Neighbourhood Watch

Todwick Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter

March 2018

Welcome to all those villagers who have signed up to the Todwick Neighbourhood Watch since our last newsletter in December 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.

Annual General Meeting

Our Annual General meeting will be on Thursday, 12th July at 7.30 pm at Todwick Village Hall. Everyone welcome.

Neighbourhood policing

The return of neighbourhood policing is now being seen with a police drop-in centre at Dinnington Resource Centre every Wednesday 1.30 pm to 3 pm. Members of the public are invited to call without appointment to discuss any subject with a local officer. Similar sessions are held at Aston, Maltby and Treeton.

Electricity Customers Priority Services Register

Northern Powergrid who is responsible for our electricity supply network has again reminded us of the free Priority Services Register. This is available for anyone who may need a little extra support during a power cut. So, if there is someone at your home who may have a medical condition, be elderly or disabled, have young children or may rely on electricity for medical equipment, NOW is the time to register. Register online, by letter, or freephone 0800 169 2996. Please contact me for any other details.

Kiveton Park Advice Centre

There is an advice centre in Kiveton which may be of interest to you. They offer free advice on issues including money, debts, benefits and legal advice. They have volunteer solicitors on the first 3 Mondays of each month. For further details telephone 01909 773966 or email info@kpadvice.org.uk The centre is in the Community Library, Wales Road, Kiveton.

Unwanted telephone calls

We receive many reports about unwanted telephone calls. The subject matters are varied but the latest batch were made at unsociable hours (early mornings) and days (8 calls in 3 days, including 4 on Boxing Day) They may claim to work for BT, but the number is from an international source. A more recent call purported to be from Morrisons advising they had won a hamper. The caller then started asking personal questions. The call turned out to be a hoax. If you are in doubt, ask if you can ring them back and always check the number is genuine. Alternatively say a polite “No thank-you” and replace the receiver.

We understand that nationally phantom debt fraud is on the rise. This is where the caller purports to be a debt collector, bailiff or enforcement agent. They demand payment by bank transfer under threat of home visits and sometimes threaten arrest for a debt that does not exist. Bailiffs will always carry an identity card which should show their photograph and identity number. They will also carry the physical warrant showing the debt and endorsed with a court seal. If you do receive a suspicious cold call, please telephone Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 to report the issue.

Rogue traders

South Yorkshire Police have asked us to remind you of rogue traders especially people purporting to be builders or qualified trades people. Please be aware and remember it is your home. Do not be afraid to say “NO”. Report any suspicious behaviour to the Police on tel 101. Please look out for your neighbours especially if they are elderly or vulnerable.

Bags of things to do

The Todwick Tote bag is currently on sale for £4 from Sheila Pantry, the village newsagents and the village tea shop. All proceeds are to be donated to Todwick Neighbourhood Watch to enable us to continue to provide the service to you free of charge. Many thanks to Sheila for her initiative in this issue. Please buy some.

Reported issues in Todwick in 2017

During 2017 there were 101 reported crimes and anti-social behaviour issues in Todwick. This is a rise from 2016 when the figure was 78. If you see anything suspicious or unusual, it is always worth reporting it to the Police using telephone number 101. For those unfamiliar with the process, you will get an introductory recorded message and then a request for you to dial the extension (if known) you require. At this point wait and you will then be put through to the “Gatekeeper”. Tell them you want to report say an incident, a suspicious issue or a crime that has happened. You will then be put through to an officer who will take down whatever it is that you are reporting. It is always worth asking for an incident number which will be e.g. “123 of today’s date”. If there are any further developments or you wish to track your issue, it makes it much easier to do by having the reference number to hand.

Please don’t ignore the reporting process on the grounds that nothing will be done. If it isn’t reported, the Police will not know about it and certainly nothing will be done. Sometimes this service is very busy so please be patient.

Alternatively you can report non-urgent matters on line by using South Yorkshire Police Online Services.

Use 999 for emergency assistance where there is threat to life (including road accidents where persons are injured, the road is blocked or a vehicle involved has failed to stop), violence to a person or damage to property is imminent or a serious offence is actually in progress. A suspected offender is still at the scene of a crime or any delay in reporting the incident may prevent the offender being apprehended and finally where serious disruption to the public is currently taking place or is likely to take place.

We recently had a skirmish in Todwick involving a gang of youths. The police were called and the gang dispersed. Following the incident a heavy wooden truncheon was found in the area. It has been handed in to the Police. If you become aware of an incident of this sort, please do not intervene – they may have something sharper on their person. Dial 999.

Total reported issues in Todwick for October, November and December 2017 are:

Burglary	2
Vehicle crime	4
Violence and sex	2
Antisocial behaviour	5
Criminal Damage & Arson	3
Public Order	4
Other crime	1

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.

Many thanks to all the villagers who have contributed to our quarterly newsletters. Also many thanks to all the 22 street co-ordinators who have delivered them.

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 shows our newsletters as well as details of upcoming village events and for supporting our village Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

Norman Anderson – chair