Herefordshire Police are advising people to take extra care with their purchases and presents this Christmas to minimise their chances of becoming a burglary victim over the festive period.

Christmas is a busy time of year for everyone, including criminals. It is estimated that thieves will steal over £20 million pounds worth of presents from households across Britain this year.

Being a victim of burglary is never pleasant, but it can affect people particularly badly over Christmas, especially if gifts are stolen. Many thieves act on opportunity, but there are several simple measures people can take to reduce the chance of becoming a victim this year.

When people are out Christmas shopping they should remember these tips:

"After Christmas people should take care not leave their new belongings in places where they can be easily seen in a doorway or window as leaving them on display could attract potential burglars," said Inspector Bob Barnett from the Herefordshire Community Safety Department.

"Don’t advertise your new gifts to people by leaving the empty boxes outside your home. Try to dispose of the packaging carefully by taking it to a recycling centre or keep it out of sight until the day your rubbish is collected. Mark any valuable property with a UV pen and keep a record of the serial numbers – this will help if items are stolen and later recovered.

"If you are away over the festive period use a light timing device to switch the lights on at dusk. It’s also a good idea to ask a friend or a neighbour that you trust to visit your house to open and shut the curtains and move any post and newspapers away from the front door.

"Before you go out make sure that all doors and windows are securely fastened and locked. Don’t make it easy for burglars this Christmas."

Here is a simple checklist (by no means exhaustive) on what you can do:

1. Ensure that all windows are clean and free from ice and snow. Failure to do this can result in a Fixed Penalty Notice of £30 or a court attendance.
2. Check all tyres (including the spare) for wear and the correct pressure. An under- or over-inflated tyre can have serious effect on the vehicle’s handling.
3. Clean the lights and ensure they are in proper working order. Switch them on and use a dipped beam in times of reduced visibility e.g. constant rain.
4. Check that wiper rubbers are in good condition and in correct contact with the screen. Wiper rubbers should be changed every 12 months.
5. Use the de-mister fan and direct the flow onto the windscreen. It is a good idea to keep the de-mister running constantly on low as this will avoid needing to rub the screen with your hand.
6. Speed is the major cause of collisions and by reducing your speed in inclement weather, you greatly reduce the chances of a collision.
7. The likelihood of aquaplaning increases in poor road conditions at 50mph and above. Drive smoothly without erratic movements.
8. Fog lights are not extra driving lights for normal conditions; it is an offence to use them as such and could result in a Fixed Penalty Notice of £30 or a court appearance. Fog lights should be used only at times of seriously reduced visibility (below 100 metres).
9. You should carry spare fuses, bulbs and a warning triangle and ideally a reflective jacket of some kind should you need break down and need to get out of the vehicle.

23^rd Oct / 2^nd Nov: A large woven tapestry rug with flowers on was stolen from wall of shop in Bank Crescent.

28^th Oct: Damage caused to windscreen of Volvo when clay thrown at it on Hereford Road.

1^st Nov: A wing mirror on Renault Clio parked in Fox Lane was ripped off. On the same day a Samsung mobile phone was stolen from a changing room at club in New Street, and a mobile phone was stolen from a bag at a local school.

1^st /2^nd Nov: A single axle trailer and a yellow steel security toolbox were stolen from a cottage near the Trumpet. Also, during same time, a window was broken in Longacres.

3^rd / 6^th Nov: 5 double-glazed windows and 3 doors were broken at premises in Orchard Lane.

4^th / 5^th Nov: Wing mirrors were stolen from a Vauxhall Corsa parked in Bridge Street.

5^th Nov: Plants were removed from raised flowerbeds in High Street.

6^th Nov: An attempt was made to enter a Renault Megane parked in Viking Way. Late evening a bottle was thrown through window of premises in The Homend. Also, a Dell computer screen was stolen from premises on Dymock Road and a window was broken at premises on the Hereford Road. During the same time a wing mirror was knocked off a car in Belle Orchard.

7^th / 8^th Nov: Stainless steel pipes, scrap metals, valve & platform fittings were stolen from premises on the outskirts of town, and, a Vauxhall Astra parked outside premises in The Homend had its tyre slashed.

9^th Nov: A wallet was stolen from a locker at the swimming pool.

10^th Nov: Make up was stolen from a store in High Street. Later the same day the front headlights of a Land Rover parked in a car park were ripped off. On the same day a Packard Bell laptop was stolen from premises in Mabels Furlong.

12^th / 13th Nov: Glass in telephone kiosk in Mabels Furlong was broken.

13^th Nov: Wheelie bins at premises in Mabels Furlong were damaged by fire.

15^th Nov: Small electrical appliances were stolen from a shop in the High Street.

19^th Nov: The door to a garage in Lawnside Road was forced. A child’s cycle was taken, and later recovered undamaged.

18^th/19^th Nov: Bushes were dug up and taken from a garden in South Parade.

24^th to 25^th Nov: A house at British Camp was entered after a door was damaged. Hi-fi, speakers and a computer were stolen

25^th Nov: A 50 year-old-male was assaulted in a public house in The Homend.

25^th to 26^th Nov: Damage was caused to VW Passatt parked in Browning Road. A garage door was also damaged in the incident. Also garden ornaments were stolen from Viking Way.

25^th/27^th Nov: A quantity of timber was stolen from Childer Wood.

25^th/29^th Nov: A mini greenhouse was stolen from a courtyard off the town centre.

26^th Nov: A mobile phone was taken from a table in a local Public House.

26^th to 27^th Nov: A wing mirror of Ford Mondeo parked in Belle Orchard was left hanging and loose. Also, a Lexus parked in Browning Road had similar damage.

27^th Nov: Wing mirrors were stolen off a Vauxhall Corsa parked in Bridge Street.

27^th to 28^th Nov: The petrol cap on Rover 100 parked in a car park was damaged. Also, a wing mirror on Nissan Micra parked in Belle Orchard was damaged and two large, ceramic planted flower tubs were stolen from the front garden of a property in Wye View.

28^th Nov: Men’s toiletries to the value of £54 were stolen from a Chemist shop in the High Street.

6^th/8^th Nov: The perimeter fence to the Primary School was damaged: one section was cut and them trampled flat.

24^th to 28^th Nov: A Massey Ferguson tractor was stolen from a local farm.

28^th to 30^th Nov: an ACER laptop with leads and charger stolen from a school.

1^st Nov: A handbag and contents were stolen from the Jubilee Drive car park.

2^nd Nov: Cannabis was found on a 23-year-old male driving in Colwall.

26^th Nov: A 41-year-old male was injured during an incident at a local football match.

27^th/29^th Nov: Copper cable and electrical joints were stolen from a site in Mill Lane after the door was damaged on a metal storage container.

30^th Oct: A Vauxhall Vectra parked at a local farm was jumped on, causing damage.

21^st Nov: The driver of a small red car left the forecourt without paying for petrol to the value of £10.10.

10^th/26^th Nov: Damage was caused on two separate occasions to a Peugeot 106 parked in a driveway in the village.

15^th/16^th Nov: A concrete mixer was stolen from the garden of a residential property in Harcourt Road.

3^rd / 5^th Nov: A Pacourchi mini digger parked at farm premises was scratched, a strap was also damaged.

9^th Nov: A silver, twin axle model, JP1056 Ifor Williams trailer was stolen from local farm.

10^th / 12^th Nov: A door lock and handle were damaged at a property under renovation.

8^th / 9^th Nov: A gate padlock was damaged and a Daihatsu Fourtrack stolen from a caravan park.

22^nd/23^rd Nov: The front windscreen wipers were damaged on a car parked in the driveway of a property in Horse Road.

7^th Nov: Tiles and slates were removed from roof of a farm.

6^th / 9^th Nov: 2 brass candlesticks were stolen from a warehouse used for storage.

From next month, it is intended that the content of the newsletter will be reduced considerably. If there is no new relevant information, based on the previous months’ activities, then consideration is being made as to the issue during that period. A list of all current neighbourhood watch co-ordinators is being compiled, so that a more pro-active approach is made, ensuring information is circulated as soon as possible. This will be in the form of an e-mail, or a telephone call where no e-mail is available, as incidents of interest to your area occur.

This is at present only a consideration, and will be made on a trial basis initially. Initial thoughts/concerns prior to the commencement next month would be welcome, as would any subsequent feedback you would like to give.

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

Victim Support 01432 347208

Childline 0800 1111

Domestic Violence Helpline 0800 7831359

National Drugs Helpline 0800 776600

National N.Watch Assoc 02079 630160

Herefordshire Road Safety Hotline 01432 364582

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.

Community Support Officer Leatte Clark can be contacted on 08457 444888, her mobile 07816 169707 or email leatte.clark@westmercia.pnn.police.uk CSO