Police Surgeries

Thursday 10th November, from 2pm - 3pm at the Council offices

Thursday 24th November, from 2pm - 3pm at the Council offices

ALL WELCOME

Problems * Grievances * General Advice

Role of the Community Support Officer - Stotfold's new dedicated PCSO is Lisa Antoine.  Lisa previously worked in the Potton area as a PCSO.  She has been introducing herself to residents and shop keepers in the town and will be an asset to the Community.  Lisa's role is to be a visible and reassuring presence in the community and to deal with low level anti social behaviour and quality of life issues.

Lisa will act on intelligence and information provided by the public. She is able to confiscate alcohol and tobacco from minors, confiscate alcohol in designated public places, enter property to save life or limb and is able to obtain the name and address of persons acting in an anti-social manner for police purposes.

Lisa can be contacted on 01234 841212.  Email: SNT.Stotfold@Bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk

22nd December 2011

Simple Steps to Reduce Heartache of Burglary

With Father Christmas getting set to do his rounds at the weekend, Bedfordshire Police is urging residents to take a few extra actions to prevent heartache should anyone be the victim of crime over the festive period. 

At a time when expensive gifts are being exchanged, criminals seize on the opportunity to commit burglaries in the hope of scooping brand new items that they can then sell on.  

Residents are being urged to register with the UK National Property Register at http://www.immobilise.com/ where they can log any items such as mobile phones, computers, bicycles, appliances and jewellery. Immobilise will record serial numbers and also allows the user to upload pictures and a brief description of the item. 

The Immobilise database is linked directly to a number of police systems across the UK which makes it easier for officers to trace the owners of any recovered items as well as identifying items that have been found on suspected criminals. 

Another measure that residents can consider is security marking their property with Ultra-Violet (UV) pens or chemical DNA marking solutions which can also be used on jewellery. 

Inspector Jim Hitch of Bedfordshire Police said: “No one likes to think about being the victim of crime at such a happy time of year, but unfortunately there are people out there who prey on people at this time of year for that very reason. 

“Registering your items with Immobilise only takes a few minutes and is completely free of charge, but the benefits of it could be priceless. By taking photos of your items, you would also providing the police with great intelligence – if you have jewellery, then place the item next to a ruler when taking the photo so that it is clear how big the item is. 

“Bedfordshire Police is working tirelessly to combat the threat of burglary in the run up to Christmas and beyond but I hope that residents take the time to register and mark their belongings to make sure anything stolen really is ‘too hot to handle’.”  

Bedfordshire Police and Crime Reduction co-ordinators continue to actively target the problem at the moment but anything that can be done to prevent the problem in the first place is invaluable. 

Other measures that residents can take to reduce the threat of burglary include: 

• Keep vehicle keys out of sight at night
• If you have a garage, use it
• Ensure security lights are working and your car is locked and alarmed
• Ensure all doors and windows are locked
• If you see someone acting suspiciously, telephone the police
• Join a Neighbourhood Watch or Street Watch scheme

If you have information relating to any burglaries, contact Bedfordshire Police, in confidence, on the non emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011. 

Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.  

20th December 2011  

Police Warn Against Making Allegations

Bedfordshire Police is reminding residents of the dangers of making false allegations and wasting police time. 

During December, detectives have investigated three separate robberies which turned out to be false claims. Each of the incidents required officers to take statements, undertake door-to-door enquiries and view hours of CCTV footage before the truth was discovered. 

On Thursday December 15, a 49-year-old woman claimed that she had been robbed of money and her mobile phone after visiting the Post Office in Shortstown. Officers attended the scene and carried out an area search for the two ‘offenders’ but when detectives later questioned the woman, she revealed that she had made the allegation up. 

At around 10.30pm on Friday December 2, Bedfordshire Police received a report that a man in a wheelchair had been robbed in Goldington Avenue, Bedford. The man claimed that three teenagers wearing hooded tops and carrying a knife had stolen £200 from him. Detectives carried out a large search for the offenders, but again the crime report was found to be false. The same applied to a report from a 14-year-old boy who claimed that he was assaulted and robbed of his mobile phone on Monday December 5. 

Detective Sergeant Gary Maxey of the Serious Crime Investigation Team at Bedfordshire Police, said: “We always take any report of robbery extremely seriously and will do all that we can to capture the offenders as quickly as possible. Unfortunately we have seen a number of incidents this month where people have purposefully made up claims and wasted quite a considerable amount of police time. 

“I’d like to remind residents that making false allegations – whether they be robbery or any other crimes - and wasting police time is a serious offence which could result in the person making the claims being prosecuted. In these cases we quickly established that stories just weren’t adding up and were able to warn the claimants about their actions.” 

To report any crime please contact Bedfordshire Police, in confidence, on 01234 841212, the non emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011. Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org 

2 November 2011

Specials Thanked for Regional Support During Public Disorder

Special constables contributed 19,495 hours across the region to the policing response during widespread public disorder in August.  

There are more than 2,200 Specials in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk and they played a key role in maintaining community stability.  

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hopkins, Eastern Region Specials lead, said: “Once again, this demonstrates how Special constables are part of our everyday business and how we can rely on them for support. The number of hours they contributed was outstanding and their regional support was invaluable.”  

Nigel Green, Eastern Region Specials Coordinator, said: “I would like to thank all officers for their support during the operation. Across the region there were 70 arrests made during the disorder by Special constables.

We rely heavily on Specials not just for general policing but during major events. Without their help the regular police force would be further stretched. Specials are volunteers. They give up their time to reduce crime and the fear of crime. They come from a variety of backgrounds and do all of this to police the local communities for no pay.”  

During the disorder Specials carried out front line duties at key locations, including reassurance patrols.  

For more information about Specials or if you’re interested in becoming a Special, visit our Single Volunteering Unit page.

Media release

9 November 2011

Resilience forum urges motorists to carry emergency kits following M5 crash

Following the tragic M5 car crash which resulted in seven fatalities and over fifty people being injured last weekend, a local resilience forum is urging residents to carry emergency kits in their cars. 

To read the full article please use the link below

http://www.bedfordshire.police.uk/pdf/081111_emergency_kits.pdf

Thank you for your support

Gary Burke – Wanted

Following an appeal on last week’s BBC Crimewatch programme, police are making a direct appeal to Gary Burke of Luton to contact officers.

Burke, aged 23, from Osborne Road, Luton, was due to be tried for conspiracy to supply class A drugs last year. However, he failed to answer bail or attend court for the trial, and there is a warrant for his arrest outstanding.

Burke’s photograph was featured in last week’s Crimewatch show and produced good quality new information from the public which detectives are currently working on.

Det Sgt Zara Brown, who is the investigating officer for Burke’s case, said: “We are actively investigating new leads as a result of the programme, but we are still keen to hear from anyone who has further information about Gary Burke’s whereabouts.”

“It may be that Gary himself does not know how serious evading a crown court trial is and does not realise that the situation – far from going away – is actually becoming worse for him the longer he prolongs it,” she said. 

“If anyone knows where Gary is, you can contact us in complete secrecy, or you can contact us via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, anonymously. You don’t have to give your name, but can still receive a financial reward,” said Det Sgt Brown.

Information can also be given directly to officers via the force control room on 01234 841212.

 Lift the Handle, turn the key

This is the simple message being given to residents by the Community Safety Partnership to reduce the risk of burglary.

Following the success of Bedfordshire Police’s Operation Peak which aimed to reduce burglaries during the winter months, Central Bedfordshire Council and its partners are now passing on a clear message to communities, ensure your properties are secure all year round.

By securely locking UPVC doors - along with keeping valuables out of sight – burglaries around the area could be prevented particularly as the evenings are getting longer, the weather starting to warm up and people spending times in their gardens thinking their houses won’t be a target.

All too often police get reports of people who have come in from the garden to find someone has slipped through a front or back door and grabbed easily removable items such as handbags or wallets – or even keys along with the family car.

Most thieves are lazy opportunists and if they see a door left wide open, or possibly unlocked with the owner engrossed elsewhere, they will not hesitate to take advantage of the situation.

Another very common method of entry is whereby offenders will smash a window or a pane of glass close to the door lock, reach in and open the front or rear door from the inside. This is made possible if a key has been left in the back of the door, the door only has a simple latch lock and no deadlock, or if a lock exists but is not used.

Whilst it is important to implement measures to protect your property from burglary it is also very important to be able to escape quickly in the event of a fire.   Therefore, keep a window key in every room and ensure that door keys are easily accessible near to your front and back doors.  You should also develop and practice a fire escape plan for your home and make sure that all members of the household including visitors know how to quickly and safely evacuate the building.

Cllr Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Sustainable Communities Services at Central Bedfordshire Council said: "By taking very small and simple steps we can help reduce the amount of burglaries that take place around Central Bedfordshire. The summer is a time when people are out and enjoying the weather, but everyone needs to be vigilant and take measures to ensure that they do not become a victim of crime."

Other ways to deter burglars include:

• Fit outside security lights and put gates across side passages;
• Leave lights and a radio on when you go out;
• Double check fences and boundaries for weak spots;
• Fit security features such as window locks, patio door locks and a burglar alarm;
• Never leave keys under mats and flower pots, it’s the first place burglars look;
• Keep an eye out for strangers in your street, especially if they are selling property door to door. If you are suspicious, call the police; and
• Help protect your neighbourhood by joining Home Watch, or becoming a co-ordinator.

Bedfordshire Police Online - Community Messaging (Ringmaster). This is a free to use computerised crime messaging service which offers details about crime and events in the local area. You can receive information via email direct to your computer, view messages online or by phone at a time to suit you.

You can join Ringmaster by applying online at http://www.safer-beds.org/ website or phone 01234 275288 or 01582 394023 if you live in Luton and an application form can be sent by post.

BEDFORDSHIRE’S new Chief Constable has publically thrown his weight behind an initiative that enables residents to organise high visibility civilian patrols in their own neighbourhoods.
Alf Hitchcock, who joined the force at the beginning of this year, has written an internet article that describes Street Watch as having “huge potential” nationally.
In a front page comment on www.street-watch.org.uk/ Mr Hitchcock says: “It is a great way for the community to work with the police and make Bedfordshire even safer.
“Street Watch is community empowerment in action and its benefits are clear – crime and anti-social behaviour prevention, reassurance and increased community cohesion.
“Street Watch has huge potential nationally and I am proud that the citizens of Bedfordshire have been so keen to form local schemes and lead the way on this.”
Mr Hitchcock spoke out as the wheels were put in motion to launch the tenth Street Watch scheme in Bedfordshire since April last year – making it one of the most successful  projects in the country.
A public meeting to rally support was held at Shillington Village Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday (March 31), just a week after another successful scheme was launched in Clifton.
Street Watch, which was originally launched in Hampshire and Surrey, involves local people taking it in turns to patrol communities in high visibility vests to provide reassurance and talk to residents.
It is emphasised they are not doing the job of police officers or PCSOs and have no more power than ordinary citizens. Instead the purpose of Street Watch is to prevent crime by increasing visibility, maintaining effective communication and reporting to police and increasing feelings of safety and community spirit.
Each scheme relies on Street Watch finding coordinators and volunteers prepared to give two hours each month and keep the national web site up to date with what they are doing and where. They also have to be vetted at the same level as police volunteers.
Safer Neighbourhood Sergeant Lisa Johnson, who has helped oversee the Bedfordshire project, said: “Street Watch is a classic example of the community and police working in partnership to reduce crime and increase feelings of safety.
“In Marston Moretaine – our first scheme – we saw a 12 per cent decrease in anti-social behaviour and a six per cent decrease in overall crime between May and November 2010. While we cannot positively attribute all this to Street Watch, it is plain the scheme has had an extremely positive impact on the village.
“We would urge anyone interested in setting up a similar scheme in their area to get in touch.”
Anyone interested can contact Sgt Johnson direct on 01582 473333, through the main switchboard on 01234 841212 or email lisa.johnson@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk

Stotfold hosts the main health services with a dedicated health centre, pharmacy as well as an optician and dentist. The local leisure centres are provided by Letchworth and Biggleswade.

Stotfold also has a range of walks available around the town as well as 4 parks for recreation. 

Head of Education -Bedfordshire County Council, Cauldwell Street, Bedford Tel: 01234 363222

Education in Bedfordshire is provided on a three-tier level, Lower ages four to nine years, Middle ages nine to thirteen years and Upper level ages thirteen to eighteen years. Stotfold has two Lower schools whilst Middle school provision is supplied on the edge of neighbouring Arlesey and Upper school provision is at Clifton, a fifteen minute bus ride away. Child Care Link