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Doorstep Crime

Top Tips For Keeping Yourself And Your Property Safe

Communities Set To Benefit From Cashback From Criminals

Lincolnshire Criminal Justice Board's Strategic plan for 2008/2011

Release Funds in Pilot Scheme for Charitable Causes

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Crime Prevention Contact Numbers

Please report anything suspicious to the police immediately. Ask for the message to be passed to our Local Beat Officers.

The Beat Team contact details are:
PC Paul Truelove – paul.truelove@lincs.pnn.police.uk
PCSO Vicky Czajkowski – victoria.czajkowski@lincs.pnn.police.uk
PCSO Chris Boyle – christopher.boyle@lincs.pnn.police.uk 
PCSO Jo Brooker – Joanne.brooker@lincs.pnn.police.uk 
Or alternatively you can call direct through to us on these numbers:
07825100376 Paul, 07939312796 Chris, 07825100377 Vicky, 07825100379 Jo
These are the mobiles held by the Beat Team when they are on duty.

These numbers and emails Should Not Be used for reporting crimes or incidents, that need immediate action & you should always call 0300 111 0300 for this purpose or 999 in an emergency.

Or alternatively you can call direct through to us on these numbers:
Direct to North Hykeham Police Station (not a 24 hour station) 805720
(please DO NOT leave a voicemail when calling the mobiles)

We hope this improves the flow of information between you the public and ourselves so that we can perform more effectively, in your local community.

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Lincolnshire Police Beat Team View

News

Anti-Social Behaviour
A reminder as to what it is!
“Behaviour by a person that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more other persons who are not of the same household as the person.” Examples include vehicle nuisance, criminal damage, and youth disruption to name but a few. If you are experiencing ASB then please get in touch. We regularly liaise with our partner agencies including the ASB team at North Kesteven District Council.
 

Police Community Projects
 

Seasonal Crime
With spring upon us please be aware of garden related crimes which may increase over the coming months, please secure your shed/garage with a good quality lock and please don‟t leave valuable power tools on show as they will disappear if you do. If you are out in the garden, make sure the rear/front door is locked as thieves can easily gain access whilst you are busy working! If anyone does want property marked by the team with your postcode then please get in touch via the contact details below, this service is FREE!!!!!
 

Witham St Hughs – Boxing Club
The presentation evening was held on the 4th April with 39 young people receiving their first ABA boxing award. The club had a two week break over Easter and commenced back on 25th April. Details will be given to current members nearer the time. Any new members wishing to join please get in touch with one of the team. We are looking into the possibility of facilitating a training session for adults whereby we offer a drop in session to use the equipment for a small fee. If this is of interest please register with PCSO Chris Boyle on the number below.
 

You can contact us via the following:
For reporting crimes or incidents, that need immediate action, you should always call 0300 111 0300 for this purpose or 999 in an emergency.
 

The Beat Team contact details are:
PC Paul Truelove – paul.truelove@lincs.pnn.police.uk
PCSO Vicky Czajkowski – victoria.czajkowski@lincs.pnn.police.uk
PCSO Chris Boyle – christopher.boyle@lincs.pnn.police.uk 
PCSO Jo Brooker – Joanne.brooker@lincs.pnn.police.uk 
Or alternatively you can call direct through to us on these numbers:
07825100376 Paul, 07939312796 Chris, 07825100377 Vicky, 07825100379 Jo
these are the mobiles held by the Beat Team when they are on duty. These numbers should not be used for reporting incidents or crimes.

[WS May 2011]

A Day In The Life Of Your Neighbourhood Policing Team
Hykeham South Rural Beat Team
The Hykeham Rural South Police Beat Team who may be familiar to many of you is made up of a Community Beat Manager, PC Matt Roberts nowadays referred to as a CBM but many of you would call him the local Bobby and two Police Community Support Officers (PSCO) who many of you will know as Vicky Czajkowski and Chris Boyle. Together with the CBM they form the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) or the Beat Team as it is commonly known.
It is apparent to the Beat Team that some members of our public are astounded by the array of activities and tasks that we undertake, many may wonder what we actually do when they can’t see us beating the streets as perhaps they would like to see us doing!
To address this we were asked at our last Neighbourhood Panel meeting (NHP, more of that later) to produce a day in the life of the Beat Team narrative to paint a picture of what we get up to on a day to day basis. Before we do that, it is necessary to explain how the Beat Team fits into the bigger picture of the Home Office’s Policing model.
The Bassingham Cluster Area sits in what is known in policing circles as the South Rural Sector. Resident to the Bassingham Cluster Area is the Hykeham Rural South Beat Team. The Beat Team’s remit is to deal predominantly with neighbourhood issues but they will if available respond to urgent 999 calls on their area. Working alongside the Beat Team are other policing departments such as Response and Patrol Officers, Roads Policing Unit, Dog mobiles and where appropriate departments such as CID, SOCO and other specialist departments too long to list. Working in partnership with us are also our partner agencies such as NKDC.
To give a pen picture of what we do is no small task no two days are the same.
The nature of police work is extremely unpredictable. Flexibility remains key to our work whilst trying to maintain a plethora of appointments and commitments. The key to neighbourhood policing is engagement within the community. The Beat Team tends to work “daylight” hours i.e. 7am to 10pm so we can best engage and converse with our public. That isn’t to say if there is a problem over night that we won‟t change our shifts to sort the problem as we have done on a number of occasions.
A typical day for both PCSO and CBM begins by reviewing incidents that have occurred overnight. In many cases these incidents will have been attended by Response Officers and may need follow up visits to provide reassurance, obtain statements or do door to door enquiries in daylight hours. We never really know what we will be met with when we arrive at work.
The Beat Team responds to concerns in the community. In one guise this is delivered to us via a Neighbourhood Panel. The NHP are volunteer members of the community that have set up a Panel to serve our cluster area. The NHP identifies concerns from the community and offers policing priorities for the Beat Team to address at quarterly meetings. These priorities can be found listed on village notice boards, in local shop windows and in local village magazines within our cluster area as well as the Lincolnshire Police internet site under the link of Neighbourhood Policing Teams. The Beat Team reports back to the NHP at the following meeting and gives feedback with results, conclusions and advice.
The variety of incidents that the Beat Team may get involved in is diverse. In recent months the Beat Team has responded to reports of burglary, thefts, assaults, drug dealing and drug production, possession of illegal firearms, theft of motor vehicles, theft from motor vehicles, fraud, malicious communications, criminal damage, public disorder, harassment, threatening behaviour, arson, domestic incidents, self harm and suicide, sudden deaths, road traffic collisions, bogus callers and even prostitution. The attendance at such incidents is just the start of any process. An arrest results in hours spent processing prisoners in custody, interviewing and writing up evidence to present to the CPS. Often search warrants will follow arrests in the hunt for stolen property or drugs etc. Again this is time consuming and needs lengthy documentation. The end result of an arrest and successful investigation is the compilation of court prosecution files and attendance at court. On top of these commitments are the inevitable training sessions that all members of the Beat Team have to attend to keep us up to date with ever increasing legislation and the occasional abstractions to other duties such as policing major events within the county.
All of the above is the common perception of modern police work when really it is just the tip of the iceberg. Investigations can be very time consuming, prior to and after arrest. Observations and intelligence need to be obtained, evidence gathered, that may be statement form or video recording, informants or seizure of property and evidence, all of which requires the correct legislation and documentation applying. Add the incoming incidents and reports received on the radio or beat phone and a whole host of other commitments to the mix and you will realise the working day begins to fill quite rapidly!
The Beat Team has a diary full of commitments to fulfil before the day even begins so each day is a constant assessment of sliding priorities. An engagement diary for the NPT can also be found on our web pages. This demonstrates well the diversity of activities undertaken by the team even before the spontaneous events impact upon us!
The Beat Team is regularly found in our three primary schools leading activities such as drug education, bike safe schemes, talks on anti social behaviour (ASB), prevention harm lessons about alcohol, bullying, road safety, internet safety, stranger danger and the list goes on. The Team also has positive engagement with the Hill Holt Wood Pupil Referral Unit who unbeknown to many carry out an awful lot of good work clearing up fly tipping we report to them. Outside of school hours the Beat Team has diversionary ASB schemes in place such as the Fair Play Football scheme run by PCSO Chris Boyle. Many of these schemes attract venue, transport, funding and sponsorship issues that are again time consuming. Other schemes are held during school holidays such as Junior Crime Fighters and Junior PCSO’s. The purpose of these schemes is to involve young people in community issues and activities in a constructive way whilst diverting them away from trouble. The Beat Team knows a large number of the younger people by name in our villages as a result of these schemes. This is an investment for the future, both in diversion, intelligence, and crime prevention and detection.
“No Cold Calling Zones” (NCCZ) have been set up by the Beat Team in most of our villages. These are intended to provide a protective umbrella to our most vulnerable in order to deter bogus callers and distraction burglaries. Installation of signage in these zones indicates to offenders that residents are hardened to their actions as well as providing education and support to them. This gives residents the confidence and means to contact either their wardens or the Beat Team directly on the Beat Phones to report the presence of these cold callers to police. Speakers from Trading Standards have attended sheltered accommodation to speak to residents about the dangers of cold callers offering building work, tree cutting services and offering strategies to deal with them or verify their true identity. Other input by the Beat Team has been the instalment of security lights in these areas as well as alarms, spy holes and intercoms.
Central to our efforts against crime in our rural areas is Neighbourhood watch (NHW). There are established and effective NHW schemes operating in our villages who pass on information to the Beat Team and who receive real time information from the police by email, fax and telephone about emerging threats in our area.
The more recent priorities set by our NHP includes concerns about the manner of driving on our roads and enforcement of the NCCZ. Seven drug warrants have been executed in our beat area since February. This illustrates the effectiveness of Neighbourhood Policing Teams gathering valuable intelligence and acting upon it. A significant amount of people have been arrested and charged with drug related offences, some are still pending conviction. Whilst it is acknowledged there is still a presence of controlled substances being used in our area the intelligence is constantly developing and police are aware of an amount of information that the offenders may be oblivious too. The work to combat the misuse of drugs and bring offenders to justice will continue. Wider policing involvement is bid for through the Beat Team, an example is the input of the Roads Policing Unit to assist us in dealing with offences such as speeding and other traffic offences. Amongst all this other activity the Beat Team deploys a Speed Indicating Device (SID), which you may have seen at the road side, hopefully smiling at you! The SID is a passive measure designed to draw the driver‟s attention to their speed in that area. Where persistent speeding is identified the Beat Team will adopt a more proactive approach and issue fixed penalty tickets to offending motorists.
As a Beat Team we hope this “blog” gives the reader a better understanding of the work we do and the role we fulfil. None of us on the Team are under the impression that we will please everyone all of the time but we hope this will go some way to helping people understand how we fit into the policing model within Lincolnshire Police. The urban myth about Bobbies sat in the station drinking tea isn‟t true at all, policing is a highly intensive job. In fact it is fair to say that PC Matt Roberts has a very poor reputation as he never makes a cup of tea but will always willingly accept one made for him!

[WS Dec 2009]

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Top Tips for Keeping Yourself and Your Property Safe

Staying safe at home
Make sure your house or flat is secure. Always secure outside doors. Fit barrel locks top and bottom. If you have to use a key, keep it in a safe place away from the door where you can find it quickly in an emergency – you may need to use the door in the event of fire.
 

If other people such as previous tenants could still have keys that fit, change the locks. Don’t give keys to workmen or tradesmen, as they can easily make copies.
 

If you wake to hear the sound of an intruder, only you can decide how best to handle the situation. You may want to lie quietly to avoid attracting attention to yourself, in the hope that they will leave. Or you may feel more confident if you switch on the lights and make a lot of noise by moving about. Even if you’re on your own, call out loudly to an imaginary companion – most burglars will flee empty-handed rather than risking a confrontation. Ring the police as soon as it’s safe for you to do so. A telephone extension in your bedroom will make you feel more secure as it allows you to call the police immediately, without alerting the intruder.
 

Draw your curtains after dark and if you think there is a prowler outside – dial 999
 

Use only your surname and initials in the telephone directory and on the doorplate. That way a stranger won’t know if a man or a woman lives there.
 

If you see signs of a break-in at your home, like a smashed window or open door, don’t go in. Go to a neighbour and call the police.
 

When you answer the phone, simply say ‘hello’; don’t give your number. If the caller claims to have a wrong number, ask him or her to repeat the number required. Never reveal any information about yourself to a stranger and never say you are alone in the house.
 

Staying safe when you’re out and about
 

If you often walk home in the dark, get a personal attack alarm from a DIY store or ask your local crime prevention officer where you can buy one. Carry it in your hand so you can use it immediately to scare off an attacker. Make sure it is designed to continue sounding if it’s dropped or falls to the ground.
 

Carry your bag close to you with the clasp facing inwards. Carry your house keys in your pocket. If someone grabs your bag, let it go. If you hang on, you could get hurt. Remember your safety is more important than your property.
 

If you think someone is following you, check by crossing the street – more than once if necessary – to see if he follows. If you are still worried, get to the nearest place where there are other people – a pub or anywhere with a lot of lights on – and call the police. Avoid using an enclosed phonebox in the street, as the attacker could trap you inside.
 

If you regularly go jogging or cycling, try to vary your route and time. Stick to well-lit roads with pavements. On commons and parklands, keep to main paths and open spaces where you can see and be seen by other people – avoid wooded areas. If you wear a personal stereo, remember you can’t hear traffic, or somebody approaching behind you.
 

Don’t take short-cuts through dark alleys, parks or across waste ground. Walk facing the traffic so a car cannot pull up behind you unnoticed.
 

If a car stops and you are threatened, scream and shout, and set off your personal attack alarm if you have one. Get away as quickly as you can. This will gain you vital seconds and make it more difficult for the car driver to follow. If you can, make a mental note of the number and description of the car. Write down details as soon as possible afterwards.
 

Self-defence and safety awareness classes may help you feel more secure. Ask your local police or your work if they have classes.
 

When driving
 

Before a long trip, make sure your vehicle is in good condition.
 

Plan how to get to your destination before leaving, and stay on main roads if you can.
 

Make sure you have enough money and petrol. Carry a spare petrol can.
 

Keep change and a phone card in case you need to make a telephone call. Carry a torch.
 

Before you leave, tell anyone you are planning to meet what time you think you will get there, and the route you are taking.
 

Keep doors locked when driving and keep any bag, carphone or valuables out of sight. If you have the window open, only wind it down a little. Don’t wind it down far enough to allow someone to reach in while you are stopped in traffic.
 

After dark, park in a well-lit, busy place. Look around before you get out. If you’re parking in daylight, but coming back for your car at night, think about how things will look in the dark.
 

Have your key ready when you go back to your car.
 

If your car develops problems, find a telephone. On motorways follow the marker arrows to the closest phone. They are never placed any more than a mile apart, on opposite sides of the motorway. Never cross the carriageway to use a phone.
 

While on the hard shoulder or telephoning, keep a sharp look-out and don’t accept lifts from strangers – wait for the police or breakdown service. Don’t wait in the car – there is a high risk of an accident. Wait on the embankment nearby with the front passenger door open. If someone approaches you or you feel threatened, lock yourself in the car and speak to them through a small gap in the window.
 

Please check your headlights – you can do this by shining them on wall or get someone to assist you – the community panel stated that they have seen a lot of one eyed car’s at the moment!!

[WS Dec 2007]

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Drink Drive Competition

Shattered Dreams During the months of November and December, the beat team ran the annual drink drive competition at Witham St Hughs, Bassingham and Brant Broughton Primary Schools. This entailed us going into the older children’s lessons and talking to them about speeding and drink driving. The children were then asked to design a poster illustrating the dangers of speeding and driving whilst under the influence of alcohol. We had a very good response of a high standard which made the judging even harder for NKDC Councillor Pat Woodman but the winners were announced and in a presentation ceremony received their prizes. Congratulations to 10 year old Holly Mammatt from Bassingham Primary School who won first prize: a family day-pass at Sherwood Forest donated by Centreparks. 11 year old Robert from Witham St Hughs Primary School scooped second prize: an all in one printer, scanner and copier donated by Forum Computers in South Hykeham and finally to 11 year old Hannah Churchill also from Bassingham Primary School who won third prize of a family meal deal takeaway donated by Pizza Devil/The Generous Briton public house in Brant Broughton. The winning posters were displayed across the area in post offices, public houses, shops and notice boards etc. The beat team would like to thank all of the people who made this initiative a success.

Photographs of the sponsored cycle ride, poster designs and winner presentation.

[WS Feb 2008]

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Police: Changes In Boundaries - July 2006

Community Beat Team (North Hykeham Rural) 

Last month saw a change in the area that Nick and I currently manage. Resulting in a temporary undertaking of Brant Broughton, Stragglethorpe, Beckingham, Stapleford and surrounding hamlets. Temporarily, because it has been decided by management within Lincolnshire Police that there will be a new Community Beat Team for this area, with the post of Community Beat Manager being advertised within Lincoln Division, which now encompasses Sleaford.

Therefore, hopefully, in the next few months we will see a new Police Officer in charge of this area, which will include the above areas and also take in Bassingham, Carlton-Le-Moorland, Thurlby, Norton Disney, Leadenham and Welbourn.

We also have a new Police Community Support Officer Chris Boyle, who has been with us since the 5th June, he will be working with Nick and I for the time being. But, ultimately he will be part of this new Community Beat Team, when a manager is in post.

I will be sorry to loose the close ties I have built up with Bassingham, Carlton-Le-Moorland, Thurlby and Norton Disney, in the time I have been policing this community. But, for the time being, will continue to work closely with these villages to better our communities.

The fine details are yet to be decided, I will report any further news to you as soon as I receive it and would like to take this opportunity to welcome the new villages to our team.

PC Paul Truelove [WS July 2006]

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Hello From Pc Simon Gordon 

I would like to update as many residents as possible on the current policing situation in the North Hykeham rural area. I have been standing in as the community beat manager since the beginning of July 06, due to the on-going absence of PC Truelove. I have inherited a very large area, stretching from North Scarle, right across to Stragglethorpe and Beckingham. This is in fact two beat areas. 

However, it is not all bad news. When I started to police this area, there were two police community support officers PCSOs Stenner and Boyle. They have now been joined by two more PCSOs - PCSOs Czajkowski, and Brooker.In addition, PC Truelove will be returning to the 'patch' shortly. He will also be joined by another community police officer. I am applying for the post, and am hopeful it will be me. There will then be six of us working the rural villages. North and South Hykeham also have their own police officer, and two PCSOs. When all personnel are in place, the area will effectively be split into two, with one police officer, and two PCSOs for each half. The area will be more or less split by the A46 road. With all these additional resources, PC Truelove and the other 'beat manager' will be able to 'task' their PCSOs, and put them where they are required. 

Unlike police-officers, the PCSOs are not required to do lots of paperwork and are able to really get on the ground and patrol the villages. I hope that you have already seen them on the beat. All villages will be regularly patrolled. Please approach them with any problems, concerns, or information you may have. They are all keen, and very approachable. You should also see the police officers from time to time! Over the summer holiday period, we have experienced very few problems in our villages. I am certain that the increased uniform presence on the area is having a very positive effect. 

There have recently been three burglaries in Thorpe on the Hill, so please be mindful. I will update you all in the next issue, when officers are in place; both as to their identity, and as to which half of the area they will have responsibility for, so that you will know who is policing your village. 

See you around, Simon Gordon. PC 638

[WS Nov 2006]

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A Change In Community Policing - January 2006 

From the 9th January 2006, you may not have known it, but there was a fundamental change in the way your Community is being policed. PC 89 Paul Truelove and PC 430 Mark Cheetham were responsible as Community Beat Officers for two separate areas in the North Kesteven rural villages that border the A46 corridor and North Hykeham. 

PC Truelove now takes over responsibility for both these areas, as the new Community Beat Manager, along with Police Community Support Officer (or PCSO) Nick Stenner. PC Cheetham moves to Lincoln Police Station in the Crime Investigation Unit in his approach to retirement in the next 18 months. His professionalism and knowledge will be sadly missed in the community. These officers will be liaising closely with a newly formed Community Panel, with members who form part of the local community. This Panel will decide and dictate the priorities for Policing your area. It is important that your views and concerns, as members of the community, can be relayed to the Panel and considered at each meeting. 

PC Truelove has devised a Community Information Report form that can be completed and sent back so that local matters can be discussed. This form will be made available at local drop in sites and community buildings as well as from North Hykeham Police Station. A definitive list will be available in the next few months and will be published as soon as possible. 

PC Truelove and PCSO Stenner will endeavour to spend more time patrolling the community. They have already secured two drop in sites at Skellingthorpe and Thorpe on the Hill Community centres where they can complete paperwork and make enquiries without the need to return to North Hykeham Police Station. The officers are looking for further suitable venues and suggestions would be welcome. They will also be organising monthly Police Surgeries in most villages - so please look out on local notice boards and in local magazines for details and the chance to discuss local problems face-to-face. PC Truelove and PCSO Stenner would like you to be patient as this process is a time consuming matter that will take several weeks to get up and running properly.  [WS Mar 2006]

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Lincolnshire Police Public Information Community Panel Meeting 

5th June 2006

PC Truelove gave his report with regard to the Police activity since the last meeting and they are as follows: -

Excessive Speed. 23 Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued for excessive speed in rural villages and 103 Motorists had been stopped and warned about their speed.

Parking at Schools. The Community Beat Team have noticed a significant improvement in the way that parents now park their vehicles when picking up/dropping off children at local schools. As a result, only 3 Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued for parking offences in and around the schools.

General Parking. Enforcement of vehicles obstructing footpaths has just started. At the moment the team are placing warning notices on vehicles that are obstructing the footpaths. 28 notices have been issued. Two 3 Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued to vehicles causing a persistent problem.

Youth disorder. Patrols have been conducted on a regular basis throughout the villages. To date, the increase in daylight and temperature has not yet resulted in an increase in disorder problems and anti-social behaviour.

Other Matters. There are some dramatic changes ahead of us over the next few months. Firstly, the team have acquired several new villages in the last month, including Brant Broughton, Beckingham, Stapleford and Stragglethorpe. Our new PCSO, Chris Boyle, has today joined our team and we look forward to working with him. Unfortunately we will be losing him from our team when a new Community Beat Team is in place, which will take from us a number of villages including Aubourn, Haddington, Witham St Hughes, Bassingham, Thurlby, Carlton-Le-Moorland, Norton Disney and the villages mentioned above. This will obviously impact on the Community Panel and we will have to plan and make arrangements for this when the change over takes place.

We would also like to welcome a further member of the Special Constabulary to the Community Beat Team - Matt Dickinson. Further Police Surgeries are being held over the next few days and have been advertised in the respective local magazines.

Other meeting matters. Various local topics were then discussed including local crimes of interest, anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping, problems with unregistered motorcycles and quad bikes, dangerous driving and drink driving.

The consensus of opinion was that the current enforcement on speed had little impact on the traffic through rural villages.

PC Truelove stated that parking enforcement would be stepped up and that liaison with Highways to improve the road and parking environment outside schools would be addressed as a priority, along with enforcement.

New Third Priority. This being involvement between the Community Team and local schools to address and heighten the awareness of school children in Road Safety and Cycling proficiency. The panel then discussed their own recent experiences of young children having very little or no awareness of the dangers associated with traffic on the roads when they are on foot or riding cycles. It was unanimously decided that a letter should be drafted and sent to all schools in the community with a view to the children getting a Police input with regard to basic Road Safety, prior to the end of the school term.

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3rd April (2006) Meeting held at Oliver Roper Venue, Thorpe on the Hill. 

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed. PC Truelove read out his report regarding the work that the Community Beat Team had undertaken since the last meeting.

Priority One 
To summarise PC Truelove stated that 11 Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued for excessive speed in rural villages and 64 Motorists had been stopped and warned about their speed.
Letters had gone out to 7 schools in our area with regard to parking problems. 8 Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued for parking offences in and around the schools and one Notice of Intended Prosecution summons. Bassingham School was highlighted as not being included and would be pursued. PC Truelove stated that enforcement of vehicles obstructing footpaths had not yet started - but this problem would be looked at over the next period.  

Priority Two
Youth disorder patrols had been conducted on a regular basis throughout the villages and PC Truelove stated that at the moment things were fairly quiet and there were no significant problems to report. 
The Community Panel confirmed that they were happy with the Police action and response to the priorities. It was agreed that the priorities would remain the same for the next two months.

Other Matters
PC Truelove stated that two members of the Special Constabulary had recently joined the Community Beat Team, Ron Hodgson and Dave Thomson. Both are local residents in the area and we look forward to their help and support for our area.

PC Truelove stated that further Police Surgeries would be held at the end of May and advertised in local magazines. Dangerous driving incidents were also discussed.

[WS May 2006]

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Monthly Police Surgeries In Your Area 

PC Truelove & PCSO Stenner will be holding police surgeries in the area. So if you have a problem, however big or small & would like to discuss this with your local Officers, then please drop in to one of the sites listed below.

Thursday 9th March 2006 

Bassingham. The Heritage Room from 9.30am to 11.30am 

Witham St Hugh's. The Ark from 12.15pm to 2.15pm 

Norton Disney. The Village Hall from 2.45pm to 4.45pm 

We look forward to seeing people on the day and welcome villagers of all ages.

Many Thanks PC Truelove and PCSO Stenner

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Attendance At Police Surgeries 
In March Nick and I completed our series of Police Surgeries at six venues in our area. Yours being: Norton Disney, Bassingham and Witham St Hughes.

Attendance was quite poor and was generally 4/5 people per venue.

We would have liked an average of at least 10 people to make this a monthly occurrence. I realise that many people are precluded from attending due to work and we shall be reviewing times/dates/venues and will probably look at this as a bi-monthly event.

I would like to thank all the people who took the time and effort to visit and introduce themselves to us and I would also like to thank all the people who helped us at the venues concerned. We were made very welcome and were generally well catered for.

Many thanks PC 89 Paul Truelove & PCSO 2068 Nick Stenner

[WS Apr 2006]

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Nearest Police Station

North Hykeham Police Station

12 Chatsworth Drive , North Hykeham, LN6 8LD

Opening Hours:

Mon, Weds 9 am - 1 pm

Friday 9am-12noon

Tues, Thurs 1 - 4.30 pm

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Lincolnshire Police – Advice Issued

Please report anything suspicious to the police immediately. Ask for the message to be passed to our Local Beat Officer.

PCSO 2126 Chris Boyle Community Beat Team

Winter Advice

With dark nights now upon us please note the following reminders:- REMEMBER TO SECURE All doors, windows and gate at all times. Always try to leave a visible light on inside and outside your property. Lock all Garages & Sheds making sure all security lighting is correctly set and working.

Remove valuables from your vehicles and from being on show in your properties. Note details of any suspicious vehicles/persons in your area and let us know on the beat team numbers.

Beware of bogus persons making sure identity and relevant appointments are confirmed by the company's number not mobile. Please make sure if children are playing out together that they stay together in groups and always have mobile phones if possible with all the relevant numbers making sure parents know where their children are. 

When children are using their bikes at night please make sure they are visible and they do have lights fitted especially to the rear of the bikes. By taking these steps it will help make sure that our communities remain safe and well throughout the up and coming season.

Summer Advice

During the busy garden and grass-cutting season upon us, it is important to maintain good security of houses, sheds and outbuildings. Don’t make it easy for burglars to help themselves while your back is turned; lock the house if you’re in the back garden! - the sound of a lawnmower is a good give-away. There are periodic thefts in the community recently from local outbuildings, notably of equestrian equipment. The police urge residents to make sure that all outbuildings are secure.

Make sure that sheds, garages and the like are secure, especially when the dark evenings start early.

Around the Christmas period can be a time of rich pickings for the petty burglar. Check that your home is as burglar-proof as you can make it. We can all help too if we keep an eye out for any individuals and vehicles acting furtively. Note down details of anything suspicious and report it immediately to the Police. 

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Fire Safety Checks & Crime Prevention Surveys Are you concerned about the level of security in your property? Would you like to be aware of the risks with regard to fire in the home? (You may be eligible to have free smoke detectors fitted). If you are concerned and would like more information, please contact Police Community Support Officer, Laura Brown at North Hykeham Police Station (Open: 9.00 am to 12.30 pm Tel: 882222). [WS June 2004]

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Neighbourhood Watch - www.NWinfo.co.uk 

www.NWinfo.co.uk is the new, independent Neighbourhood Watch website launched on Friday 27th October 2006.

[ see also http://neighbourhoodwatch.net/ for monthly newsletter]

Everyone who is interested in Neighbourhood Watch is urged to visit the site for News, Views and Information about Neighbourhood Watch, other Watch Schemes and Communities.  Using modern technology to offer open forums, messageboards to help members and the public nationwide to communicate and exchange ideas about the whole range of Neighbourhood and community topics ranging from how to stay safe to how to set up Neighbourhood Watch groups.
 

Visit www.NWinfo.co.uk   - the independent and non-commercial website for Neighbourhood, Watch and Communities.
Developed by enthusiastic volunteers around the UK for the benefit of grassroots Watch members and the public
Keep up-to-date with Editorials and Member's News using feeds from NW Groups, Home Office, local Police, Fire & Rescue Services.

Directories on the site are designed to help the public find their nearest Neighbourhood Watch and community groups. Register free with the site to publicise your own scheme - if you already have a website then NWInfo can link to it.

If you are creating a NW or community group, make use of the free and simple interface to create or host your own website within this national site so that it makes it easy for people in your Neighbourhood to find out about what you are doing.
 

Other features are planned to follow but many more will be from ideas
submitted by members at the grassroots of Neighbourhood Watch.
NWInfo already has support from many in the Neighbourhood Watch movement and we encourage you to join in and take advantage of its powerful features today.
 

Volunteers Jon Castle in Surrey, Peter Taber in Ipswich and Tricia
Colling in Scarborough have created the website which gives it a truly
national flair.

e-mail to: info@nwinfo.co.uk 

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Consultation Process
The Board of Trustees of the National Neighbourhood Watch Association (NNWA) has approved a far-reaching Review and Development Programme for 2006. The main aim of the review is to transform the NNWA and create a more democratic structure, better equipped to serve and support the needs of the modern neighbourhood watch movement throughout the UK.

To kick-start the consultation process the Board is inviting neighbourhood watch members to complete a questionnaire. This is your opportunity to make your views known and should only take a 
few minutes to complete.
Please visit our website and answer a few questions about how you see the NNWA now and the future: 

www.neighbourhoodwatch.net/review   

With your support we can create a strong, vibrant and successful national organisation to represent neighbourhood watch in the future. [WS Apr 2006]

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Norton Disney Neighbourhood Watch

Feb 2006: Another year has passed since our last report. In the words of our ex-PC Mark Cheetham (now replaced by PC Paul Truelove and PCSO Nick Stenner) our village has very little crime! Although we have had thefts of Diesel from cars, car windows smashed and cash has been stolen from the Church Offertory box and recently a house was burgled and Diesel stolen from a farm vehicle, over the year this is very low reported crime compared to some other villages. We must be alert at all times! 

We have a very good team of Neighbourhood Watch Street Co-ordinators (listed below) but you can help to keep our village safe by telling your neighbour or nearest Coordinator when you go away. Leave a light on when you go out in the evening and don't leave anything on view in cars especially those not garaged. Don't entertain bogus officials or buy anything from doorstep sales people or have work done by them, if it goes wrong it could affect your statutory rights. 

Report anything suspicious to the Police on 882222 and in an Emergency only dial 999 and ask for Police. If you report an incident affecting you, a crime number will be issued for Insurance purposes. Any difficulties in phoning, contact me and I maybe able to help. 

Street Co-ordinators: 

Jenny Wright 

Barbara Foottit

Revd. Jim Rooke 

Keith Gore 

Roy Voce 

Village Co-ordinator: Gordon Bancroft Tel: 789229

[WS Mar 2006]

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How nice to see the lighter nights. Over the past few months there has been crime in our area, though mostly on the other side of the A46. To keep our village safe, we need to be observant, particularly of any strange vehicles or people about late at night or early morning. The Neighbourhood Watch poster gives details of items targeted by thieves. If you see anything suspicious, contact your co­ordinator or telephone the Police; ask for the message to passed to PC Cheetham. (Only call 999 in a real emergency).

Our co­ordinators are: Roy Voce, Barbara Foottit, Jim Rook, Jenny Wright, Keith Gore and Gordon Bancroft (Tel: 789229). We have leaflets and books on crime prevention, house security, and also property markers for loan.

Let’s be watchful and keep our village safe. [WS April 2004]  

Aubourn and Haddington 

The Aubourn and Haddington Parish Council has recently been awarded a grant to buy new neighbourhood watch signs. These have now been placed throughout the two villages. The next meeting of the Neighbourhood Watch will be on Wednesday 2nd March 2005 between 7.00 and 8.00 pm in the Enterprise Hall. 

Any enquiries to John Long, Co-ordinator (Tel: 788788). [WS Oct 2004]