MILL CROFT Neighbourhood Watch. : Pensioner targeted by thief in her own home.

MILL CROFT Neighbourhood Watch. : Pensioner targeted by thief in her own home.

MILL CROFT Neighbourhood Watch.

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Wednesday, 3 July 2013

Pensioner targeted by thief in her own home.

Detectives are investigating after an elderly woman in Craven was pushed to the floor as her purse was stolen in her own home.

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PAST EVENTS.

ABOUT MILL CROFT.

Mill Croft Neighbourhood Watch is part of the Craven Neighbourhood Watch Group.

Mill Croft Neighbourhood watch was formed in 1996 / 1997 by four residents, three of the members are still in the scheme. The scheme was formed as a result of concerns regarding crime in the area and we wanted to be part of the solution and not the problem.

We are a reasonable sized scheme of fifty plus members and are very active within the scheme area. It is a team effort with two coordinators.This ensures that Millcroft is represented over Holiday periods and/or illnesses and equally adds to the stability of the Scheme.

Most of the information that comes, goes on this website. The scheme tries to build a community spirit, with security of property, children and vehicles being of paramount importance.

We liaise with Cross Hills Police Station.

Originally each new member contributed one pound towards the scheme to help pay for street signs but we no longer ask for this contribution.

Residents who have moved into the scheme area automatically become a member. We try to exercise a hands on approach to continue to build a community spirit within the scheme area.

HOW TO WATCH.

The public are at greatest risk from crimes such as burglary, auto crime, street crime and vandalism. These can be reduced by a really effective Neighbourhood Watch. Sooner or later, this effectiveness has to be put to the test.

The first role is to observe calmly and discreetly. The very existence of Neighbourhood Watch in your area will act as a deterrent to many criminal types. But where someone is acting suspiciously, it is NOT the intention that members themselves attempt to scare off the suspect in order to prevent the crime. Remaining calm and discreet gives you the best possible chances of registering and reporting to police what you have seen quickly and accurately.
The fact that many of the calls made on the police by members will turn out to be false alarms, does not matter. The important thing, as we have said, is that the information supplied is reasonably accurate.
There are of course, some situations which are more urgent than others where a 999 emergency call is essential.
Where the circumstances are less critical, the information should be passed on to your local police station by telephoning 101 If there is any doubt, treat the matter as serious and dial 999.

HELP AND ADVICE FOR MEMBERS

Your street Co-ordinator is the first person to ask if you are doing things properly. He or she may also provide you with the latest crime information through regular newsletters - and generally keep in touch with the affairs of the group.
Your officer on the beat is always ready to have a word with you about anything of general concern to your immediate vicinity.

The Police need your help in beating the criminal. They cannot do their job properly without it. You can help best by reporting at once anything that strikes you as suspicious. If you saw someone being attacked or robbed you would naturally phone the police. Ring them just the same if you see someone lurking around your neighbour's house or trying car doors. The police won't mind if it is a false alarm; they would much rather take no chances.
And ring at once - seconds count.

What you should do

Dial 999. Ask for the police and tell them as much as you can:
1. Where the incident happened.
2. The number of people involved.
3. Description of the suspects.
4. Description of the scene.
5. Registration numbers of any vehicles involved.
6. Your name and address will help but they are not essential.

BASIC HOME SECURITY

For a Neighbourhood Watch to remain successful all members should ensure that their property complies with a basic security that ALL homes should have, whether or not they are part of a Neighbourhood Watch. All external doors and ground floor windows must have proper locks suitable for the type of frame. Any other window or point of entry which are accessible, such as those above flat roofs, should also be secure. During the Summer months many of us like windows left open most of the time. Remember this when buying locks so that the window can be locked in the open position. All locks should be secured with screws of an adequate length to prevent them being levered off
External doors, in addition to having a good quality deadlock, must have a door chain and should have a door viewer if the glass in the door does not allow the occupant to see who is calling. Hinge bolts give added reinforcement. If thieves have to break glass to gain entry then they are restricted in what they can take away if they have to exit in the same way. Keys allow them to open doors and walk away with everything. Keep keys out of door locks, out of sight.
Lighting is also very important both inside your house and out. It is essential that you give the impression that someone is at home. Table lamps can have time switches plugged in and left on permanently so that, for whatever reason you do not switch your lights on at dusk, they are still activated automatically. Similarly, an exterior bulkhead lamp should give lighting to that vulnerable area to the side and the rear of your property to prevent anyone skulking there. Not only is it a deterrent but it also adds to your personal safety in that you can see outside during the hours of darkness before opening the door.
Property marking also deters the opportunist thief as it makes the stolen article very difficult to sell and easy to identify. The leaflet you were given at the outset, shows different ways of marking. The easiest and perhaps the most effective is the use of an invisible security marker pen. The marking lasts about two years before needing to be done again and gives the thief the headache of not knowing where the mark is. All your valuables can be marked in this way in about half an hour.

Very often, even with all the above security equipment, householders still fall foul to confidence tricksters by being gullible and failing to check out strangers before opening the door. These people prey on the elderly and infirm knowing they cannot physically resist. Hopefully, Neighbourhood Watch, with its regular bulletins and crime related literature, creates a more wary approach which helps to prevent this type of nasty crime.

Remember, many of your valuable possessions could have a sentimental value far above a monetary one and can never be replaced.

PROPERTY MARKING - Pens Available from the Coordinators.

The Police are currently storing millions of pounds worth of property which, because it is not marked, is almost impossible to restore to the owners. If your property is marked with your post code and your house number then you stand a much better chance of it being restored to you if it is lost or stolen. All property that comes into the hands of the Police is searched for any identifying marks or clues as to the owner.
If you have any property that is likely to be stolen, then it is worth marking it with your postcode and house number. Take a look round your home, shed or garage. It won't take long to do the lot. Don't forget, the Police can help with the marking of pedal cycles. Don't forget that for items that cannot be marked, such as antiques, valuable soft toys etc., photographs should be taken to aid identification. A list of serial numbers is also useful, as the police may ask for these if you report a theft.

CHECK

Check out your home - check locks of ground floor doors and windows, especially at the rear. Check that upstairs window overlooking flat roofs have locks. It is also important to ensure that your patio doors have effective locks and that they cannot be lifted off their runners by a garden spade. Make sure your shed and garage are locked when you are out and don't leave the burglar with a ready assortment of implements to break in. If the rear of your house is secluded then you should consider trimming back some of the surrounding greenery so that the villain stands a chance of being seen.

(Above is with thanks to Edmonton Neighbourhood Watch)

CLARITY STATEMENT.

Any concerns within the Mill Croft Neighbourhood Watch Scheme that have been reported to the Coordinators, will be given the due care and attention they require.

All resources that are available will be used to help maintain the ‘status quo’ within the scheme area, whilst encouraging all residents to uphold the law.

LOCAL and NOT SO LOCAL, INTEREST / HELP.

Cross Hills Handyman.
KEIGHLEY CAT CARE
KJC Decorating and Sewing Services
M.Lister Plumber
MARKLESS CARPET and UPHOLSTERY CLEANING.
MOORS PAWS
STANDING ROOM ONLY-TANNING STUDIO

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