PC 396 Tom Wollard & PCSO 6048 Hannah Moss PCSO 6522 Chris Brabrook
On the Beat
Royston Rural Neighbourhood Team would like to wish all residents in the county a merry, crime-free Christmas.
During December police are reminding people not to ‘present’ opportunities to criminals and keep their homes and valuables secure by following some simple crime prevention tips.
Overall burglary rates are currently lower than they were during the same period last year. However, thieves have been targeting outbuildings, including garages and sheds this winter, which has resulted in a 25 per cent increase in this type of crime.
This is a busy time of year for everyone, especially criminals. They know that homes, sheds and cars may be full of gifts and will be on the lookout for opportunities to steal them. Don’t make things easy for them by storing gifts in insecure outbuildings or leaving them in unattended vehicles. If you leave anything valuable on view either at home or in the car, you may be presenting a thief with an opportunity.
Make sure you keep all your gifts in a secure place – don’t leave them in the shed or garage, or on view near windows or doors.
Lock up when you leave – make sure all windows and doors are securely locked when you leave the house or go up to bed.
Security marking and registering your children’s Christmas gifts will help to keep them safe and make them easier to return if they are recovered after being lost or stolen.
When out shopping push your purse to the bottom of your bag and zip it securely, or use a purse chain. Wallets should not be carried in back pockets where they are more at risk of being stolen.
Leaving boxes and packaging of expensive items by your bins will alert burglars that your home is full of valuables.
Consider installing a doorbell camera, internal camera and/or monitored burglar alarm.
Install ‘dusk to dawn’ external lighting and use timer switches in your home to control internal lights, radios and a simulated TV.
Keep keys and valuables secure and out of sight.
Ensure boundary fences are secure with side gates locked. Keep tools and ladders in a locked shed.
Secure bins at night and put garden furniture away for the winter as these can be used by burglars as climbing aids to gain access to upper floor windows.
Ensure your vehicle is locked and remove all valuables, as burglars often check to see if doors are insecure.
You can report suspicious activity in your area or information online, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101.
Thefts – Hinxworth
Please be aware we have had an increase in Rural Crime over the last few weeks. The offenders are targeting outbuildings at residential and farm properties stealing plant machinery, trailers, power tools and other valuable items.
Hinxworth was hit on 11th December at 21.00, the offenders stole plant machinery from a home address in New Inn Road in the village. A local resident witnessed the incident and saw 3 males wearing balaclavas and overalls (boiler suit). The offenders were not deterred at being witnessed and continued to remove property. The suspects drove away in a black Range Rover Evoke and headed towards Bedfordshire. Two other properties were hit in the village on the same night though to be linked to this group.
Other villages to have suffered similar offences include - Ashwell, Sandon and Rushden.
Please can residents be vigilant and report any suspicious people or vehicles operating in the local area on 101. Any ring doorbell footage or CCTV would be welcome.
Local police have been calling door to door to encourage residents to Join Herts Connected. This would enable your local Neighbourhood Team to send you emails when local crime occurs. If you would like to join this service, please look at website – www.hertsconnected.co.uk
Scammers are coming to town
Better watch out, you better beware this Black Friday – scammers are looking to spoil your Christmas.
Christmas shopping season is in full swing and fraudsters are devising new ways to rip you off.
Last year Hertfordshire residents lost more than £420k between November and January, over £200k of this to online shopping and auction sites frauds and retail scams. There were also losses of more than £180k to advance fee fraud, which is where loans are offered by the scammer for an up-front fee. Ticket fraud also accounted for £30k worth of fraud.
Detective Inspector Katy Jackson, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit, said: “Christmas is a busy time for shopping, unfortunately it’s also a prime time to get scammed. Sometimes the deals on offer are too good to be true, because they aren’t true.
“If you are contacted about an offer, make sure it is legitimate, by checking out the seller online. Don’t click on links in messages, emails or text and try to buy from genuine established companies.”
Hertfordshire Constabulary recommends these top tips to help you prevent fraud and beat the scammers:
Be suspicious of all ‘too good to be true’ offers and deals.
Don’t rush into snapping up offers or deals immediately, take some time to check the details before making a decision.
Don’t hand over money or sign anything until you’ve checked the credentials of the seller or company.
Never send money to anyone you don’t know or trust, whether in the UK or abroad, or use methods of payment you’re not comfortable with.
Never give banking or personal details to anyone you don’t know or trust. This information is valuable so make sure you protect it.
Always log on to a website directly rather than clicking on links in an email.
If you spot a scam or have been scammed, report it and get help.
Don’t be embarrassed about reporting a scam. Because the scammers are cunning and clever there’s no shame in being deceived. By reporting it, you'll make it more difficult for them to deceive others.
For more information and help and to report fraud, go to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre.
Local Crime
G4E - Ashwell, Hinxworth, Bygrave, Newnham and Caldecote
Outbuilding Burglary, Bygrave – Overnight on 10th November a lock up in Bygrave was targeted. The offender cut padlocks to a door gain entry, once inside the offender cut a hole into a metal cage protecting gardening power tools, the offenders removed the items and made off. 41/95150/24 refers.
G4D – Barley, Barkway, Reed, Therfield, Kelshall and
Nuthampstead
Criminal Damage, Park Lane, Therfield – On 2nd and 7th of November padlocks were cut to gateways leading onto farmland in Park Lane. The offenders entered land with the intention to poach local wildlife, damaged caused to crops at the location 41/92621/24 and 41/94140/24 Refers
Outbuilding Burglary, Rooks Nest Lane, Sandon – Overnight on 11th November an outbuilding was targeted in Rooks Nest Lane, Therfield. The offenders forced barn door to gain entry and targeted gardening power tools, a trailer and a quad bike. 41/95710/24 Refers
Theft of Lantern, Newsells, Barkway – Between 02.34 and 02.44 the offender entered on site and approached decorative lamps at the location. The offender has removed the lantern and made off. 419760/24 Refers
Attempted Garage Burglary, Windmill Close, Barkway – Between 15th and 22nd November a garage in Windmill close was targeted. The offender has damaged a padlock in an attempted to gain entry, this has failed and the offender has made off. 41/99313/24 Refers
Theft of Number Plates, Haywood Lane, Therfield – Overnight on 23rd November a vehicle in Haywood lane, Therfeild had its number plates stolen. These plates were put onto a vehicle in Sandon which was stolen.
G3C - Sandon, Wallington, Rushden, Clothall and Weston
Outbuilding Burglary, Roe Green, Sandon – Overnight on 18th November an outbuilding was targeted in Roe Green, Sandon. The offenders smashed the security lights and ripped off two shed doors to gain entry. Property stolen from within, 41/97861/24 Refers
Criminal Damage, Sandon - Overnight on 18th November padlocks were broken on a gate behind Roe Green, Sandon. The offenders used the access to target another property as per the above crime. 41/97929/24
Outbuilding Burglary, Sandon – Between 23rd and 25th November an office situated on a farm location was hit. The offenders forced a window to gain entry to the office and located a key for an Alpha Romeo. The offenders stole the vehicle parked outside the front of the office. 41/99859/24 Refers
Your local Neighbourhood Police Teams website
Useful Links
Royston Rural Neighbourhood Team Tel – 01438 757935
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