No Cold Calling notices

You might be interested in the following notice which you can display in your window or front door to deter unwanted cold callers. Available from West Sussex County Council Trading Standards trading.standards@westsussex.gov.uk  Email them and they'll send one in the post.

Crime Prevention Advice

To Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators and Members

 

 

Keep your home secure

 

With the autumn evenings approaching, it is time to focus on keeping your home secure.   Leaving your home during hours of darkness, without putting on lights or drawing the curtains, indicates to the opportunist criminal that there is no-one at home. Unfortunately, every year sees a spate of early evening burglaries associated with the clocks going back. Please help us to help you by taking the steps outlined below:- 

 

• Use an automatic time switch on an indoor light, either in a room that cannot be peered into from the road, or upstairs.   Regularly change the timing on the switch.

 

• Put a time switch on a radio that has been tuned to a chat station, this will give the impression that the house is occupied. Again, regularly change the timing on the switch.

 

• Fit security lighting, either dusk to dawn energy efficient lighting that will come on automatically as dusk sets in, or brighter passive infrared activated lighting drawing attention to movement.

 

• Ensure that gates or access to the rear of the house are locked and secure. Don’t forget to lock your shed, the tools can be used to break in. Trim overgrown plants – don’t give burglaries a hiding place.

 

• Secure windows, paying particular attention to those on the ground floor and above flat roof areas. Use locks and bolts and keep all your keys, including car keys, out of sight and out of reach.

 

• Property mark your valuables by using your postcode and your house number or name.    Some articles are unsuitable for marking so photograph them – with a ruler in view to show scale.

 

• Intruder alarms are an effective deterrent against burglars.    Before choosing a system ensure it is the one most suitable for your needs.

 

• Trust your instincts. If you see anything suspicious let us know. If you think a crime is about to happen or is in progress dial 999.  

 

• Join a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.    For details of a local scheme or to start a scheme phone us on 0845 070 999 and ask for the Crime Prevention Co-ordination in your area.  

Theft from vehicle and burglary in Horsham

Serial 0453 of 21/09/2014 relates to a theft from an unattended vehicle in Horsham.

 

Sometime between 17:00 hours on 20/09/2014 and 09:00 hours on 21/09/2014 a vehicle in St Leonards Road, Horsham was broken in to.

 

It was not clear how the offenders managed to gain access to the vehicle. Several items were stolen including a sat nav.

 

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call 101 quoting serial 0453 21/09/2014.

Serial 0411 of 21/09/2014 relates to a burglary at a property in Horsham.

 

Sometime between 21:30 hours on 20/09/2014 and 08:30 hours on 21/09/2014 a property in Livingstone Road, Horsham was broken into.

 

It would appear the offender/s were able to gain entry by forcing the front door of the property.

 

Items taken include car keys.    

 

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call 101 quoting serial 0411 21/09/2014.

Door to Door Bogus Traders

To Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators, we have been asked to send out the below alert on behalf of Horsham District Council;

 

We had a report earlier today of traders calling door to door in Shermanbury (Brighton Road area) offering driveway repairs and claiming to have left over bitumen from top dressing local roads.

 

We would like to issue a warning to residents in that vicinity regarding the potential perils of employing doorstep callers to undertake home improvement works such as driveway repairs, roofing etc. and to report all such incidents to Trading Standards via www.westsussex.gov.uk/tsreport or to Citizens advice on 03454 04 05 06.  

Burglaries

Serial 0725 of 16/09 relates to a burglary at a property in Dutchells Copse, Horsham.   

 

Sometime between 1130 and 1255 hours a property was broken into and a quantity of jewellery was stolen.   

 

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call 101 quoting serial 0725.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Serial 0760 of 17/09 relates to a burglary at a property in College Road, Southwater.

 

Sometime between 0945 hrs and 1320 hrs a property was broken into and a large quantity of jewellery was stolen. 

 

It would appear that the offender/s were able to gain entry by forcing the front door.

 

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call 101 quoting serial 0760

 

 

 

 

Serial 1204 of 17/09 relates to a burglary that took place at a property in Bonfire Hill, Southwater.  

 

Sometime between 1625-1655 a property was broken into and gold jewellery and a watch was stolen.

 

It would appear that the offender/s were able to gain entry by smashing the rear patio door with a paving slab.

 

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call 101 quoting serial 1204

council tax scam in Mid Sussex

Be aware of council tax scam in Mid Sussex

10 September 2014

Residents are being urged to be aware of a scam involving offenders claiming to be offering council tax refunds.

A number of people in Mid Sussex have been phoned and told that they had been placed in the wrong council tax band and that they should get a sum of money back.

The offender then told the victims that they would need to pay a fee via their debit or credit card to get their full refund and asked for their card details.

A number of elderly and vulnerable people across the district have been contacted and have given their card details out.

It is not yet known whether any of the victims have lost money in the scam or if there are more people who have been targeted but who have not contacted either Sussex Police or Mid Sussex District Council.

There could also be victims in other parts of Sussex.

Sergeant Graeme Prentice said: "We need to speak to anyone who has been contacted by those involved in the scam so that we can track down and arrest those responsible.

"They appear to be deliberately targeting the vulnerable and the elderly and we want to stop them before they steal anyone else's money.

"If you have elderly or vulnerable residents or neighbours please make them aware of this scam so they do not become a victim."

Councillor Christopher Snowling, Mid Sussex District Council's cabinet member for health and community, said: "The council will never contact you out of the blue to ask for personal information like your bank details.

"I would like to urge our residents to be vigilant and not give out their personal details unless they are absolutely sure of the caller's identity.

"If you're in any doubt, please call our switchboard on 01444 458166 to check a council number is genuine."

The process of claiming a council tax refund does not involve telephoning the person eligible for a refund. Councils will write to the person eligible for a refund and then send a cheque or make a direct payment into their bank once they confirm that person still resides at the relevant address. No fee will ever be requested to process a refund.

If you have been contacted as part of the scam or you know someone who has but has not reported it, please email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101.

 

Best Regards   John   John Wright MBE Chair. Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Federation. Mobile:   07917385213 Business:01444 247368 Email: enquiries@sussexnwfed.org.uk Web:  www.sussexnwfed.org.uk

Attempted Burglary - Southwater

Serial 1416 of 08/09/2014 relates to an attempt burglary at a property in Southwater.

 

Sometime between 17:45 and 18:15 hours on 08/09/2014 a property in Kings Lane, Southwater was broken into.

 

It would appear the offender/s were trying to gain entry by forcing a rear window.       

 

Entry was not gained by offenders.     

 

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call 101 quoting serial 1416 of 08/09/2014.