Todwick Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter
September 2017
Welcome to all those villagers who have signed up to the Todwick Neighbourhood Watch since our last newsletter in June 2017. We hope that you find these newsletters informative and useful and we always value your information and feedback. We never publish anyone’s name, address or any other private details.
Be Aware
Our next newsletter will be out just before Christmas so now is an appropriate time to review your safety and security, both personal and property. The recent autumnal weather has not been conducive to sitting out in the garden enjoying the sunshine. But it is still an opportune time to remind everyone to make sure that all doors and windows are locked when you leave your home, Bonfire night is also approaching and some of us may be out in the garden with fireworks or at the village bonfire on 3rd November. The whistles and bangs from the fireworks make a wonderful cover for someone to break into your home, car or van. There will be lots of people from outlying villages coming to the show so it will be more difficult to spot the thief. As far as possible make sure your doors and windows are locked. Put pets in a safe place where the noise will cause the least distress.
Christmas shopping also presents great opportunities to thieves. Be especially careful if you are at a shopping centre. You buy a number of presents, take them back to the car. Make sure they are not on display in the passenger area, always put them in the boot. Also, it is unwise just to lock your car and go off to buy more goods. Always move your vehicle away from the area and park somewhere else as you will have little, if any, idea if you have been observed by an opportunist thief.
Crime Rises by 10%
Reported crime in Todwick is, for the first 6 months of 2017, tending to follow this trend. I need to stress that this is only relating to reported crime. If it is not reported on 101, then from a police point of view it hasn’t happened and nothing will ever be done about it. This is self defeating.
I am grateful to one of our street co-ordinators who kindly provided me with a copy of the Rotherham Record from mid July 2017. An article relates to a survey of people living in the Rotherham Borough regarding their thoughts on the reintroduction of neighbourhood policing. Todwick Neighbourhood Watch was asked to take part in the survey. Unfortunately there were only a limited number of forms provided so we had to allocate them to cover as wide a cross-section of the village as possible. Thank you to all those who took part. For those who wished to participate but did not get a paper based questionnaire, local press did advertise that there was also an on-line survey. The general consensus of opinion was that a return of the local community policing was essential and needed to be addressed as soon as possible.
Generally speaking, participants wanted a more visible policing presence; a reduction in anti-social behaviour (our numerically highest problem), an ability to communicate on a face to face basis with the police; and drop-in sessions also came into the equation.
Home Office minister Sarah Newton MP has stated that Neighbourhood Watch has an important role to play in tackling crime.
Perhaps someone in authority has finally realised what Neighbourhood Watch can do? We are all the eyes and ears in our community!
Dog & Cat Theft
Many residents in Todwick have dogs or cats as pets and in many cases they are looked on as members of the family. In 2016, nearly 1800 instances of dog theft were reported to the Police across England and Wales. The Dogs Trust said the most common breed of dogs reported as stolen was the Staffordshire Bull-terrier, followed by the Jack Russell, Chihuahua & the Bulldog. Homes and gardens were the most frequent places where animals were stolen, often when the animals had been left unsupervised. Cats are not exempt from theft especially the more expensive breeds. The thieves do not care. They thieve to order.
Doorstep Crime
Most doorstep crime relies on good mannered residents who answer their door to strangers. Two more roads in Todwick are joining a scheme called No Cold Calling Some examples of doorstep tricks are – collecting for a bogus charity – insisting a home repair is imperative and overcharging you– pretending to be a policeman or meter reader – distracting you whilst someone else robs you. Doorstep criminals are very convincing actors. Don’t be taken in by them. If you are not sure call for help.
Crime statistics for Todwick
The system for reporting up to date crime stats is still not satisfactorily resolved. But for the 3 month period April to June 2017 inclusive Todwick has had the following issues reported:
Criminal damage/Arson |
3 |
Vehicle crime |
1 |
Burglary |
5 |
Antisocial behaviour |
4 |
Other theft |
5 |
Violence & sexual crime |
3 but some may be of an historic nature. |
Theft from a person |
1 |
Other crime |
1 |
Total to date 49 reported and declared offences in 2017.
Just a brief reminder – if your uPVC door locks are not up to the new Euro specifications, please contact Norman for further details on this subject.
Contact Information
S. Y. Police non-emergency calls to report crime or give information dial 101.
S. Y. Police / Ambulance / Fire & Rescue emergency dial 999
Crimestoppers to give information about crime (you do not have to give your name) dial 0800 555 111 freephone open Mon-Fri 8 am to 10 pm & Sunday 10 am to 4 pm
Action Fraud this is the government run reporting centre for fraud. Calls can be made on 0300 123 2040 anonymously or text on 0300 123 2050
Streetpride part of Rotherham Borough Council. For most general problems with bin emptying, damaged bins, street lighting, potholes & other problems associated with roads & pavements telephone 01709 336003
Electricity emergency 0800 375 675
Thanks to all the villagers who have provided details of incidents and issues.
Thanks also to Sheila Pantry for ensuring that our village website www.todwick.org.uk shows our newsletters as well as details of upcoming village events.
For any further help or information contact Norman Anderson (chairman)