Neighbourhood Watch

This is a message from Northamptonshire West Police to all residents.

There has been an increase in the number of people receiving unsolicited telephone calls from companies offering the installation of security systems.

Initial contact is made by telephone cold calling residents to arrange appointments.  Whilst the alarms may be free or available at a nominal cost, the ongoing maintenance costs are high and there is a cancellation fee.

We advise that you do not purchase systems from companies cold calling, either on the telephone or at your door. If you are considering investing in an alarm system, we recommend that obtain quotes from at least 3 security companies who are subject to independent inspection by a recognised body, either NSI (The National Security Inspectorate) or SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board).

Anyone experiencing or have been affected by 'cold call' telephone calls in relation to appointments arranging visits promoting the sale of security alarms should ring We We would ask anyone experiencing or affected by 'cold call' telephone calls from companies arranging visits promoting the sale of security alarms, to ring Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or Northamptonshire Trading Standards on 01604 707900.

We would like to remind you, 'If you're not sure, DON'T open the door'.

If you are concerned about a caller at your door or suspect that distraction burglars or rogue doorstep traders are operating in your community, please call our dedicated Doorstep crime Action Network (DAN) number 0345 23 07 702. You can read about the tactics these criminals use at www.northants.police.uk/lookout

** PLEASE REMEMBER: If a crime is in progress you must call 999 **

Please pass this message on to anyone you think may benefit from this information, particularly the vulnerable and elderly.

Trading Standards Approved Trader Scheme

The Trading Standards Trader Approval Scheme, Buy with Confidence, was launched by Northamptonshire County Council on Friday 2 July.

The Buy with Confidence Scheme brings together many types of businesses from all over Northamptonshire, which have been individually checked, for trustworthiness and compliance with consumer protection laws.

The Scheme also aims to marginalise the rogue traders who often target the most vulnerable members of the community.

Northamptonshire residents can now access a list of reliable traders to carry out work in their homes and gardens.

To find out more information and details of local businesses who are members of the Buy with Confidence Scheme, please visit www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/approvedtraders , call on 01604 236236 or Consumer Direct 08454 040506 or email on bwc [at] northamptonshire [dot] gov [dot] uk

A resident in South London has reported a possible scam taking place in his locality.

A man claiming to represent 'Neighbourhood Watch Support' telephoned to say that a Neighbourhood Watch brochure was going out to all the local residents. The caller was encouraging local businesses to advertise in this brochure.

The resident agreed to place an advertisement and later received a further phone call from a company calling itself 'Business Community Support Multimedia'. The caller took some details over the phone.

At a later date the resident received a letter with a 'proof' for the advertisement. Apart from the name of the business and the contact phone number, every detail was incorrect. The accompanying letter said that unless any amendments were received within five days (by phone, email or fax) they would assume that the details were correct and place the advert.

The resident tried several times to contact the company by email and phone but to no avail, finding his emails unanswered and his phone calls cut off. Luckily he had not yet paid any money for the advertisement.

We would like to make it clear that there is no such organisation as 'Neighbourhood Watch Support' and the Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network does not produce any such local brochures nor contract Business Community Support Multimedia to do so.

If you have any concerns, questions or issues you would like to raise relating to this, please contact us on enquiries [at] nationalnhw [dot] org or 0116 229 3118 and do not agree to anything over the telephone or on your doorstep.

Thank you

A CHANCE TO CHANGE An alternative approach to dealing with youth crime is being employed by Northamptonshire Police through the introduction of Youth Restorative Disposals (YRDs).

YRDs contain a 'restorative justice' element and will assist officers in providing a quick and appropriate response to low-level crime and neighbourhood disorder to young people aged 10 to 17 inclusive.

Where this approach differs to those previously employed is that it directly engages with all parties - victims, offenders and families - to resolve an offence in a manner that is meaningful.

This discretionary power, which is available to police officers, allows for immediate action to be taken for minor first time offences.

The basis for introducing YRDs lies with implementing an approach that prevents young people from being disproportionately criminalised for a first time offence. Additionally, it can help reduce the chances of them re-offending and help them gain an understanding of the implications of their behaviour.

It also increases the public's involvement in resolving an issue that they are directly affected by, thereby helping to improve their confidence in the justice system.

Thank you.

This is a message from Northamptonshire West Police to residents in the village of Farthinghoe.

Main Road - Between the times of 1am Sunday 6 June and 5.45am Sunday 13 June, the padlocks on a 'lock up' were broken and items taken from inside.

Northamptonshire Police and local councils are working together to tackle the crime and anti-social behaviour issues in your community; please visit http://northants.police.uk for more information about how we are responding to your concerns.

If you have any information in relation to this incident please report using the dedicated Watch number 01604 432436 alternatively contact Northamptonshire West Police or Crimestoppers on the numbers above quoting WB/CMS/1410/10
Thank you

We have been informed of that charity leaflets have been received by residents in South Northants, Daventry and Northampton area, notifying them of collections of clothing commencing next week by a company calling themselves SOS Clothes Ltd.

Residents in the north of Northampton have already received these leaflets.

The company are apparently collecting on behalf of the Tree of Hope Children's Charity (Reg No 1043092).

Please be aware that this collection is not licensed, SOS Clothes Ltd have stated that they have not delivered any leaflets and will not be collecting clothing items anytime next week. They believe that this must be a bogus company using their leaflets.

Please pass this message on to family, friends and neighbours especially those that are elderly and vulnerable.

Please contact the police if you see anyone collecting clothing on behalf of SOS Clothes Ltd using the dedicated Watch number 01604 432436 alternatively contact Northamptonshire West Police or Crimestoppers on the numbers above quoting WB/CMS/1420/10
Thank you

This is a message from Northamptonshire West Police to all residents in the village area of Croughton.

Portway Drive - Between the times of midnight and 8.30pm Thursday 27 May the rear light cover was been removed from a van.

If you have any information in relation to this incident please report using the dedicated Watch number 01604 432436 alternatively contact Northamptonshire West Police or Crimestoppers on the numbers above quoting WB/CMS/1133/10

Thank you

This is a message from Northamptonshire West Police to all residents living in the village of Syresham of two incidents that occurred in the High Street.

• Between the time of 1am Sunday 23 May and 1.30am Monday 24 May the winch from a land Rover was removed whilst parked on a driveway. Three people were seen to leave that area in a light coloured Vehicle with the license number REG93X.
• Around the time of 3pm Monday 24 May a flatbed lorry was seen to draw up at a vehicle packed on the roadside. A man was then seen getting into the lorry, which then drive off. On inspection of the car the owners finds that parts of his vehicle have been removed.

If you have any information in relation to these incidents, please report using the dedicated Watch number 01604 432436 alternatively contact Northamptonshire West Police or Crimestoppers on the numbers above quoting WB/CMS/1072/10

Thank you

This is a message from Northamptonshire West Police to all residents in the King Sutton and Croughton areas.

Please be aware that of a number of incidents that have recently taken place in your area.

Church Leys, Evenley - sometime between 9:10 and 11:40am Friday 21 May offenders accessed the rear garden of the property and forced open a rear window. Once inside the property an untidy search of a bedroom was made and number of items of jewellery were stolen.

Banbury Road, between Farthinghoe and Middleton Cheney - sometime between 6pm Thursday 20 May and 8:50am Friday 21 May offenders entered the commercial location and caused significant damage to items within with a golf club. The offenders then removed a large amount of compost from the site.

If you have any information in relation to these incidents please report using the dedicated Watch number 01604 432436 alternatively contact Northamptonshire West Police or Crimestoppers on the numbers below.

Thank you.