Neighbourhood Watch

• Between Wednesday 21 and Saturday 24 December, a house in High Street Croughton was broken into.

Dear members and supporters,

Neighbourhood and Home Watch members are invited to take part in focus groups and interviews hosted by Victim Support over the next three months as part of a national project to raise awareness of important local issues facing victims and witnesses.
 
The project is aimed at victims and witnesses across England & Wales who have experienced crime within the last two years and are not currently involved in criminal justice proceedings or a court case relating to the crime.

Findings will be collated by Victim Support to make sure that each new police and crime commissioner has victim and witness issues on their agenda when they are elected in November 2012.  If you are interested in taking part in a focus group or interview and would like to find out more information, please click here: http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/victims_and_witnesses_invited_to_take_part_in_victim_support_focus_groups/

Regards,

Sundeep Gill
Development Manager, NHWN

Crime and policing update for Little Brook ward which includes: Aynho, Croughton and Evenley
 
Recent incidents of notes
 

• Fuel was siphoned from vehicles on the Buckingham Road, Croughton between Friday 18 and Sunday 20 November. 

Anyone with information please call us on 101 or alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
 
News in brief

Police Dog Guinness and his handler PC Carl Ellis have had a memorable week, following the successful tracking and arrests of a suspected drink-driver in New Duston and four metal thieves in Wellingborough. Click on the blue links to read more about each case.
 
We are warning of the dangers of handling ordnance following the recent experience of a 16-year-old Northamptonshire boy who was injured when a mortar round he was dismantling exploded. Read more
 
Officers have been homing in on underage activity across the county over the last few weeks to prevent young people from becoming involved in alcohol fuelled disorder and anti-social behaviour. One of the aims is to prevent people from using fake ID to obtain alcohol or to gain entry into bars and clubs. Read more
 
Police Cadets contribute 300 hours since launch - The Volunteer Police Cadet scheme was launched in partnership with Northampton College at the end of June. Since this time, the group of 16 – 17 year olds have supported the Force and enjoyed getting involved in a number of community events to help to make a difference. Read more

Dear All,

Please be advised that the original communication circulated about the new order process for Neighbourhood and Home Watch window stickers has now been updated and amended. The update reflects two new Towergate distribution points (Didcot and Great Yarmouth), with additional changes to contact details listed for some offices. The amended document can be downloaded from here: http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/resource_centre/document_library/neighbourhood_and_home_watch_window_stickers_new_order_process/?page=3&cat_id=37&sort=alpha-a  (The original link circulated is still 'live' but the document itself has been updated.)

Following the launch of the new order process which took place on 10th October 2011, in partnership with Towergate Insurance, 508 orders have been placed, equating to the distribution of 61,000 window stickers across England and Wales. In addition, a number of Towergate representatives have been invited by coordinators to attend meetings around the country to liaise with members directly.

• During the afternoon of Tuesday 11 October, a property in Church Lane, Croughton was broken into.

Do you want to have your say on what the police and partners should be focusing on and to help make decisions on where the police should be spending money?

There are many ways in which you can give us your views:

Following the hugely successful launch of Dog Watch in East Northamptonshire and Wellingborough, the Dog Watch team have extended the scheme across the whole county and are keen to invite all members of Community Connect to join as a member.
 
Dog watch, originally developed in Stevenage as a way of extending the already successful Neighbourhood Watch network to the wider community, caught the attention of local Neighbourhood Watch coordinator Ian Blackburn-Elliot, who along with the Dog Watch team, have introduced the scheme to Northamptonshire.
 
The scheme recognises it is often those who walk their dogs, runners or anyone who likes to get out and about, who are the first to spot something unusual or amiss, such as criminal damage or an incident of anti-social behaviour, providing valuable eyes and ears for the community.
 
The scheme is open to anyone aged 16 or over and you do not need to be a member of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme to join Dog Watch.
 
The head co-ordinator Ian Blackburn-Elliot said: “It is a sad fact that the missing links in many crimes are often in out of the way places in our countryside, or areas without passing traffic. Dog walkers are often the means by which vital evidence is found, as dogs stray into areas not normally frequented by passers by.
 
“It has been proved that the ‘Dog Watch’ scheme, not only has the potential to discover evidence, which may help to solve a crime, it can also make a difference to the surrounding community”.
 
Chief Inspector Gary Ashton, a supporter of Dog Watch said: “Since its earliest days, policing has been a community activity. I am always keen to extend community involvement in policing. The Dog Watch Scheme provides such an opportunity, as dog walkers are frequently the first to discover something out of the ordinary in their local area.”
 

We are looking for Special Constables to join the existing team and work alongside Officers and Police Community Support Officers across the county.

Our Special Constables respond to and deal with a wide variety of incidents.. They have the same powers and uniform as a Police Officer, the only difference is that they are voluntary.

This is a great opportunity to gain an insight into the life of an Officer, and develop skills and experiences working alongside them. If you are interested in pursuing a career within the Police Force, then this is for you.

In addition, you'll be making a difference in the community, and doing something new and exciting with your spare time!

We are holding an Open Evening on October 5 for those interested in becoming a Special Constable.

For more details click here or call the Recruitment Team on 03000 111 222 ext 7383