Neighbourhood Watch NEWSBEAT for June, issued 10 July 2006

SEVEN DEADLY SINS

TOO MANY PEOPLE are still dying on the roads around the West Mercia region, despite a reduction in the number of fatal road traffic collisions across the region.

Although the force has experienced an almost 22 percent reduction in the first three months of the year compared to the same period of 2005, the Force’s Casualty Reduction Officer, Sergeant John Roberts, says even one fatality is one too many.

In Herefordshire, four people were killed in road collisions between January 1, 2006 and March 31, 2006, while in the whole Force area, there were 19 people killed.

In a bid to reduce the number of road-related deaths, West Mercia recently launched its Seven Deadly Sins of Motoring campaign. This focuses on key areas, which have been identified as those which can significantly increase the number of collisions.

Sgt Roberts said: "Factors such as speed, and whether drivers and passengers are wearing seatbelts, can influence whether someone dies or is seriously injured in a collision. West Mercia works closely with our partner organisations such as local authorities, the Highways Agency and the Safety Camera Partnership to continue to reduce the distress that collisions cause to people’s lives.

"We will continue to focus our enforcement and education initiatives to target those who our statistics show are most at risk, including motorcyclists, drink-drivers, and people who do not wear their seatbelts.

"The drivers and riders who are caught and fined are the lucky ones; the unlucky ones end up in the mortuary."

The Seven Deadly Sins campaign aims to raise awareness of road safety issues and the topics covered are:

Far many of us, leaving the house without a mobile phone has become completely unthinkable, as we use them as integral parts of daily life.

With the latest phones including all sorts of add-ons – from digital music players, to calendars, email facilities and digital cameras – they are also desirable to thieves.

There have been a number or thefts of mobile phones across Herefordshire, where the victims have left phones unattended in pubs, clubs and other public venues, only to have them stolen.

The police advice is to keep all personal possessions on you or within sight at all times – including mobile phones, especially as the latest models can cost several hundred pounds.

If you should be unfortunate enough to have lost a mobile phone, the loss should be reported immediately to your service provider. The network provider can effectively bar the handset’s use on any mobile network, as well as terminating use of the telephone numbers. If you suspect your phone has been stolen, you should also report this to the police.

To bar the handset, networks need the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) which is a 15-digit code unique to the individual handset. It is normally located on a sticker underneath the battery. It can also be displayed on the screen by dialling *#06# (star hash zero six hash).

If these do not match, then that could indicate a problem and you should contact the retailer where the phone was purchased or your service provider. If you buy a phone other than from new, check these numbers match before buying.

2^nd June: A wallet and a purse were stolen from a bag in a charity shop in the Homend.

3^rd June: A blue BMW was broken into and sunglasses stolen from within whilst parked in the carpark of a hotel on the outskirts of town.

4^th June: Toiletries were stolen from a store in the Homend.

4^th/5^th June: Double doors were damaged and graffiti put onto a building belonging to Ledbury Cricket Club in New Street.

6^th/7^th June: Two buckets from a Cat mini excavator were stolen from a compound in Ledbury.

6^th/7^th June: A door lock and beading to door frame to a communal entrance were damaged.

9^th/10^th June: Two vehicles parked at an address in Ledbury had their tyres punctured by a sharp instrument.

9^th/10^th June: A plant pot containing a small tree was stolen from the front of a house in Victoria Road.

10^th June: A wooden table for sale outside a store in Ledbury was damaged when an offender scratched writing on to it.

11^th/12^th June: Ladder racks and metal was stolen from a building site on the edge of town.

12^th June: Fuel was stolen from a lorry parked at a fruit farm on the outskirts of town. Damage was caused to the vehicle during the process.

12^th June: An offender entered a High Street shop, placed toiletries in bag and left without paying

12^th /13^th June: A secure shed at a property in The Homend was broken into, damage was caused to the locks.

13^th June: 2 young females entered local supermarket, placed items in their bags and tried to leave without paying. Both were arrested and reprimanded.

14^th June: A Thwaites Dumper truck was taken from a building site in Margaret Road during the early hours.

14^th/15^th June: A Carrera Mountain bike with black saddle and silver handlebars was stolen from Bridge Street

14^th/15^th June: A Tom-tom Satellite Navigation system Model 500 was stolen from a car parked on driveway of property in Newton Close. A second one, Model 800, was stolen from car parked in Lambourne Close.

15^th June: A red Countax ride-on mower was stolen from outside commercial premises in Ledbury.

17^th/18^th June: A Renault Scenic parked in Mabels Furlong was kicked causing damage to the bonnet.

18^th June: An attempt was made to remove the faring at front of a Mitsubishi car parked at a local garage.

19^th June: The bumper and wing mirror of a Ford Transit parked in Viking Way were damaged.

19^th June: Designer sunglasses by Christian Dior, Georgio Armani and Gucci were stolen from a shop in the Homend.

20^th June: A trolley load of groceries was stolen from a local supermarket, offenders drove off in a blue Peugeot car VRM: K743VOP.

21^st June: Two females, aged 13 and 14, were attacked as they walked home from school. Both suffered cuts and bruising, and one has a suspected broken nose.

23^rd June: A ladies ‘Fossil’ watch was stolen from a bag in the changing rooms of Ledbury Swimming Pool, together with a Nintendo Game Boy console, game and accessories.

23^rd/24^th June: The rear number plate of a Mazda 323 was stolen and the front number plate was damaged.

25^th June: A large commercial wheelie bin was taken from the Community Centre on Lawnside Road to the recreation ground, where it was set on fire.

26^th June: A mobile phone was stolen from a bag in a classroom at John Masefield High School. On the same day, a quantity of money was taken from a handbag at a property in Woodfield Road.

28^th June: The cash box and contents were stolen from a B.T. phone in Orchard Lane.

22^nd June: A 2’ x 3’ hole was made in fencing that runs adjacent to Walwyn Meadow.

12^th June: A Samsung D500 mobile phone was removed from a pushchair outside the post office.

13^th June: During the evening damage was caused to security door of a block of flats at The Leys.

22^nd June: A blue Fiat Panda had writing scratched on to the front passenger door with a sharp instrument whilst parked at the Primary School.

27^th June: A red Peugeot estate car was stolen by a male in a scrap lorry from outside premises in Stiffords Bridge.

11^th June: A Land Rover 88, VRM MDT435V was stolen from estate grounds. The vehicle is described as having camouflage colours with a soft top, cut down wings, bright yellow rear tailgate, winch at front, 8 spoke rims, and circle with a swallow on the bonnet.

19^th June: A wooden stilt, part of a local club, was damaged when it was set on fire.

16^th June: A male passenger from an Iveco van took ice creams from the freezer and left the garage without paying for the goods.

21^st June: A 13-year-old male was attacked in Putley park, sustaining cuts to his head and hand.

20^th June: A Peugeot 306 parked in a layby was attacked, with the offender/s breaking a window, the rear lights and kicking the boot.

24^th/25^th June: Windows were broken overnight in the B.T. telephone kiosk.

25^th June: Two cars parked overnight in the village was vandalised. The driver’s side window was smashed and the passenger side door and wing scratched on one, the driver’s window was broken on the second and loose change taken from within.

2^nd/3^rd June: A wooden trailer was stolen overnight from a field adjoining a rural property

4^th June: A 37-year-old Ledbury male was arrested and released on Police bail on suspicion of deception.

11^th June: A 20-year-old Ledbury male was arrested in Hereford under Section 5 of the Public Order Act.

12^th June: 2 foreign nationals, aged 21 and 24 years, were arrested and charged with assault. Both were remanded in custody.

13^th June: A 14 year-old-female from Malvern was arrested, reprimanded and released following attempted theft from a Ledbury store.

13^th June: A 14-year-old female from Canon Frome was arrested, reprimanded and released following attempted theft from a Ledbury store and for possession of cannabis.

14^th June: A 23-year-old male was arrested for theft and bailed to return to court.

18^th June: A 22-year-old male was arrested in Ledbury for being drunk and disorderly, assaulting a Police Officer and causing criminal damage

18^th June: A 22-year-old male from Ledbury was arrested and bailed for drinking and driving.

24^th June: A 22-year-old Ledbury male was arrested on suspicion of drinking and driving and failing to stop, and two Ledbury males, aged 26 and 27, were arrested in Hereford and held in custody on suspicion of assault and other offences against the person.

25^th June: A 25-year-old male was arrested in Ledbury on suspicion of criminal damage, suspicion of assault and drinking and driving.

27^th June: A 15-year-old male was arrested and released on Police bail on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle.

The front counter at Ledbury Police Station operates surgery hours as follows :-

Monday to Sunday 9am to 1pm

Tuesday and Friday 4pm to 7pm

Monday, Wednesday &

Thursday 4pm to 8pm

BUT, the counter will remain open during the afternoons except during sickness or holiday periods.

The counter is closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. All other public Holidays the counter will open 9am to 1pm

Emergency only 999

West Mercia Police 08457 444888

Crimestoppers 0800 555111 Hereford Division Media 01432 347340

Mobile 07967 743147

PC 3441 Deborah HUGGINS, Ledbury RURAL Beat Manager can be contacted on Tel: 08457 444888 and on mobile 07814 554 498 or via email: deborah.huggins@westmercia.pnn.police.uk

Community Support Officer Alison DORE can be contacted on Tel: 08457 444888 and on mobile 07970 602 338 or via email: alison.dore@westmercia.pnn. police.uk

PC 3554 Pete ASKWITH, Ledbury TOWN Beat Manager can be contacted on Tel: 08457 444888 and on mobile 07814 554 496 or via email: peter.askwith@westmercia.pnn.police.uk