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Local Information and Reports - Last Update: January 30th 2012
Please note that contact Information for the Insulate Hampshire Campaign were incorrect
Click here for updated details30th January 2012
Suspicious Incident The driver of a red Peugeot Boxer van, registration no. S459 CGT, called on Manor Farm Cottages in Gaston Lane on Friday 27th January asking for scrap metal.
If approached be wary and ring the Rapid Response Team on 01962-833 666.6th January 2012- Keyholder Records for Premises fitted with Type B Audio Alarms
Hampshire Police have recently made a significant announcement which will affect the majority of householders who have Type B (audible) intruder alarms installed at their homes and/or office premises and have registered keyholders' names with the Police.
The announcement does not apply to premises with Type A (communicating) alarms, for which keyholders' names are registered with their monitoring company.
The full text of the announcement can be read on the Hampshire Police web site, www.hampshire.police.uk - (see press release dated 9 November 2007: Police launch new alarms record system - residents invited to register their details.)
In summary, the announcement states that a great many of the existing 60,000 key holder records on the database are believed to be out of date and worthless. To establish a new, clean database the following actions are being taken:
Records originating before 2001: these will be deleted without notice to their originators.
There are believed to be 55,000 records in this category: many of them will be Neighbourhood Watch members. Householders in this category will need to re-register their details with the Police: a copy of the application form can be downloaded here.Records from 2001 to December 2004: these will be deleted unless the originators confirm their details.
They will receive letters informing them how to do this.Records from January 2005 onwards: these will be retained on the system.
The originators will receive letters assigning them new reference numbers. Once their records are on the new system every originator will be required to confirm or update their details every two years.Hampshire Neighbourhood Watch Association asks all its constituent NW organisations in the two counties to make every effort, either by email or via their newsletters, to ensure that this information reaches every member household likely to be affected by the above. Many thanks for your assistance in this.
Guy Smales, Hon Secretary Hampshire Neighbourhood Watch Association 023 8026 1208; email:
3rd December 2011
Some thieves have tried to steal coping stones from a house in Lower Farringdon, failing but damaging the wall. Can we all please keep an eye out for our neighbours and report suspect activities to the police
21st October 2011
The following has been received from our Countrywatch & Rural Crimes Officer:
Dogs: We have seen a rise in the theft of dogs, in particular terriers and gun dog breeds. Most have been from the Thames Valley Police area although a recent theft of terriers took place in Petersfield. Please ensue you are aware of your dogs location and security arrangements including micro chipping and or tattooing.
Quads: Christmas is coming and some people can't help themselves but to thieve. Quads are again on the increase for theft. Locally we have seen several and an attempt theft of one. However due to the security arrangements put in place this was stopped. Record all details of your quads and any valuable property.
Dale Farm Travellers: As many of you are aware the eviction of travellers in Essex has gone ahead. At this stage Police and the travellers do not know where they are going. This area of Hampshire has always attracted the travelling fraternity so please bear this in mind with you perimeter security to land and open spaces etc.
Shoot Dates: Those of you who run shoots please let me know your shoot dates and locations. They remain confidential but allow me to be aware of when these are happening for both patrol routes and if complaints come in about gun shots heard.
Hunts: The same goes for any hunts. Please let me know where and when any hunts are on to add to patrol routes to keep any problems to a minimum. Again it is fully confidential.
Thank you for your help and if I can help with anything please do make contact.
Mick Ames (PC 1536 Ames)
Countrywatch & Rural Crimes Officer.
Dickson House.
London Road
Hook
Hampshire
RG27 9DJ0845 045 45 45 ext 603 201
countrywatch@hampshire.pnn.police.uk13th September 2011
The local police have requested a report from anyone sighting a white Iveco van registration no. L611 URV. The driver has been reported acting suspiciously on several occasions recently. Ring 0845 045 45 45 or 101
5th September 2011
0845 045 45 45 Non Emergency NumberHampshire Constabulary has requested us to ask you to mention that you are a Neighbourhood Watch member when you call the non-emergency 0845 045 45 45 or 101 number as this greatly helps them to determine a range of different aspects of the watches.
They also feel that you might like to know how many calls were taken by Hampshire Constabulary during the month of July 2011 which were as follows:
Number of 999 calls dealt with by the Force Enquiry Centre: 23,278
Number of non emergency calls dealt with by the Force Enquiry Centre: 73,034
Number of calls to Hampshire Constabulary switchboard: 49,735
Total Calls: 146,047
30th July 2011
On 27th of this month we issued a circular advising you that on that morning a large whitish/grey van (Reg. No ?349 4OL) was found backing into the drive of a Farringdon residence where building materials were visible and the driver, when challenged, asked if there was any scrap metal to sell and then drove off.
We have now been informed that a similar incident occurred on the same day. Uninvited, the driver and his mate of probably the same vehicle called at a house in Lower Farringdon and entered to the rear of the property where some building work was going on.
Quite clearly, therefore, all residents with building materials stored in their property are vulnerable to such callers and therefore should take precautions to protect them as best as they can.
The police ask anyone who sees this van or knows of a similar incidence to report it using 0845 045 45 45.
Insulate Hampshire is a new area based insulation scheme to be delivered by Hampshire County Council and 11 Local Councils across the region. By offering subsidised insulation to all households the scheme aims to help householders make their houses warmer and more comfortable as well as making savings of up to £300 per year on their energy bills.
The scheme launched on the 26th July and is open to everyone. With loft insulation costing £99 and cavity wall insulation £75 for the first 5,000 suitable homes to sign up (and £99 for wall insulation thereafter), the scheme aims to improve 20,000 Hampshire households. Loft and wall insulation for residents over 70 and those on qualifying benefits will be free of charge.
As part of the scheme householders will be able to find out more about fitting their home with solar photovoltaic (electricity generating) panels and will also be offered the opportunity to access a range of local community services and referrals to other initiatives.
Residents will initially receive written information through their door, followed up by a visit from an Insulate Hampshire Energy Advisor. If the resident decides to join the scheme a technical survey will also be carried out to assess the suitability of the property for the insulation measures.
Having advisors in your home requires a great deal of trust on your part. Residents, particularly vulnerable groups, are often wary of allowing relatively unknown companies access to their homes. All Insulate Hampshire Assessors will have had Criminal Records Bureau checks and will be wearing branded clothing and carrying a photographic ID.
For more information on Insulate Hampshire
Freephone: 0800 952 0037
27th July 2011
A large whitish/grey van, Reg. No ?349 4OL, was backing into the drive of a Farringdon residence this morning (Wednesday 27th July) where building materials were visible. It is thought the driver and mate assumed the premises were unoccupied at the time, but when challenged, asked if there was any scrap metal to sell, then drove off.
The police are following this up, and ask anyone who sees this van to report it using 0845 045 45 45.
Recent criminal incidents around the Alton area include thefts of a wrought iron bench, a bicycle, a quod bike and a catalytic converter from a parked car. A garden shed was also broken into.
13th July 2011
The following circular has been receive from the Hampshire Constabulary: 101 Single Non-Emergency Number (SNEN)
Beginning this month, 101 will be rolled out nationally to all police forces in England. The roll-out will start in London and the south of England, with more forces coming online each month moving north, and will probably be completed by the end of this calendar year. This means that by early next year, people will be able to dial 101 wherever they are if they want to talk to the police about non-urgent matters. 101 becomes a true alternative to 999. You will even be able to dial 101 from Dorset if you want to talk to Hampshire Police, as callers will be given the option of either speaking to the local force relevant to their current location, or to any other force in the country.
From July 2011 calls to 101 will cost 15p for the entire call, no matter how long the call or what time of day it is. This applies to both landlines and mobile phones. For the first time ever, everyone calling the police for non-emergency matters will know exactly how much it will cost them and will be assured of equal access whether they are on a pay-as-you-go mobile or a home landline. For many, this will be cheaper than the current cost of calling the police for non-emergencies - calls to some existing police non-emergency numbers (such as 0845) can cost up to 40p per minute on pay-as-you-go tariffs.
The original 10p tariff was set for the pilot programme in 2006 and as the 101 number is now being introduced nationally it has been necessary to increase the cost to the caller to ensure that the service remains financially sustainable. Police forces and government receive no money from calls to 101 – all charges go to the telephony companies to cover the cost of carrying the calls.
Sue Gibson -
Force Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator
Partnerships & Neighbourhoods
Public Services
Hampshire Constabulary 0845 0454545 - CRIMESTOPPERS: 0800 5551118th July 2011
Hampshire Constabulary have asked us to alert you that there have been reported instances around the County where people are calling door to door offering loft insulation. Such persons carry no identification, wear diverse outfits, some smart, some scruffy and some high visibility work wear. They do not appear to know which company they work for and some have been asking if they can enter people’s homes to look into their lofts.The Hampshire County Council Insulate Hampshire legitimate scheme will be starting on 26 July 2011. A leaflet/letter will be delivered to households prior to the canvassing and their canvassers will carry identity cards and wear a distinctive orange uniform. There will also be a telephone number for concerned residents to call should they be worried.15th May 2011
Hampshire Constabulary has requested us to circulate the following alerts from the Hampshire Trading Standards Service:
Residents are receiving telephone calls stating that, as their payment records for paying the Council Tax over the past few years has been impeccable, the Government has agreed to make an immediate refund. Could they please provide bank details to enable a BACS transfer to be made? DO NOT supply or confirm any personal, banking or card details to anyone who makes contact with you.
There are traders cold calling offering paving, driveway work, etc. with no provision of contract paperwork and provision of consumers right to cancel. Trading Standards recommend obtaining three quotes from reputable traders, or recognised Trade Associations.
Hampshire County Council offer a Buy With Confidence Scheme at www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk
Anyone with concerns can ring the Quick Response Team at 01962-833 666April 2011
Farringdon Neighbourhood Watch
If anyone would like a Neighbourhood Watch sticker for their door, the round yellow ones, please let me know. A whole lot more, 100.000, are due to be printed.
Updates of criminal incidents around the Alton area, include:-
A distraction burglary at the Sainsbury carpark. If someone holds out a big map and asks the way to somewhere, watch out for the chap behind him rummaging in your shopping bag.
Staddlestones and flower pots have been stolen at Froyle.
100 m of lead sheet has been taken from an office site in Selborne. Selborne has been hit again with a theft of electric cable insulation
Jewelry thieves are active in the area. A window was forced during daylight hours in Selborne, and other jewelry thefts have taken place in Farnham, Medstead and Four Marks. Two men acting suspiciously were seen.
In Bentley, a teenaged boy on a bicycle, exposed himself to a woman walking her dog.
Our Hampshire Neighbourhood Watch chairman, Jan van de Nadort, recommends the revamped website - www.hantsnwa.org.uk , and, especially for the young at heart, a Facebook site, 'Hampshire Neighbourhood Watch Association'.
On 10th July in Alton, the "Make it Happen" team from Amery Hill School, is holding "Butserquest", to choose the best bands for, well, "Butserquest"!. What is it? Go and find out. EHDC Community Safety hope to have a Safety stand there, all about drugs, alchohol, safe sex, dometic abuse and internet safety.
March 2011
Two residents in Farringdon, not far from each other, have recently reported the following incidents that occurred last Saturday and Sunday morning (5th and 6th March):
"On Sunday morning around 12.30 am someone knocked on our door and then went around the back making quite a lot of noise (there may have been more than one person). We were out at the time but our baby sitter was very scared and called her mother for assistance although by the time she arrived he/they had gone. We think our dog may have scared them off. We are not quite sure what to make of it and think that someone may have been reconnoitring as we have building works underway (but why knock on the door?). None of our neighbours noticed or heard anything. We have reported it to the police and secured the back."
"On Saturday at about midnight someone came through our side gate. Our daughter thought it was me and did not think anything of it and then, whoever it was, went away again. A similar thing happened at a neighbouring property a couple of minutes later. So be extra cautious at locking doors and windows."
Recently there have been a large number of reports of thefts of lead, domestic heating fuel, vehicle parts, contents inside vehicles, building materials, garden furniture and equipment, etc. in the vicinity of Farringdon. We have been fortunate not to have had reports of many thefts in the recent past but nevertheless it is very important that all of us remain very alert and vigilant.
Should something odd or suspicious happen near you try to take down as much detail as possible of what was seen and call the local Police on the non-emergency number 0845 045 45 45 (or dial 101). Then call your Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator.
If you witness an obvious criminal act waste no time, call 999. This gives the Police the best chance of making an arrest. Then take down as much detail as possible of what was seen and call your Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator.
Be methodical in your observations. Write down all the relevant details carefully e.g. time of day, how many and descriptions of people involved, what they were doing, car registration number, make and colour, what exactly you found disturbing.
Adopt a questioning mind rather than assume that an unusual occurrence is innocent. Question in your mind if there could be a criminal activity developing. Do not confront criminals yourself - get help. You can however challenge strangers in a non-confrontational way to confirm their activities are legitimate. The question "Can I help you?" is a good opening gambit.
Talk to your neighbours. They may also have observed something. Don't keep it to yourself. You may have witnessed something others have also observed. Your contribution could be vital to the Police who may find your information to be the missing part of the jigsaw. If in doubt call the Police. Real life situations are never clear-cut.
Crimestoppers have a telephone line 0800 555 111 for receiving information on criminals anonymously. The call is free.
The following was received from a recent resident of our village, now living elsewhere:
A telephone call, purportedly from the "Ministry of Justice", offered to recover any charges which may have been made illegally by Credit Card companies. The call was followed up by a glossy folder through the post with a request to send a prepayment for handling charges. The police have confirmed that this is a SCAM.
We repeat - "If it seems too good to be true, it is probably not true".
Some useful phone numbers:
Accuread 0800 393 499 Atlantic Electric and Gas 0870 013 2080 British Gas 0845 966 8866 BT 0800 321 999 Countrywide Gas 01386 757333 London Energy 0845 603 9261 Npower 0845 601 1102 Powergen 0500 240 500 Scottish Power 0800 400200 Southern Electric 0800 622 838 Southern Water 0845 278 0845 Transco (to confirm gas supplier) 0870 608 1524
Trading Standards would like details of spurious callers passed on to them, 01962 833620. Should anyone feel threatened, call the Quick Response Team, 01962 833666. Their Scambusters Team offer a particular warning about tarmac layers who have been cold calling and ripping-off victims.Your Neighbourhood Watch will endeavour to pass on alerts and anything pertinent to safety, to everyone as promptly as possible. You should receive these either directly or from the co-ordinator in your area, so you will know who he or she is should you need to contact them. The easiest and quickest way for us to communicate is by e-mail, and if you would like to join the e-mail list, please inform your local co-ordinator. E-mail is kept strictly confidential and used solely for NHW matters. If for any reason you are not hearing from us, please contact your co-ordinator or myself. My phone number is in the Village Magazine. Please let us know if you do not wish to receive communications from NHW.
The Office of Trading Standards warn us to beware of scams, such as Fake Lotteries, Prize Draw Wins, Bogus Psychic Predictions, (the mind boggles), Get Rich Quick Investment Cons and Miracle Health Cures. Three million people a year are falling victim to these scams.
Foreign Lotteries are a particular problem at the moment, sometimes using genuine names, 'El Gordo', 'La Primitiva', 'El Mundo', 'Euro Millions'. Anything that asks for personal or bank details, or a cheque, is suspect.
Iain RossReporting E-mail Scams
Hampshire County Council Trading Standards Service have advised us that any Hampshire resident can notify them of e-mail scams at the following e-mail address: Scamnesty@hants.gov.uk
You need not worry if you find it difficult to differentiate between an e-mail scam and spam (see below) – they will accept notifications of either. As with postal scams they are recording these for intelligence purposes and will only contact you if they need further information.
If you have fallen for a scam and/or need specific advice or help you should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or via their website at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
Useful phone numbers
Alton Police Station - 0845 045 45 45
Emergency - 999
Crime Stoppers -
0800 555111
Iain
Ross
Scheme Coordinator - Email
Tel: 588-349
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