The Police & Crime Plan for West Mercia Published
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West Mercia Recruits Police Cadets Squad In North Worcestershire
A squad of police cadets is being set up in North Worcestershire
for the first time in many years.
West Mercia Police is offering 16-year-olds across the county the
opportunity to learn new life skills while helping out in their local communities.
North Worcestershire is seeking to recruit 14 youngsters following
the success of a police cadet scheme in Telford.
Cadet leader, PC Neil Sharpe said: “This is an excellent opportunity
for young people to gain experience which will stand them in good stead as
they progress through life, both career-wise and with personal development.
“They will be involved in supporting local policing teams at high
profile public events, delivering crime prevention advice,
visiting vulnerable and elderly people in care homes,
helping the public at community events and assisting with
mystery shopper activities to kerb the underage sale of
alcohol, knives, fireworks and cigarettes.”
He said joining the cadets would lead to meeting people,
making new friends, improving life skills and provide a boost
to employment prospects.
Cadets would be able to take part in a wide range of training,
from first aid, personal fitness and drill to gaining a
BTEC Diploma in Public Service Skills.
PC Sharpe said: “You will be trained in leadership,
conflict resolution and developed to become a positive role
model and advocate for younger peers. This will be achieved through team
working, for example, on outward bound activity weeks.”
Secondary schools in the county are being approached to help recruit
the new cadets. The scheme is part of West Mercia Police’s
strategy to engage with young people.
It is specifically for 16-year-olds who have just left year 11 and
wish to engage in a programme which provides practical understanding
of policing, develops their spirit of adventure and good citizenship
while supporting local policing priorities.
PC Sharpe added: “Cadets are a family where discipline,
friendship and team work are all important. By being a police cadet,
you have the satisfaction of knowing that as a young person you are
making a difference to your community and developing
yourself for a future career.”
If you are interested in becoming a member of North Worcestershire’s
police cadets, email northworcspolicecadets@westmercia.pnn.police.uk.
Further information is also available on the West Mercia Police website, http://www.westmercia.police.uk/policecadets/
The cadets will meet on Thursday nights at:
Kingsley College, Woodrow in Redditch.

To view the full poster click here
Four Arrested In Blakedown
Four people have been arrested in Blakedown, near Kidderminster in the early hours.
The Eastern European men, who all have addresses in the Lye area of the Black Country,
were arrested in Wannerton Close at about 3.30am today on suspicious of going equipped.
They were arrested after being spotted acting suspiciously by a police patrol,
and remain in custody at Kidderminster police station, assisting with inquiries.
Last week a crime prevention operation took place in Blakedown,
following several recent burglaries in the village.
Officers identified vulnerable properties and gave residents security advice.
And ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) technology was used on the
A456 to target vehicles being driven illegally and those known to be used by criminals.
Issued: Thursday, 13 December 2012

ANPR Operation Targets Cross Border Criminals
Three people were arrested during an anti-burglary operation on main routes between North Worcestershire
and the West Midlands.
Operation Arrow involved the use of ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) equipment in Kidderminster,
Norton and Hagley yesterday, Wednesday 21 November.
The joint operation by West Mercia Police and West Midlands Police targeted cross-border offenders,
in particular burglars, travelling between Kidderminster and Stourbridge.
ANPR technology was used to identify vehicles used by known offenders, or suspected of having been
used in crimes, as well as those which had no tax or insurance.
One of the vehicles seized in Kidderminster was a van with a supermarket shopping trolley in it.
Three men were arrested and later charged with receiving stolen goods. One was also charged with
motoring offences. All three will be appearing before Kidderminster magistrates on 6th December.
The driver of another vehicle which was stopped was given an £80 fixed penalty notice for
possession of cannabis.
Three vehicles were seized for having no insurance or the drivers not having the correct licences.
Four drivers were reported for using their mobile phones, and four were reported for
motoring offences.
Sergeant Brian Russell of West Mercia Police said the number plates of 5,700 vehicles travelling
into Kidderminster were scanned by the ANPR equipment, which alerted officers if a vehicle was of interest.
He said: "We were very pleased with how the operation went.
"Hopefully it will send a clear message out to criminals using the main routes to travel between
Kidderminster and Stourbridge that we are pro-active in stopping and checking vehicles and their occupants.
"More of these operations will follow."
Sergeant Rich Longmore of West Midlands Police said: "Officers from the Dudley Local Priority Team
took part in the operation, with the support of colleagues from Wolverhampton,
and although no arrests were made, useful intelligence was gained."
Electrical Items And Jewellery Stolen During Blakedown Burglary
Police are appealing for witnesses to a burglary in Blakedown, near Kidderminster,
in which jewellery and electrical items were stolen.
It happened on the A456 Birmingham Road, between 11.30am and 3.15pm on Monday, 12 November.
It is believed the offenders climbed over a locked side gate to get to the rear of the house,
and then got in through French doors, causing £300 damage.
Items stolen included a Samsung Galaxy Tab multi media tablet with charger and docking station,
worth £350, a further Samsung docking station worth £50, 10 Playstation games including
Pro Evolution Soccer, Modern Warfare Medal of Honor, Assasin's Creed,
and a Michael Jackson interactive game, worth £300, two Tiffany platinum matching
gents and ladies rings which are described as band style wedding rings and were worth £800,
a Tiffany platinum engagement ring which was a diamond solitaire on a raised setting,
worth £2,500, a pair of white gold earrings in a swirl design with a single diamond in the centre,
worth £50, five pairs of white gold earrings, mainly stud-style, worth £150, a white gold necklace
with a matching swirl design pendant and earrings, worth £90, a platinum tanzanite pendant
necklace with a zig zag design, worth £200, and various items of costume jewellery worth £200.
House to house inquiries were carried out, and a Neighbourhood Watch alert issued.
PC Adrian Bartlett of West Mercia Police said: "The house is in the centre of the village,
on the busy A456 Birmingham Road. The burglary happened during the day when there
would have been passing traffic and people about, and we hope someone may have
noticed the offenders climbing over the side gate, or heard the sound of glass breaking."
In September West Mercia Police launched Citadel, an initiative aimed at reducing
burglaries in the force area. Tackling burglary and catching offenders are high priorities for the force.
Crime prevention advice, including keeping hedges trimmed so homes can be easily seen from the road,
securing side gates to prevent access to the rear of the property, and securely storing garden tools
which could be used to force entry, is available on the force website, http://www.westmercia.police.uk/
Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact PC Adrian Bartlett on the non-emergency number 101, quoting incident 120-N-121112, or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
 
Kate Easthope
Police Community Support Officer 6239
Kidderminster Rural Local Policing Team
Voicemail: 01562 828290
0300 333 3000 Extension 3914
Non Emergency Incident Number 101

Warning After Car Stolen By Sneak-In Burglars At Blakedown
Householders are being warned to be on their guard against sneak-in burglaries after two homes at
Blakedown, near Kidderminster, were entered yesterday (Wednesday, 7 November) and a car
taken from the driveway of one of them.
At both addresses thieves got in through doors that were not locked while people were at home.
Police are linking the incidents and urging residents to ensure their windows and doors are secure,
even when they are in.
One of the burglaries took place in Belbroughton Road between 1pm and 8.15pm when thieves
got in through the front door and took four sets of keys from the hallway.
A silver VW Jetta Sport - registration OV59 YAD - worth £24,000 was stolen from the driveway.
Another home nearby in Mill Close was entered via a rear door between 6.40pm and 8.30pm.
It is believed a car on the driveway was the target but the thieves could not find the keys.
However they stole a black gents jacket from the kitchen with a wallet containing
around £180 plus bank cards, and an iPhone 4 along with the charger.
Detective Inspector John Cashion, who leads the North Worcestershire burglary team, said today:
"We believe these offences are connected and both happened while householders were in.
The thieves would have known that, as there were cars on the drive and lights on.
They were quickly in and out through insecure doors and no attempt was made
to search other rooms in the houses."
He appealed for anyone who noticed someone hanging around in Blakedown yesterday or saw
any unusual activity near the burgled addresses to contact officers at Kidderminster CID.
Det Insp Cashion added: "People need to be on their guard against opportunist, sneak-in thefts like
this and realise that it takes a thief only a few seconds to open a door or reach in through a
window to steal a wallet, handbag, car keys or anything else within reach.
"Please take precautions by locking the door behind you when you arrive home and keeping the
key in a safe place rather than leaving it in the door. People should regularly check front and
back doors are locked and not leave valuables by an open door or window.
"Open windows will catch the attention of an opportunist thief and these should be secure,
particularly on the ground floor."
West Mercia Police is currently running an anti-burglary initiative called Citadel,
which stresses the importance of acting on crime prevention advice and contacting the police immediately on the non-emergency number 101 if residents see any suspicious activity near their homes.
Anyone with information about the burglaries at Blakedown should ring 101
quoting the incident reference 709-S-071112
or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
 
 

Please see the below press release in relation to another burglary in Blakedown. If you saw anyone acting suspiciously in this area, or have any information that can help police, please call the telephone number at the bottom of the message. Thank you
Burglary At Village Nursery Near Kidderminster
Police are appealing for witnesses to a burglary at a nursery in Blakedown, near Kidderminster.
It happened at Blue Hoots Pre-School, Birmingham Road, between 6pm on Friday 28th September and 7.20am on Monday 1st October.
It is believed offenders got into an office through a window. They made an untidy search, and stole a red petty cash box containing £100.
PC Kate Medlam of West Mercia Police said: "This burglary has caused a great deal of distress among the nursery staff.
"Blakedown has a close-knit community so we are hoping someone will come forward with information.
"The nursery backs onto a graveyard which is used as a cut through by locals, especially dog walkers, and we would like to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious. We would also like to hear from anyone who finds the cash tin."
Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact PC Medlam on the non-emergency number 101 quoting incident 47-s-01 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Police Conduct Spot Checks Looking For Stolen Property
Police officers from Wyre Forest recently carried out spot checks looking for stolen property
at a local machinery sale.
The checks took place on the morning of Friday, 27 July, in Stanklyn Lane, Stone, near Kidderminster.
They were conducted in response to a country wide increase in thefts of machinery, including items such as tractors, garden machinery, tools and trailers.
Although no stolen property was identified this time,
one person was arrested for attempted theft of property on display at the sale.
Local Policing Officer, PC Andy Wallace said "Members of the public
should keep a record of the serial number, chassis number or any other
identifiable marks on their property so that in the event of a theft the
stolen property can be traced and identified in the future.
"We are grateful to the auctioneers for allowing us to conduct
these spot checks and further checks within the Wyre Forest area are planned for the future.
"West Mercia is a safe place to live and crime figures remain relatively low,
but we can all play a part in reducing crime by keeping our property
safe and secure and not making it easy for would-be thieves."
Marking valuable items with a forensic marking product is an increasingly
popular deterrent that can be used against potential thieves and will also
help you get your property back should they be stolen.
Further information can be found on the force website under the Advice Centre section.
Anyone with information regarding stolen machinery should call police
on the new non-emergency number, 101, or call the independent charity
Crimestoppers anonymously on 0500 555 111.
 
 
Kate Easthope
Police Community Support Officer 6239
Kidderminster Rural Local Policing Team
Voicemail: 01562 828290
0300 333 3000 Extension 3914
Non Emergency Incident Number 101 
Public Service Counters - New Opening Times
West Mercia Police is reminding people across the force area that the opening hours of its
public service counters are changing in an effort to give a more consistent service.
The aim is that the 31 public service counters across Herefordshire, Shropshire,
Telford & Wrekin and Worcestershire will give a service according to demand and policing need.
West Mercia Police Authority voted in favour of the proposals in February this year
and the new times will come into effect from this month.
The revised plans mean the public will benefit from a wide range of opening hours,
including evenings and weekends.
Chief Superintendent Trevor Albutt said: "The change to public service counter opening
times will not affect local policing and all police stations will remain operational.
We want to make sure we offer a good service to the public and be as accessible as possible.
Visiting your local police station service counter in person is not the only way to get in touch with us.
"West Mercia Police is available 24 hrs a day, seven days a week via a variety of contact channels.
You can ring 101 for non-emergencies and 999 if you need us more urgently.
Contact can also be made through the force website http://www.westmercia.police.uk/ and you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter."
As part of the review the force has carried out extensive research,
including speaking to other forces. Where opening hours have been reduced
alternative services will be provided including telephone links outside police stations
and information stands which provide crime prevention materials.
Every Local Policing Team can be contacted by e-mail, voicemail, at local events
and surgeries, Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meetings and via diary
appointments which are available at the police station.
To check who your local policing team is visit the force website www.westmercia.police.uk
 
 
Kate Easthope
Police Community Support Officer 6239
Kidderminster Rural Local Policing Team
Voicemail: 01562 828290
0300 333 3000 Extension 3914
Non Emergency Incident Number 101

Kidderminster Man Pays Back Thousands After False Insurance Claims
In the last few weeks, a Kidderminster man has paid thousands of pounds back to an insurance company, after being convicted of making two false claims.
Anthony Gauntlett (DOB 02/03/1972) of Wannerton Road in Blakedown admitted faking the claims, after reporting two burglaries at his home address in 2008 and 2010.
The 40-year-old appeared at Worcester Crown Court on 2 July charged with two counts of fraud and was ordered to pay back around £6,000 under a confiscation order.
Under the Proceeds of Crime Act, a confiscation order can be made against convicted criminals instructing them to pay back the amount they have gained from the crime they committed.
The amount Gauntlett was ordered to pay back to his insurer - Direct Line - related directly to a Bang and Olufsen television he claimed had been stolen in a burglary in August 2008.
The fraud came to light after Gauntlett reported another burglary in November 2010, in which he claimed around £17,000 of home entertainment equipment had been taken from his house.
Following an investigation carried out by West Mercia Police detectives and fraud investigators from Direct Line, it was found that this claim proved to be false as the items claimed for were later found inside his home, including the television he alleged was stolen in the 2008 burglary.
Detective Constable Lloyd Davies from Kidderminster CID said: "I can now confirm that Mr Gauntlett paid back the money he owed to Direct Line on 13 July.
"He was given an eight month suspended sentence and will have to carry out 150 hours in unpaid work for each offence, to run concurrently. He will also have to pay £1,400 in court costs.
"False insurance claims are not a victimless crime as they bump up premiums for law-abiding members of the public.
"Those responsible for committing these types of crimes will find it difficult to get insured in the future and, if the full amount of their fraud is not recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act, the insurance company may seek to recover their costs by taking civil action.
"I hope this case sends a clear message to criminals who think they can get away with insurance fraud that where a false claim is suspected, we will work with insurance companies to carry out a full investigation and bring offenders to justice."
 
 
Kate Easthope
Police Community Support Officer 6239
Kidderminster Rural Local Policing Team
Voicemail: 01562 828290
0300 333 3000 Extension 3914
Non Emergency Incident Number 101 
Police Authority Approves Alliance Plan
A four-year plan to deliver high-quality, value for money, policing services across Warwickshire and
West Mercia police force areas was today agreed by members of West Mercia Police Authority.
The plan will enable both forces to maximise the protection they can deliver from a reducing policing
budget, by streamlining support services that enable policing to take place, as well as management costs.
West Mercia Police needs to reduce its operating costs by £20.1 million by the end of 2015/16 and
Warwickshire by £10.2 million.
The plan will be considered by Warwickshire Police Authority tomorrow (Wednesday July 20) and,
if approved will see:
            *Policing delivered across seven geographic areas, each led by a local Superintendent responsible for local policing,
                including Safer Neighbourhood Teams, response, local investigation and harm reduction. These areas are: Herefordshire;                 North Warwickshire; North Worcestershire; Shropshire; South Warwickshire; South Worcestershire; Telford & Wrekin.
          * Other policing services will be managed once across both forces and delivered locally in accordance with need,
                    tackling the highest harms that exist in both force areas at all times. Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs,
                    also known as Local Policing Teams) will be allowed to concentrate on harm reduction in their communities by focusing on communications, local engagement, problem solving with partners and offender management.
* Local Safer Neighbourhood policing teams (SNTs) remain fundamental to serving the public and will
                    operate across all four counties. We will work with Authorities and then elected Police and Crime
Commissioners to determine how to best utilise them.
      * SNTs will be supported by other officers and staff working in the community performing functions such as patrol,
crime investigation and forensics.
          * A new estates strategy will be completed. We will discuss potential changes to individual police buildings,
                    stations or front-counter arrangements with Authorities, (then elected Police and Crime Commissioners), local communities and partners to decide how they can best be used to support local policing.
              * There will be fewer people employed in supporting functions, fewer managers and police supervisors and both forces are seeking to increase the number of Special Constables and other volunteers to assist in delivering policing.
* In agreeing the report presented to them, West Mercia Police Authority asked Chief Constable David Shaw to
                "drive forward future design and implementation work as quickly as professionally possible", in consultation with the Police Authority and the elected Police and Crime Commissioner from November 2012.
* Sheila Blagg, Chair of West Mercia Police Authority said: "We believe the arrangements agreed today are
capable of delivering more protection for communities in Herefordshire, Telford & Wrekin, Shropshire
and Worcestershire than would be possible without an Alliance with Warwickshire Police.
"However, it would not be appropriate to comment further until colleagues on Warwickshire Police Authority
have had an opportunity consider the report at their meeting tomorrow."
West Mercia Police's Chief Constable David Shaw said the Alliance design provides
‘innovative, effective and efficient' ways of policing to ensure that protection of the public is maximised.
 
 
Kate Easthope
Police Community Support Officer 6239
Kidderminster Rural Local Policing Team
Voicemail: 01562 828290
0300 333 3000 Extension 3914
Non Emergency Incident Number 101
ALERT 21/06/2012
  
Observations requested for a Grey Audi A4 Estate which is being used on cloned plates and
involved in burglaries in the Wyre Forest area including Blakedown, Harvington,
Stourport & Kidderminster (Hoo Brook/Chester Rd/Land Oak area).
 
The vehicle is believed to have displayed a variety of registration numbers which include:
 
VA07AOC -
 
VN53VBP -
 
ML05EEY -
 
If you see anything suspicious, see the Audi or have any other information please
telephone the police immediately on 101 (or 999 if you suspect an offence is in progress).
BIG TIDY UP - BLAKEDOWN      
 
I just wanted to update you with the litterpick that took place in Blakedown last Saturday 21st April.
Approximately 30 children and adults stepped out into the sunshine.
The group was made up of local residents, including children from the local brownie and cub groups in the village. 
 
Between us we collected 30 bags of litter, including a wheel trim, exhaust part, a tyre pump for a car,
large paint roller brush, gloves, boots and medical parahphanelia also a large wheel arch off a lorry was
found in the hedge on the car park of the parish rooms, belbroughton road. The litter pick took just over 2 hours.
 
The local community came together and worked well as a team, and the children were educated about
how dropping litter can affect the wildlife and environment where they live.
  
Thank you
Kate


Person Dies After Vehicle Leaves Road In Belbroughton
One person died when a vehicle left the road in North Worcestershire today.
It happened on the B4188 between Belbroughton and Blakedown at around 11.30am.
Police were called to a report of a vehicle on fire in a field, and attended together
with the fire service and ambulance service.
One person was confirmed dead at the scene.
PC Mounter of West Mercia Police said: "A number of people stopped at the scene and one
of the reports suggests the car, believed to be a grey Rover 75, may have been on fire before it
left the road and went through a hedge into a field.
"The investigation is still at a very early stage and we are currently trying to establish what
happened and to identify the person who died.
"We are appealing for witnesses or anyone who saw anything unusual in that area
at the relevant time to contact us on 0300 333 3000 quoting incident 185-s-140312."


Kate Easthope
Police Community Support Officer 6239
Kidderminster Rural Local Policing Team
Tel: 01562 828290/ 0300 333 3000 Ext: 3914
cookleyandwolverley.lpt@westmercia.pnn.police.uk

Police Warning Over Computer ‘Virus’ Scam
What's wrong with your computer? Probably nothing, but that's not what internet scammers will have you believe in order to get you to part with your cash.
West Mercia Police is warning people about unsolicited phone calls from companies who tell you that your computer has a virus and they need to access your system to fix it.
"If you get a call like this, just hang up immediately," says Ed Roberts from West Mercia Police's hi-tech crime unit. "Don't let them have remote access to your computer and under no circumstances should you give them any money."
"This scam has been around for a few years, but we have had a lot of reports recently from members of the public saying they have received these types of calls.
"Many have downloaded harmful software which allows the scammers to access their computers and actually installs viruses, rather than remove them. They have then had to pay reputable firms a lot of money to repair the damage caused to their computer.
"In the worst cases, people have paid up to £150 to these tricksters to pay them to fix a problem they didn't have in the first place."
The scam operates by householders being called by someone claiming to be from ‘Microsoft' or a company working on their behalf. They say your computer has a serious virus problem and if it is not fixed now, then all sorts of bad things will happen to your computer.
To gain your trust, the scammer will direct you to the Event Viewer in Windows. The Event Viewer is always full of messages, but the caller will try and convince you that these are signs of a serious problem.
Once your trust has been gained, the caller will ask you to go to a website and download a program which lets them access your computer remotely. You will then see the caller moving the mouse around, opening folders and showing you where the ‘problem' is. The caller will then ask for credit card details for payment to fix the ‘problem'.
"Unfortunately, it is often the most vulnerable in our communities who are taken in by these scams," says Ed Roberts. "The elderly for instance - who are often not as computer savvy as the younger generation - may be grateful for any technical help on offer.
"Microsoft does not make these kinds of calls and I urge anyone who receives an unsolicited call of this nature to hang up straight away and not to give the scammer the time of day."


Kate Easthope
Police Community Support Officer 6239
Kidderminster Rural Local Policing Team
Tel: 01562 828290/ 0300 333 3000 Ext: 3914
kate.easthope@westmercia.pnn.police.uk
Kidderminster Rural Local Policing Team are holding a mobile property marking event on Saturday 28th January.
The policing team will be travelling around various rural areas to encourage local residents to visit them,
where they will be giving advice on how to keep their home secure and how to protect their valuables.
Especially those christmas gifts that have just been recently received

The team can be found at the following venues and times

9.30AM - 10.30AM - OUTSIDE WOLVERLEY MEMORIAL HALL

10.45 - 11.45 - OUTSIDE COOKLEY SOCIAL CLUB

13.00 - 14.00 - BLAKEDOWN PLAY AREA CAR PARK

14.30 - 15.30 - OUTSIDE CHADDESLEY VILLAGE HALL
BLAKEDOWN
Criminal Damage - A member of public called police in relation to a noise she could hear that
sounded like metal being sawn.
This was at 10.30pm on Saturday evening. On Police arrival, three males were arrested attempting
to steal a metal gate near to the railway station.


Police Warning After Car Key Burglaries
As the evenings begin to slowly draw in, West Mercia Police is urging local residents to
review their night-time security measures to keep their property safe and secure.
Burglary numbers remain relatively low in West Mercia, but there has been a recent spate of
car key burglaries across the force. Local residents can reduce their chances of being targeted
by taking a few simple steps to keep themselves and their property safe:
Lock windows and doors before going to bed
Don't leave your front door unlocked for relatives who are out and about - it is much safer
to give them a key.
West Mercia Police has an active operation in place to target car key burglars but you can
help by keeping your car keys safe at night and out of reach of your letterbox.
A well-lit home gives the impression that someone is at home. Leave a light on while
you are out during the evenings.
If you have a garage for your car please use it
Don't leave side gates open or unlocked
 
A force spokesperson said: "Criminals will break into homes to steal car keys
if they spot a vehicle they want to take. Often the vehicles stolen are high value and
high performance, but not always. We are urging residents in West Mercia to make it
more difficult for burglars by sticking to some basic crime prevention advice."
If you have been a victim of crime you need to report the matter to police as soon
as possible. Neighbours can help each other out by keeping an eye on each other
properties when they are away on holiday or by reporting any suspicious vehicles or
activity in your area. Make a note of number plates, for example.        
For more home security advice, visit the force website: www.westmercia.police.uk/advicecentre/
Holiday Crime Prevention Advice

Police in North Worcestershire are working with local travel
agents to promote home security during the summer holiday period.
Over the coming weeks, travel agents in Wyre Forest will be giving
their customers a leaflet with tips on home security as they book
their summer holiday or call in to collect their tickets.
The leaflet, entitled ‘Have a Safe and Secure Summer’, gives
practical tips on what people can do before they go on holiday to
keep their homes and property safe. This includes cancelling milk
and newspaper deliveries, making your home look like someone
is living in it by using automatic timer switches to turn lights
on when it goes dark and double-checking that all windows and
doors are locked.
The leaflet also encourages people to ask neighbours to help,
by moving post or parking their car on your driveway while
you are away.
Pete Aston, Crime Risk Manager for North Worcestershire, said:
“This may seem like common sense advice but by following these tips,
your house and belongings will be safer and you can relax and enjoy
your holiday more, knowing you have done everything you can to
ensure that you’ll find your home as you left it on your return.

“Do let your neighbours know your holiday arrangements and let
them help by moving post and free newspapers through the door as
these can be tell-tale signs that let a burglar know who’s home and
who’s away. You can repay the favour by doing the same for them
when they go on holiday.”
Peter added: “We’re grateful to the local travel agents in
Wyre Forest for supporting this year’s holiday crime prevention campaign and helping us to get the advice directly to those going away.”
Further copies of the leaflet are available from the front counters
of local police stations across North Worcestershire or you can get further information from the force website at www.westmercia.police.uk

Leaflet can be downloaded here
Burglary victims invited to view recovered property

Victims of burglary in Wyre Forest are being invited to
view property including costume jewellery which has been
recovered by police and is thought to have been stolen.
A viewing evening will be held at Kidderminster Police Station
on Tuesday, May 24, between 6pm and 9pm and as well as costume jewellery will
include other items including antique porcelain.
The property has been seized by police and is thought to have
been stolen from homes in Bewdley, Stourport, Kidderminster and
surrounding areas during 2010.
PC Adrian Bartlett, from the burglary investigation team
based at Kidderminster, said: “We have a number of small items,
none of which appear to be particularly valuable in monetary
terms but could be of significant sentimental value to
their rightful owners. We suspect they were not discarded after being stolen along
with other more expensive items which have been sold on.
“Some victims of burglaries in the area have already been
shown this property in the last few weeks and they need not
contact us as there are no additional items for them to see.
However if there are any other people who had property like
this stolen last year then we would invite them to come in so
that it can be established if any of it is theirs.
“As well as reuniting them with their property it would help
us identify who was responsible for taking it.”
Burglary victims wishing to view the property should contact
the burglary investigation team at Kidderminster on
0300 333 3000, extension 3949.
Security alert after garden thefts

 Police in North Worcestershire are urging people to review their garden and shed
security following several thefts in the area.

The latest incidents include the theft, early today, of two sets of garden furniture,
worth over £600, which were stolen from a garden in Rectory Lane, Rock,
between midnight and 8.30am.

PC Steve Yapp, Local Policing Officer for Bewdley, said: “We are eager to hear
from anyone who may have seen any vehicles parked in unusual
circumstances in the area this morning.

“The offenders would have needed a van or large vehicle to remove the furniture
so we are asking anyone who saw any suspicious activity
in the area will call us as soon as possible.”

A black cast iron bird house was last week reported stolen from a garden
in Hawford Avenue, Kidderminster, and police would like to hear from anyone
who may have seen it or been offered it for sale, particularly any
scrap yards owners in the area.

Police are urging people to be on their guard against metal thieves and
review the security of their gardens and sheds.

Although many people take steps to protect their homes and the property
inside them, valuable equipment is often left in unsecured sheds, providing easy
pickings for opportunist thieves. Around 1,500 shed burglaries take place every
year within West Mercia. In addition, garden equipment that has not been
secured properly or has been left out could be used to break into a house.

Shed security is also an issue at local allotments. Allotment holders often
leave expensive tools and equipment in sheds that are not strong enough to
protect them from thieves. Allotments are particularly vulnerable
as they are left unattended overnight.

While it is recognised that these are relatively minor crimes, they can be very
unsettling to the home / allotment owner. Preventing these crimes from occurring
will help make people feel safe and increase public confidence in the force.

Garden security is part of the force’s Safe & Secure campaign, which aims to
provide reassurance about the low level of crime in West Mercia
and appropriate crime prevention advice.

The force has produced a crime prevention advice leaflet, which gives handy
tips on how people can make their gardens and sheds more secure and prevent
burglars from breaking in.  The ‘Tips to Nip Garden Crime in the Bud’ leaflet
is available to download from the force website www.westmercia.police.uk and
is also available from garden centres and police stations across North Worcestershire.

Pete Aston, Crime Risk Manager for North Worcestershire said: “While many people
take steps to protect their homes and the property inside them, they often leave
valuable equipment such as power tools, mowers, garden tools and bikes in
unsecured sheds or in sheds that are not strong or secure enough to
protect the items from thieves.

“Garden crime is an unfortunate reality so we are advising people to look at
how secure their garden is and if necessary make some adjustments
to help ‘weed out’ garden thieves.”

Here are West Mercia Police’s top tips on how to make a garden more secure:

Gates, fences and walls should be kept in good repair to stop intruders getting in.
      *
        Grow ‘defensive planting’ (prickly plants, bushes and shrubs) close to
vulnerable areas such as windows, fences, boundary walls and drainpipes.
      *
        Most garden sheds are not designed for safe storage and should not be
used to store expensive equipment such as garden tools, mowers, mountain bikes and
power tools.  If you have no where else to store valuable equipment, take measures
to secure your shed by using a closed shackle padlock or invest in an alarm.
      *
        Don’t leave ladders and tools lying around in your garden – these could be
used to break into your home.
      *
        Mark your garden tools and equipment with your postcode using a UV pen
or similar device.  Make a note of the serial numbers on your equipment and consider taking photographs of the items stored in your shed so you have a record in case your shed is burgled.
      *
        Check your household insurance policy carefully to ensure it covers garden
and shed equipment and whether any minimum security standards apply.
      *
       
For more details on keeping your garden secure, please visit West Mercia Constabulary’s
website www.westmercia.police.uk, which also provides crime prevention
advice for your home and vehicle.

Anyone with information about the stolen items or wishing to report any
other garden crime should call North Worcestershire police on 0300 333 3000.
Metal thefts warning

Police are appealing for information after an increase in the number of metal street gullies,
manhole covers, and drains being stolen in Worcestershire.
Several thefts are being reported every week with areas being targeted including Blakedown,
Wolverley, Churchill, Cutnall Green, and Hartlebury.
It is believed the gullies, manhole covers and drains are being taken for their scrap metal value.
Recent incidents included a large metal manhole cover being stolen from Trimpley Lane,
Shatterford, near Kidderminster, on Wednesday 6th April.
The theft is believed to have happened at around 11am when a while van with an orange light
on the top was seen in the area.
West Mercia Police Crime Reduction Officer Mr Peter Aston said police were liaising with
Worcestershire County Council Highways over the thefts.
He said: “Every time a gully is stolen it costs Highways around £250 to replace it and
make it safe, but there is also the risk to the public to consider. If a car drives over a
missing gully, manhole cover or drain, the tyre or suspension is likely to be damaged.
However if a cyclist or motorcyclist rides over it, the consequences could be fatal.
“We’re appealing to people to be vigilant. Often thieves will pretend they are highways workers. However legitimate vehicles always have Worcestershire Highways livery.
If residents have any suspicions they are asked to contact police on 0300 333 3000,
ideally while the crime is in progress, and if possible to note the registration number of the vehicle.”
Mr Aston added that multi-agency operations like the one which took place in Hagley and
Worcester last Monday (4th April) aimed to reduce metal thefts, and more were planned.
This operation was the subject of an earlier press release.
A number of place name signs have also been reported stolen in Belbroughton, Drayton,
Catshill, and Clent. It is believed the thieves are taking these in the mistaken belief they
are made out of aluminium. However they are actually made out of an alternative
material and are worthless to metal thieves.
Residents are being asked to be vigilant and to report anything suspicious to police
on the above number.

Warning to shoppers after distraction theft

Police are warning shoppers to be vigilant after bank cards were stolen
in a distraction theft outside Morrisons in Kidderminster
yesterday (Monday, January 17).

At about 11am a woman was loading her shopping into her car in the
stores car park in Green Street when she noticed a man leaning
against the car next to hers looking at a map. She took her trolley back
and on returning placed her handbag on the passenger seat before starting
the car. At this point the man signalled to her through the car window
and pointed at the map to ask her for help.

She got out of the car to help him and became aware of another man
walking behind her. Once she had finished helping the man with the map,
she got back into her car and drove off. A short while later she noticed
that two of her debit/credit cards were missing from her purse.

The man with the map was said to be white, in his 30s, medium height
and unshaven. He spoke with an accent thought to be Eastern European.
The car he was leaning up against was a small black saloon.

PC Kirsty Norris said: “We are appealing to anyone who recalls seeing a
man of this description in the Morrisons car park around
the time of the incident to give us a call.

“We also want to alert other shoppers to this type of distraction theft
and to encourage them to be extra vigilant, particularly if someone
asks them for directions in similar circumstances.”

Anyone with information should call PC Norris on 0300 333 3000,
quoting incident number 246-S-170111,
or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Cigarettes haul in robbery outside store

A gang escaped with a substantial quantity of cigarettes after robbing a delivery driver
at Cookley, near Kidderminster.

Police are appealing for witnesses and information after the raid outside Tesco Express
in Bridge Road last Thursday afternoon (December 9).

A delivery vehicle had arrived outside the store at 1.54pm when a white van pulled up
by it on the pavement and four or five men leaped out.

The driver was threatened to stay out of the way while the gang grabbed cigarettes from
the delivery van and transferred it to their own vehicle before driving off in the direction
of Castle Road and Kidderminster. No-one was hurt in the incident.

The robbers were all white, in their 20s or 30s and wearing casual clothing.  

Detective Constable Paul Willetts of Kidderminster CID said: “The raid was over in a matter of seconds.
However as this was in broad daylight at a busy time of day it is quite likely someone saw what
happened and got a good look at the offenders or the vehicle they were using.

“We really need to speak to anyone who has any information at all about this robbery and I would urge
them to contact us as soon as possible on 0300 333 3000, quoting incident reference 327-S-091210.”

Anyone with information can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 080 555 111.
Police surgeries

Police are planning a number of surgeries at garden centres in Wyre Forest.

The surgeries will be an opportunity to meet the Kidderminster rural local policing team,
discuss crime prevention issues and pick up some leaflets.

Community Support Officer Kate Easthope and PC Jayne Willetts will be in the restaurant
area of Barnett Hill Garden Centre near Blakedown between 5pm and 7pm on Thursday 16th December
and then on the following Wednesdays - 22nd December, 2nd February, 27th April, 8th June,
17th August, 12th October, and 7th December 2011.

And they will be by the exit tills at Rowberrys Garden Centre on the A448 Bromsgrove Road
near Chaddesley Corbett on Saturday 18th December between 9.30am and 11.30am,
Sunday 13th February between 3pm and 5pm, Saturday 9th April between 10am and 12 noon,
Saturday 4th June between 11.30am and 1.30pm, Sunday 14th August between 11.30am and 1.30pm,
Saturday 22nd October between 11.30am and 1.30pm,
and Sunday 4th December 2011 between 11.30am and 1.30pm.

CSO Easthope said: “I have already done a surgery at both of these venues which were a success and well received by visitors to the garden centres, so we’re urging people to put the 2011 dates in their new diaries and to come and see us.”
Man assaulted after rubbish dumped

Police are appealing for witnesses to an incident in which a man was assaulted when he saw rubbish
being dumped by the side of a road.

It happened just after 9am on Friday 10th December.

The victim, a man in his 60s, was driving along the A448 Kidderminster to Bromsgrove road
near Lodge Ford Hill, Chaddesley Corbett, when he saw a blue car derived van parked in a
layby with a man taking rubbish out of the van and dumping it in a ditch.

The victim pulled in behind the vehicle and questioned the man, who became verbally aggressive.
The victim returned to his own vehicle to get a pen and paper and began to
write down the registration number of the blue van.

The man then approached the victim, grabbed him by the arms and tried to drag him to the floor.
He also pushed him into the road before getting in his own vehicle and driving off.

The victim was not injured.

PC Matt Winmill of West Mercia Police said vehicles were driving past at the time
the offender pushed the man into the road.

He appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to contact him on 0300 333 3000
quoting incident 131-s-101210 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Robbery in Blakedown

Police are appealing for information about a robbery in Blakedown near Kidderminster.

It happened between 6.30pm and just after 7pm yesterday, Sunday 5th December, when
three masked men forced their way into a house in New Wood Lane,
threatened the occupants and demanded cash and jewellery.

They took around a small amount of cash, along with two air rifles,
a watch and a mobile phone.

The victims, a couple in their 60s, were shaken but unharmed.

The offenders are described as three men wearing dark clothing and balaclavas,
and with foreign – believed to be Eastern European - accents.

Detective Inspector Dean Jones of West Mercia Police said: “New Wood Lane is a
relatively quiet country lane and it believed the offenders were using a vehicle
which they parked at the side of the road and walked
across the victims’ land to get to the house.

“Detectives are keen to speak to anyone seeing a vehicle in
New Wood Lane between 5pm and 7.30pm.

“Detectives also want to hear from anyone who saw a silver vehicle leaving
New Wood Lane and turning towards Hagley just after 7pm,
which may or may not be linked to the inquiry.”

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact
West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000 quoting incident 587-s-051210
or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Don’t get caught cold by car thieves, police warn

The current Arctic blast has prompted police to warn motorists not to leave their cars unattended
with the engine running on cold mornings.

With the cold spell set to continue West Mercia Police is keen to highlight the risk of vehicles being
stolen as drivers de-ice their windscreens outside their homes.

Chief Inspector Amanda Blakeman said that while no thefts of this nature had occurred in
North Worcestershire in recent days, the onset of icy weather traditionally led to reports of such offences.

  She said: “Despite repeated warnings motorists continue to leave their cars unattended while
warming up and de-icing their cars on driveways or on the street outside their properties. Nobody seems
to think it’s going to happen to them but every winter we receive calls from people who are caught
cold by car thieves when their backs are turned.

“Leaving your car with the engine running in icy conditions is an invitation to opportunist thieves
who will look out for this and won’t hesitate to jump in the car and drive off with it when the
chance presents itself.

“We want to make people aware that this does happen and to encourage them to be extra vigilant
as they warm-up their cars, particularly as many insurance companies will not pay out for thefts in
such circumstances.”

“We are also urging motorists not to take any risks with their safety or the safety of others by
failing to clear their windscreens properly before they drive. Not only does a frosty windscreen cause
problems, it is also an offence to drive with obscured vision and could result in a hefty fine.”

Anyone with information about car thefts should contact police on 0300 333 3000 or
Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Further crime prevention advice is available on the
West Mercia Police website at www.westmercia.police.uk.

£10,000 TV and audio burglary haul

Top-of-the-range audio and television equipment worth well in excess of £10,000 has been stolen in a burglary at Blakedown, near Kidderminster.

Police are appealing for witnesses and asking people to look out for any of the Bang & Olufsen items which may be offered for sale by the thieves.

The burglary took place in Wannerton Road between 4pm on Friday, November 19, and 10.15am the following day.

Thieves searched the house and took property including a Bang & Olufsen Beovision 50-inch plasma TV screen, worth £10,000 alone, plus a BeoVision 40-inch LCD television, several pairs of BeoLab speakers, a BeoSound audio system along with several remote controls, and a Bose DVD player. A small safe was also taken containing jewellery and watches.

Detective Constable Lloyd Davies of Kidderminster CID said: “A fairly large vehicle would have been needed to remove this property and we would be very interested to hear from anyone who saw any unusual vehicles parked there at the relevant time or any suspicious activity at all.

“This is exclusive, top-of-the-range audio and television equipment and we would urge anyone offered any of these items, or if they hear of them being put up for sale, to contact us as soon as possible.”

Witnesses or anyone with information should call DC Davies on 0300 333 3000, quoting incident reference 264-S-201110, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Theft of post box

Police are appealing for information about the theft of a post box near Kidderminster.
The cast iron post box, worth £100, is believed to have taken from Trimpley Lane, Shatterford,
between midday on Tuesday 23rd November and midday on Wednesday 24th November.
The theft is likely to have happened overnight.

The post holding the post box had been sawn off.

It is believed the post box was taken for scrap.

Anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity around the post box is asked to contact
West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000
quoting incident 419-s-241110 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Anyone who posted a letter in the post box during the relevant times
and is concerned that it was in the post box when it was stolen
is asked to contact Royal Mail customers services on 08457 740740.


Appeal following collision at Ismere

Police are appealing for witnesses following a collision in Sugar Loaf Lane,
Ismere near Kidderminster.

The incident happened on Tuesday, September 28, at about 5.45am,
when a black Ford Escort and a silver Renault Megane
were in collision near the crossroads joining the A451.

The two male drivers were taken to Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley,
one with lower back and chest injuries and the other with injuries to
his head and one of his legs.
The injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

PC Su Goddard said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who
was in the area on that
Tuesday morning and witnessed the collision as they may be
able to help us with our investigation.”
 
Anyone with information should call police on 0300 333 3000 (quoting incident 55-S-280910).

Scrap & Waste Carriers

I am emailing you all to let you know that we (your local policing team) will be
doing another operation regarding the scrap and waste carriers,
as per the one we reported on at the end of september,
which proved to be very successful.

We are working again, alongside other agencies such as
DVLA, VOSA, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE
AND TRADING STANDARDS to name but a few.

This  will be taking place tomorrow,
Tuesday 5th October, between the hours of 8am and 3pm.

We would appreciate it, if you were to see a scrap waggon in your area on
that day, that you call and report it to us on 0300 333 3000, giving the location,
make and model, and vehicle registration number.
That way our control centre can make us aware and we can
take immediate action.
Just mention to the call taker that your local policing team have told you to report it

Thank you for your help

Kind regards
Kate

Warning over rogue traders

Police and Trading Standards are warning Wyre Forest residents to be on
their guard against rogue traders and have highlighted the risks of entering
into contracts with 'cold callers' offering home maintenance. 

The warning comes follows an incident in Kidderminster on September 1
when police were contacted after traders demanded £4,000 from an elderly
couple for work on their driveway. The couple were not happy about the
work that had been carried out. Trading Standards officials attended and
sent the traders away unpaid as there had been contractual irregularities.

Steve Jorden, Head of Regulatory Services at Worcestershire Trading Standards said:
“While the traders had waited a week before turning up to do the job,
no cancellation rights appeared to have been provided. In addition the traders
did not supply an address, only a mobile phone number, and the initial quote
of £3,000 was increased to £4,000 when the customer refused to pay cash. 
No payment was made for what appeared to be a relatively poor and over-priced job.”

Wyre Forest District Inspector Paul Crowley said: “This kind of situation can be
intimidating for the residents involved. We work closely with Trading Standards
in dealing with such matters and there are a range of offences that the Police
and Local Authority can consider in these circumstances.”

Rogue traders often pose as builders, odd job men or gardeners who may claim
work is necessary when it is not, or charge well over the odds. They usually
prey on elderly or vulnerable people and typically offer to carry out home repairs,
resurface drives or do gardening work at what may seem to be competitive rates.
Most of these do not provide any of the legally required papers on ‘cooling off’
periods and produce work which is at best shoddy, and over-priced.

Mr Jorden added: “We would advise people not to enter into contracts with
people who turn up on the doorstep offering to do this kind of work.
There are just too many risks. It is very easy to make a spur of the moment
decision which you may later regret, particularly if the work you have
commissioned is of poor quality.

“We always advise residents to clearly identify what work needs to be
done and to obtain a number of quotes for it, remembering that the
cheapest quote may not always be the best. It is also a good idea to ask
for details of previous satisfied customers and go to see the work if possible.”

Residents should only use businesses that have an address and a landline
telephone number, not those that just have a mobile number.

If friends, relatives or neighbours cannot personally recommend someone
Worcestershire Trading Standard administers a Traders Register
which is a directory of tradespeople who are committed to providing good
workmanship and have signed up to a Trading Standards Code of Practice.
It can be accessed online at www.traderregister.org.uk or telephone 01905 765394.

Mr Jorden said that while many residents may not like ‘cold calling’,
it is a legitimate way of obtaining business. However, businesses who
failed to provide cancellation rights faced not being paid for the work they did.
Traders seeking advice on this were invited to call the
Trading Standards team on 01905 765371.

Consumers wishing to report or trader or requiring advice should contact
Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.

High value bicycle stolen

Police are appealing for information and witnesses after a bicycle worth £1,170
was stolen from a garage in Cookley, near Kidderminster.
It happened on Monday, July 19, in Woodlands Road.
The red, blue and white XTC ‘Giant’ bike was last seen in the garage by the
owner at about 2pm. He went into the house and returned at about 2.30pm to
find the bicycle was missing.
PC Lee Halford said: “The bicycle is distinctive and was quite new and therefore
the offenders may try to sell it on.
“We are appealing to anyone who may have seen the bicycle being taken or who
may have been offered a bicycle similar to the one stolen to contact us as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information regarding the theft should call PC Halford on
0300 333 3000 (quoting incident 0401-S-190710) or
Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Alert after £52,000 of sports supplements stolen
The owners of gyms, health clubs and other sports outlets have been put on alert after sports
supplements worth more than £52,000 were stolen from a lorry near Kidderminster.
USN Sports nutritional and other supplements were taken by thieves from an articulated
lorry parked overnight on Thursday, June 17, in a lay-by on the A450 between the
Mustow Green traffic island and Shenstone.
The driver, who had been sleeping in the cab, awoke at 7am on June 18 to find that
thieves had cut open the curtain-sided trailer and removed the contents of three pallets.
The blue lorry had the word ‘Norfolkline’ in lighter lettering along the sides.
Stolen were 139 tubs of powdered protein, used for making shakes, and more
than 1,000 bottles of the hormone booster 19 Anobol Testo - each bottle
containing 90 capsules.
The haul has a retail value of more than £52,000.
PC Derya Mustafa said: “These products may well be offered cheaply to the owners of gyms,
weightlifting clubs and other retail sports outlets.
If so they should be wary and contact us immediately.
“We would also like to hear from anyone who may know or suspect who has been involved
in this theft, or anyone who might have been driving on A450 near Shenstone that
night and remembers seeing this lorry and another vehicle.
It would have taken the thieves a fair amount of time to unload this haul
so it’s possible someone passed the scene without realising what was happening.”

Witnesses or anyone with information should contact PC Mustafa on 0300 333 3000,
quoting incident reference 133-S-180610, or call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.


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Householders warned after sneak-in burglaries

Police are warning residents not to leave doors and windows open or unlocked following a number of
sneak-in burglaries across North Worcestershire.

A laptop along with tobacco was stolen when thieves got into a property in Dog Lane, Bewdley,
via an insecure back door between 10am and noon on Monday, June 14.
The following night (June 15) a blue Peugeot 406 Estate was stolen from a driveway in the
Chester Road area of Kidderminster after thieves got into a house through
an insecure window and took the keys to it along with a purse.
Detective Inspector Terry Shore said that the traditional view of burglars was that they mainly
targeted unoccupied houses during the night. However many burglaries were sneak-in
thefts where doors or windows were left unlocked, often while people were in another part of the house.
The warning to people to be on their guard and consider their security was particularly
relevant during the summer when windows are frequently left open overnight.
Detective Inspector Shore said: “A typical sneak-in will see an offender stealing a
mobile phone, purse, or whatever they can find left on a kitchen surface.
Often the sole purpose is to get the keys to the car parked on the drive.

“Leaving windows ajar is an open invitation to burglars day or night and at the very least
people should consider using security devices such as latch/window locks, window restrictor locks,
full and part-set alarm systems and PIR lighting/movement detectors.

“Residents also need to be aware that a number of insurance companies will not pay out claims for
insecure properties where windows have been left open. This type of crime, and the invasion of
privacy that goes with it, is upsetting enough without the double whammy of learning
that your insurance policy is void.

“Simple preventative measures also need to be foremost in people’s minds when they are
leaving their properties to go on holiday. Internal timer switches, alarms, and anti-climb
paint are all worthy of consideration. Arrangements should also be made with a trusted neighbour,
friend or relative to have your mail collected, curtains opened and closed daily, and contact
details should be left with them.”

Detective Inspector Shore said he also wanted to highlight distraction offences committed by
bogus callers who often targeted vulnerable people such as the elderly by pretending to be
officials from organisations such as “the water board”.

“If you see people acting suspiciously around you or your neighbour’s house, or believe
older people are being targeted, call us immediately. We need information on those who are
committing these crimes and selling the stolen goods,” he said. 

“Fortunately, burglaries are relatively rare across the West Mercia Police force area and
those involving assaults are even rarer – most burglars are simply opportunist thieves,
not sophisticated experts.”

Detective Inspector Shore continued: “Our focus is to ensure there are fewer victims of
crime and this means asking people to support us in the fight against burglars.
We would ask people to report a burglary or attempted burglary as soon as possible
after it has happened and try not to handle anything you think the offender may have touched.

“This increases the chances of police identifying and arresting the offender and
recovering stolen property.  In an emergency, that is if a crime is in progress,
there is risk of injury or serious damage to property, call 999.

“To report a burglary that has already taken place, call 0800 333 3000,
which is the 24-hour West Mercia Police non-emergency number. 
If you have information but do not wish to speak to police or give your name call
Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

More advice on home security and crime prevention is available on the force website at
www.westmercia.police.uk.

Body found during missing person search

Police can confirm that that an underwater search team and officers investigating the  disappearance of Kidderminster man
Damian Tudge in 2008 have recovered his car and a body from the River Severn near Bewdley.

Mr Tudge’s blue Peugeot 205 was pulled from the river near Bewdley Town Football Club at around 6.30pm last night
after the B4194, known locally as the Switchback, was closed between Stourport and Bewdley during the late afternoon to
enable heavy lifting equipment to be brought to the scene. 

The body of a male was found in the car and is believed to be that of Mr Tudge although formal identification
has not yet taken place. Police are treating the death as unexplained.
The Coroner for Worcestershire has been informed and a post mortem will be held in due course.

The find was made following searches of the Severn this week as part of the ongoing missing person inquiry
into the disappearance of Mr Tudge. He was 41 when he went missing from his home in Kidderminster on
November 14, 2008, since when there had been no trace of him or the car he was driving.

Police this week brought in an underwater search and recovery firm to study the river bed using specialist
equipment from America identified during a review of the missing person inquiry.






Contact:    Dylan Evans     Telephone:    01562 826181

Date:    Friday, February 19, 2010    Ref:    DE190210 first PACT

New PACT to meet at Blakedown

A new PACT (Partners and Communities Together) will be launched for Blakedown and Churchill,
near Kidderminster, next week.
Blakedown PACT will meet for the first time on Tuesday (February 23) at the primary school in
Birmingham Road at 7pm. Residents are invited to attend and raise any local issues
they have so that they can be prioritised for action.
The meeting will be addressed by Wyre Forest District Inspector Paul Crowley
and it will also be an opportunity to meet the new beat manager for the area, PC Jayne Willetts.
A PACT panel has been formed including representatives from the Local Policing Team,
parish council, Neighbourhood Watch, primary school and the church.
Community Support Officer Kate Easthope said: “We tested the waters with a
PACT surgery at the parish rooms in Blakedown last summer and we had a fantastic response.
We have been working towards setting up a full PACT for the area and this has now come to fruition.
“Blakedown and Churchill has a fabulous community spirit in my opinion and it would be nice
to see a good turnout and people coming together to voice any concerns they have.
However PACT is not just a talking shop, this is all about prioritising issues and working together
to get things done for the benefit of everyone in the area.”

The plan is to hold the PACTs quarterly, at which reports will be given on the action
taken to deal with the priorities voted in at the previous meeting.

Further information about PACT meetings is available via the Local Policing link on the
West Mercia Police website at www.westmercia.police.uk

Dear all
I am contacting you to inform you, that from 15th February,
I will no longer be Local Policing Officer for Kidderminster Rural area.
I have enjoyed covering this area for the past 4 years,
and had the opportunity of working within some wonderful communities,
however, I am moving areas, and will now be
Local Policing Officer for Oldington and Foley Park, Kidderminster,
which will bring some new challenges for me.
PC Jayne Willetts who is an experienced Local Policing Officer,
will be replacing me and I am sure you will all make her very welcome. 
Kate will be remaining on the area with Jayne.
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you all for your support
over the past 4 years, and wish you all the best for the future.
Kind regards,
Sally Sliwinska

Missing person observations

 We have a high risk missing person, who maybe parked up in the rural area, particularly Wolverley.
Could you please keep an eye out for the following vehicle:
Grey Ford Mondeo, vrm V708HTM
Should you see this vehicle, please call police immediately on 0300 333 3000.

 Thank you for your help.

Sally

 PC 299 Sally Sliwinska
Local Policing Officer - Kidderminster Rural

Telephone: 0300 333 3000 ext 3914
Email: sally.sliwinska@westmercia.pnn.police.uk


Kidderminster RURAL
LOCAL POLICING TEAM

NEWSLETTER

Jan / Feb 2010

Two recent press releases:

Incident in Drayton

Police have named a woman who died following an incident at the Robin Hood pub in Drayton, North Worcestershire in the early hours of Monday 28 December.
Tajinder Kaur Basi, aged 39 and from the Willenhall area, died in hospital on New Year’s Eve (Thursday 31 December) after suffering serious head injuries during the incident at the pub.
Police say that her death is being treated as unexplained and that while a post mortem has been carried out, further results are awaited.
Detective Inspector Terry Shore said: “This must be a very difficult time for Tajinder’s family and friends, and our thoughts go out to them.”

He confirmed that a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding Tajinder’s death had been launched and that police are keen to speak to anyone who was at the Robin Hood pub in Drayton, near Belbroughton, on the evening of Sunday 27 December into the early hours of Monday 28 December.

DI Shore added: “We believe there was a party at the premises and we want to be sure we have spoken to everyone who attended to help us build the full picture of what happened. Please call us on 0300 333 3000 if you were at the pub and have not as yet spoken to officers from West Mercia Police “



Police repeat de-icing warning to motorists

Despite several warning from police, motorists are continuing to leave their vehicles unattended and at risk of being stolen as they de-ice their cars on cold mornings.
Two vehicles have been stolen in such circumstances in North Worcestershire in recent days and with the current cold spell set to continue, police are keen to highlight these incidents.
“Any motorist leaving their car or van unattended with the engine running on an icy morning is taking a risk. We know that car thieves will look out for this and won’t hesitate to jump in the vehicle and drive off with it when the opportunity presents itself.
“We want to make people aware of these recent thefts and to encourage them to be extra vigilant themselves as they warm-up their cars, particularly as many insurance companies will not pay out if the keys have been left in the ignition.”
For Vehicle crime prevention advice, please call your Local Policing Team on 0300 333 3000.

PACT

Our current PACT (Partners and Communities Together) issues for Cookley and Wolverley are as follows:

Parking on pavements – Wolverley.

Overgrown paths – Highlow Bank, Wolverley.

Updates on action taken, will be given at our next meeting, which is 25th February 2010 at Drumart House, Cookley at 7pm.

We continue to run monthly PACT surgeries at our police base at Wolverley Church Hall, Shatterford Lane, Wolverley. These will now be held on the first Wednesday of the month, at 10am, commencing 3rd February 2010. The surgeries are your opportunity to raise issues in between main PACT meetings, and obtain crime prevention advice etc from a member of your Local Policing Team on a one to one basis.

Our first Blakedown PACT meeting will be held on 23rd February 2010 at Blakedown Primary School, Blakedown at 7pm.

Please come along to these events and support your Local Policing Team, this is your opportunity to raise issues concerning your area.

Home Security

It’s that time of year again when the clocks have gone back and the nights draw in.

House burglary remains a rare crime in West Mercia, however, when it is dark outside unlit houses can be a target for thieves. You can significantly reduce the chance of your home being burgled by taking a few simple precautions:

  • A well-lit home gives the impression that someone is in.
  • Use time switches to turn lights on while you are out.
  • Invest in external lighting.
  • Lock windows and doors, together with keeping gates well secured.
  • Lock the shed and garage.
  • Make sure valuables are out of sight.
  • Put keys out of reach of windows and doors.
  • Fit a burglar alarm.
  • Property mark valuables.
  • Most house break-ins are opportunists.

For more information contact one of your Local Policing Team for a Home Security Pack or UV marker pen.


PACT Blakedown & Churchill

Below are forthcoming dates for Blakedown & Churchill PACT meetings for 2010:

Tuesday 23rd February 2010

Tuesday 25th May 2010

Tuesday 13th July 2010

Tuesday 16th November 2010

All meetings will start at 7pm, and will be held at Blakedown Primary School, Birmingham Road, Blakedown.

PACT Rural

We are currently working towards all of our rural communities having PACT facility in place.

Further details will be announced once these are set up.

PACT Cookley & Wolverley

Below are forthcoming dates for Cookley & Wolverley PACT meetings for 2010:

Thursday 25th February 2010

Thursday 8th July 2010

These meetings will be held at Drumart House, Austcliffe Lane, Cookley at 7pm

Thursday 13th May 2010
Thursday 11th November 2010

These meetings will be held at Wolverley C of E Secondary School, Blakeshall Lane, Wolverley at 4.30pm.


Your Local Policing Team are:

PC 299 Sally Sliwinska–Local Policing Officer

CSO 40019 Belinda Pengelly-Moore – Community Support Officer

CSO 6239 Kate Easthope-Community Support Officer

PS 2302 Nadine Pearse-Local Policing Sergeant



How to contact us:

Address:

Kidderminster Police Station, Habberley Road, Kidderminster, DY11 6AN

Phone:

0300 333 3000 or 01562 828290

E-mail:

Cookleyandwolverley.lpt@westmercia.pnn.police.uk




Kidderminster RURAL
LOCAL POLICING TEAM

NEWSLETTER

Nov/Dec 2009


Rings stolen in burglary

Police are appealing for witnesses and information after two gold rings worth around £600 were stolen by a burglar who was disturbed after breaking into a house in Blakedown, Kidderminster.

The burglar, a white man in his 20s,  fled from the property in Lynwood Drive as the householder returned at about 8pm last Thursday, December 3. He smashed a window to get out at the back of the house and jumped over a garden fence   alongside the A456 Birmingham Road.

It was later discovered that two gold rings had been taken from a bedroom at the house. One was gold with a prominent, claw set ruby and the other a gold signet ring with an inset black oblong stone and the letter R in raised gold.

The offender was white man in his 20s, around 5ft 9ins, of medium build, clean shaven and wearing a dark jacket or coat.

PC Adrian Bartlett, who is investigating, said: “The A456 through Blakedown is a busy road and it is quite likely someone may have seen the offender fleeing the scene after jumping over the fence or possibly getting into a car there.

“We want to speak to anyone who may have seen anything there which in hindsight they feel was suspicious or to anybody in the Lynwood Drive area who saw anybody hanging around there before 8pm or any vehicles in unusual circumstances.”

Witnesses or anyone with information should call PC Bartlett on 0300 333 3000, quoting incident reference 0709-S-031209 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Subject: Motorcyclist seriously injured following collision in Kidderminster

Motorcyclist seriously injured following collision in Kidderminster

Police are appealing for information and witnesses following a road collision in Kidderminster on Friday (Nov 27)
which left a motorcyclist seriously injured.

The collision occurred at about 5.30pm on the A456 just outside Blakedown.

The vehicles involved were a silver Seat Leon, black Mini Cooper convertible and a blue Yamaha YZF motorcycle which were all heading towards Kidderminster.

The rider of the motorcycle sustained serious head and back injuries and a number of broken bones.
He was taken to Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley and is said to be in a critical but stable condition.

The drivers of the other vehicles were unhurt.

The road was blocked near Belbroughton Road and reopened at about 8.30pm the same evening.

PC Sian Davies said: “It is vital that we establish exactly what happened on Friday evening and I would urge
anyone with information relating to this collision to call us as soon as possible as even the smallest
detail can make a significant difference to our enquiries.”

Anyone with information can call the Road Policing Unit at Rubery on 0300 333 3000 ext 3143.

Postal scam warning

Police are reminding householders to be vigilant in the run up to Christmas after people have been tricked into
calling premium rate numbers in postal scams in previous years.

Householders in this area and across the country had cards delivered through their doors saying that a parcel delivery
company was unable to deliver a parcel at their address while they were out and that they should telephone the company
to arrange collection or a new delivery time.

The number given was a premium rate number.

Peter Aston, Crime Risk Advisor for Wyre Forest, said: “As Christmas approaches, many people will have ordered
presents on-line or may be expecting deliveries from family members living further afield,
and so might fall more easily for a scam of this nature.

“We are warning people to be extra cautious at this time of year. Genuine mail and parcel delivery companies may
leave a note through your door if they are unable to deliver but the numbers they ask you to call tend to be local.

“Be alert to any telephone numbers that start with 0871, 0872 or 090 as these are premium rate numbers and calling
them can work out to be very costly, especially if you have to listen to a lengthy recorded message.”

Steve Birch, Head of Trading Standards in Worcestershire, added: "We have received complaints of this nature in the past,
with unsuspecting consumers running up significant phone bills at £1.50 a minute in response to these bogus demands.
Clearly we would like anybody receiving these cards to be aware of the consequences of responding to them.

“We would also like any such incidents to be reported to us through Consumer Direct on 08454 040506."

Kidderminster RURAL
LOCAL POLICING TEAM

NEWSLETTER

Nov/Dec 2009

Two recent press releases:

 Indecent behaviour at beauty spot  

Police are stepping up patrols after receiving complaints about inappropriate and indecent behaviour at a beauty spot at Wolverley, near Kidderminster.
The complaints have been made by people, including families with children, visiting the nature reserve off Kingsford Lane. Police have previously clamped down on indecent behaviour in and around the public toilets but now officers have received reports of inappropriate behaviour in nearby woodland.

To tackle the problem the Local Policing Team is carrying out daily patrols in the area and posting signs in and around the wooded area warning people about their conduct.

Local Policing Officer Pc Sally Sliwinska said: “The kind of activity we are talking about here is illegal and unacceptable. Coming across this kind of behaviour can be quite distressing and we don’t want anyone, let alone families with children, witnessing it. This includes littering the area with pornographic magazines containing material of a kind you certainly wouldn’t want your kids to see.

“We are also encouraging people to report anything suspicious or inappropriate to us and to make a note of the vehicle registrations of those involved. We will be following these reports up as we take complaints of this nature very seriously. Anyone found behaving indecently or engaging in sexual activity in public will be arrested.

“This is a popular beauty spot and attracts a lot of visitors. We want to ensure that the facilities and countryside there can be used by the community without people feeling upset or intimidated.”

If people see anyone acting suspiciously or behaving in a manner that gives them cause for concern they should call police on 0300 333 3000 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Two charged with stealing roof lead at Wolverley

Two men have been charged in connection with the theft of lead from the roof of Wolverley High School.

The men were arrested near the school early on Friday, October 16. A quantity of lead taken from the school roof was recovered by police.

One of the men, Matthew John Clee, aged 19, of Puxton Drive, Kidderminster, was charged with theft of lead and was remanded in custody when he appeared before Kidderminster magistrates on Saturday (October 17). He appeared before the court again today (Tuesday, October 20) when he was further remanded in custody to reappear before the court on Friday, October 30.

 The other man, who was also charged with theft of lead, has been bailed by police to appear before Kidderminster Magistrates Court on Thursday, October 29.

Newsletter

You will notice from the date of this newsletter, that this issue is covering November and December.

Newsletters will now be published every other month.

You will however continue to be updated on your area, via our ongoing Neighbourhood Watch and Horsewatch alerts or you are welcome to contact a member of the Local Policing Team.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

From Sally, Kate and Belinda.

Home Security

It’s that time of year again when the clocks have gone back and the nights draw in.

House burglary remains a rare crime in West Mercia, however, when it is dark outside unlit houses can be a target for thieves.  You can significantly reduce the chance of your home being burgled by taking a few simple precautions:

A well-lit home gives the impression that someone is in.

Use time switches to turn lights on while you are out.

Invest in external lighting.

Lock windows and doors, together with keeping gates well secured.

Lock the shed and garage.

Make sure valuables are out of sight.

Put keys out of reach of windows and doors.

Fit a burglar alarm.

Property mark valuables.

Most house break-ins are opportunists.

For more information contact one of your Local Policing Team for a Home Security Pack.



 

PACT Blakedown & Churchill

Below are forthcoming dates for Blakedown & Churchill PACT meetings for 2010:

Tuesday 23rd February 2010

Tuesday 25th May 2010

Tuesday 13th July 2010

Tuesday 16th November 2010

All meetings will start at 7pm, and will be held at Blakedown Primary School, Birmingham Road, Blakedown.

PACT Rural

We are currently working towards all of our rural communities having PACT facility in place.

Further details will be announced once these are set up.

PACT Cookley & Wolverley

Below are forthcoming dates for Cookley & Wolverley PACT meetings for 2010:

Thursday 25th February 2010

Thursday 8th July 2010

These meetings will be held at Drumart House, Austcliffe Lane, Cookley at 7pm

Thursday 13th May 2010

Thursday 11th November 2010

These meetings will be held at Wolverley C of E Secondary School, Blakeshall Lane, Wolverley at 4.30pm.

Your Local Policing Team are:

PC 299 Sally Sliwinska–Local Policing Officer

 

CSO 40019 Belinda Pengelly-Moore – Community Support Officer

CSO 6239 Kate Easthope-Community Support Officer

 

PS 2302 Nadine Pearse-Local Policing Sergeant

 

 

How to contact us:

Address:

Kidderminster Police Station, Habberley Road, Kidderminster, DY11 6AN

Phone:

0300 333 3000 or 01562 828290

E-mail:

Cookleyandwolverley.lpt@westmercia.pnn.police.uk





Kidderminster RURAL
LOCAL POLICING TEAM

NEWSLETTER

October 2009

Nuisance vehicles

We are still having reports of motorbikes/scramblers riding on the Wolverley Road field/Springfield Park causing a nuisance.

This is private land, and we have recently met with Strong Estates who are fully aware of the problem and as keen as us to ensure this is resolved as quickly as possible.

We are working in conjunction with a number of partner agencies to address the problem, and would urge members of the public to continue to call in, and report problems, particularly if you can provide us with vehicle registration numbers.

This is an ongoing problem which we will continue to address and provide you with updates.

Horsewatch

We have had a number of Horse related thefts across all areas.

We would like to remind you that we offer Horsewatch, which works similarly to Neighbourhood Watch, and is free to join.

We provide alerts, and property marking posters, and a system of recording your tack/equipment.

 

Please contact a member of your Local Policing Team for more information about joining.

New member of Local Policing Team

We are delighted to introduce to you, our new team member, CSO Belinda Pengelly-Moore, who joined us on 6th October.

With our area being so wide spread, Belinda will greatly enhance our team, and enable us to be more visible in our areas and attend more community events and meetings.

This brings our team to two Community Support Officers, and one Local Policing Officer.

Belinda will be concentrating on Cookley and Wolverley, and Kate will be focusing on Blakedown, Chaddesley, Rushock and our East Rural side.

Please offer a warm welcome to Belinda, whilst she learns and gradually gets to meet you all.

Trick or treat!

With Halloween approaching, we expect an increase in youths gathering, and activities taking place in the evenings.

We have a small supply of Sorry, No Trick or Treat posters, which you can display in your windows if you would rather not receive ‘Trick or Treaters’ at your door.

These will be available to collect at our next Police surgery on 21st October between 10 and 11 am at Wolverley Church Hall.

Lead thefts

We have had a number of lead related thefts in the area.

In particular, Wolverley Church and Chaddesley Corbett Church have both had their lead stolen from the church roof.

There is an increasing report of scrap metal vans travelling around the areas.

In particular, we are interested in sightings of a white dropside pick up, partial registration N232***

Please report sightings of any persons or vehicles, in suspicious circumstances to police immediately on 0300 333 3000.


We would also ask the community to be vigilant, and also ensure your own property is secured and do not leave valuables on display.

With the dark nights drawing nearer, the use of timer switches for lights is also recommended to offer some security to your house.

 

For further crime prevention advice, please contact a member of your local policing team.

One of our Blakedown prize winners……

We recently held a number of bike marking events across Kidderminster.

The events were held in Blakedown, Chaddesley Corbett, Cookley and Wolverley, and were well attended and supported by the local community.

The events were held in response to an increase in bike thefts and gave residents the opportunity to have their bikes marked with their postcode.

A competition was also held at each event giving people the chance to win one of 16 bike locks that were kindly donated by Halfords. There were four winners at each event, aged from school children to pensioners who all received a bike lock.

 “The bike marking sessions were a huge success and we’d like to say a big thank you to Halfords for their donation and a thank you to the community for offering their support to their local policing team.”



 

PACT surgeries

We are currently holding PACT surgeries at:

Wolverley Church Hall

Forthcoming dates are:

21st October

14th November

9th December

6th January

All surgeries are from 10am to 11am.

If you wish to meet us at other times, please do contact us and we will gladly meet you at the base.

Blakedown PACT

 

We are pleased to announce we now have our PACT chair and panel members in place.

We will advise you the date of our first PACT meeting shortly.

PACT

Our next Cookley & Wolverley PACT meeting will be held at:

Wolverley Church Hall, Shatterford Lane, Wolverley

25th November 2009 at 7pm.

Our current PACT priorities are:

1)  Speeding Franche Road, Wolverley.

2)  Lower speed restrictions, Lowe Lane, Wolverley.

3)  Inconsiderate parking, Cookley First School, Lea Lane, Cookley.

Updates on these priorities will be provided at PACT on 25th November.

Your Local Policing Team are:

PC 299 Sally Sliwinska–Local Policing Officer

 

CSO 40019 Belinda Pengelly-Moore – Community Support Officer

CSO 6239 Kate Easthope-Community Support Officer

 

PS 2302 Nadine Pearse-Local Policing Sergeant

 

 

How to contact us:

Address:

Kidderminster Police Station, Habberley Road, Kidderminster, DY11 6AN

Phone:

0300 333 3000 or 01562 828290

E-mail:

Cookleyandwolverley.lpt@westmercia.pnn.police.uk





Kidderminster RURAL
LOCAL POLICING TEAM

NEWSLETTER

September 2009

Bike marking events

We have recently run our bike marking sessions in Blakedown, Wolverley, Chaddesley Corbett and Cookley.

We are delighted with the support received and members of the public attending to get their bikes property marked, in particular in Blakedown and Cookley. 

We would also like to thank the Local Councillors and PACT members who attended to offer their support to their Local Policing Team, and of course to the venues who allowed us to use their facilities free of charge!

We have drawn winners of the bike locks, which were kindly donated to us by Halfords, and will be announcing these shortly.

Austcliffe Caravan Park

A lock up has been broken into, whereby a padlock has been cut off and removed and items stolen from within.

Anyone with information, please call police on 0300 333 3000

Theft of metal fencing

Metal fencing has been stolen from land in Drayton.

Again, if you have seen any suspicious vehicles, please call police or Crimestoppers.

New member of Local Policing Team

We are delighted to announce a new Community Support Officer has been allocated to our existing Local Policing Team.

This will greatly enhance our team, and enable us to be more visible in our areas and attend more community events and meetings.

This will bring our team to two Community Support Officers, and one Local Policing Officer.  Our new team member is currently in training, and will be starting with us in October, when I’m sure you will all join us in offering a warm welcome.

Nuisance vehicles

We are having reports of motorbikes/scramblers riding on the Wolverley Road field/Springfield Park causing a nuisance.

This is private land, and we have informed the landowners, who are aware of the ongoing problem. 

On occasion, there are vans arriving with the motorbikes, we would ask anyone to take registration numbers of the vans, so we can make follow up calls to the owners.

A number of youths have been identified and anti-social behaviour warning letters have been sent home to parents concerned.  However, it has been brought to our attention by parents that these youths have been given written permission by the landowner to ride their bikes on this land.We are currently looking into this.

Wolverley High School

Lead has been stolen from the school roof on two occasions over the past month.

As reported in previous newsletters, they have also had diesel stolen from the school minibus.

We would urge anyone to report suspicious activity, in the vicinity of the school, immediately to police on 0300 333 3000 and if possible obtain car registration details.

It may be that offenders are coming across fields to access the school grounds.

Anti-social behaviour

We have been informed by WFCH that there are reports of anti-social behaviour in Cookley again.

These are not being reported to police, so no action has been taken.  We work closely with housing, so please continue to inform housing, but also inform police, so appropriate joint action can be taken if necessary. 

We have also been informed of continuing anti-social behaviour from a Cookley youth who was granted an ASBO just before Christmas.  This kind of behaviour is in clear breach of the terms of the ASBO, and as such arrestable, however we need ANY incidents involving this individual to be reported to police and statements provided to take action.

Should you wish to provide information, please speak to a member of your Local Policing Team directly.

Cursley Distribution Park

Curley Business Park has again been broken into, and items stolen.

Please be vigilant when passing the estate, and pay attention to suspicious vehicles in the area.  Please take registration numbers and inform police on 0300 333 3000.

Theft, Tandy’s Lane

A garden shed has been broken into and a child’s red Apache quad bike, together with electrical items stolen.  A fence at the rear of the shed was broken down and the padlocks on the shed smashed.

Theft, Chaddesley Corbett

Another garden shed has been broken into and a ladies pink Raleigh push bike and camping equipment stolen from within.

Across the border….

Just off our area, Hoarstone Stables in Bewdley have had a vehicle acting suspiciously in the area.

The vehicle is a red Flat Bed truck, vrm K81XON.

2 males are in the vehicle, asking for scrap. 

Please look out for this vehicle and report any sightings or suspicious behaviour.

Call police on 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111



PACT surgeries

We are currently holding PACT surgeries at:

Wolverley Church Hall

Forthcoming dates are:

16th September

21st October

11th November

9th December

6th January

All surgeries are from 10am to 11am.

If you wish to meet us at other times, please do contact us and we will gladly meet you at the base.

Blakedown PACT

We are pleased to announce we now have our PACT chair and panel members in place.

We will advise you the date of our first PACT meeting shortly.

 PACT

Thanks to those who attended our last Cookley and Wolverley PACT meeting at Cookley Social Club on 14th July.

Our next Cookley & Wolverley PACT meeting will be held at:

Wolverley Church Hall, Shatterford Lane, Wolverley

25th November 2009 at 7pm.

Our current PACT priorities are:

1)  Speeding Franche Road, Wolverley.

2)  Lower speed restrictions, Lowe Lane, Wolverley.

 

3)  Inconsiderate parking, Cookley First School, Lea Lane, Cookley.

Your Local Policing Team are:

PC 299 Sally Sliwinska–Local Policing Officer

CSO 6239 Kate Easthope-Community Support Officer

PS 2302 Nadine Pearse-Local Policing Sergeant


How to contact us:

Address:

Kidderminster Police Station, Habberley Road, Kidderminster, DY11 6AN

Phone:

0300 333 3000 or 01562 828290

E-mail:

Cookleyandwolverley.lpt@westmercia.pnn.police.uk





Kidderminster RURAL
LOCAL POLICING TEAM

NEWSLETTER

July 2009
Bike marking events

We are pleased to announce we have a series of bike marking events planned for the Summer.

This is an opportunity to come along and have your cycle property marked free of charge.

We will be holding these events as follows:

25th August – Blakedown Primary School

26th August – Wolverely Church Hall

27th August – Chaddesley Primary School

28th August – Cookley Playing Fields.

The events each day will run from 10am till 2pm.

Wolverley High School

The school was broken into, and laptops stolen.

A red vehicle was seen in the area acting suspiciously, if you have any information or sightings of this vehicle in the area again, please let us know, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Stolen post box

We have had a Royal Mail post box stolen from Kingsford Lane, Wolverley and another metal post box stolen from a property in Blakedown.

 Anti-social behaviour – Vehicles

We are having reports of vehicles driving in an anti-social manner in Cookley and along Shatterford Lane, Wolverley.

Please report this immediately to police on 0300 333 3000 and if possible obtain make and model and registration numbers of the vehicles involved, so we can either attend at the time of the incident, or make a follow up visit to the registered keeper.

Theft of bicycles

We have had a number of bicycles stolen in Cookley, and unrelated bicycles being abandoned on people’s driveways and gardens.

Anyone with any information please call in.

Suspicious vehicles

We have had reports of vehicles acting suspiciously in fields in all of our rural areas.

Again, please obtain vehicle details and report sightings to police on 0300 333 3000, as we have had an increase in thefts and burglaries in our areas, and these vehicles may be connected.

Wolverley village

We have had a number of incidents reported in The Shortyard, Wolverley, over the last month.

A shed has been broken into whilst the occupants have been on holiday, and items stolen.

A purse has been stolen from an insecure vehicle, whilst the owner was carrying shopping into her house.

A barn has been broken into and specialist items stolen from within.

We are pleased to report we have interviewed a number of people with regards to two of these incidents, and enquiries are continuing.

Should you have information, or may have witnessed any of these incidents, please call police on 0300 333 3000. Thank you.

Harvington/Mustow Green

A garage has been broken into, and a petrol mower and golf clubs stolen.

We have no witnesses to this incident, so again, please let us know if you have seen anything suspicious in the area.

Blakedown

A freezer has been stolen from some stables in Waggon Lane.

A van would have had to have been used to move this item, so please report to us any sightings of suspicious vehicles.

Clee Road, Cookley

We have had a couple of vehicles broken into whilst parked overnight on Clee Road, Cookley and items stolen from within.

Please ensure your vehicles are secure and where fitted use immobilisers and alarms.

Please also make sure you remove any valuables from your vehicle when it is parked up, as this can help remove temptation from potential thieves.

For further security advice, please contact a member of the Local Policing Team.

Crimemapper

For information on your local area, and crime figures, please visit www.westmercia.police.uk

The Crimemapper site enables you to enter your postcode, and facts and figures surrounding crime figures in your area will be displayed.


PACT surgeries

We are currently holding PACT surgeries at:

Wolverley Church Hall

Forthcoming dates are:

12th August

16th September

21st October

All surgeries are from 10am to 11am.

If you wish to meet us at other times, please do contact us and we will gladly meet you at the base.

Blakedown PACT

We are delighted that we have now appointed a PACT Chairperson for Blakedown and are in the process of recruiting panel members.

Once these are agreed, we will notify you of our very first PACT meeting for Blakedown.

PACT

Our next Cookley & Wolverley PACT meeting will be held at:

Cookley Social Club, Lea Lane, Cookley on:

Tuesday 14th July at 7pm.

Our current PACT issues are:

Speeding - Castle Road, Cookley.

Poor road conditions – Bridge repairs, Caunsall Bridge, Caunsall.

Poor road signage – Castle Road/Wolverhampton Road junction.

Grit bins – required Sladd Lane, Wolverley.

Grass verges – Destroyed in Kimberlee Avenue, Cookley.

Our following meeting will be 25th November 2009 at 7 pm at Wolverley Church Hall, Shatterford Lane.


Your Local Policing Team are:

PC 299 Sally Sliwinska–Local Policing Officer


CSO 6239 Kate Easthope-Community Support Officer

PS 2302 Nadine Pearse-Local Policing Sergeant



How to contact us:

Address:

Kidderminster Police Station, Habberley Road, Kidderminster, DY11 6AN

Phone:

0300 333 3000 or 01562 828290

E-mail:

Cookleyandwolverley.lpt@westmercia.pnn.police.uk

Kidderminster RURAL
LOCAL POLICING TEAM

NEWSLETTER

June 2009

Vehicle crime

We have had an increase in vehicle crime in our areas.

A number of vans have been broken into and some unsuccessful attempts to steal vehicles from outside properties.

Please ensure you secure your vehicles, keep valuables out of sight and use alarms/immobilisers where fitted.

For further security advice, please contact a member of the Local Policing Team.

Bike marking events

We are pleased to announce we have a series of bike marking events planned for the Summer.

This is an opportunity to come along and have your cycle property marked free of charge.

We will be holding these events as follows:

25th August – Blakedown Primary School

26th August – Wolverely Church Hall

27th August – Chaddesley Primary School

28th August – Cookley Playing Fields.

The events each day will run from 10am till 2pm.

Further details will follow, but we would like to thank each of the above for allowing the use of their premises.

Smartwater event, Blakedown

We are holding a Neighbourhood Watch and Smartwater recruitment event at Blakedown Primary School on 16th June between 6 and 9pm.

It will be an open evening for residents of Churchill and Blakedown to meet the Local Policing Team and members of Neighbourhood Watch.

The aim is to get more residents to join the schemes and at the same time offer members to purchase Smartwater at a reduced rate.

Smartwater is available for sale through Neighbourhood Watch for £15.00, usual RRP is £45-£50.

Smartwater is said to be the ultimate theft deterrent which uses state of the art technology to protect valuables.  It has its own unique DNA style forensic code which is simply dabbed on the nooks and crannies of any valuable item.

Please do come along, and take up this fantastic opportunity.

The event will be held in the school hall at Blakedown Primary, Birmingham Road, Blakedown.

Burglaries

There have been further reports of Burglaries in the rural areas, as well as other parts of Wyre Forest District.

You can significantly reduce the chance of your home being burgled by taking a few simple precautions:

v      A well-lit home gives the impression that someone is in.

v      Use timer switches to turn lights on while you are out.

v      Save energy and money with low-energy or dusk to dawn sensor light bulbs.

v      Invest in external lighting.

v      Lock windows and doors and keep gates well secured.

Most house break-ins are opportunistic.  Don’t give them a chance.

For more practical home security tips, visit: www.westmercia.police.uk or contact a member of your Local Policing Team.

PACT surgeries

We are currently holding PACT surgeries at:

Wolverley Church Hall

Forthcoming dates are:

13th June ** New Saturday surgery **

24th June

12th August

16th September

21st October

25th November

All surgeries are from 10am to 11am.

If you wish to meet us at other times, please do contact us and we will gladly meet you at the base.

Community engagement

May has been a very busy month for the Local Policing Team.

This past month, Kate has carried out Stranger Danger inputs to Winterfold School, Chaddesley Corbett, Cookley nursery and reception class and Cookley Rainbows.

We have new Neighbourhood Watch schemes set up in Yieldingtree and plans are underway in Broome.

Blakedown Primary has held some ‘walking bus’ days, which we have also attended, despite it raining!

Rushock has had their first PACT surgery which was extremely well attended, and as a result a Neighbourhood Watch scheme has been set up here.

Chaddesley Primary has held a Junior PACT meeting, and we will be taking the children’s issues to our next PACT meeting in July.

Kate enjoyed herself helping with the Blakedown Big litter pick, and hopefully Blakedown is now litter free!

Please make us aware of events in the Rural and we do our best to offer our support to our villages where possible.

PACT

Our next Cookley & Wolverley PACT meeting will be held at:

Cookley Social Club, Lea Lane, Cookley on:

Tuesday 14th July at 7pm.

Our current PACT issues are:

Speeding -  Castle Road, Cookley.

Poor road conditions – Bridge repairs, Caunsall Bridge, Caunsall.

Poor road signage – Castle Road/Wolverhampton Road junction.

Grit bins – required Sladd Lane, Wolverley.

Grass verges – Destroyed in Kimberlee Avenue, Cookley.



 

Your Local Policing Team are:
PC 299 Sally Sliwinska–Local Policing Officer .
CSO 6239 Kate Easthope-Community Support Officer PS 2302 Nadine Pearse-Local Policing Sergeant
. .
How to contact us:
Address: Kidderminster Police Station, Habberley Road, Kidderminster, DY11 6AN
Phone: 0300 333 3000 or 01562 828290 E-mail: Cookleyandwolverley.lpt@westmercia.pnn.
police.uk
www.westmercia.police.uk

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