Police news
LOOKING BACK it has been an interesting
year for the residents of Birstall and Wanlip as far as Police
involvement is concerned.
Over the past 12 months there have been over 750 reported crimes,
ranging from robberies and burglaries to domestic incidents.
A significant amount of crimes reported centre around one of
our beat priorities, that of damage and graffiti.
Some progress has been made in this area, but I am under no illusions
that further will need to be done in the forthcoming months.
I am pleased to tell you that I am in the process of arranging
an operation which will see plainclothes and uniform officers
patrolling Birstall and Wanlip, with the intention of disrupting
those who insist on causing antisocial behaviour and identifying
those individuals who mindlessly damage whatever they can. The
benefit of this is ordinary law abiding residents will hopefully
feel a little more secure, and those who are up to no good will
get the message that Birstall is not the place to spend their
time.
I reported last time that burglaries were on the increase. Well
I am pleased to state that this month has seen a decline again.
I would compliment all of you who have had the forethought to
phone us when you have seen something out of place. I would ask
that you still remain vigilant, challenge anyone you're not sure
about and if necessary call us so we can check them out, we will
always take each call seriously.
I am enjoying my time here in Birstall as your beat officer and
have been made to feel very welcome. I have said all along that
I would like nothing more than to be out 'On the Beat' meeting
you all and dealing with the issues that are of concern to you.
Unfortunately due to the nature of the work that I do, I do not
always get out as much as I would like, however as I have already
stated some progress is being made in the three priority area
you have given me, namely:
o tackling antisocial behaviour
o tackling incidents of criminal damage
o tackling illegal parking
Antisocial behaviour is still with us, but interaction with the
local schools and disruption of youths whenever possible has
had a positive result so far. This continues to be monitored.
Arrests have been made in relation to the criminal damage, further
enquiries are still under way and some 'graffiti tags' have been
identified. Unfortunately tagging seems to have taken on a competition
format in Birstall at present, it is as if these individuals
are trying their hardest to out-do one another. If you do have
any information about who is doing this then please contact me,
your information will be treated in confidence. However be under
no illusions though, if I can identify who is responsible for
a specific 'tag' then they will be arrested and dealt with.
Illegal parking still causes issues. Numerous tickets have been
issued by officers and these offences are dealt with as much
as possible. The covert speed cameras have been out but as yet
I have not had any feedback, so watch this space for an update.
PC815 Chris Falle
Crime Summary
October 22 to November 22, 2006
Burglary Dwelling 6: Park Rd, Tempest Rd, Windmill Av, Stonehill
Av, Bramley Rd, Wanlip Rd; Burglary Other 7; Theft of Motor Vehicle
1; Theft from Motor Vehicle 2; Damage 14; Damage to Motor Vehicle
5; Theft/Robbery 15
Brothel keepers sentence increased
A BROTHEL-keeper who fled to Thailand to
avoid prison has had an extra nine months added to her sentence.
Angela Miller (50) was extradited to the UK in November after
six years on the run.
She was part of a group that brought Thai women into Britain
to work as prostitutes at massage parlours in Leicester and Northampton.
Birstall's Neighbourhood Watch worked very closely with the police
to gather evidence of her activities, which involved employing
Thai women to sell sex in a house in Hermitage Road.
Before disappearing in 2000, Miller - also know as Onchira Chitprasert
- was fined £9,000 by Leicester Crown Court. The case went
ahead in her absence and a judge sentenced her to three and a
half years in jail.
She has now had an extra nine months added to her sentence for
contempt of court. She was arrested in Thailand in May this year
and was extradited to the UK.
Two men jailed
TWO MEN have received jail sentences after
committing burglaries in Birstall.
Glyn Trevor Goddard (22) was sentenced to two and a half years
and Timothy Gilheaney (23) three years. Both men blamed their
drug addiction for the crimes.
Goddard admitted to 50 burglaries across Leicestershire as part
of an organised team of burglars which stole £130,000 worth
of possessions. His victims included residents on Denegate Avenue
in June and in Wanlip village.
Gilheaney was caught by police after attempting to break into
a home on Curzon Avenue on June 6, 2006.
A police officer had heard banging noises coming from the rear
of the house before the intruders tried to flee in a car. Gilheaney
admitted the attempted break-in and driving when disqualified.
He had also committed burglaries and distraction burglaries on
elderly people around the country including Swansea and Penzance.
In 2001 he received a three year detention sentence for two similar
distraction burglaries when posing as a water board employee
Longslade’s business links
THE DESIGN department at Longslade has
recently formed a unique link with local print based giants GI
Direct.
Pic: (l-r) Sandeep Tara (Head of
Graphics), Clare Garnett, Dave Jolley (Pre-Press Manager) and
Melody Mitchell (Joint Director of Post-16)
With the increased demands on students to have an active knowledge
of industrial and commercial practices, both parties will benefit
from the partnership, says Longslade. Students will attend a
series of free insightful seminars on the printing process, to
benefit from decades of experience within the print industry.
The company have donated £1,500 towards a fund enabling
less privileged students to attend course related trips, as well
as providing much needed resources to aid student learning within
Graphics.
Head of Graphics, Mr Sandeep Tara, said: "Building on from
the massive success we have had within the subject in recent
years both partners have much to gain through the special relationship
being established. On one hand, we as a college will benefit
from additional specialist resources, advice and financial assistance,
whilst at the same time the company will have access to some
of our talented students for future employment."
GI Direct are committed to supporting local education and recently
presented an insight into their company at the college Post-16
open evening. Principal Dr Mike Griffiths said: "Our Graphics
Team and GI Direct have worked closely together for some time
to set up this Partnership. Their team efforts will enhance the
learning opportunities of our graphics students in a really practical
way."
If your business would like to be involved and become a partner
please contact Mr Tara on 0116 267 7107 ext.155
Your Say...
Some time ago Charnwood Borough Councillors and planners went
to Dorchester and returned the same day: a distance of more than
400 miles. Why don't the same planners and the same councillors
get on an Arriva bus especially after 9.30am and at peak times
and observe the chaos? If they are over 60 and live in Charnwood
the journey is free. We have pensioners climbing to the upper
deck and we have pensioners standing up in the gangway: the bus
is full and overflowing.
There is an excellent bus service between Birstall, Redhill and
Loughborough High Street. From St Margaret's Leicester the fare
is half price and the rest is free. The distance between the
bus stops with only two exceptions is walkable even though the
distance is approximately 11 miles. There are dwellings nearly
all the way from Leicester to Loughborough. There is a need for
newly constructed bus lanes wherever possible, yet Charnwood
and the developers have cancelled the implied ones in Birstall.
The pensioners not only have limited free bus passes but have
to climb steps or cling on to poles. You see, there is a bus
every 10 minutes at the busy party of the day, the next bus has
plenty of seats or there is a wait of 20 minutes and then we
have three buses within a minute. I have never visited Loughborough
so much since I left school there many years ago. The chaos caused
by the traffic is ruining a first class bus service. Pensioners
in Blaby can not only visit Wigston and Oadby free, but also
travel in Leicester free.
All councillors know (or should know) that Leicestershire County
Council and Leicester City Council do not co-operate, but now
we have Blaby and the City working as one where bus passes are
considered: what a mess. The central government know this and
with the right spin and waffle keep all Leicestershire short
of cash. Central government knew what they were doing in 1998.
Les Briers
On behalf of the Royal British Legion and myself I would like
to record my sincere thanks to the residents of Woodgate Drive
for the £121.60 which I collected for the 2006 Poppy Appeal.
This is the second highest house-to-house collection in Birstall.
Thank you all so much, with a bit of luck I will see you next
year.
From one of the lucky ones 'Left to grow old'.
Donald
Name & address supplied
Dear Editor: I am writing to you about 'shoe boxes' which
various charities ask people to fill for children or families.
I know that these fulfil a great need in sending signals to often
very sad and deprived folks that there really is someone out
there who cares. What is bothering me is that I know that some
of these boxes go from Birstall. I have lived here for over ten
years now but I have never been asked to make up such a box.
I wonder, therefore, if there are many other people like me who
would really like to contribute in this way but are just not
being reached. Could we use the good offices of The Birstall
Post to increase the participation in this village? The scheme
is one that captures the imagination and I am sure that we could
increase the number of boxes if we tried. Perhaps a target might
help?
Mary Houghton
Organisers of shoe box schemes can contact me on 2674213 to discuss
how The Birstall Post could assist. Jerry Jackson, Editor, Birstall
Post (editor@birstallpost.co.uk)
I am replying to the dog byelaw column in the November issue
of the Birstall Post. I recently attended my first parish council
meeting due to the enforcement to the 'dogs on leads byelaw'
and I was astounded by the arrogance of the parish councillors.
These non-elected officials have no interest in any of the opinions
of the local people that they are supposed to be serving. When
a local resident tried to give her point of view, she was spoken
to like a child and then dismissed.
A dog cannot be adequately exercised on a lead and it is not
safe for a single woman to walk at Watermead Park as was suggested
by the council. The council do not seem to comprehend that a
dog on a lead will still mess and that the problem lies with
the minority of bad dog owners who refuse to pick up after their
dog whether they are on a lead or not.
I have been informed by Charnwood Borough Council that Birstall
is the only Parish Council in Charnwood that restricts the freedom
of dog owners in this way and also that the dog warden can only
issue fixed penalty notices to people who don't clean up after
their dogs and NOT to people with dogs off leads.
Come on councillors, stop being so petty.
Karen Mansfield
Ed's note: Dog wardens cannot issue a fixed penalty notice to
dog owners who fail to keep their dogs on a lead on Birstall's
playing fields. They are empowered to warn dog owners that legal
proceedings may be brought against them which could result in
a fine.
The Local Government White Paper, which had its first reading
in Parliament in December 2006, gives more power to Parish councils,
including determining their own byelaws without the need for
agreement from Central Government, and enforcing them with fixed
penalty notices.
A Charnwood Borough Council spokesman told the Birstall Post:
Charnwood Borough Council owns four areas of land which are subject
to dogs on leads byelaws. These are Linear Walk, Booth Wood and
Charnwood Water in Loughborough and Lakeside Development, Kelcey
Road, Quorn. It may be worth contacting Parish Councils directly
to seek clarification on the existence of a dogs on leads byelaw
for the area in question.
Through The Birstall Post may I thank the wonderful loyal
people who once again did not fail to fill my three poppy tins
for my collection outside McColls, Sibson Road and thanking the
staff of Krusty's and Age Concern for the mugs of tea to warm
me up.
Again we hit the £200 mark, well done to all of you. The
final total was £216.08, many thanks to you all and see
you all next year, same place, same week.
Val Joyce, Vice President, Birstall Royal British Legion
Women's Section
The Friends of Belgrave Cemetery committee would like to say
a big thank you to all their members and the public for their
generous support at the annual coffee morning/bric-a-brac sale
in Birstall.
This fundraising event will enable the group to continue their
work, ensuring the preservation and restoration of this lovely
Victorian/Edwardian Cemetery.
Dorothy Marshall (Chairperson)
Having not yet received my copy of The Birstall Post I heard
through the grapevine that dogs are no longer to play on any
of Birstall's playing fields - to do so would incur a fine of
£80.
I had to laugh, do our councillors not have the guts to tackle
the real problems in Birstall, are they afraid of our youths
and can only tackle dumb animals, sorry, animals are not dumb,
it's some of the irresponsible owners who are dumb and ignorant,
possibly the parents of our youths, those little dears who are
neglected at home and take their frustrations out on our society,
throwing bottles, fireworks, abuse etc not to mention the poor
mammoth at Watermead Park who is now pink! The fishermen who
enjoy inflicting suffering on fish, who leave fishing tackle
for our wildlife to endure horrendous deaths (I hope you can
sleep at night)
I expect some bored citizens will reply to my comments, having
nothing better to do with their lives, but before you do, ask
yourselves this, are you happy to walk around Birstall at night,
are you happy to let your children play on the parks without
them seriously cutting themselves on the previous evening's debris?
Will it take a very serious accident to someone's child to jolt
councillors into action on the important issues?
Back to the main purpose of this letter, I for one would be happy
to volunteer to patrol the parks on a relay system with camera
in hand, to photograph the irresponsible dog owners in the act
- then have their photograph published in The Birstall Post to
name and shame.
Come on you powers that be, stick up for the people of Birstall,
you are supposed to be representing us, please get your priorities
right.
I know a lot of elderly residents who have dogs and the parks
are a safe surface for them to walk their dogs, are you going
to deny them the pleasure these animals give them whilst out
walking with friends etc. Birstall used to be a lovely place
to live but now it's a matter of targeting the innocent and shying
away from the very serious issues we all know about.
Come on councillors point the finger in the right direction.
The suggestion of cctv cameras on the park is a wonderful idea.
Name and address supplied.
The Old Plough wishes to acknowledge that whilst it may be
the best child friendly pub it is not necessarily the only one.
From The Old Plough, Front Street
The Arthritis Care Self-Help group would like to say a special
thankyou to Mobile Mobility for kindly donating a steel 4-wheeled
Rollator complete with shopping basket and tray for our Christmas
raffle held at Longslade College.
Thanks also to Network Surveyors and Valuers and Midland Window
Installations for their generous donations that helped us raise
£36.50 towards our new group funds.
Christine Thomas
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Showcase of talent
LONGSLADE COLLEGE students organised an
evening of music, dance and drama performances, staging a Christmas
Showcase Concert in December.
Pic: The Longslade Brass Ensemble
Pic: Year 12 AS Performing Arts
students
Pic: Dance students Fay Bradshaw,
Kay Moorcroft, Katie Dent and Tamara Panczak
Pic: Singer Nicola Yorke
Pic: Rio Overton, Rachel Willey
& Beth Ellison
A brass ensemble played Christmas carols, a jazz group performed
Basin Street Blues, there were readings, dance and solos performed
on oboe, trumpet and piano. The concert ended with the staff
and student choir.
Longslade offers GCSE Music, Dance & Drama, BTec and AS/A2
Performing Arts, AS/A2 Music and next year will be providing
AS/A2 Music Technology.
Class recreates Velazquez
A LOCAL painting class marked the end of
their 10 week course by assembling a reproduction of a Velazquez.
Pic: Members of the Norman Sims
art class with their painting (below)
35 members of Norman Sims' painting class had each painted
a square foot panel of 'The Water Seller' by the seventeenth
century Spanish painter.
Norman said: "We do it simply for pleasure, we all enjoy
it and it's a project we can all get involved in."
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Bird survey
BIRSTALL'S HERITAGE Warden has produced
a report on birds in the still undisturbed part of Hallam Fields.
The heritage warden, Duncan McNeil, stated that, compared with
2005, he estimated the following changes to have taken place:
of the 10 species that bred in both years five - pheasant, skylark,
wren, blackbird and chaffinch - increased, whilst the carrion
crow showed a decrease. Except for the wren, blackbird and chaffinch,
these changes involved only one or two pairs. The three exceptions
increased in numbers by a factor of three. Nothing on the site
explained these changes. The other four species - dunnock, robin,
whitethroat, and yellowhammer showed no changes between the two
years. Three species, the magpie, great tit and partridge bred
only in 2005, whilst the blue tit only bred in 2006.
The report also contained several pictures of plants seen during
one of the author's visits. These included a coastal species,
the common scurvy-grass, in the central reservation of the Loughborough
Road. "Salting roads during icy weather creates ideal conditions
for this plant to spread, and it is now found in many inland
locations beside main roads" said Dr McNeil.
The report was considered at the November meeting of Birstall
Parish council who asked Dr McNeil to update it next year.
Dr McNeil said: "I have some doubts as to whether this will
be possible as recently land to the north of the Jelson's had
been acquired for a service station, and that any work there
would disrupt the survey."
Flyover opens
ROADWORKS THAT closed the Red Hill flyover
have been completed three months ahead of schedule.
The road re-opened just before Christmas, after closing in September
for a planned six month programme of work.
Leicester City Council engineers said the work was essential
to ensure the bridge met safety standards. After detailed inspections
of the structure they discovered fewer repairs would be necessary
than they originally thought.
WI news
THE CHRISTMAS meeting of Birstall &
Wanlip WI was also the AGM.
The secretary's report listed all the activities and speakers
during 2006 and the treasurer's statement indicated that there
was still sufficient money in the accounts including extra cash
from next year's increased subscriptions, to carry on for a further
year. This was good news to all the members. The officers and
committee will remain the same for 2007.
After a 'Bring and Share' supper there was some hilarity caused
by everyone attempting to make themselves a calendar from kits
provided, and all went home in high spirits after Christmas wishes
had been exchanged and toiletry gifts handed out.
The next meeting will be on January 8 with an evening of 'Cash
(subs), 'Cakes' and 'Cards (Games). This will be in Highcliffe
Community Room at 7.15pm
Cliff guest of honour
CLIFF COOPER of Saltersgate Drive, a resident
of Birstall for 40 years, was guest of honour at a dinner at
Birstall Golf Club.
The County Seniors Golf Team headed by the Seniors Captain Tony
Harper, past Captain Eddie Hammond and Neil Pearson, the County
Union Seniors representative, were there to present Cliff with
a gold wrist watch suitably inscribed for his 26 years of service
to seniors golf
Cliff, who is now 83 years of age and still playing golf five
times a week, has decided this will be his last year. He has
been a member of Birstall Golf club for nearly 50 years and has
organised matches with nine other counties for the past 26 years
against Leicestershire teams.
The new Leicestershire and Rutland Seniors Organiser will be
Charles Parker of Rothley Golf Club.
Salsa for everyone
ESPIRITU LATINO, a local Salsa dance school,
has a policy of time-out any time to allow people to have a rest
during the class.
Pic: Students attending a class
in Mountsorrel
Teacher Jenny Harvey says: "Why do very few of the students
take advantage of this break? The simple answer from many students
is that they get so involved in the dancing that they forget
about the exertion. Does the fun factor and the laughing at oneself
when you get it wrong release endorphins that make you forget?
When was the last time you really laughed?"
Fun, keep fit, stress relief and to dance with confidence are
the most requested items on the Espiritu Latino enrolment forms,
so how is this achieved in the class? Jenny says the magic ingredient
is "the classes are run and designed solely for the students
not a curriculum. The pace of the class is designed to be stress
free and the moves are repeated often. In fact the whole course
is designed around what the students specify in the enrolment,
feedback from previous courses and real-time interactions during
the class."
She added: "Having two left feet, a bad memory, no partner
or limited fitness are not reasons to miss out".
Espiritu Latino have been running local classes with students
from 16-73 years of age with people from all backgrounds.
For enrolment and venue details please call Jenny 0116 2387201
or see the advert in this publication.
Methodist news
Christmas Festival
The church is grateful for the wonderful support it received
for the Christmas Market & Festival in November. For pictures
see December issue of Birstall Post.
The final financial result was £3000. This is to be split
between the Scouts Ugandan Appeal (£1000) and church funds.
Sunday Lunch
Another very successful Sunday lunch was held in December and
the four chefs have very generously volunteered to cook on four
occasions in 2007.
Children's Nativity
One of the special Christmas events was the impromptu nativity
especially for little children. Youngsters were invited to come
and join in, without any rehearsal, with costumes available for
every child. Under Wendy Allen's story telling expertise the
Nativity Story slowly unfolded. It was a lovely occasion, thoroughly
enjoyed by both children and those adults who were able to watch.
Aladdin
A few tickets still remain for the Annual Men's Pantomime. Contact
Deborah on 2122513. Please ring any time, but not after 8.30pm.
Widow Twankey will try and get her idle son organised and out
of trouble at each 7.30pm performance between February 13-17
and at the Saturday afternoon matinee.
Churches Together
At national levels of all the main Christian denominations, there
are great strides towards churches working together, but often
it is what happens at a local level where real ecumenical developments
take place. Each year in January there is a 'Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity' (The Birstall service is on January 24 at the
Methodist Church)
The Methodist Church is part of Churches Together in Birstall
and Wanlip. Apart from the organised events, members of the churches
often come together in a less organised way. The Orchestra that
often plays at the Methodist church is made up of folk from all
the churches; the coffee shop also has helpers from all the churches.
The Men's Pantomime has often had men from the Catholic and Anglican
churches. In these and many other ways the Birstall churches
are slowly growing closer together.
Lest I get into trouble from the good folk at Wanlip, they too
are part of Churches Together.
From Tony Moore
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Age Concern info
AGE CONCERN Leicestershire & Rutland started its Wintercare
scheme at the beginning of November and the service will be in
operation throughout the winter months. Staff at Lansdowne House
and the Earl Shilton and Melton Mowbray Resource Centres will
be available to provide assistance and advice to older people
experiencing problems during the winter. They can provide information
on subjects from local plumbers and gas stockists to home energy
efficiency and hypothermia.
Age Concern staff have been working with representatives from
the Primary Care Trust to deliver Winterwarmth talks and events
across the county. The talks have included information on preparing
for winter, why keeping warm matters, staying healthy, keeping
warm and the financial help and grants available.
We also operate a contact scheme which becomes effective during
times of severe weather such as heavy snow, when normal services
such as meals on wheels and home care are disrupted. The service
offers links to hundreds of local volunteers who can provide
practical support and reassurance to frail older people who may
be experiencing difficulties as a result of the bad weather.
In the past volunteers have helped by preparing hot meals, making
hot drinks, ensuring people have access to fuel, providing essential
shopping items, or simply providing reassurance by calling in
to check all is well. This service operates during office hours
during periods of bad weather including weekends.
The scheme is active between December and March and offers practical
support and reassurance to older people who may be experiencing
difficulties due to bad weather such as heavy snow. When severe
weather strikes the dedicated Wintercare number is activated
and bulletins are broadcast on local radio advising those in
difficulty to contact the service. Calls are assessed by on-call
staff who co-ordinate responses and allocate tasks to locally
based volunteers.
In the case of severe weather lines are staffed between 9am and
5pm throughout the week, including Saturday and Sunday. The telephone
number is only publicised in the event of severe weather.
Crime Prevention for Older People
According to Home Office research, people aged 60 and over are
less likely to become victims of crime than those in other age
groups. You can lower the risk of attack or burglary further
by following simple preventative steps. Making yourself safer
does not mean changing your whole lifestyle or becoming trapped
in your own home.
Security in the Home
Most burglars are opportunists and they will look for unlocked
doors or opened windows to get in. You can reduce the risk of
burglary and make yourself feel safer by taking steps to make
your home secure.
o always lock outside doors and close the windows even if you
are just going out for a short time. But when you lock up while
you are inside (for example at night), keep your keys nearby
so that you can get out easily in case of an emergency
o draw the curtains in the evening, when the room is lit
o don't give keys to people you do not know well such as workmen
- they can make copies - but keep a spare set with a person you
can trust
o change the locks if you think somebody else might have another
copy of your keys, for example a previous tenant
o do not leave your spare keys in obvious places such as under
a flower pot or doormat or hanging inside the letterbox
o look through the spy-hole and put the door chain on before
you open the door
o only take the chain off and admit the caller if you are sure
about their identity and purpose of their visit
o do not keep the chain on all the time, it will prevent someone
with a door key entering - for example a home help or the emergency
services
o keep your garden tools and ladders locked away
o keep valuable items out of sight
o if you think you have been broken into, do not go inside as
the burglar might still be inside. Call the police.
Keeping your doors and windows secure
For the front door you are likely to need at least a five-lever
mortice deadlock (with a kitemark BS 3621) sometimes called a
'Chubb' lock - these locks can only be unlocked with a key even
from the inside), an automatic rim latch lock sometimes called
a 'Yale' lock - these locks can usually be opened from the inside
without a key but some have an inside handle which can also be
locked with a key for extra security), door viewer (spy hole)
and door chain.
Consider a letter box cage to prevent thieves from tampering
with locks through the letter box.
Fit your back door with appropriate locks such as a five lever
mortice deadlock on a single door, a security mortice lock and
mortice bolt on both French doors and get advice on fitting locks
to patio doors.
Make sure the doors and frames are strong and in good condition
and the door hinges are sturdy and secured with strong, long
screws. For added security, fit hinge bolts. Glass panels on
or around the door are vulnerable, consider replacing them with
laminated glass.
Extra lighting at the front and rear of the property, such as
a porch light at the front and a security light (such as dusk-to-dawn
light that comes on only when it's dark) at the rear, are useful
deterrents.
Windows, especially if they are on the ground floor or close
to a flat roof or drainpipe on the upper floors, should be fitted
with secure, key-operated locks. Remember to remove the keys
from locked windows and keep them safe, out of sight, but close
to the window.
If you are buying UPVC or metal framed windows or doors, make
sure they come with good built-in locks and that they comply
with British Standards that relate to security.
If you need new locks fitted get a qualified locksmith, check
if they are members of the Master Locksmiths Association.
Your local Victim Support Scheme or Age Concern may also be able
to advise you on where to get help with buying and fitting locks
or may have a list of reliable locksmiths. Your local Age Concern
may also run a 'handy person' scheme that may fit the locks for
you.
If you are a council or housing association tenant, the landlord
may provide and fit secure locks.
You can contact Help the Aged's Handyvan Scheme on 01255 473
999, website: www.helptheaged.org.uk for help with improving
the safety of your home. They may have a project in your area
which will provide and fit locks.
You may also contact your local police station and ask to speak
to a Crime Prevention Officer at your local police station for
advice.
For a copy of 'Be Safe, Be Secure: Your Practical Guide to Crime
Prevention' contact the Crime Prevention Officer or download
from the website: www.crimereduction.gov.uk or call 0870 241
4680 (national call rate).
Property marking
Consider marking your property. If your property is lost or stolen
this mark may mean that your property will be returned to you.
It can also deter burglars as it is harder for a thief to sell.
Items should be visibly and permanently marked showing your postcode
and the number of your house or flat or the first two letters
of its name.
Take pictures of valuable items and write down the serial numbers
of your electrical equipment to help the police identify them
should they be recovered.
Ask your local police station for 'postcode property' stickers
to display in the front and back windows of your house.
Money
Do not keep large sums of money in the house - put spare cash
in a bank, building society, or post office account. Keep a note
of your credit cards, cashpoint cards, bank and building society
account numbers and the companies' emergency telephone numbers
so that you can advise them of the loss immediately (most have
a 24 hour service).
Burglar alarms
Visible burglar alarms will deter opportunist burglars and increase
the security of your home. Before you make a decision on which
model to purchase, seek specialist advice and get a number of
quotes.
Your insurance company may be able to recommend a reputable company
or a suitable system. The system should meet BS4737 or BS6799
(wire-free) or the new European Standard EN50131-1.
Identity Theft
In Identity Theft criminals seek opportunities to access your
personal information to carry out fraud on your bank accounts
or to use your name in another fraudulent way.
They can steal your information by:
o raiding dustbins to search for information on statements, bills,
receipts etc
o contacting you (by phone, email or text message) and pretending
to be from a legitimate organisation eg your bank and asking
you for personal information such as passwords, PIN numbers etc.
The following tips may help to keep your account safe:
o be cautious of anyone seeking too much personal information;
ask why they need them. Your bank would not contact you to ask
for your PIN, password or other security information in full.
Never disclose your PIN to anyone
o if you are concerned about any request for information contact
your bank helpdesk to verify the reasons
o get a copy of your personal credit file from one of the three
credit reference agencies regularly to see which financial organisations
have accessed your details; this is particularly important 2-3
months after you moved house (there is a small charge for this
service)
o shred or cut to little pieces anything containing personal
information such as documents, cards, receipts, unwanted applications
for bank accounts, credit cards or loans etc before putting them
in the bin
o keep important documents and details, such as your birth certificate,
national insurance number, bank statements in a safe place
o check your statements regularly and contact your bank immediately
if you do not recognise the transactions
o if you are expecting a statement new card or cheque book by
post and it does not arrive, contact your bank immediately
o keep your passwords and PIN numbers safe, don't write them
down, avoid using your mother's maiden name as a security password
- it can easily be discovered, don't use the same password for
more than one account
o be careful when you use your cards (cash machines, shops )
and don't let anyone see your PIN number
o if you move house contact your bank and all other organisations
to give them the new address (the Post Office can redirect post
on request)
o use a computer that you know is secure - which means one with
up to date antivirus software, and firewall installed, be wary
of making a transaction using internet cafes or public computers.
For more information see the Home Office website: www.identifytheft.org.uk
Credit Reference Agencies:
Experian: Consumer Help Service, Experian Ltd, PO Box 8000, Nottingham
NG80 7WF, website: www.experian.co.uk
Equifax: Equifax Plc, Credit File Advice Centre, P O Box 1140,
Bradford BD1 5US, website: www.equifax.co.uk
Call Credit: Consumer Services Team, Callcredit plc, PO Box 491,
Leeds LS3 1WZ, website: www.callcredit.co.uk
Jex Woods
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