CURRY RIVEL MONTHLY REPORT

The reported crimes for the month of May 2011

3 x Theft – Stolen 231 metres of BT Cable from the Street, Man Hole covers removed, value under £10,000.

1 x Making off without Payment - £80

1 x Burglary in a Building – Shed broken into, Lock removed, nothing stolen.

1 x Burglary in a Dwelling – Wooden door damaged, Nothing stolen.

1 x Criminal Damage to a Vehicle – Vehicle damaged.

1 x Theft – Garden plant/flowers stolen, value under £20.

1 x Fraud and Forgery – Bilking of Diesel £250

NEWS IN THE AREA

THE RURAL CRIME TEAM

A rural crime team introduced in Somerset east is already getting great results, having made 35 arrests and recovered £100,000 of stolen plant.

The team, introduced last year, focuses on offenders targeting rural communities to commit crimes including the theft of plant, livestock, fuel and scrap metal.

Rural crime is a priority because of the high value of farm machinery and the significant impact this has on the livelihood of the victim.

Following analysis of the issues, a detailed plan was put in place to tackle them. The measures are designed to make it harder for criminals to operate by improving intelligence about the people involved and removing opportunities for them to sell the stolen items.

Farms have been encouraged to sign up to Farm Watch, a scheme which provides signs, crime prevention advice and the easy sharing of information about suspicious incidents and the people involved in rural crime. There are now more than 800 farms signed up – an increase of 400% since April 2010. If you are interested in joining Farm watch, please call 0845 456 7000 as ask for further details.

Sergeant Ed Hawkins, who leads the four-strong team, said: “We have sent a clear message to rural criminals that we will not let them target our communities. I hope the results we have

achieved also reassures residents that we are determined to protect them from crime. We will continue to be relentless in cracking down on rural crime and will examine all the information we get about people committing offences.”

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM PROPERTY THEFT

Make sure your valuables are safe and secure this spring by following the advice below:

• Secure barns, sheds and machinery using chains, ground anchors and door locks.

• Install security lighting and alarms on your property

• Hide valuable items. Thieves often target diesel tanks, so conceal them with fencing panels or shrubs, don’t leave scrap metal on display – lock it away.

• Metal thieves will also seize upon any plant machinery or vehicles, such as quad bikes, which are not secure, use chains, ground anchors and door locks to keep them safe.

• Secure your gates by welding a nut onto the hanging bracket so thieves can’t lift them off.

• Mark your property, protect plant machinery using SmartWater or data tagging systems and mark horse tack with your postcode.

• Register valuables with www.immobilise.com

For more information contact your local crime reduction officer on: 0845 456 7000.

Remember

When reporting a crime or an incident please call the following numbers:

0845 456 7000

In case of emergency 999

CRIME STOPPERS on 0800 555 111

Your call cannot be traced and you will not be asked your name.  For more information and for more advice on all the above and much more

Please visit www.avonandsomerset.police.uk