NEW RECRUITS GIVE COMMUNITIES EXTRA

HELP AND SUPPORT

Jurors will now find themselves placed at the scene of the crime thanks to new hi-tech systems being introduced at Crown Courts by West Mercia Constabulary.

The force is using the latest technology to enhance its work by investing in its own Multimedia Design Department and in portable screens on which jurors can be shown special presentations.

Multimedia presentations were first used by West Mercia in the high-profile Hilda Murrell murder trial in 2005, enabling jurors to be transported back in time to the 1984-murder scene.

(picture of court room removed by webmaster, see .doc)

As well as giving jurors a clearer understanding of the evidence, the technology saved an estimated three weeks’ court time.

Initially screens were hired, but now West Mercia has purchased its own portable equipment, which can be installed in courts for murder trials and other serious cases. The presentations can include photographs and video, interactive maps, 3D reconstruction’s and 360 degree panoramic views.

The screens can also be used for training purposes and contingency planning for major events.

West Mercia is the first force in the region to purchase the cutting-edge equipment.

1^st Aug: A leather jacket valued at £635 was stolen from a shop in the Homend.

2^nd Aug: A young male was found in possession of a controlled drug for his own use. On the same day there was an incident of dangerous driving on the Ledbury bypass.

2^nd Aug: A Stihl 550 power washer was stolen from premises at the Bromyard Road Industrial Estate.

4^th Aug: cannabis was found when police stopped the driver of a Mercedes, male was given formal warning.

5^th/7^th Aug: Two windows and an exterior light were damaged at John Masefield High School.

6^th/7^th Aug: Tiles from the footpath were pulled up and thrown around in the Walled Garden.

8^th/9^th Aug: A rear quarterlight was broken on a Peugeot 306 parked in Bank Crescent. Entry into the vehicle was gained but nothing stolen.

9^th Aug: A Skoda Fabia parked in the Southend was broken into. Items were stolen but recovered as the offender was arrested.

10^th Aug: A fencing panel was damaged, along with two window frames and sections of an asbestos roof, at a property in Longacres. On the same day, £500 worth of damage was caused by a rock being thrown at a laminated glass window. No entry was gained into the property, which is situated in the High Street.

11^th/12^th Aug: An attempt was made to break into premises in the Lower Road trading Estate.

12^th/13^th Aug: The top of a boundary fence in Farjeon Close was damaged from the public footpath running along side the property. A window was broken in a property in Barnett Avenue.

13^th Aug: A 30-year-old male was found to be in possession of a class C controlled drug when his vehicle was stopped in the Homend. On the same day, two vehicles parked in the driveway of a property in Miller Craddock Way were damaged with a corrosive substance.

13^th/14^th Aug: A vehicle parked on the side of the road by a property in Winston Close was damaged when gloss paint was thrown over the front end of the car.

14^th Aug: Toiletries were stolen from a chemists shop in the High Street. In a separate incident, a quantity of cash was taken from a Public House in the Homend.

17^th Aug: Damage was caused to a gate and front door at a house in Oatleys Road. Also on the 17^th, damage was caused to a Jaguar X type parked in the swimming pool car park.

18^th/21^st Aug: A winch was stolen from the back of a Mercedes breakdown truck parked in Bank Crescent.

19^th Aug: An attempt was made to steal items from a store in New Street.

19^th/20^th: A kitchen window at a café in the Homend was damaged when an extractor fan was pushed through into the kitchen.

21^st Aug: A 25-year-old female, walking alone in Leadon View, was targeted by thieves who tried to steal her handbag and succeeded in taking her mobile phone.

23^rd/24^th Aug: A purpose built car transporter trailer was taken from outside a property in Robinsons Meadow.

24^th Aug: A Medion Centre laptop computer was stolen from a store in the Homend.

23^rd/25^th Aug: Damage caused to the perimeter fence and stone steps of a property in Longacres. The offender/s also damaged the wooden sails of children’s play boat. In a further incident at the same premises on the following night, the fence was further damaged along with a gate, the children’s sandpit was targeted and sandy mud smeared on several windows. Roofing slates were damaged at the property on 26^th Aug.

25^th Aug: A male attempted to steal jacket from a store in Dymock Road. He was apprehended and the coat recovered.

26^th Aug: A 31-year-old male was injured in an incident in Bye Street.

27^th Aug: A gents cycle was damaged in St Katherine’s car park.

27^th/28^th Aug: Two children’s cycles were taken from the garden of a property in Queensway. One was later recovered damaged. An adult cycle was stolen from Market Street on the same night with a second one being badly damaged.

29^th Aug: An assortment of magazines left outside a shop in the Homend by a delivery van was stolen. An attempt was made to steal a pair of boots from a store on Dymock Road.

30^th/31^st Aug: A residential caravan for seasonal workers was broken into and a laptop computer stolen.

11^th Aug: Various items, including a camera, watch and cash, were stolen from a farmhouse in the village.

2^nd Aug: A bag containing cash, keys and a mobile phone was stolen from the Malvern Hills Hotel.

30^th Aug: A rural cottage was broken into. Jewellery, a laptop computer end electrical items were taken.

6^th/7^th Aug: A wood and green metal bench seat was stolen from the rear garden of a property in Green Close.

13^th/14^th Aug: Two tyres were slashed on each of two cars parked at a property in Jubilee Drive.

22^nd / 25^th Aug: The lower part of doorframe of a log cabin situated in Walwyn Road was damaged when kicked.

11^th Aug : A yellow Partner Disc Saw disc was stolen from garden of property in Coombe Lane.

23^rd/24^th Aug: The tack room at a property in Ridgeway Cross was broken into and a quantity of dressage saddles and bridles stolen.

28^th Aug: Damage was caused to a vehicle securely parked on a driveway in Huntingdon.

The Big Chill passed with 146 recorded crimes, the majority of which were theft from tents and vehicles. Cash, mobiles phones and cameras were the main targets.

16^th/21^st Aug: A quantity of diesel valued at £250 was taken from a Foden tipper parked in a local farmyard.

20^th Aug: The driver of a dark coloured Jeep left the garage forecourt without paying for fuel to the value of £65.34.

1^st/2^nd Aug: A garden fence in Putley Green was damaged when an old caravan was pushed into it.

30^th Aug: A caravan used for temporary accommodation was broken into: a quantity of money and personal clothing were stolen.

26^th/28^th Aug: The driver side window of a Leyland box van, securely parked at a local farm, was damaged.

21^st/22^nd Aug: A Stihl petrol strimmer, chainsaw and hedge trimmer, along with a Honda lawnmower, were stolen from a rural property.

4^th/5^th Aug: An Ifor Williams galvanised sheep trailer was stolen from a field next to a rural property.

1^st Aug: Three males, aged 15 & 16, were arrested on suspicion of robbery. They were released on police bail pending further enquiries.

3^rd Aug: A 23-year-old Ledbury female was arrested at Stoke Edith after failing a breathaliser test.

5^th Aug: A 31-year-old male from Ludlow was arrested and charged in connection with drugs and driving offences. He was bailed to appear at the Magistrates Court later this month. A 32-year-old male from Ross, arrested at the same time, was released on police bail. A male, aged 30, from Newport was arrested at Eastnor and released on police bail. This arrest was in connection with drug offences.

9^th Aug: A 30-year-old male was arrested and held in custody on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle.

14^th Aug: A 27-year-old Ledbury male was arrested on the A417 for drinking & driving offences.

16^th Aug: A male aged 28 was arrested and held in custody on suspicion of theft after a series of incidents. A 48-year-old male from Wellington Heath was arrested on suspicion of drink/driving offences and a 16-year-old male from Leominster was arrested in Ledbury and held in custody following criminal damage being caused to a property.

17^th Aug: A 30-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of burglary. He was released on police bail pending further enquiries.

18^th Aug: An 18-year-old male from Wellington Heath was arrested, charged and bailed for drink driving. A male aged 59 was recalled to prison when his licence was revoked.

30^th Aug: A 20-year-old male staying in the Little Marcle area was arrested and released with a fixed penalty notice following a shoplifting incident in Hereford.

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.

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