Don’t leave your home in the dark

Essex Police are warning residents not to leave their home in the dark. With the nights drawing in, the tell-tale signs of empty houses become more apparent. This is a bonus for burglars who prefer to target empty homes unseen and avoid confrontation.

As the days get shorter if you work away from home, or even pop out to get the children from school, by the time you return home it may already be dark. A house in darkness says no one is in especially if your neighbour’s houses either side have lights on and show other signs of being occupied. If you back onto open farmland or have parking areas or footpaths to side or rear this may be even more apparent.

Illusion of Occupancy

Create the “Illusion of Occupancy”, when its dark make your home look like you are in. Leave lights on or put them on timers or daylight sensors to come when it gets dark. Remember though no one lives in the hall or on the landing so if you leave these lights on supplement these with lights on in rooms that you would normally occupy at that time of day i.e. lounge and kitchen.

A carefully placed imitation TV or “Fake TV” can further add to that illusion of occupancy by making it look like the television is on. Some burglars may also listen at windows or letterboxes for signs of activity, so consider leaving a radio on within your home.

Don’t forget the outside of your property too, if burglars see that it is lit they are less likely to approach for fear of being seen.
Leave lights on, with energy efficient bulbs it costs very little nowadays and yet may save you lots!

10th November 2017

Do you know a crime victim who needed support?

Victim Support needs more volunteers

Victim Support is an independent charity working towards a world where people affected by crime or traumatic events get the support they need and the respect they deserve. They help people feel safer and find the strength to move beyond crime. They tailor their support to victims’ needs and it is given freely & confidentially. Last year in Essex, their team of trained volunteers and staff supported over Continue reading “Do you know a crime victim who needed support?”

13th October 2016

PC Minutes 11th October 2016

WINSTRED HUNDRED PARISH COUNCIL

Peldon Great Wigborough Little Wigborough Salcott Virley

Draft minutes of the meeting of Winstred Hundred Parish Council held at Salcott Village Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 11th October 2016

Present: Bob Holmes, Liz Davidson, Robert Kean, Phil Gladwin, Lynne Simmons, Nicky Ellis, John Walker, Andrew Ellis, 2 Zone Wardens and 3 members of the public

Apologies for absence: Jinny Gale, Netty Knill-Jones, Robert Davidson, Kevin Bentley

Minutes of the last meeting were agreed by all and signed by the chairman

Zone Warden Report: Changes at the refuse tips should be noted as to what they will accept now. A speed check had been carried out in Peldon. Thanks were given to the Zone Wardens for Continue reading “PC Minutes 11th October 2016”

6th October 201525th March 2019

Restorative Justice

Successful Trial of Restorative Justice Completed

Essex Police have successfully completed a six-months trial in West Essex, which includes the districts of Epping, Brentwood, Harlow and Thurrock. It is now intended to roll it out to the rest of Essex from October and the Police & Crime Commissioner is inviting those groups and agencies who might be interested in getting involved to attend one of two launch events:

27th October 12.00 – 15.00 at The Rayleigh Club, Hullbridge Road, Rayleigh, SS6 9QS ,
28th October 12.00 – 15.00 at The Essex Golf and Country Club, Colchester, CO6 2JU.

The afternoon will begin with a buffet lunch, followed by talks and presentations focusing on the success of the West Essex RJ pilot, the impact of restorative justice on those that take part, and what the roll-out means for you in your organisation.

The launch will involve speeches from PCC Nick Alston, members of the RJ Hub and examples from those who have participated in Restorative Justice in Essex.

If you are interested in attending please contact Emma Callaghan, Restorative Justice Hub Development Manager, by email [email protected], before Friday 16th October.

So, What is Restorative Justice About?

Restorative Justice is a process which gives victims the opportunity to meet or communicate with those who have offended against them. It holds offenders to account and helps them take responsibility for the harm they have caused. Learn more at MikeGLaw.com. Both parties discuss next steps and the offender can then make amends.

Victims are given the chance to explain to a criminal the impact a crime has had on them, ask questions of the offender and seek an apology. It enables offenders to be held to account for what they have done but also take responsibility for the harm they have caused.

If a face-to-face meeting is not appropriate they can do so indirectly via letters or messages. Restorative justice is used for less serious offences or conflicts, such as graffiti or anti-social behaviour. Everyone involved must consent to take part.

The Benefits are Apparent

85% victims are satisfied following an RJ process.
Re-offending is reduced by as much as 27%.
98% direct RJ ends in mutually agreed outcomes.
RJ decreases post-traumatic stress and allows victims of crime to return to work more quickly.
In neighbour disputes, RJ can help to avoid evictions and help neighbours live in peace.

Read more on the Police & Crime Commissioner’s website or download their information leaflet.

5th October 20153rd May 2016

Vishing Fraud Alert

Please be aware of recent fraud activity that is targeting businesses within our Region.

The Fraud

Fraudsters are ringing up company wage clerks/finance directors claiming to be from Barclay’s Fraud department and gaining permission to remotely access the victim’s computer system. This is on the pretence that their business account has been compromised. The victim opens up the bank account, the fraudster then transfers the money into what they state will be the company’s new, none compromised account. The funds are then automatically distributed in seconds. Total regional losses have exceeded £1 million.

Protect your company

Do not be afraid to end cold calls.
Do not to assume a caller is genuine just because they hold some information about you. Criminals may already have got hold of some basic information about a potential victim, such as a name, address and account details to try to make the call appear legitimate.
If in any doubt hang up and call the bank yourself on numbers you know are genuine, however be sure to hang the phone up long enough to prevent the fraudster holding the line open.
NEVER call the bank back on the number the caller provides you.
The Bank will never call and ask for remote access to your computers or for passwords to access your accounts.

If you are a victim of “Vishing” call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use our online tool to report the fraud and receive a police crime reference number. DI 3159 Lee Morton Serious Economic Crime Unit

4th October 20153rd May 2016

Essex Police Go App

New App from Essex Police

Savvy smartphone users will soon be able to access the latest news from Essex Police through a brand new app.

To mark the first year anniversary of Essex Community Messaging (ECM), the ECM app was launched on Thursday October 1, 2015 and is available to download for iPhone and Android devices.

The app will enable residents to receive localised messages straight to their device, from Essex Police officers, staff and key partners such as Neighbourhood Watch.

Those who sign up will be able to select information on what they would like to receive – based on where they live, work or socialise. A new photo feature will also allow users to view images to identify stolen property and help find missing or wanted people.

In its first year, ECM has already proved useful in alerting residents to crime and missing people in their areas – and even assisted in the conviction of a bogus charity collector. Earlier this year, PC Sam Waters sent out a message to alert Wickford residents about a man who was believed to be knocking on doors requesting sponsorship money for charity and using the money for his own gain. The ECM message led to 12 people coming forward with information.

On the information that was received, a 30-year-old man was arrested and later admitted four counts of fraud by false representation. He received a 12 week suspended sentence at Basildon Magistrates’ Court.

Chief Supt Luke Collison, ECM Project Lead, said:

Following the success of the initial ECM platform, we were keen to develop a smart phone app version. We recognise that more and more people in Essex use mobile technology and we clearly want to be a part of that in how we deliver modern policing.
We want to share as much information as we can with the public, quickly and efficiently so that communities are up to date on local policing issues. The ECM app allows us to target our messages to ensure we get the right information to the right people.
This is the first smart app that Essex Police has launched and we are convinced it will help many people stay safe across the county.

Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said:

We’re continuing to develop Essex Community Messaging to make it even easier to get key crime and community safety information out to local people faster than ever. It’s also essential that ECM provides a channel for a two-way flow of information between Essex Police, our Watch groups, and the people of Essex.
I encourage everyone to sign up to ECM. It’s a great way of learning simple measures to prevent crime and it also provides an opportunity to report suspicious behaviour which may help Essex Police to bring criminals to justice.

Information on how to download the app is available on the ECM website: www.essex.police.uk/ecm

28th June 20158th December 2015

Essex Police & DogLost

Essex Police, in collaboration with DogLost are running a campaign to help reunite dogs with their owners however, preventing their loss in the first place is a better outcome all around and so they also offer the following advice:

Don’t tie your dog up outside a shop.
Don’t leave your dog alone in the car.
Make sure your dog has been micro chipped (from April 2016, your dog MUST be chipped).
Your dog should always wear a collar and ID tag with your name and address on it. Avoid putting your dogs name on the disc.
Take clear photographs of your dog from various angles, and update them regularly. Make a note of any distinguishing features.
Vary your times of walks and routes; some dogs are actually targeted and snatched during walks.
Fit a bell to your garden gate so you hear if anyone opens it.
Keep your dog in view in the garden, don’t leave them unsupervised.

If the worst happens and you have a lost or stolen dog:

Report stolen dogs to the police as soon as possible by calling 101.
Register your lost or stolen dog free of charge with www.doglost.co.uk or call 0844 800 3220 and access their help page for advice.
Contact your local dog warden.

22nd June 20158th December 2015

Neighbourhood Watch

A special edition Neighbourhood Watch Logo

Interest in Neighbourhood Watch?

Given some unhappy recent experiences it has been suggested that it might be worth considering formally setting up Neighbourhood Watch schemes in our Villages.

Neighbourhood & Home Watch is a voluntary network of schemes where neighbours come together, along with the police and local partners, to build safe and friendly communities.
The aim of the Neighbourhood Watch and Home Watch movement is to bring neighbours together to create strong, friendly, active communities where crime and anti-social behaviour are less likely to happen.

If you would be interested in being involved with this or would like to know more please contact the Parish Council Clerk Sue Pullen on 01206 735 367 or [email protected]

If enough people are interested we will organise a meeting with a Neighbourhood Watch expert to explore what is involved and what our next steps should be.

5th June 20158th December 2015

Essex Police Challenge – 9th June

Do you want to challenge the Chief Constable of Essex Police (Stephen Kavanagh) or the Police & Crime Commissioner for Essex (Nick Alston) about their performance? Unfortunately we seem to have missed a more local opportunity (March 2015 in Witham) but the next Essex Police Challenge event will take place at Epping Forest College on June 9th, and residents are welcome to turn up and ask their question in person or submit a question by email.

The event will give residents the chance to raise their concerns and questions about crime and policing in Essex. Essex Police’s Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh will give an update on the performance of the force, whilst the subjects of the night-time economy in the Epping Forest district, travelling criminality, and the new police IT system Athena will also be discussed.

The event – which has taken place across the county – was devised by Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex and forms a key part of his work to scrutinise the force and hold the Chief Constable to account. It also gives members of the public a unique and valuable opportunity to have their questions answered by both the Chief Constable and PCC. Mr Alston said:

People still have time to submit their questions ahead of the event as well as joining us on the evening to see scrutiny and democracy in local policing in action.

The Essex Police Challenge takes place on Tuesday June 9 from 7.30pm at Epping Forest College in Borders Lane, Loughton, IG10 3SA. To submit a question for the PCC and/or Chief Constable write to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner at 3 Hoffmanns Way, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1GU or alternatively:

Send your question by email

[email protected].

4th March 20152nd December 2016

PAWS February – Photography

Photography – Crime Scene to Art

41 of us attended the February meeting to hear Chris Farndell’s talk on Photography – Crime Scene to Art. Chris is an ex Colchester Police Officer who for the last 17 years of his career in the force was a Scene of Crime Officer. This involved photographing evidence to assist with the prosecution of cases. This proved to be very diverse covering road accidents, personal injuries, graffiti, fires, footprints and fingerprints etc. He had numerous slides showing us some of the cases he had been involved in. After retiring from the Police Force he taught Photography at 6th form college in Colchester. He showed us a number of beautiful photographs in and around Venice showing how different apertures and exposures resulted in stunning photos. He also had a selection of cameras and photos for us to look through. He was a really interesting speaker and his talk was enjoyed by all that were there. Our next meeting is on the 24th March and is a closed meeting as it is our A.G.M. We will be having a Chocolate Tasting, Cake Sampling and a Quiz. There will also be a prize for the best Easter Bonnet.

Membership is currently closed but visitors are welcome (other than the A.G.M.) at a cost of £5.00 which includes refreshments.

Details of all our meetings and speakers can be found on the diary of the home page of the Winstred 100 website. If you would like further information about P.A.W.S please ring either of the following committee members: Alice Holmes 01206 735510 or Jane Anderson 01206 735505.