Neighbourhood Watch

Last updated: 12th December 2011.

click here for
Important Notices/Warnings
Last updated: 30th January 2011.


Are you interested in marking your property
if so, click here for more details.
North Yorkshire Police logo Any suspicious sightings should be reported as follows:
By phone: 0845 6060247
this number has now been replaced from 12Dec11 by 101 -
(click here for more information)
or 999 (if serious).
or By Email: from here.

Watch Co-ordinator
and
Safer Neighbourhood Team Officer
P.C. Julian Sutcliffe
phone 101
(when using this number DO NOT ASK TO BE PUT THRU' TO BEDALE but explain why you have rung!)
E-mail: from here.

Important Notices/Warnings Village Committee,
National Lottery Scam - Jan'11
10 Most wanted! - Jan'11
MORE Police advice to women - Jan'11
Police advice to women - Jan'11
Thefts of oil - Jan'11
Domestic Abuse - Dec'10
Police Website for Public use! - Dec'10
Distracton Burglaries - Dec'10
Bogus Builders - Nov'10
New Partnership Agreement - Oct'10
Telephone Scam - Oct'10
Scrap Metal Dealers - New Threat - Sept'10
Verifying Doordtep Callers - Aug'10
Rogue Scrap Dealers - May'10
Name Area covered
Little Crakehall
Ernie Flowers
Village Co-ordinator
A684 (Leyburn Road)
Liz Capstick Mastil Lane, Mastil Close & Coronation Bungalows
Harry Lillystone Coronation Road & Hackforth Road
John Howard Ashdowne, Ashdowne Court & Ashdowne Close
Great Crakehall
David Smith East side of A684 & Langthorne Road
Vacancy A684 from 'St. Edmunds' to Station Road
Norman Warriner Station Road from A684 to 'Pinfold Rise'
Victoria Thomas From 'Pinfold Rise' to 'Black Horse'
Shirley Jobling St. Gregory's Close & the A684 from the Garage to 'The Briars'
Kirkbridge
Jo Senior Kirkbridge


Marking your Property
Worried about Theft or Burglary - have you considered marking your property?
Smartwater Kits are available for £15 - this technology has seen a significant reduction
in crime, it is an easy to use forensic coding security system. It carries a unique code
just like DNA and is virtually impossible to remove completely.
It can be used on anything from garden tools, pedal cycles to equestrian equipment.
A cheque for £15, made payable to North Yorkshire Police should be sent to
PC1446 Fricker, Northallerton Police Station, DL7 8ES.
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National Lottery Scam.
National NHW have issued a warning about a National Lottery scam that seems to be occurring more frequently. Often scammers will send letters, text messages, emails or make phone calls informing the recipient that they have won a huge amount of money, despite never buying a ticket. One of the current scams in operation involves a message from the UK National Lottery Organisation informing winners that they have won £1,000,000. Winners are falsely requested to make contact with the organisers to claim their free prize. Scammers will then use this information to obtain personal details which may in some cases involve the recipient providing bank details and sending in administration fees, consequently falling victim to the scam. Don’t become a victim. Take the following steps to protect yourself: • Ask yourself, how could you win a lottery if you had never purchased a ticket • Remember that, if you have won something, you shouldn’t have to pay anything to get your prize • Never reveal credit card or bank details unless you are sure who you are dealing with If you have been caught out by a scam or wish to report a scam, please contact Consumer Direct for advise on 08454 04 05 06. For more information about other scams in operation and how to protect yourself, please visit the Office of Fair Trading Website.
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10 Most Wanted!.
Crimestoppers have launched a list of the 10 ‘Most Wanted’ people sought in connection with distraction burglaries. Three of last year’s 10 ‘Most Wanted’ received prison sentences, which highlights the value of the campaign. By raising the profile of the individuals, valuable information was brought forward leading to successful prosecutions. The campaign also seeks to highlight the importance of being careful who you let into your home especially as it approaches February, a time of year when burglaries traditionally peak. Distraction burglars trick their way in to the houses of the elderly and vulnerable, by pretending to be a type of official or asking for assistance. The 10 ‘Most Wanted’ individuals are featured on Crimestoppers Most Wanted site: www.crimestoppers-uk.org/wanted. If you have any information on these most wanted individuals, please contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously, or fill in an online form at
crimestoppers-uk we guarantee that no one will know your identity.”
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MORE Police advice to women.
In light of the recent kidnapping and now murder of Leigh Mathews, I think it is important to read the following info for your own safety. Things women should know to stay safe: Please take the time to read these pointers. There may be just one or two you hadn't thought of. After reading this, forward it to someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in. 1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do! 2. if a robber asks for your handbag, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you..... He is probably more interested in your handbag than you, and he will go for the handbag. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION! 3. if you are ever thrown into the boot of a car: Kick out the back tail lights, and stick your arm through the hole and start waving. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives. 4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc, and just sit (doing their cheque book, or making a list). DON'T DO THIS! A predator could be watching you and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, and attack you. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE. 5. A few notes about getting into your car in car park: a) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, look at the passenger side floor, and check the back seat. b) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most attacker’s surprise their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars. c) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the shop, or work, and get guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.) 6. ALWAYS take the lift instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone, and the perfect crime spot. 7. if the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; and even then, it most likely WILL NOT BE A VITAL ORGAN 8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP IT! It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women, He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim. 9. Another safety point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her, 'Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, 'We already have a unit on the way. Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes, thinking that someone dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls from women saying that they hear babies' cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night.
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Police advice to women.
This actually happened a few weeks ago on the M3 FLEET SERVICES!!!
It was early evening, and a young girl stopped to get petrol. She filled her tank and walked into the store to pay for her petrol. The cashier told her, 'Don't pay for your petrol yet......walk around the store for a while, and act as if you're picking up some other things to buy. A man just got into the back of your car. I've called the police, and they're on their way'. When the police arrived, they found the man in the back seat of the girl's car and asked him what he was doing. He replied, he was joining a gang, and the initiation to join is to kidnap a woman and bring her back to the gang to be raped by every member of the gang. If the woman was still alive by the time they finish with her then they let her go. According to the police that night, there is a new gang forming here, originating from London . The scary part of this is, because the guy didn't have a weapon on him, the police could only charge him with trespassing.... He's back on the street and free to try again. Something similar to this happened at the Tesco garage on Cardiff Road in Newport recently, but luckily the cashier saw the man get into her car. Please be aware of what's going on around you, and warn your family and friends. LADIES, you or one of your family or friends could be the next victim. Please forward this on to everyone you know. Please do not discard this message; it is very important that everyone knows what is happening. Please be careful when leaving your vehicle, and make sure it is ALWAYS LOCKED to prevent this from happening to you.
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Thefts of Oil.
Over the last few weeks there have been two thefts from oil tanks both at commercial and residential properties. Can you ensure that if you have or use an oil tank that all locks are secure and all precautions are taken to deter any possible thefts. Its likely offenders are removing the oil into a waiting vehicle, which is likely to be a small van containing large plastic drums or containers. If you see any such vehicles acting suspiciously on a night time or throughout the day in your villages and communities please call the Police on 0845 60 60 24 7 with descriptions and registration number. With your help we can find those responsible.
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Police Website for Public use..
The Knock Knock website has been created by Greater Manchester Police for members of the public and partner agencies. Some elements are specific to GMP but most are generic and suitable for all. The site is packed with information to help in the fight against doorstep crime including distraction burglary, bogus officials and rogue trader crimes, it is easy to use and features videos, an interactive quiz and downloadable resources. Please visit the site at www.doorstepcrime.net Hope you find it useful.
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Distraction Burglaries.
On 11/12/10 a number of distraction burglaries of elderly people with a Water Board Modus Operandi occurred in West Yorkshire. Violence was used on one occasion where the elderly victim was punched. Sightings of a Black Ford Focus, BF51GYA, were reported from the scenes, with a number of occupants within. The vehicle is reported to have no current keeper. This vehicle is believed to be currently used by a group of travelling criminals actively involved in distraction offences. Please can all persons be aware of this vehicle. If sighted please contact North Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060 247.
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Bogus Builders.
Bogus builders have approached elderly victims falsely stating that work needs doing to their houses. The work is then carried out and either vastly overcharged or no work has actually been completed. On occasions these builders have taken the elderly victim to the bank to get cash out to pay for the alleged works. Please be aware of this scam and be vigilant on behalf of your elderly neighbours. Report any suspicious incidents as soon as possible to NYP on 0845 6060 247 and please make a note any vehicle registrations or descriptions of the suspects. ringmaster@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
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New Partnership Agreement.
The partnership between North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Neighbourhood Watch Association (NYNHWA) and North Yorkshire Police Authority was formalised with the signature of a new partnership agreement at Police Headquarters in Newby Wiske on 24th September.
Neighbourhood Watch is the largest voluntary organisation In the UK, involving over 8 million households in actively promoting good citizenship and cohesion within their community, encouraging participation with the police and other partners to maintain and improve the quality of life in the community and assist in the prevention of crime.
"There is now much talk about the Big Society, however this has been the ethos of Neighbourhood Watch for years. We have over 5000 established schemes across York and North Yorkshire with coordinators who are all committed to preventing crime and anti social behaviour within their communities and making them a better place to live." explained Steve Law, Chair of NYNHWA. "The association was formed to represent the districts across the County, to coordinate the development of the Watch movement, improve inclusion of other Watch types such as the Rural and Country watches, share best practice and provide coordinators with a collective voice"
Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell added "We are committed to developing stronger partnerships and this agreement gives recognition to the position that Neighbourhood Watch hold as a partner and also credibility to the support which coordinators and scheme members give the police in delivering safer neighbourhoods, whether that be contributions to problem solving or increased and improved incident reporting. "
"This partnership agreement will ensure continued improvements in quality and consistency of all aspects of Neighbourhood Watch." said Jane Kenyon, Chair of NYPA. "We look forward to the continued development of Watch schemes throughout the County".
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Scrap Metal Dealers - New Threat.
See also 'Rogue Scrap Dealers below'.
Message from Bedale Police, Between 7:30am and 8:00pm on Thursday 16th September, copper piping and a hot water cylinder have been removed from the rear of an address on Iddison Drive, Bedale. The reportee states the day before a leaflet was dropped through his door from a company with the name "Bone and Phone" and a White transit flatbed van was seen collecting scrap from the area but no other discription given. If you see anything suspicious please contact 08456060247. ringmaster@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
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Verifying Doorstep Callers.
Yorkshire Water have provided a number you can call free of charge to verify the identity of a doorstep caller claiming to represent them. Simply call 0800 1387878 Remember that all electricity, gas and water companies offer a doorstep password scheme. You create the password and when a representative calls they will give you this unique password to confirm they are legitimate. If you haven't already done so we recommend you contact each to set up a password. Choose passwords that are unique and that you will remember. Keep them out of sight but where you can easily find it if needed, close the door first. Continued vigilance and challenge is key to beating doorstep crime. If you aren't sure, don't open the door. ringmaster@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
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Rogue Scrap Dealers.
We would like to draw your attention to an increase in the number of scrap dealers who have been traveling the area touting for business. Typically vehicles are Ford Transit Flatbacks or similar, one of these vehicles being a White Nissan Pickup reg V865NMA which was seen in Sowerby near Thirsk recently.
On the afternoon on 19th May we received a report of a suspicious vehicle in our area loaded with scrap. The occupants were going from house to house asking for any scrap metal. Officers attended and searched the vehicle. They found that the men where also taking other items that they did not have permission to remove. All the occupants were arrested and taken to Northallerton police station. Further enquiries and searches were carried out on our behalf by Cleveland Police. As a result one person was charged and will appear at court. Other enquiries are continuing. Please continue to look out for such vehicles and people and pass on sightings as soon as you can to North Yorkshire Polce on 0845 60 60 247.
ringmaster@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
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