Neighbourhood Watch

1) To improve and maintain the quality of the area.
2) To reduce opportunities for crime.
3) To encourage people to be caring neighbours and look after mutual interests.
4) To improve communications between residents, the Local Authority & Police and to deter criminal elements.

Neighbourhood Watch is concerned with prevention and deterrence of crime and encouraging a pro-security culture for the village.

Through communication & cooperation, neighbours can work together to protect and improve their community by:

1) Reporting suspicious people and incidents to the police.
2) Keeping “an eye” on neighbours’ properties and
3) Sharing awareness between Police and Local Authority about crime problems and community issues & how they could be tackled
which can impact on the community’s well being.

Do you only consider the scheme when renewing your house insurance? Or, do you feel that to be a member you have to be nosy? Perhaps you are concerned enough about your neighbourhood and would like to try to make a difference?

A local scheme can bring together neighbours to discuss issues of concern, to work together for everyone’s benefit and help build community spirit. It can reduce the opportunity for criminal activity by making it difficult for would-be criminals to act. Belonging to an active and visible scheme acts as a deterrent against criminal activity and anti-social behaviour. The fear of crime is often reduced. Most people’s fear of crime is far greater than the chances of its actually happening. It can be very reassuring to some vulnerable groups to know that their neighbours are looking out for them.

Whilst many areas of the village have a NHW scheme in place some have no representation. If you do not have a local scheme and would like to start one, contact 01785 235 938.

I would like to introduce myself, my name is Lee Evans one of the ESBC Neighbourhood Wardens, as a team we have been patrolling the Borough on a rotation basis, however, this has now changed, and we now have a set area.

My Wards are Needwood, Branston, Yoxall, Stretton, Rolleston-on-Dove, Tutbury and Outwoods.

We have a very varied role and are able to deal with a vast array of issues, such as:-

• We provide a visible presence in the areas
• We act as the eyes and ears of the council and other agencies
• We report issues such as fly tipping, graffiti, abandoned vehicles and anti- social behaviour.
• We give educational talks on recycling, waste reduction, littering and dog fouling.
• We attend community events.
• We tackle environmental crime such as littering and dog fouling, by way of Fixed Penalty Notices, or prosecution.
• We enforce on bins left on the street.
• We work alongside many organisations such as:- Staffordshire Police, Fire and Rescue Service, Social Housing Companies, Trading Standards, Young Peoples Services, Parish Councillors, Ward Councillors, Schools, Community Groups and Residents.
• We aim to engage residents in identifying issues in their area and looking at ways to address them.

Litter
Litter is an unsightly problem within our Borough and we as Neighbourhood Wardens are continuing to work towards reducing it. As well as being a visual problem, litter is also harmful to the environment and attracts vermin.

The Facts
• Litter costs the tax payer £550 million a year to clean up in the UK
• To clean the streets across the whole of East Staffordshire costs this authority £970,000 per year.
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 defines "Litter as any item including
Chewing Gum And Cigarette Ends thrown, dropped or deposited on any open
space accessible to the public and left".

Fixed Penalty Notices For Litter
The Neighbourhood Wardens have the authority to issue on the spot £75 fixed penalty notices under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005, to anyone seen dropping litter.

Dog Fouling And Dog Control Orders (DCOs)
Sections 55 To 67 Of The Clean Neighbourhoods And Environment Act 2005

Offences that may result in a Fixed Penalty Notice:
• Failing to remove dog faeces
• Not keeping a dog on a lead
• Not putting, and keeping, a dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer
• Permitting a dog to enter land from which dogs are excluded

Court Action
Littering is a criminal offence for which you can be taken to Court and if found guilty can face a fine of up to a maximum of £2500 and a criminal conviction. However, our Neighbourhood Wardens can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice instead of taking you to Court.

The penalty for committing an offence under The Dog Control Orders is a maximum fine of currently £1000.

The Neighbourhood Wardens have the power to require the name and address of a person they wish to issue with a fixed penalty notice. Failure to supply details or to give false information to an authorised officer is an offence for which a maximum fine of £1000.

Please feel free contact me on:-
Office: 01283 508526
Mobile: 07966455647
E-mail: lee.evans@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk
Alternative E-mail: wardens@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk.

- and take a look at the my warden page at www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk

Crime for the 4 month period decreased compared with the previous quarter. However, though antisocial behaviour/criminal damage reduced there was a substantial increase in theft that included 5 instances of theft from vehicles. Three of the 6 instances of burglary concerned outbuildings. OWL notification sent out 8 scam alerts, 8 crime alerts concerning areas in the near vicinity of Rolleston, 6 notification updates and 1 rogue trader alert. Please keep all easily removable items out of sight and premises appropriately locked. Monthly information on actual crimes can be viewed on the Police national web site (www.police.uk)

With the change of police structures, the officers assigned to Rolleston & Tutbury are Lesley Hardware (PCSO), Roy Musgrove (PC), Sergeants Chris Beckett & Garry Sargent and Inspector Daniel Ison. Inspector Steve Maskey replaces Phil Fortune in Burton and Uttoxeter. The new Assistant Chief Constable for Staffordshire is Julian Blazeby responsible for Local Policing and Operational Services.

Locally, inconsiderate parking around John of Rolleston School is being tackled by the Ziggy and Zaggy scheme. PCSO Lesley Hardware, in partnership with Staffordshire Road Safety Officers and pupils from year 6 will patrol the area identifying vehicles causing obstruction. The children will take the details of the vehicle and issue a card, designed by themselves, urging parents to park safely, we hope the initiative will encourage parents to think about where they park, making it safe for pupils to walk too and from school.

There have been a number of incidents of bogus callers stating that they are from the water board. Always check identification, which will include the person’s name, user identification and the telephone number of the organisation that you can ring to verify. Never allow anyone in your property if you are unsure of their identity. If you suspect a bogus caller at your door immediately ring 999.

Due to the number of bicycles that have been stolen in the past few months in East Staffordshire, local Police Officers will be doing regular checks on cyclists in the coming weeks to confirm that they are the owner of the bicycle, so please do not be offended if you are stopped whilst on your travels in the near future.

Staffordshire police have changed their non-emergency number to 101 replacing the 0300 123 4455 number. 101 is being introduced nationally to all police forces and calls to the new number will cost 15 pence no matter how long the call is or what time of the day it is. The emergency number remains the same (999).

The Fire Service advise that smoke alarm batteries may be affected by a drop in temperature and begin to bleep periodically, signalling a low battery. You should be able to test the alarm by pushing a button on it. For advice on Fire Angel brand alarms call 0800 141 2561. If not or you have any in doubts call Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service 0800 team on 0800 0241 999 for advice, replacement battery or free call out.

The Staffordshire Fire Service will be around Rolleston on Dove over the next month or so giving advice in a TRV designated vehicle. Please feel free to ask their advice.

Burton Police Station public front counter in Horninglow Street is open from 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 5pm on Sunday.

Staffordshire Police will be changing their non-emergency number. As of Tuesday 8th November 2011 the non emergency number will change to 101 and will replace 0300 123 4455. 101 is being introduced nationally to all police forces and calls to the new number will cost 15 pence no matter how long the call is and what time of the day it is dialled. Please make a note of this new number and pass it onto friends, family and neighbours. Remember, in an emergency always dial 999.

The Staffordshire Police Citizens' Panel provides a 'voice' for the diverse communities of Staffordshire in key decisions of Staffordshire Police and the development and review of its services. The Panel is currently made up of 3,000 people from across Staffordshire who regularly share their views and ideas on a wide range of policing issues. We would like to increase our panel membership so that we can give even more people living in Staffordshire a strong and credible voice in the decisions we make.

Read the latest neighbourhood newsletters for Tutbury & Rolleston here. You can get an email when they update it by visiting the site and then subscribing to the page (bottom right of page).

There has been a lack of support for Neighbourhood Watch quarterly meetings since this time last year. Therefore, the following changes are being introduced

1) Neighbourhood Watch quarterly meetings will cease to be held
2) A quarterly NHW report will be presented to the Rolleston on Dove Liaison Committee meeting regarding crime matters and if there were particular item/s concerning Neighbourhood Watch a special meeting would be held as required.
3) This report will be sent via OWL to the co-ordinators (by email).
4) This report will form the basis for entry in the Rollestonian. Lesley Hardware would add comments to the report and the joint effort would be forwarded for publication

It is considered that the above arrangements would reach a far wider audience far more effectively than current arrangements.

Although crime increased during the period; with theft, criminal damage & burglary incidents resulting in 17 incidents, it mainly concerned sheds and garages (some of which were insecure). Therefore, I ask everyone to keep sheds, cars and out buildings secure, remain vigilant and keep an eye on neighbouring properties and not give criminals opportunities.

As a point of clarification please note that locally issued crime figures will NOT necessarily agree with the information on the Police National web site (www.police.uk). Certain incidents (such as those classified as domestic) are not included in local crime figures and the areas covered (under Rolleston) are not exactly the same.

Police reorganisation continues following new Police structures introduced in April. The 4 divisions & 21 neighbourhood policing units were replaced with 9 local policing teams with boundaries that are coterminous with local authority boundaries. Therefore, the officers so far designated covering the Tutbury & Rolleston Neighbourhood are Inspector Stephen Burton, PCSO Lesley Hardware and Police Officer Roy Musgrove.

Included in these changes is a new Protecting Vulnerable People Department that will deal with criminals who target the most vulnerable members of society. A new joint Police Authority Committee has been set up led by Douglas Paxton (Staffordshire’s Deputy Chief Constable).

The Neighbourhood Watch system is being extended with “Farm Watch” and other watches (rural, horse, business, shop, forecourt & pub) in the process of being implemented. A number of local farms are on the alert system.

There have been numerous reports of scrap metal merchants taking items from people’s front and rear gardens without permission in the East Staffordshire area. With this in mind the police would like to advise that:

1) Any items that are not scrap metal should be locked away as securely as possible and not left on view.
2) Any scrap metal is removed from the property as soon as possible

If you see any scrap metal merchants acting suspiciously please contact the police immediately, preferably with the registration number, vehicle details and descriptions of the persons involved. The police are carrying out regular checks to ensure scrap metal merchants are bona fide.

A census has been carried out every ten years since 1801 (except for 1941) to find out more about the population and about the make-up of local neighbourhoods. The next census in England and Wales will take place on 27 March 2011, when the Office for National Statistics (ONS) will be sending out questionnaires for around 25 million households to complete. The questionnaires will be delivered by post, arriving throughout March, in large white envelopes with a bright purple logo on - you can't miss it!

The census asks about work, health, national identity, citizenship, ethnic background, education, second homes, language, religion, marital status and so on. These statistics are then used to build a picture of today's society. Everything you tell the census will be in strictest confidence and will only be used to produce statistics. ONS will not share your personal information with any other government department or organisation.

You'll be able to do it online, or by post. But you must do it. Following census day, our Census Collectors will be out and about in the community, encouraging and helping people complete their form. If you haven't returned your census questionnaire, they'll be knocking on your door, to see if you need help or assistance with it. They will carry official ID and will not ask to enter your house, and please remember, they're there to help you. However, if you're not comfortable with opening the door, the easiest way to avoid any visits is simply to return your census form soon after census day!

We have been receiving reports of elderly residents who have been persuaded by a telephone cold caller salesperson, to arranged a home visit from a sales representative or trades person. Whilst telephone cold calling is not illegal and the companies who have been reported to us have turned out to be legitimate. Not bogus! It has caused some Rolleston residents considerable concern. With clever sales technique's, residents have given over personal information on the telephone and have agreed to unknown person attending their home.

Advice given to residents is that unless you have invited a salesperson to make contact you are not obliged to speak with them. We advise not to give out personal information on the telephone or at your door to persons unknown to you. Even if they use your name and make out they have had dealings with you before. These are often sales techniques used to build up confidence.

Never let any person’s into your home without first asking for their ID card & checking its authenticity. ID cards should have the picture of the card holder, along with their name & company name. Ask for the company telephone number, which you can ring to verify if the sales/tradesperson is legitimate. If in doubt do not let them in !

If you have a suspicious caller or need any further advice please call Burton Police station on telephone number 101 (replaced previous 0300 123 44 55 in November 2011) or call your local officers on the numbers below…

Did you know in 2008 we averaged less than one house burglary a day in the whole of Burton.

Neighbourhood Watch is about supporting and engaging with communities while encouraging them to look out for each other. Owl was born from the frustration of enthusiastic NHW member who found that there were no tools tailored specifically to support Neighbourhood Watch. OWL has streamlined the process managing neighbourhood watches where information can be shared between participants in real time via the Internet.

OWL can handle email, fax, print, phone & text messaging with a suite of cohesive and user-friendly tools. One of its major advantages is that the Police/PCSOs can send crime messages/information direct to members and members will be able to reply directly to Police/PCSOs, thereby improving the police/NHW links. OWL works on multiple levels for many types of users:

Police (NHW administrators, support staff, community officers etc).
Coordinators of areas, wards and streets
Residents (watch members)

Provides powerful, accessible & practical tools at all levels
Empowers volunteers & victims
Increases coverage of Neighbourhood Watch
Builds stronger ties with communities
Supports neighbourhood policing policies
Ensures watches remain active
Increases street level intelligence
Ultimately helps to reduce crime (evidence shows a correlation between active watches and lower crime rates)

David Jones NHW Co-ordinator for East Staffs
Roy Musgrove PC covers Rolleston area
Lesley Hardware PSCO covers Rolleston area
Local Coordinators cover streets

Local Neighbourhood Watch meetings take place quarterly on the 1st Tuesday of the months of December, March, June and September. You are invited to attend, to raise any concerns you may have and learn how to keep crime at bay in the Rolleston area. Details of the meetings are published on the village notice boards up to two weeks before the meeting date. The next meeting is on 7th December at 7.30pm in the St Mary’s Old Grammar School, Church Road

David Jones has been appointed as the Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Co-ordinator for East Staffs. The OWL messaging information system to local co-ordinators is, therefore, fully operational.

If any local co-ordinators are not receiving updates please contact David Jones on 01785 238442 or email - david.jones11219@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk (to be re-instated).

Those who would like to know more about the Neighbourhood Watch local crime alert system called OWL, can also contact David. Will all Rollestonians support the efforts of the local co-ordinators and the police by reporting crime and suspicious behaviour.

The next NHW quarterly meeting is on Tuesday 7th September 2010 at 7.30pm in St Mary's Old Grammar School, Church Road. All residents are invited to attend our open meetings to find out more about how Neighbourhood Watch works in the village, and raise any concerns you may have.

Details of the meetings are published on the village notice boards one to two weeks before the meeting date.

In April, May and June 2010, there were 38% fewer incidents of anti social behaviour in the Neighbourhood Policing area of Anslow, Hanbury, Needwood, Upper Outwoods, Rolleston and Tutbury, than in the same three months of 2009. When compared with the rest of Staffordshire the number of incidents in this area is average.

The Police and Local Authority take anti social behaviour seriously and we are working closely with our partners to ensure that the number of incidents continues to decline. There are many ways you can report anti social behaviour:

• To your local neighbourhood police team on 0300 1234455
• To the community safety officer on 01283 508000 or online at www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk
• To Registered Social Landlords e.g. Trent and Dove
• To your Local Councillor

You can find out more information about anti- social behaviour and what’s being done to tackle it on the anti-social behaviour pages of East Staffordshire Borough council website www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/Services/AntiSocialBehaviour

There will be a Neighbourhood Watch Meeting at 7.30pm followed by a Police Surgery at approx 8.30pm on Tuesday 2nd March in the Old Grammar School.

The meeting and surgery will be attended by PCSOs Lesley Hardware and Katie Fellows.

All residents are welcome. It is not necessary to attend the meeting to see the PCSOs at the surgery and discuss any issues that you wish to raise on a one to one basis

The burglaries at houses always cause most concern. At one a valuable 4 x 4 was stolen along with a quantity of electrical items. I gather that the vehicle has been recovered after its registered number and chassis details had been altered and was bought by an unsuspecting person after being advertised in a car magazine. The purchaser is now a lot of money worse off, and the thief somewhat better off !.

In a more positive note I gather that, following a call from a local resident, two well known and good quality burglars from some distance away were arrested in Rolleston for non related matters. It just goes to show you never know who is in the area.

We always advise that householders take all precautions with their security. You would be surprised how many houses are left unlocked or windows open ( not that this was the case in the above burglary.) If you are concerned I suggest that you contact a local alarm company to come in and advise you as to the best type of alarm to suit you and your circumstances.

If you would like to know more about the new Neighbourhood Watch crime alert system called OWL that lets you know about local crime please contact simon.bullen@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk - why not try and be one step ahead of thieves !

Although I have given my e-mail address above, I will soon be retiring from my job as Neighbourhood Watch Manager. I would like to thank all of the members for their support and assistance over the past few years in their efforts to make Rolleston a safer and a better place to live. You should already be getting messages from your local PCSOs’ who started sending all crime messages to you since the beginning of June.

Two or three months ago there was a worrying spate of house burglaries in the Rolleston area. The focus for the thieves’ attention was breaking into houses for the car keys for high power cars. The Police believe that the offenders were not local, and in fact two of the stolen cars were found some distance away. Luckily, these burglaries appear to have stopped at the moment.

Over the past few weeks the focus of attention appears to have shifted to break-ins at local churches, with two being attacked in the Rolleston area, and in one case attempts were made to remove the safe. There have been several other similar church break-ins in the surrounding area, which are believed to be the work of the same team. If you live near the churches please keep an extra careful eye open.

Date	Location	Crime
01/01/09	The Lawns	Burglary – window forced – wallet/cash stolen
06/01/09	Beacon Drive	Vauxhall car damaged – repeat incident
09/01/09	Twenty Lands	Burglary, back door forced, owners on hols, lot of property stolen
13/01/09	Beacon Road	Burglary – door forced – keys for Audi car taken – car stolen
16/01/09	Station Road	Caravan – two gas bottles stolen
19/01/09	Brookside	Car window smashed & entered but offenders disturbed
20/01/09	Dove Lea	Car window smashed
21/01/09	Glebe Close	Door Locks damaged on Fiat – nothing stolen
23/01/09	Church Road	Burglary – house broken into – tools stolen
28/01/09	The Lawns	2 men offered to do tarmac work – conned other people in area
30/01/09	Elizabeth Avenue	Youths – anti social behaviour
07/02/09	Anslow Lane	Empty house broken into and power tools stolen
15/02/09	Church Road	Burglary – car keys stolen – Audi car stolen following burglary
15/02/09	Church Road	Burglary – car keys stolen – Volvo car stolen following burglary
20/02/09	The Lawns	Food, alcohol & pedal cycles stolen from garage
08/03/09	Beacon Drive	Suspicious male in area at 3.00am
12/03/09	Church Road	Farm machinery stolen
21/03/09	St Mary’s Church	Doors forced, attempt to steal safe
22/03/09	Methodist Church	Pane of glass removed, church entered, nothing stolen
22/03/09	The Lawns	Complaints of mopeds nuisance
02/04/09	Walford Road	13/14 yr olds throwing stones
23/04/09	Home Farm	Possible attempt to steal car after tarpaulin was removed

Crime Mapping East Staffordshire Borough Council (Number of crimes per 1000 people)

At this time of year garden equipment theft always rears its head, and there has been at least one theft from sheds in the last few weeks. Householders are asked to be extra careful and keep sheds locked. But consider chaining large items together, and permanently marking valuable items by scratching your postcode into them. You would be surprised as to the value of the contents of your shed !!

The new Neighbourhood watch messaging system has now gone live, and if you would like to see what it is all about crank log onto www.owl.co.uk . If you would like to find out about local crime this may be of interest to you. It also gives lots of other information such as planning applications If you would like to learn more please use the online application form.

Two new Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s), Katie Fellows & Jenny Black, are now operating in the Rolleston and Stretton areas to back up your local beat officer Pc Dave Lear.

If you would like to hear more about Neighbourhood Watch please come along to the next Rolleston meeting which is at the Old School Room, St Mary’s Church on Tuesday 2nd June at 8.15pm, hopefully one or both of the PCSO’s will be there. Please note revised time for this meeting only.

Please take care and look after your property, don’t let somebody else walk away with it!!!!! If you do see anything of concern do please ring the police on crime number 0300 123 4455

Simon Bullen, Neighbourhood Watch Manager, Staffordshire Police
John Wyers Chairman Rolleston NHW

At the Parish Council meeting held on the 9th June, Councillor Mr Morris advised that Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) were allocated on the basis of need; higher crime related locations receiving greater allocation of resources.

- to the detriment of the local community and policing in general. With the current resources of 14 PCSOs for the Burton area, low crime related areas, in certain circumstances, may not receive any allocation of resource.

Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) assists the police in reporting and intelligence gathering, but relies on everyone in the community to report crime or suspicious activity however minor it can appear at the time.

Therefore, can I urge everyone (not just NHW co-ordinators) to report crime or suspicious events to 0300 123 4455. (In an emergency still dial 999).

Rolleston is very fortunate in that two new volunteers have come forward to coordinate this important function for the village. They introduce themselves below –

I have volunteered to be the chairman of Neighbourhood Watch for the village of Rolleston on Dove. Initially from a background in industry, I worked in the National Health Service for 35 years before retiring in February 2007. Whilst in the Health Service I trained in security and risk management including the law, incident investigation, prevention and deterrence.

I have lived in Rolleston now for 30 years and worked for the local educational authority for 27 years with disaffected adolescents .I have a particular interest in the environment and ensuring Rolleston continues to be a safe and pleasant place to live for everyone and in particular for the future.

I have been involved with neighbourhood watch for Fairfield Avenue for a number of years and have taken on the post of Secretary because I am anxious for N.W. to continue in Rolleston and as I feel it serves a very useful purpose.

NOTE: Reporting of crime should primarily go through the Police on 101 (non-emergency) or
don't forget Crimestoppers - it's free confidential and you may receive a reward for information

If there is any danger or risk to life, or a crime is in progress, please dial 999.

PC Roy Musgrove 0300 123 2345 04168
PCSO Lesley Hardware 0300 123 2345 16848

Burglary + attempted Burglary	10 (6+4)
Criminal Damage	1
Theft	11
Graffiti on play area	2

Burglary + 1 attempted Burglary	7 (6+1)
Criminal Damage	6
Theft + 1 Attempted Theft	6 (5 + 1)
Anti-Social Behaviour	3
Break-in	1

Burglary Dwellings	2
Attempted Burglary Dwellings	1
Theft from Motor Vehicle	2
Criminal damage	1
Theft of Motor vehicles	2

	Nov	Dec	Jan	Av	Burglary	Robbery	Vehicle Crime	Violence	ASB
2007/9	7.7	6.2	5.8	6.6	0.8	0.0	0.7	0.6	3.2
2008/9	5.9	6.0	5.4	5.8	0.6	0.1	0.6	0.6	2.7