TURNING WORDS INTO ACTION

The second round of the informal Community Forum meetings which came to end in March saw those attending being told of feedback from previous meetings. They also heard some of the success stories where action has been taken as a result of them registering concerns at the previous round of meetings held in November 2006.

Representatives from the Police and Herefordshire Council are continuing to evaluate the meetings and content and positive feedback has been received from members of the community themselves on the progress and feedback.

Among issues raised at the February/March meetings were:

• CCTV coverage at The Grange, Leominster
• Anti-social behaviour at Fiveways, Ross-on-Wye
• Parking issues in Ledbury
• Signage for vehicles in Kyrle Street, Ross-on-Wye

All the issues raised will now receive attention from the partners ahead of the next round of Community Forums.

Chief Inspector Sue Thomas, who is in charge of Local Policing in the County, said she was generally pleased with the number of people attending the meetings.

She said: "The aim has been to engage with the community to listen to and respond to their concerns and issues. Much good work has been undertaken by the Local Policing Teams to ensure that the issues raised receive priority attention.

"It has been particularly pleasing to see the ongoing development of partnerships between the Councillors and the Local Policing Teams with the aim of improving quality of life for communities."

When the police make appeals for information about crime you will often see a second number given to ring – Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. But what is Crimestoppers, and how does it work?

Crimestoppers was set up in 1988 to break the wall of silence that surrounds most crime and that criminals exploit to avoid arrest. The anonymous number provides a lifeline to people who have information that they want to share but feel at risk from retribution.

You can call Crimestoppers with information about any area of criminal activity, be it drug dealing, burglary, theft, criminal damage or fraud. Information that is likely to be of positive assistance to the police is forwarded on for investigation.

West Mercia Constabulary values the role the public can play in detecting and preventing crime. Police officers can’t be everywhere at once and Crimestoppers can provide information that officers would otherwise be unable to obtain.

All it takes to pass on information is one call to 0800 555 111. Every call is treated with absolute anonymity so that nobody will know the identity of the caller, except you, the caller. Rewards may be available if the information leads to the arrest and charge of a suspect and these are paid without compromising a caller’s anonymity.

As a vital link to West Mercia Constabulary, you too can help to play a part in publicising the work of Crimestoppers. How? Simply by spreading the word and encouraging others to pick up the phone, dialling 0800 555111 and passing on any information that could help in the fight against crime.

Summary of incidents in March

6 incidents of theft from shop/store, 2 of theft from telephone kiosk and 6 of theft from a driveway/ commercial premises.

1 theft of motor vehicle later recovered.

1 theft from a motor vehicle.

1 theft of tractor later recovered.

2 instances of burglary dwelling.

5 incidents of possession of drugs.

1 incident of possession of an offensive weapon.

1 theft of handbag and 1 theft of pedal cycle.

18 incidents of criminal damage to property other than a dwelling, 3 of criminal damage to a dwelling.

8 cars damaged, all over the same evening.

5 assaults including 1 where actual bodily harm was sustained.

1 report of harassment.

1 theft of flatbed trailer later recovered.

1 breach of CRASBO – offender arrested

VILLAGE NEWS

Damage to a parked vehicle.

Theft from telephone kiosk

Theft of motor vehicle

Theft from motor vehicle.

Damage to a property following a break-in.

1 incident of harassment

A JCB digger was stolen from a building site and later recovered.

Theft of a flat bed trailer, and theft of a single axled trailer, later recovered.

If you lose property please remember that it could have been handed into the Police Station, if found property is not claimed within 28 days it is disposed of, so remember, it is worth telephoning the station or calling in during opening hours to enquire if your property is here or has been reported to us.

Monday to Sunday 9am to 1pm

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,

Thursday and Friday 4pm to 7pm

During holiday periods and sickness the counter may close during the evenings.

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 776 600

National Neighbourhood WatchAssociation 02079 630160

Herefordshire Road Safety Hotline 01432 364582

As before, all incidents should be reported on 08457 444888 for an appropriate and timely resource to be allocated

Crime Prevention Manager - PC Charles Naylor

PC 3441 Deborah HUGGINS, Ledbury RURAL Beat Manager can be contacted on:

Tel: 08457 444888/ 07814554498 or via email: deborah.huggins@westmercia.pnn.police.uk

Community Support Officer Alison DORE can be contacted on:

Tel: 08457 444888/ 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/ 07814 554496, or via email: peter.askwith@westmercia.pnn.police.uk

Community Support Office Leatte CLARKE can be contacted on:

Tel: 08457 444888 or via email: leatte.clarke@westmercia.pnn.police.uk