http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/ Latest news and information from the Neighbourhood Watch en Neighbourhood Watch Copyright 2012 2012-05-16T13:44:29+00:00 http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/whats_on_the_wwwourwatchorguk_website/ Find a scheme: Find your nearest Neighbourhood Watch or Home Watch scheme via the postcode search at www.ourwatch.org.uk/your_local_area. You can click on the scheme name for more information and use the links on the right hand side to join the scheme or send a message to the coordinator.Your Neighbourhood Policing Team: Enter your postcode at www.ourwatch.org.uk/your_local_area and click on ‘Local community information’. Scroll down to the crime statistics and click on ‘Meet the team’. This will tell you all about your local Neighbourhood Policing Team, including their contact information.Your region: Go to www.ourwatch.org.uk/our_work/in_the_regions and click on your region to find links, resources and news relevant to where you live.Safety advice: The pages at www.ourwatch.org.uk/safety_advice give safety advice for the home, out and about and online.Resources: View case studies, toolkits, useful documents and customisable publicity materials at www.ourwatch.org.uk/resource_centre. 2012-01-18T16:00:40+00:00 http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/sussex_police_looking_for_missing_people/ PS Lorna Dennison-Wilkins, from the Specialist Search Unit, and one of Sussex Police’s Search Advisors, shared her experience in a blog on the Sussex Police website. She explained what it’s like from the police perspective to search for missing people, and the important part played by volunteers including Neighbourhood Watch Search Teams, SusSAR and Lowland Search Dogs Sussex.Recently we’ve had quite a few missing people so I thought it would be relevant to talk about our Police procedures and how we all work together to find a missing person.When someone goes missing their absence is usually noted by family or friends, and the first thing that happens is that a phone call comes into the police contact centre. A police officer is then dispatched to take a missing person report and they try to find out as much as possible about the person as this will help us find them. At this point we usually ask the family members if they agree to media coverage should this become necessary at a later point.The missing person report goes back to the police station and is put onto the computer system; around this time the person is graded as high, medium or low risk depending on their vulnerability. Examples of the reasons why a risk may increase are age (young or elderly), or if the person suffers from illnesses like depression, drug dependency, alcoholism, Alzheimer’s or other issues. The duty Inspector at the particular police station will be in charge of investigating the missing person report but usually the duty sergeant will run the investigation and delegate enquiries so it progresses as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.If the person is classed as high risk then the Inspector will call out a police search advisor (PolSA), this could be any time of the day or night. I am a PolSA so am quite used to getting these calls. We’re usually told the reference number and circumstances and then we’ll check that all initial enquiries have been done (like searching the home address and the place where the person went missing from and checking the hospitals and other lines of enquiry) and make a judgement call of whether or not there is an area for us to physically search. If there is an identified area that could be searched I get myself to a police computer and read all of the report and see what enquiries have been done so far. I then identify the areas that need searching and what resources I’m going to use. Big members of our search community are the Neighbourhood Watch Search Volunteers, Sussex Search and Rescue and the Lowland Search Dogs. They are highly trained and regulated and I think they are just wonderful. They are charitable organisations and good people give up their time for free, all for the sake of others - the missing person and their loved ones. You can read more about our volunteers and a great example of how we all worked together to find a missing man in my previous blog ‘Serving Sussex’ and see videos with some of the Guys talking about what they do in ‘A search in the night’. Police search trained officers, police dog units and of course the SSU would also be involved in the search.As PolSA’s we have access to a data set that gives typical behaviour for certain people when they go missing. For example it will tell us how far people in certain categories usually walk and if a person wants to take their own life how they may do this. We work from this data, but we prefer to have personal information about the individual we are looking for - we call this ‘lifestyle’ information. Such information could be areas where the missing person has had happy times or feels comfortable, or friends that they may have in particular places, then we may search the routes to these places and the areas themselves. You can read more about the practical searching of the places in the above mentioned blogs.Missing person investigations are a real team effort. The report stays with the sergeant at the local police station and it gets reviewed (at a minimum) at the change of every shift - at least three times a day to see how it’s progressing. Over time it will have further in depth reviews by the sergeant, the PolSA and the Detective Inspector for the Division. Every effort goes into trying to find that person and making sure they are safe. As a result of the investigation you all get familiar with that person and their life, and you speak regularly with their loved ones. A PolSA or search officer will enter their home and search their personal environment in an attempt to try and understand them, and we will then direct our search to where we think they may have gone. Last week, when I was looking for a missing man from East Sussex, I realised that because you find out as much as possible about the lives of the people you are looking for, you then worry about them even though you don’t know them. That person becomes personalised to you and I find I feel I know them a little. I wonder each day if they have been found and inevitably the first thing I find myself doing in the morning before I book on duty is to log onto the missing person database to see if they are still missing or not.If I feel this anguish without even knowing that person, I can only imagine how the families and friends suffer, and I will always continue to do my best to minimise the pain that the missing person and their loved ones must feel.Tue 15 May 2012-05-16T13:44:29+00:00 http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/crimestoppers_claw_at_cat_thieves/ Crimestoppers Claw at ‘Cat’ Thieves Crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers is calling for information on catalytic Converter thieves across West Midlands region. The campaign is being run across West Midlands, Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Staffordshire. The aim is to increase the amount of information coming to Crimestoppers about thieves of catalytic converters and other metal. Hundreds of 'cats' have been stolen across the region, mainly from high vehicles such as 4 x 4's and lorries as they are easier for the thief to get underneath. Crimestoppers Regional Manager for West Midlands, Pauline Hadley said: "Crimestoppers wants to encourage the public to fight back against the metal thieves who are creating severe disruption for local people and costing millions to the UK economy. "We want to scrap the metal thieves and those who care can help us by giving any information they might have, about those stealing metal, anonymously to Crimestoppers. We don‟t want to know who you are, only what you know and you might even qualify for a reward which is also paid anonymously." To pass on information about catalytic converter and metal thieves, or any crime, please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through our secure online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. ENDS Metal thefts cost the UK economy around £770 million per year and cause major disruption to individuals and communities alike and include the theft of manhole covers, lead from church roofs and the stealing of war memorials. For more information on Crimestoppers please contact Pauline Hadley on 07743 895643 or at pauline.hadley@crimestoppers-uk.org 2012-05-15T08:46:06+00:00 http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/problem_solving_award_winners/ Innovative police projects win praiseAdded: 14/05/2012New ways of tackling excessive drinking among young people, stopping criminals re-offending and crime fighting in the community were all recognised in the Avon and Somerset Police Problem Solving Awards. Today (Monday May 14) Avon and Somerset Police recognised three projects for finding innovative solutions to community problems at the annual Problem Solving Awards ceremony.Sergeant Andy Owen, who organised this year's awards, said: "The standard of entries this year was really high. We were delighted to have received such a huge variety of entries from across the force area, demonstrating that police officers and staff have worked tirelessly together with communities to resolve the issues that really matter to people."This year's winners are:- 1st place - 'Under the influence' A learning package which aims to educate young people about the dangers of excessive drinking. It was created by PC Simon Selby in conjunction with young people from local schools. The pack has been delivered to children studying schools across Bath and North East Somerset.- 2nd place - Early Intervention Accommodation Project – police worked together with probation and the third sector to providing suitable supported accommodation for repeat offenders to help stop the cycle of re-offending (led by Detective Sergeant Mark Francis from North Somerset)- 3rd place 'Connecting Kingswood' – Police worked together with the Kingswood Community Partnership to reduce crime in a hot spot area by successfully addressing three community priorities; crime and disorder, health and employment and training – (led by Inspector Deryck Rees from South Gloucester)The winning project Under the Influence will be rolled out across the rest of Avon and Somerset and has already been picked up by several other police forces. Sergeant Geoff Cannon, representing PC Simon Selby's project Under the Influence said: "We're delighted that Under the Influence has been recognised in this year's awards. It's been tried and tested in schools across B&NES and has shown to be really effective in warning young people about the dangers of alcohol misuse."The Problem Solving Awards were set up to recognise and share best practice across Avon and Somerset.Sgt Owen said: "Avon and Somerset police has a strong track record in problem solving and this years awards builds on the success of previous years when local work has gone on to be recognised nationally."All three finalists will now enter their projects in to the national Home Office Tilley Awards - the closing date is June 27, first prize is £5,000.If you would like to find out more about any of the 2012 Problem Solving Awards winning projects contact the police on 101. 2012-05-14T20:35:20+00:00 http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/have_you_seen_lauren/ Police seek help to find missing teenager LaurenAdded: 14/05/2012 Police have issued an appeal for help to trace a missing teenager from South Gloucestershire. Lauren Walker, aged 15, from Stoke Gifford, was last seen at 10.30am yesterday morning (Sunday May 13). She later contacted relatives to say she was in St Pauls in Bristol.Lauren is described as a white teenager, about 5ft 6ins tall of medium build with short distinctive coloured purple hair. She has a slight scar under her right eye and has a tattoo with the name Grandad on her right wrist.When she went missing, Lauren was wearing a black jacket over a blue coloured top. She was wearing black leggings with the image of the face of a tiger on one of the legs.Police believe that Lauren could still be in Bristol or may have travelled further afield to South Wales or possibly Berkshire. They are keen to contact Lauren and have appealed to anyone spotting her, or for Lauren herself, to contact them to confirm she is safe and well.Anyone able to help is asked to contact South Gloucestershire CID on the force number 101. Call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org We never ask for your name or trace your call. 2012-05-14T20:17:05+00:00 http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/neighbourhood_watch_in_suffolk_recruits_its_youngest_member/ Always looking for more members to fulfill the role of Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators for within the Suffolk area, Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch are delighted to welcome their newest and youngest member to the fold Mr Ben Owen.Ben originally from Ipswich and now living in Stowmarket, approached Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch, stating that he wanted to make a difference within his community to not only help the old and the vulnerable, but the young too, in order to keep their area of Onehouse, on the outskirts of Stowmarket a peaceful and more importantly a really pleasant place to live.Ben says "I am 28 years old and all my life I have wanted to do something to help my community, I have previously helped out with various charity organisations and currently volunteer 2 days a week at charity shop in Manningtree, but I wanted to do more and that’s why I approached Neighbourhood Watch.I know Neighbourhood Watch has a bit of an image that young people don’t want to know about such things, but I like where I live and am proud to live in such a lovely place and I want to keep it that way. I know a lot of other young people within my area and I just wanted to be the first one to come forward and hope that some of my friends will see how worthwhile and rewarding it can all be in helping one another to build a great community atmosphere."Ben further stated that whilst he was happy to pass on information about crime to the local police and vice versa, he was really looking forward to the most important aspect of Neighbourhood Watch by really being a part of his local community and getting everyone to get to know and respect one another. 2012-05-08T12:18:18+00:00 http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/challenge_campaign_in_durham_recruits_new_schemes/ Durham Constabulary (which covers County Durham and Darlington) runs 3 Challenge Campaigns annually (March, June and October). These are 7-day Neighbourhood/Home Watch recruitment campaigns where the aim is to set up new schemes and get as many new households as possible involved in Neighbourhood Watch. The campaigns are run by Community Liaison Officers in conjunction with 11 local Neighbourhood Policing Teams. Internal Briefing Packs are produced as are Information Packs for new Volunteer Scheme Coordinators. The results of the latest campaign are very impressive and have succeeded in increasing the number of homes in Neighbourhood Watch schemes in County Durham and Darlington to 30%. The Durham force looks well on its way to meeting its target of having 50% of homes in the area involved in a Neighbourhood Watch scheme by 1st April 2016. 2012-05-03T14:30:44+00:00 http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/time_for_doorstep_coldcallers_to_feel_the_heat/ Article courtesy of The Daily MirrorSurrey Trading Standards has produced some powerful warning stickers, which The Daily Mirror adapted to make suitable for you, wherever you live.These fliers are backed by the Trading Standards Institute. Ron Gainsford, the Institute's chief executive said: "Cold calling is an unwelcome practice which can pave the way for distraction burglary and for opportunist rogues who get their foot in the doorway under the pretence of working for a well known company."Combating doorstep crime to protect especially vulnerable consumers is an important part of the invaluable work done by trading standards officers up and down the country. They see firsthand all too often the devastating consequences of rogue cold callers; not only the financial losses can be catastrophic, but the distress from harassment in the safety of their own home can also cause long term damage to the victim's mental and even physical well being.""Consumers need to know that any trader who does not go away when asked is committing a criminal offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations.""We would encourage any consumer who does not wish to be visited by a doorstep seller to put a sticker on their door, which makes their wishes and legal protection clear. We appreciate that the practice of face-to face selling is legitimate and provides for those in society who do not have access to internet and other market opportunities - but our strong view is that householders must have the right to opt out from this with a clear sign on their home, and for this wish to be respected."We are also delighted that these fliers had the backing of the Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network. Chairman Jim Maddan said: "I am vehemently against cold callers, I have seen the damage they've done to people's live".A spokeswoman added: "Neighbourhood and Home Watch schemes are a great example of how communities can work together to help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and make our streets a safer and friendlier place to live. This new resource will help support local people to take action against doorstep callers and rogue traders, and keep people safe in their homes."To download a Cold Calling Warning sticker, please click here. 2012-05-03T10:15:56+00:00 http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/neighbourhood_watch_search_teams_look_for_nellie_herriott/ A group of police specialist search teams was organised to search the Whitehawk area of Brighton on Tuesday 1st May 2012, where missing 96-year-old Nellie Herriott was last seen embarking from the 1a bus.The group comprises the North and West Neighbourhood Watch Search Teams, Sussex Search and Rescue (SusSAR) along with Lowland Search Dogs Sussex.Detective Sergeant Duncan Elliott from Brighton and Hove CID said: "There have been over 40 reported sightings of Nellie since Tuesday 24 April which we are investigating. Due to the length of time that has now passed, we are extremely concerned for her welfare and hope that today's search will find her safe and well. These search teams are specially trained and I would appeal to the general public to please not try and join the police search teams but instead to check their gardens and out buildings."He added: "I would also like to thank the specialist search teams who worked all day yesterday and into the evening scouring the Whitehawk area in a bid to find Nellie."To see a BBC report about the search please click this link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-17913780 2012-05-03T09:44:50+00:00 http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/road_safety_campaign_during_may/ Child safety on the roads campaign in MayAdded: 2/05/2012Child safety on the roads is the focus of a campaign by Avon and Somerset police during May.It is part of the force's commitment to improving road safety and reducing incidents of death and serious injury.The campaign will concentrate on education and enforcement, with specialist traffic officers visiting schools and talking to parents who drive their children to and from school.Police will also be visiting shopping centres to spread the message about the proper use of child car seats, seatbelts, cycle safety and general road safety awareness.For further advice on these issues please visit the following government websites:http://think.direct.gov.uk/www.avonfire.gov.uk/Avon/safety-advice/road-safetyhttp://assets.dft.gov.uk/statistics/releases/road-accidents-and-safety-quarterly-estimates-q2-2011/road-accidents-and-safety-quarterly-estimates-q2-2011.pdf 2012-05-02T11:07:30+00:00 http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/take_charge_of_your_street/ State of our streets hits the nation’s health, research reveals!We all get irritated by cracked, obstructed or dirty pavements, but it’s emerged that the state of our streets can impact on our exercise habits and health. According to new research published today, one third of British adults (34%) would walk more in their local area if the streets were kept in better condition. The research, conducted by YouGov on behalf of national charity Living Streets to mark the start of the Great British Walking Challenge, explores in stark detail the issues on our streets which stop people from walking more. Most strikingly, almost half (46%) of 18-24 year olds and 51% of 25-34 year olds would walk more in their local area if the streets were safer and more attractive – following on from a recent ICM poll showing that almost a third (30%) of 18-24 year olds are deterred from walking by feeling unsafe on their streets. Only 5% of people surveyed did not notice any of the common problems cited on their local streets.The most common problems identified on local streets were dog fouling and litter for all age groups, with two thirds of people (66%) having noticed it on their local streets, closely followed by people parking on the pavement (60%) and broken or cracked pavements (60%). 27% of people reported a lack of street lighting as being an issue, whilst 31% reported fly tipping, graffiti and abandoned cars affecting their local streets.Yet despite these problems, fewer than a quarter of us (24%) say that we would ‘always’ report a problem on a local street to the Council. Many people are not sure how to report problems (21%), feel that there’s not much point in doing so as ‘nothing will get done’ (35%), or feel that their local council doesn’t encourage people to report problems (26%). Walking is one of the cheapest, greenest and easiest ways to get fit and healthy, but it’s clear that our physical environment can have an impact on people’s willingness to use their streets. Existing research indicates that people whose immediate neighbourhood shows signs of decline such as graffiti, litter and dog mess are around 50% less likely to take enough physical exercise and 50% more likely to be obese.[1] The Chief Medical Officer recommends adults should be aiming for at least 150 minutes (or 2 ½ hours) of moderate intensity activity every week and this includes walking.[2] As it stands, one in five people said they took a 20 minute walk less than once a year or never.[3] Living Streets is urging people to get involved in the Great British Walking Challenge to get people walking more but also to help people stand up for their streets and make sure they are places where people want to spend time. Throughout the month of May people will be able to log their walking miles as part of the challenge using a special online tool and see how many calories they have burnt off and even how much carbon they have saved. Living Streets’ Chief Executive, Tony Armstrong said: “These results should be a wake-up call to both national and local government that the physical state of our streets needs to be vastly improved to encourage people to get more active on foot. To encourage walking our streets need to be safe, attractive and enjoyable for all, and barriers such as poor maintenance, pavement parking, litter and dog fouling should not be tolerated. We hope that this May, thousands of people across the country will discover – or rediscover – the joys of regular walking through Living Streets’ Great British Walking Challenge. It’s a great opportunity for people to get fit, save money and enjoy what’s best about their streets – but we also hope it will be a springboard for people to speak up about what need improving to make sure that streets places where people want to walk.”To find out more and access the Great British Walking Challenge online tool, please visit www.livingstreets.org.uk/gbwc. (Article courtesy of Living Streets). Notes to the editorSpokespeople and case studies are available, please contact Anna Tautz, anna.tautz@livingstreets.org.uk / 020 7377 4914All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2043 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 26th - 28th March 2012 . The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).Additional research undertaken by ICM Research on behalf of Living Streets amongst a national sample of 1,000 UK consumers, March 2012 The Great British Walking Challenge takes place in May, during Living Streets’ National Walking Month. Living Streets will be encouraging people to walk throughout the month and will hold their two successful annual initiatives as part of the Great British Walking Challenge - Walk to Work Week (14-18 May) and Walk to School Week (21-25 May). Be part of it. Register at www.livingstreets.org.uk/gbwcLiving Streets is seeking local case studies on street management and maintenance to inform its national lobbying work and a policy and good practice paper to be released later this year – councillors, professionals, campaigners and individuals can visit www.livingstreets.org.uk/stateofourstreets to share their experiences and ideas.Living Streets is the national charity that stands up for pedestrians. With our supporters we work to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets, where people want to walk. We have been the national voice for pedestrians throughout our 80 year history. In the early years, our campaigning led to the introduction of the driving test, pedestrian crossings and 30mph speed limits. Since then our ambition has grown. Today we influence decision makers nationally and locally, run successful projects to encourage people to walk, and provide specialist consultancy services to help reduce congestion and carbon emissions, improve public health, and make sure every community can enjoy vibrant streets and public spacesFor more information, please contact Anna Tautz, Tel: 0207 7377 4914 / 07545 209865, Email: anna.tautz@livingstreets.org.uk, Web: http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/media[1] Ellaway, A., Macintyre, S., Bonnefoy, X. 2005. Graffiti, greenery and obesity in adults: secondary analysis of European cross-sectional survey. British Medical Journal (vol. 331) 17 September 2005. Available at: <www.bmj.com/content/331/7517/611.full> [2] Department of Health, 2011, UK Physical activity guidelines. Available at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_127931[3] Department for Transport, 2010. National Travel Survey. Available at <http://www.dft.gov.uk/statistics/releases/national-travel-survey-2010/> 2012-05-02T08:39:53+00:00 http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/cable_theft_on_railway_lines_in_the_east_midlands_falls_by_30/ The number of cable thefts on railway lines in the East Midlands has dropped by 30% in the past year.Twenty-three thefts were recorded in the last financial year compared to 33 the previous year, Network Rail said.But Network Rail, which provides the infrastructure for the lines, added that nationally the total cost continued to rise.It said that compensation worth £1.6m was awarded to train and freight operators in 2011/12.Network Rail said that more stringent measures should be imposed on the scrap metal industry, and police should have more power to close down traders.'Millions wasted'It said the total cost to the industry on a national level, and ultimately the taxpayer and country, continued to rise because the thefts had spread to busier and more complex parts of the network.Martin Frobisher, Network Rail route managing director, said: "We firmly believe that without legal reform we will continue to see thousands of hours delay and millions of pounds wasted."Nationally, total direct cost to Network Rail from cable theft is actually up year on year. "This is largely down to the locations the thieves are targeting and the amount of damage being caused in incidents which is increasing the length of time it takes to fix an incident, making it more expensive." 2012-05-01T17:53:38+00:00 http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/signs_will_advise_visitors_about_neighbourhood_watch_town_in_leicestershire/ Signs will go up on every approach to Melton in the next few days advising visitors and thieves alike that it is one of the county's Neighbourhood Watch towns, following the example set by Market Harborough.Some three quarters of the market town's 400 streets now each have at least one co-ordinator, with the other 100 expected to follow suit by November.The scheme's organiser has dubbed it the country's first Neighbourhood Watch Town after discovering it has the largest number of streets covered by postcode anywhere in the country.Retired businessman Eric Tindall, 63, relaunched the town's Neighbourhood Watch scheme two years ago.Since then he's recruited co-ordinators covering 300 streets.He said: "I've not found any other postcode in the UK with a higher saturation of Neighbourhood Watch members."We've helped reunite people with items they've had stolen, reported rogue scrap men who have been interviewed by the police and worked with trading standards over bogus clothing collectors.""The message to criminals is if you come to Melton there will be more people looking out for you carrying out criminal activities than any other town in the UK."The scheme is on Twitter and Facebook, and information is available via e-mail and phone using the Neighbourhood Alert system which is free for any resident to join, see the details for registration below.Melton police commander, Inspector John Gray, said: "I think Eric has done a fantastic job. Through the scheme, we are able to get messages out to a large number of people."The yellow signs will go up on all 13 approach roads to the town in the next few days.To follow on Twitter go to: @meltonnhwor register online at http://www.leicestershireneighbourhoodwatch.co.uk/ 2012-04-30T15:58:07+00:00 http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/west_sussex_county_council_supports_neighbourhood_watch/ West Sussex County Council wants to make sure that residents feel safe and secure within their own communities. Neighbourhood Watch has the same aims, so partnership is the obvious route. WSCC has recently upgraded the Community Safety pages on its website http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/ , and these now includes links to websites that provide information about Neighbourhood Watch schemes in the local area. These links cover Sussex Police, the national Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network, and the Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Federation, as well as the three Neighbourhood Watch Search Teams. Speaking about the changes, Peter Lawrence, Principal Community Officer, Better Communities Team, WSCC, said: “We recognise that Neighbourhood Watch is an important element in helping to keep Sussex safe. Neighbourhood Watch is the largest voluntary organisation in the country, and we are pleased to support them.” John Wright, Chairman of the Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Federation, commented: “Our vision is for strong, connected, friendly and safe communities, helping each other. Our mission is to get individuals, families, communities and our partners working together, to create safer, supportive and integrated neighbourhoods. West Sussex County Council is an important partner. We really appreciate their help, and look forward to working with them more closely in the future.” 2012-04-30T10:22:08+00:00 http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/new_resource_for_communities_to_help_make_their_area_safer/ A new Topic Sheet introducing community safety has been developed for use alongside ACRE’s Community Led Planning toolkit. Many rural communities ask what they can do to manage the impact of and promote community safety to make their neighbourhoods safer, more pleasant and friendlier places to live.ACRE has worked with Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network (the national representative body for local Neighbourhood and Home Watch groups) to produce a Community Safety Topic Sheet for the new Community Led Planning Toolkit launched earlier this year. It is hoped that communities producing Community Led Plans will be able to use the new Topic Sheet to think about whether it is appropriate to develop community safety actions for their area and to give them ideas about what they could do.Neighbourhood Watch began in 1982 and its current ethos is based on the expectation that no one should feel afraid, isolated or vulnerable because of where they live. Groups are run by local people with their most impressive achievements result from members looking closely at the needs of their communities and meeting them with innovative and creative thinking. Martin Hawkins, Rural Services Officer at ACRE said: “It is probably well known that levels of crime and fear of crime are lower in rural areas. However rural communities understandably wish to ensure that this situation is maintained and that any crime and anti-social behaviour and fear of such are reduced as much as possible. Our new Community Safety Topic Sheet, produced with the expertise of Neighbourhood and Home Watch, will highlight this opportunity for action to communities as part of a Community Led Plan” Jim Maddan, Chair of National Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network (England and Wales) said: Neighbourhood and Home Watch schemes are a great example of how communities can work together to help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and make our streets a safer and friendlier place to live. The availability of this new resource will help support local people to take action and ensure that community safety remains a priority for Community Led Planning. The Community Safety Topic Sheet provides an introduction to Community Safety, explains how this can be considered as part of the broader Community Led Planning process, offers case studies and signposts to more detailed support and resources. It is free to download from the ACRE website.Notes for Editors: 1. Community Led Planning can be defined as a step-by-step process that enables every citizen to participate in, and contribute to improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of their local area. Already undertaken by approximately 4,000 communities across England, it represents an unparalleled opportunity for people to take responsibility for making things happen locally, rather than waiting on others to do it for them. ACRE | Our Work | Community Led Planning2.ACRE has traditionally provided support to Rural Community Action Network (RCAN) members who help facilitate Parish Plans; a type of Community Led Plan frequently used by rural parishes. 4. The Rural Community Action Network covers the whole of rural England through the work of 38 local member organisations, eight regional bodies and ACRE. The local member organisations are all independent charities, largely county-based. As local development agencies, RCAN members have been facilitating social change in rural communities for decades by providing tailored and comprehensive support to rural communities to enhance their quality of life and access to services. With a strong focus on local advocacy and brokering relationships between rural community aspirations and local government strategies, RCAN members enhance the role of community action and self-reliance in rural areas across the country. ACRE | About RCAN5. ACRE’s Community Led Planning Toolkit was launched in February 2012. It provides step by step guidance for communities who want to produce a holistic plan that will improve the wellbeing and sustainability of their neighbourhood; building on new rights introduced as part of the Localism Act. The complete toolkit, including Information Sheets, Advice Sheets, Resource Sheets and Topic Sheets can be obtained from RCAN members. ACRE | Our Work | Community Led Planning | Resources | Community Guidance For more information about ACRE’s new Community led Planning Toolkit, please contact:Phillip VincentTeam Leader (Community Led Planning and Housing)p.vincent@acre.org.uk01285 653477 2012-04-30T09:52:45+00:00 http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/has_your_area_got_a_community_flood_plan/ Completing a community flood plan will help community members and groups plan how they can work together to respond quickly when flooding happens.This pack is for: people active in the local community; leaders of community groups; schools, hospitals or residential care homes; anyone else involved in supporting communities to be better prepared for flooding.Downloada community flood plan pack (PDF, 1.8MB)Find out whether there are any flood warnings in your area at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/ 2012-04-29T13:37:50+00:00 http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/from_small_acorns_mighty_oak_trees_grow_in_market_harborough/ Local volunteer group, the Harborough Improvement Team Environment Group (HIT), supported by the Harborough Local Policing Unit (LPU) and Neighbourhood Watch have planted an Oak tree sapling to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, at Market Harborough Police station. The tree will be dedicated and marked with a permanent plaque during the Jubilee bank holiday weekend. The sapling was procured from the Woodland Trust, and was grown from an acorn collected from a Royal Estate. Royal Oak trees and mixed woodlands are being planted all over the country to celebrate the Jubilee.The Oak has been a symbol of Great Britain throughout history. Ships made from English oak have sailed all over the world, and defended our island borders. Charles II hid in an Oak tree to escape the Roundheads during the English Civil War. The Major Oak in Sherwood Forest is estimated to be between 800 and 1000 years old, and is closely associated with the legend of Robin Hood. Commemorative Oak trees were planted for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, and to mark many more significant events. A record is available online of the extensive planting of trees across Britain and the Empire to mark the coronation of King George VI, and includes oak trees planted in Leicester’s Victoria and Abbey Parks and in Lutterworth in 1939.The locations of trees planted for the Queens Diamond Jubilee 2012 are also being recorded.If you would like to know more about volunteering opportunities with HIT Environment Group, please contact: Mrs Mary Danks 01858 463922 mary.danks@btinternet.com 2012-04-29T12:44:10+00:00 http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/can_you_help_find_this_man/ Police seeking vulnerable missing man in blue carAdded: 28/04/2012Police are appealing for the public's help to locate a vulnerable missing man who may driving around the Avon and Somerset police force area. Jack Thompson, aged 19, was last seen at around 3am yesterday morning (Friday April 27) when he left his home in the Croxley area near to Wells. However he did not turn up for work at a nearby farm in the Pilton area and was reported missing by concerned relatives.Jack is a white man, about 6ft tall of slim build with fair to light brown coloured hair. It is cut short but has a distinctive long fringe. He is unshaven, with the growth on his face described as slightly longer than stubble. When he went missing he was described as wearing scruffy, casual clothing.He is believed to be quiet, appearing shy and may be appear to be slightly worried or depressed.Police say that going missing is completely out of character.When he went missing he was driving a blue coloured Suzuki Vitara car (N913 NDL).Police have urged anyone spotting the vehicle to contact them. There have been reported sightings in the Highbridge, Burnham-on-Sea and Weston-super-Mare areas this morning.They would like Jack or anyone spotting Jack to contact them. Anyone able to help is asked to contact Wells CID on the force 101 number. 2012-04-28T11:34:02+00:00 http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/an_opportunity_to_showcase_your_talent/ Clean Slate – It's time to create your masterpiece!Added: 27/04/2012Calling all budding painters, potters, sculptors, aerosol artists, photographers, illustrators and installation artists - the West Country's answer to The Turner Prize kicks off on Monday April 30.The Clean Slate Art Competition, run by Avon and Somerset Police, is open to all budding young artists aged 13 – 19 across Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire and Somerset. The competition, split in to two age categories 13 – 15 and 16 – 19, aims to encourage young people to get creative and enter their artwork in to five exhibitions being held across the force area.At each exhibition, a panel of judges will select the best of the West's young talent, whose work will then be show in a month long exhibition at The Royal West of England Academy (RWA) in Bristol from July 2 – July 29, 2012. During the final exhibition, a winner from each medium and age group will be selected with one overall competition winner. Prizes including art materials, equipment, cameras and vouchers are kindly provided by John Lewis. With exhibition opportunities and a "money can't buy" experience for the overall winner - the competition is a must for any emerging talents! Throughout the competition other workshops and activities will be taking place to promote local talent and there will be exciting live art events taking place at The RWA during July. The competition launches on Monday with a live art event at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway. Twelve young people from schools around the force, led by local artists Anthony Garratt and Serena Cumis, will be creating a specially commissioned piece to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee in the West Country, which will be on display at The Mall throughout May and June before being moved to The RWA in July.Chief Constable Colin Port said: "Young people are our future and, as in previous years with our Live and Unsigned music events, I am keen to seize any opportunity that helps us continue to strengthen our relationship with them and allows them to promote and develop their talents. "I am enormously grateful to the Royal West of England Academy and The Mall, Cribbs Causeway who share our belief in young people. "It is important that young people know we will celebrate their successes, be there to support them when they need us, provide guidance to aid them in making positive life choices and that we are absolutely committed to ensuring their safety and welfare."Throughout Live and Unsigned, I was overwhelmed by the talent on show and the commitment and dedication of the young bands to their music. This year, it is an opportunity to demonstrate the talents of young people through a different medium. I am looking forward to the exhibitions."Trystan Hawkins, Director of The Royal West of England Academy, said: "We are delighted to be working with Avon and Somerset Police on the Clean Slate art project. One of our priorities is to improve our engagement with young people and I feel this competition will offer us the opportunity to do just that, making art accessible and hopefully bringing more young people in to the Academy at the same time. "I hope this competition inspires both young artists who are already beginning to explore their talent and those who so far have had limited experience of the art world. It is an good forum in which to get creative, try new things and take advantage of the opportunity to exhibit their work."It will be wonderful to be able to have an exhibition dedicated to showing off the talents of young people in our region so I encourage as many people to enter as possible and I look forward to seeing the entries over the next few months."Alan Andrews, Community Liaison Co-ordinator, John Lewis Cribbs Causeway said: "We have worked closely with the Avon and Somerset Constabulary on many initiatives and schemes and we are delighted to sponsor their Clean Slate competition to aid them in building stronger relationships with young people in the surrounding area."So if you are Bristol's next Banksy or Somerset's answer to Emin then it's time to create your masterpiece!Log on to www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/cleanslate download an application form and get creative! You never know there could be a budding Warhol just waiting to get out. The closing date for applications is May 18, 2012. Please note the website will go live on Monday April 30 at 11.30am.For more information about the competition and the workshops you can either log on to the website or follow the competition on Twitter @ASPolice or check out the force's Facebook page. The exhibitions will be held at:Castle School Thornbury May 28 – June 15Yeovil College, June 11 – June 22Somerset College of Art and Technology, Taunton TBC see websiteThe Mall June 1 – June 11The American Museum, Bath June 13 – June 25Open Evening June 21 2012-04-27T16:54:33+00:00 http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news_and_events/news/another_successful_year_for_north_sussex_search_team/ The well attended AGM of the North Sussex Search Team – part of Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Search – was held recently at Slaugham Manor, the Sussex Police training facility. Amongst the guests attending were Kathy Gore, High Sheriff of East Sussex, Assistant Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney of Sussex Police, and Jim Maddan, Chair, Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network.Reviewing progress during the past year, Derek Pratt, the Chairman of NSST, reported that they have had a very successful year, and behind the scenes an extremely busy one. The number of active trained search members has increased to 150, there are now 32 certificated First Aiders, and additional essential equipment has been acquired.There had been eight live callouts during the year, in addition to regular training to hone skills. One of the callouts in September had particularly demonstrated the value of the Team. An elderly lady in good health had gone missing from her home in a large village, and NSST was called out to search every street, path, ditch and twitten in the area. This meant that the police could pour all their available resources into other investigations, which quickly resulted in the finding of important evidence. This took the enquiry into an unexpected new direction, and the lady was found safe and well by a police patrol later that day, in an unlikely place many miles from her home.Commenting on this a senior police officer said: “Please can I ask you to pass on to the large number of your Search Team members who helped with the search, my thanks for their help. It later transpired that the lady had travelled elsewhere, and was not in the area local to her home. However, at the time the Search Team were called upon, it was a very real possibility that she was nearby and in difficulty. Consequently, clearing those areas was a critical part of the overall strategy for finding her, and the assistance provided by the Search Team was absolutely invaluable. They carried out the search quickly and effectively, meaning that police officers who would otherwise have had to be deployed in searching, were able to carry out other enquiries, which eventually led the lady being located safe and well. I really am tremendously grateful for the Team's excellent work.”NSST has no regular sources of income and they were very pleased to receive donations from The Co-operative Community Fund for the purchase of two new radios and GPS sets, The Safer Crawley Partnership, which kindly designed and printed some A3 and A4 posters, and Allright Tyres of Burgess Hill, who kindly donated a new gel battery to power the radio base station, plus support in many ways from Sussex Police.In the coming year NSST expects to expand its capabilities and to continue to play an important part in helping the people of Sussex. Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Search Teams were established over ten years ago, following the Sarah Payne tragedy, to help the police, when requested, primarily to look for missing vulnerable persons. This could include elderly folk with medical problems who have wandered off, children disappearing into the countryside, or anyone who has suffered an accident in a remote place. In more recent times they have expanded their capabilities to assist the police in other situations.For more information about the North Sussex Search Team please visit their website http://www.northsussexsearchteam.org.uk/. 2012-04-27T15:04:36+00:00