Ashbourne Neighbourhood Watch
Latest Alerts / June 2015
Officers Around Ashbourne Heading Out On The Road As Part Of Operation
Illuminate 18/06/2015 14:35:51 [115439]
Safer Neighbourhood officers from Ashbourne and the surrounding areas are gearing up to
encourage residents to boost home and outbuilding security as part of a targeted campaign.
Team members from Ashbourne, Marston and Clifton, and Hulland and Brailsford, will be taking to
the road to host a mobile police surgery on Saturday, July 11. The day-long event will see the policing
team visiting a number of towns and villages throughout the area to offer advice on summer security.
Officers will be on hand at the following times and locations:
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Sudbury
Doveridge
Marston
Clifton
10am to 11am;
11.15am to 1pm;
1.45pm to 2.30pm;
3pm to 4pm.
The event is part of the Derbyshire Dales Community Safety Partnership’s Operation Illuminate
campaign, which is led by police and Derbyshire Dales District Council.
Throughout the day, officers will be on hand to offer crime prevention advice and tips to help
homeowners to further protect themselves from becoming a victim of crime.
Residents will also have the opportunity to pick up cut-price home security items such as door
chimes, alarms, timer switches and property marking kits such as SmartWater.
To find out more about the upcoming events call your local Safer Neighbourhood team on 101.
You can also follow @AshbourneSNT on Twitter to keep updated on local policing in your
area.
Ashbourne Officers Set To Host Neighbourhood Watch And Security Event
17/06/2015 11:15:55 [115230]
The Ashbourne Safer Neighbourhood Team will be heading out to chat to passers-by about
Neighbourhood Watch and crime prevention at an upcoming community event.
Officers will be teaming up to offer advice on stepping up home security over the summer months,
and also speaking to people about the benefits of Neighbourhood Watch groups and how they can
get involved.
The policing team will be hosting the stall on Saturday, July 4 at the Horse and Jockey Yard, off St.
John Street, Ashbourne.
The event, which will run between 10am and 4pm, will give people the opportunity to speak to the
officers about any neighbourhood concerns they may have, along with gaining advice around
improving their home, vehicle and personal security.
Residents will also be able to pick up home security kits during the event, including ‘dusk til dawn
bulbs’, timers and door chimes at discounted prices.
For more information, call your local Safer Neighbourhood team on 101, the non-emergency
number for Derbyshire police. You can also follow the team on Twitter for the latest news in
your community: @AshbourneSNT
Police Team Up To Launch Ashbourne’s Safer Neighbourhood Stars Scheme
26/05/2015 13:55:16 [112778]
Police in Ashbourne have teamed up with a local junior school to mark the launch of the Safer
Neighbourhood Stars scheme.
PC Rachel Baggaley and PCSO Tammy Bell-Heather from the Ashbourne Safer Neighbourhood
Team first thought up the initiative to teach youngsters about the importance of being a good citizen.
The officers have been visiting Parkside Junior School throughout the week to deliver five targeted
sessions to Year Six pupils, with further sessions being planned for after the half term holidays.
During the talks, PC Baggaley and PCSO Bell-Heather spoke to the group about anti-social behaviour
and the effect that this can have on people living in the local community.
The talk also covered the role of the Safer Neighbourhood team, home and online security, and
staying safe when out and about.
11-year-old Paige Collins who took part in the visits said: “I’ve learnt how to be a good citizen and we
were encouraged to do better things in life. The best bit was when we got to learn about Rachel’s
police equipment and were allowed to use the walkie-talkie.”
Alfie Topham, also 11-years-old, thought it was interesting to find out what the police did to keep
Ashbourne safe. He said: “We have to be good citizens because it helps the police keep everything
under control. I really enjoyed using the radio and handcuffs too.”
PC Rachel Baggaley from the policing team added: “It has been a fantastic opportunity provided by
Parkside School for us to engage with the Year 6 pupils and get to know them better.
“Alongside the issue of anti-social behaviour, we have also discussed peer pressure, as this is very
important with the pupils moving up to high school where they will be making new friendship groups
and more than likely facing peer pressure at some point. We have tried to help educate the group in
the best ways to act when this happens or if they witness something that needs to be reported.
“We have hopefully equipped them with the knowledge to keep safe and be good citizens. It was also
really reassuring how much the group learned and enjoyed the sessions.”
To speak to the Safer Neighbourhood team call 101, and follow the team on Twitter:
@AshbourneSNT
Ashbourne Residents Encouraged To Protect Their Local Church 20/05/2015
14:24:28 [112359]
Ashbourne residents encouraged to protect their local church
Residents in the Ashbourne area are being encouraged to be on the lookout for suspicious activity
around their local church.
Officers from the Ashbourne Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team are asking residents to be vigilant
following suspicious activity and thefts from churches in the area.
Residents are being encouraged to report anything that seems untoward so that we can help to stop
a crime from happening.
If you see anything suspicious contact Derbyshire Police immediately on 101. If you see a
crime occurring always ring 999.
For further advice on personal security, home security and other crime prevention please see our
Police website or click on the hyperlink:http://www.derbyshire.police.uk/Safetyadvice/SafetyAdvice.aspx, or contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team on 101.
Ashbourne Police Join Forces With Fire Service To Support Local Residents
19/05/2015 14:45:00 [112246]
Police in Ashbourne are joining forces with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service to offer
support and advice to residents in the town and surrounding villages.
PC Rachel Baggaley and PCSO Joanne Dales from the area’s Safer Neighbourhood teams are
hosting a community roadshow throughout the next six months alongside the fire service’s
Community Safety Officer for the Derbyshire Dales, Jag Hayer.
The events got underway on Friday, May 15, and will see the team visit properties in Ashbourne and
rural villages in the area including Kirk Ireton, Hulland Ward, Hulland Village, Brailsford, Ednaston,
Longford, Hollington and Shirley.
They will be promoting the hugely successful Farm Watch scheme, which sends information, alerts
and appeals to farmers and rural residents tailored to their area in a bid to clamp down on rural crime.
Officers will also be visiting vulnerable people in the community to offer support and point them in the
direction of other partner agencies should they need more help and assistance.
Jag will be on hand to offer fire safety advice and information, and carry out home safety and smoke
alarm checks.
PCSO Dales said: “We are really pleased to be involved in this roadshow alongside Jag to offer
support and guidance to rural and vulnerable residents. We hope it is successful and people are keen
to find out more about the different schemes and initiatives on offer throughout the Derbyshire Dales
to help them boost personal and property security and to feel safe in their own communities.
“If residents would like to find out more about the roadshow or speak to us about crime prevention
and safety, I would urge them to contact me by dialling 101.”
You can also keep up to date with local policing in your area by following @AshbourneSNT on
Twitter.
Reminder To Ashbourne Residents To Consider Home Security Measures
12/05/2015 13:49:59 [111538]
Please consider your security methods to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of crime.
It can only take a moment to be targeted by an opportunist thief. Offenders are after items that they
can pass on quickly & without being traced. Money is the most desirable, so make sure you keep it
safe, but anything of value that can be carried away is a target.
If you see any person or vehicle acting suspiciously please take note of as much details as possible
without putting yourself in any danger. Try to get the registration number of a vehicle to help trace the
owner.
Home Security
It can be devastating to be burgled and may cost more to fix the damage during the burglary than the
value of the items taken.
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Ensure that all windows and doors are closed and locked when you are out. Even if you are
in, lock any windows and doors that are not directly observed.
Small windows, letter boxes and cat flap may be big enough to reach through or property
taken using fishing or hooking techniques, so don’t leave anything of value nearby.
If you want to leave windows open while you sleep, fit window restrictors so they cannot be
fully opened, or make sure they are not large enough to allow access to a burglar.
When out in your garden ensure that windows and doors to the front of the house are fully
secure.
Do not leave valuables on display in reach of open windows or doors, or in front of a window
that may be smashed and your possessions taken.
Ensure all barbecue, garden equipment and tools are securely locked up in a shed and out of
sight. Tools can be used by the potential offender to break in to your home.
Consider fitting outside security lighting or a visible alarm to help deter burglars. Even using
pea shingle or gravel on a driveway and spiky plants in garden beds can help.
Ensure any internal handle operated locks on UPVC doors are fully secured with a key. Take
the key out & put it safe to stop the offender using it to gain access after smashing a door
window or panel.
Post-code or indelibly mark all property such as TVs, computers, jewellery and ornaments
using ultra-violet pens, forensic marking such as Selecta DNA or Smartwater, or engravers.
This makes any recovered stolen property easier to return to the owner.
Shed Security
Sheds & outbuildings can be seen as easy pickings because they are often unprotected and lack
basic security measures. They often contain property that can be sold on or contain tools that can be
used to force entry into the owner’s or neighbour’s home.
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Make sure the shed is of good construction and will resist the offender using a screwdriver or
crowbar on the door, windows or shed panelling.
Make sure the door hinge screws or lock screws can’t be undone easily. By using tamper
proof screws or coach bolts together with a good quality pad bar or hasp and staple and close
shackled padlock, the shed owner will make it harder for the would-be thief.
It is also a good idea to bond any window glass in with mastic to prevent easy removal.
Windows can be fitted with a grille or, as a cheaper alternative, chicken wire, to slow a thief
down.
Ensure all tools and equipment is locked away when not in use.
Shed alarm can be installed. These can be battery operated so mains power isn’t required.
Post-code or indelibly mark all property such as lawnmowers, bikes, and tools using
ultraviolet pens, forensic marking such as Selecta DNA or Smartwater, or engravers.
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Install security lighting as a deterrent, and plants such as thorny shrubs to act as a barrier at
potential access points.
When positioning a shed, put it where it is most visible to you and neighbours, with the door
facing you.
Any large items like big power tools, bikes & motorbikes consider a fixed ground anchor
where they can be chained to securely.
Vehicle Security
By taking a few simple steps your vehicle will be less attractive to an opportunist thief; and they may
save you a lot of time, trouble and cost having to sort out the after effects of becoming a victim of
crime.
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Please make sure you lock your vehicle whenever you leave it and remove anything of value
from within. It only takes a few seconds for an opportunist thief to take advantage of the
situation and search the whole vehicle for anything to value.
Sat-Navs should be removed or left in a locked boot, together with its cradle when leaving the
car. Any suction cup marks on the windscreen should be wiped away as their presence will
indicate to the thief that you may have a device, such as a sat-nav, hidden in the glove
compartment. You may not have, but this won’t stop the thief from smashing a side window
to take a look.
If you have to keep cash in your car, keep it in a closed ashtray or in some other out-of-sight
compartment. If it is on view an opportunist thief may smash a side window, possible worth
£80, to steal £3.50 in change
Items like handbags, leather jackets, wallets, laptops, and shopping should never be left on
view in the vehicle. Lock them in the boot or take them out of the vehicle completely.
Registration documents and test certificates should be kept at home.
Keep the inside of the vehicle tidy. A messy vehicle containing opened mail, plastic bags etc.
may attract the curiosity of a thief.
If there is nothing in the glove compartment consider leaving it open so a potential thief can
see this.
Remove the facia of your sound system if it has one and use the PIN facility.
Always close the windows and sunroof and lock the doors and set the immobiliser and alarm
before leaving the vehicle, even for a minute, such as when paying for petrol at a service
station.
If your vehicle does not have an alarm consider having one fitted.
When parking at home use the garage if you have one or park on a well-lit driveway or street.
When parking away from home try to park in a place that is well lit and overlooked. When
using a public car park try to use one that is supervised.
For further advice on personal security, home security and other crime prevention please see our
Police website or click on the hyperlink : http://www.derbyshire.police.uk/Safetyadvice/SafetyAdvice.aspx, or contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team on 101.