stone Youth Café Opens
The Den based at the Frank Jordan Centre in Lichfield Road is exclusively for the young people of
Stone and the surrounding areas to use, initially opening every Tuesday and Sunday and during
summer the venue will be used for a gig held for young people as part of the Stone Music Festival.

New Sergeant at Stone
Sergeant Dave Ingham has recently joined Stone Neighbourhood Policing Unit and he aims to
support the unit’s commitment to improving crime reduction and tackling anti-social behaviour.
Sergeant Ingham started his career with Staffordshire police in 1982 and has worked in Hanley and
the Northern Traffic Group before transferring to Hampshire Constabulary where he served as a
uniformed officer, CID and an authorised firearms officer before returning to Staffordshire police in
2001. In 2005 he joined Rugeley Neighbourhood Policing Team and in 2007 moved to the
Community Safety Team at Stafford, working closely with partners to deliver reductions in crime and
anti-social behaviour.

Sergeant Ingham said “I aim to support the Neighbourhood Policing Unit to ensure that we continue
to deliver a first class service to the public of Stone”



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Stafford Road Safety Operation
Officers from Stafford Neighbourhood Policing Unit recently carried out a motoring offences
operation in the Doxey, North End, Highfields and Wolverhampton Road areas. The officers focused
on targeting drivers who had untaxed vehicles. During the operation, nine drivers had their untaxed
vehicles clamped by the DVLA with a £200 release fee.

Stone Road Safety Operation
Officers from Stone Neighbourhood Policing Unit recently carried out a motoring offences operation
following complaints from members of the public about excessive speed. The operation ran for three
days. In the Hixon, Great Haywood, Stone and Barlaston areas officers issued 65 warnings to
motorists driving above the speed limit. Six warnings were given on the A519 at Foreton and two
warnings were issued on the A5013 at Creswell. An endorsable fixed penalty ticket for £60 and three
points was issued to one driver for using a mobile phone while driving and additionally a vehicle was
seized for no insurance and the driver arrested and subsequently charged for driving over the legal
alcohol limit and having no insurance.

Speed checks in Church Lane, Hixon resulted in nine warnings, on the Main Road in Great Haywood
ten warning were issued , checks on the Lichfield Road at Stone resulted in five warnings. Five
warning were also issued on the Meaford Road, Barlaston and four warnings on Old Road, Barlaston.
In addition, one speeding driver was issued a £60 penalty and three license points, fourteen drivers
were fined £30 for not wearing a seat belt, one non-endorsable ticket for £30 was issued for
contravening weight restrictions and one driver was issued with a ticket to produce drivers
documents within one week.

Further speed checks in Great Haywood, Hixon, Forton and Eccleshall resulted in twentyfour
warnings, one £60 penalty and three license points, and three £30 fines for failing to wear a seat
belt.

Eccleshall Event
Following last year’s successful event, Ecccleshall is once again hosting a Victorian Street Market in
the High Street on June 21st. Amongst the attractions will be a Neighbourhood Watch stall and Ash
Connor, along with representatives of Stone Neighbourhood Policing Unit, will be attending in a
vintage London bus with useful information and advice regarding doorstep crime.

WOMBOURNE & WATLING NPUs

Great Wyrley Community Surgery
PCSO Karen Willis is holding a Community Surgery on Wednesday 25 th June between 10am and 1pm
at the Community Centre, Great Wyrley. Residents in the Great Wyrley area are welcome to attend.

Officers Meet Young People in Wombourne
Two officers from Wombourne Neighbourhood Policing Unit (NPU) recently attended a careers
convention at Ounsdale High School to speak to youngsters between 13-18 years of age about Police
Community Support Officers, Police Constables and Special Constables. PC Jo Grundy of Wombourne
NPU said “This was a fantastic opportunity to speak to young people about the work we do and
further encourage those who may be interested in the profession in the future”.

Featherstone Youth Meeting
Officers from Watling Street NPU in partnership with Featherstone Parish Council held a youth
meeting for Featherstone Village at the start of June. The meeting gave young people from the area
an opportunity to discuss current leisure facilities in the village and improvements that they would
like to see made, and also the youngsters were able to discuss any problems they have in the area.


                                         CLARENCE
Staffordshire County Council have a Customer Lighting And Roads Enquiry CEntre for
residents to report problems with pavements, roads, including holes in the road, street
lighting and blocked road drains.
                  Call CLARENCE free of charge between 8am – 6pm
                               Telephone 0800-23-23-23

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                                  SEASONAL ADVICE
Staffordshire is a safe county to live in, but we still need to be on our guard and take precautions to
make life difficult for the opportunist criminal. Make sure that your valuables are identifiable by
marking them with your post code and house number.

At home
Summer weather encourages us to leave our doors and windows open, but this is just what
opportunist burglars are looking for. They don’t plan their crimes, they just take advantage of an
easy target, and what could be easier than a house where you don’t even have to break in! Make life
more difficult for burglars by keeping doors and windows locked when you are out and in all
unoccupied rooms, and don’t forget to make your house secure while you are out relaxing in the
garden.

Be a nosy neighbour this summer. Contact the police immediately if you see anyone acting
suspiciously in your neighbourhood, and if possible, take the registration numbers of any suspicious
vehicles.

Holidays
Before you go, cancel milk and paper deliveries and tell near neighbours so that they can keep an
eye on your home. Ask someone you trust to be your key-holder and to make your house look lived
in, for example by opening and closing the curtains and taking in the post. Use automatic timer
switches to turn on lights and a radio. Cut your lawn before you go and if it is an extended holiday,
try to arrange for a neighbour or friend to cut it while you are away. Put away all of your garden
tools, ladders and garden furniture. They can all be used to break into a house, and if you have a
shed or garage, check that it is locked and secure.

Don’t discuss your holiday plans where you could be overheard by strangers and don’t put your
home address on luggage. Keep it tucked inside your cases during the outward journey. Finally, as
you are leaving, double check that you have closed and locked all doors and windows, and don’t
forget to set the burglar alarm.

Vehicles
Will you be visiting beauty spots this summer? Be on your guard, thefts from cars often rise at these
locations during the summer months. When you go out in the car, only take what you need and try
to carry your property with you when you leave the car. Where ever you park your car, please don’t
leave property unattended. Wallets, handbags, lap-tops, cameras, Satellite Navigation Systems and
CDs are a thief’s popular choice. At home, where possible, it is advisable to garage vehicles when
not in use. Away from home think about a safe parking location. Are there passers by who would
spot suspicious activity? If you are not returning until after dark, is the location well lit?

Doorstep Callers
Summer provides extra excuses for rogue traders to visit residents. They may offer garden work,
home improvements, repairs … the list is endless, but whatever the stranger on your doorstep says,
the advice is always the same: Don’t buy or sell at the door, never deal with a stranger on the
doorstep and always keep the door closed unless a caller has a pre-arranged appointment and you
are certain of their identity.

Strangers on the doorstep may offer services and goods that are over priced or of poor quality, they
will want payment in cash and by paying in that manner you are letting them know that you keep
money in the house, and if you accept goods or services from one rogue trader, they may share
your details with other rogue traders who could target you in the future. If you suspect that a caller
is bogus or a rogue trader, PLEASE tell the police immediately. Even if they don’t trick you, they will
try again and their next call could be on someone vulnerable.

Free crime reduction advice leaflets on property marking, house and shed security,
holidays, vehicles and doorstep callers are available from the Neighbourhood Watch
Team. Contact details are on page 8



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                                               IN BRIEF
Lawn Mower Recovered
A local youth who stole a lawn mower from an insecure shed in the Chadsmoor area of Cannock was spotted in
the act by the owner who promptly called the police. The owner identified the offender who was promptly
located and arrested, and the lawn mower was recovered.

Shed Burglar Arrested
A Cannock resident called the police when he caught a male breaking into his shed. The male made off, but the
resident followed and was able to pass information to the police who arrested the offender nearby.

Eagle Eyed Patrol
An early morning police patrol in Rugeley spotted a broken shop window. On investigating, they disturbed a
male burglar who made off in a vehicle. After a short pursuit, the officers apprehended and arrested the
offender. The offender has since been charged with burglary and allegedly stealing £1,000 worth of goods.

Burglar Arrested
West Midlands police officers who stop checked a male in the Bloxwich area arrested him when they found him
to be in possession of goods stolen from a house burglary in the Newtown area.

Two Arrested
Police attended the scene immediately when they were alerted to a burglary at a petrol station in the Watling
Street policing area. One offender was apprehended nearby after a short chase, the second offender was
apprehended while trying to hail a taxi.

Clunk Click Every Trip
Having stopped a vehicle in the Cannock area because the driver was spotted not wearing a seat belt, officers
checking the driver’s details discovered that he had taken the vehicle without the owner’s consent. The driver
was arrested.

A good Neighbour
A resident in the Cannock area who spotted a man on his neighbour’s drive, messing with the car, promptly
telephoned the police. The resident was able to give the police a good description of the offender and the
direction in which he had made off on foot. A quick search of the area located the man who was arrested still in
possession of a badge that he had stolen from the vehicle.

Flasher Arrested
A number of complaints from Heath Hayes residents about a serial ‘flasher’ led police to carry out an
investigation which concluded with the arrest of a 19 year old youth who has been charged under the Sexual
Offences Act 2003.

Drug Arrests
Acting on information, Cannock police officers recently raided a house in the West Chadsmoor area of Cannock.
Three local people were arrested for offences concerning the cultivation of Cannabis and 32 Cannabis plants
were seized.

Another Drug Arrest
A Cannock man has been sentenced to six years imprisonment after pleading guilty to supplying drugs and
possession with the intent to supply.

Counterfeit Goods Seized
The second raid on a Huntington car boot sale in two months by police, Customs Officers and Trading Standards
Officers led to the seizure of over a quarter of a million pounds worth of counterfeit goods. The property seized
included counterfeit DVDs, CD, Wii and Playstation games, cigarettes and rolling tobacco.

Three More Drug Arrests
A warrant executed at an address in Rough Close in the Stone NPU led to the seizure of more than 900
Cannabis plants and associated items. Three men have been arrested on suspicion of the production of
Cannabis.

TRADING STANDARDS WARNINGS
Phone Scams
Beware of unsolicited phone calls or text messages that ask you to dial one or more numbers either to speak to
an operator about a particular service, to have your line checked, to claim a cash prize or to stop a download.
Trading Standards Officers are concerned that these likely to be scams and after dialling the numbers, you will
be transferred to a premium rate phone line. If you receive a call or a text message from a person or company
you don’t know, the advice is to hang up or delete the text message.
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Debt Advice Text Messages
Firms offering debt advice have been sending bogus text messages purporting to be from the Citizens Advice
Bureau. Citizens Advice Bureau have confirmed that the messages do not come from them and that if you
reply, you will get through to a private company offering to sort out debts in a number of ways including debt
management plans and consolidation loans. Anyone in debt should think carefully and always seek advice from
an independent advisor. Free, confidential and independent debt advice is available from your local citizens
Advice Bureau.

Psychic Healer Scam
A psychic healer letter is circulating which claims the writer has a ‘special bond’ with the recipient and looks like
a very personal approach to the individual. However, many such letters have been sent out and the information
requested has the potential to be misused. Asking for details such as birth date, place of birth, pet names and
requesting a reply ‘in your own writing’ could allow frausdsters to use the person’s identity. The initial letter
does not ask for money, but it is likely that subsequent letters would, and replying to such a letter may lead to
your details being shared with other fraudsters and you could be bombarded with further scams




                                USEFUL CONTACT DETAILS

                                      URGENT/EMERGENCY
When a crime is occurring or about to occur, and for all highly suspicious incidents e.g.
youths checking car doors.


                                                 RING ‘999’
                                              NON-URGENT

                                        Ring 08453-30-20-10
For all non-emergency calls. The call handler will transfer you to the person best able to help you.



                      STAFFORDSHIRE TRADING STANDARDS
                                             Ring: 01785-277888



                                          LOCAL COUNCILS
Cannock Chase District Council Ring 01543-462621 Web address: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Stafford Borough Council Ring 01785-619000 Web address: www.staffordbc.gov.uk

South Staffordshire District Council Ring 01902-696000 Web address: www.sstaffs.gov.uk


                                  NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
                        We provide members with support, guidance and advice.
                All information received is treated with complete confidentiality.

Vicki Singleton: Ring: 01543-464218 e-mail: victoria.singleton@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk

Ash Connor: Ring: 01785-23412 e-mail patrick.connor@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk

Ray Jones Ring 01785-23442 e-mail raymond.jones@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk



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                 STAFFORDSHIRE FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE
                                     For information and advice

                                Cannock & Rugeley    01785-898065
                                Stafford & Stone     01785-898105
                                South Staffs         01785-898517



                                THE TRADER REGISTER
The register has been produced by Trading Standards and partners for anyone who wants to find a
trader in their area to do work on their home or garden. Traders are not approved by Trading
Standards, but if there is a problem, members have pledged to work with Trading Standards to find
a solution.
                Telephone 01785-600610 Web address: www.traderregister.org.uk



                       GOT A PROBLEM? CALL BOING
Boing UK Ltd works in partnership with Staffordshire Police in providing a free telephone service to
the public, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. If you have a personal emergency, and need non-
police help, Boing have a data base of local traders and services such as plumbers, glaziers and tree
surgeons, and they can provide information about local services such as late night chemists and 24
hour petrol stations.
                Telephone free on 0800-587-0548 Web address: www.boinguk.com


  STAFFORDSHIRE CRIMESTOPPERS FREEPHONE 0800-555-111
The CRIMESTOPPERS telephone number can be used to pass specific information about crime or
criminals without fear of reprisals or direct contact with the police. Calls are FREE from land lines
and most mobile phones. The service is anonymous and rewards of up to £1,000 are available for
information which leads to an arrest and charge.



TELEPHONE NUMBERS TO CHECK THAT THE CALLER IS GENUINE
                            British Gas meter readers    0800-393499
                            British Gas Sales Reps       0800-300100
                            BT Staff                     0800-321-999 (option 1)
                            Npower                       0800-073-3355 or 0800-073-0030
                            Powergen                     0800-015-2221
                            Severn Trent Water           0800-783-4444
                            Transco Gas Staff            0845-605-6677
                            Npower meter readers         0800-073-3355



                              PREFERENCING SERVICES
To cut down on telephone cold calling ring0845-070-0707 the call must be made from
the telephone number receiving the unwanted calls. Use the same number to cut down on unwanted
text messages to your mobile phone

To reduce cold-calling FAX messages ring 0845-070-0702

To cut down on personally addressed junk mail telephone 0207-291-3310




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