As clocks go back, do your bit to protect against burglars

It is that time of year, when darker nights are fast approaching and West Midlands Police are encouraging residents to think about home security.

The clocks will be going back by an hour on Saturday night (29 October), and officers are asking residents to act now to help secure their home.

Simple tips include:

• Using a timer switch for lights. These are inexpensive and mean homes are not left in darkness to alert burglars to an empty property.
• Using door and window locks, even when someone is at home.
• Cancelling newspapers and milk if the property is left unoccupied for a few days.
• Keeping your shed and garage locked - your tools could be used to break into your home.
• Neighbourhood Watch is an effective way to keep your home and community safer. You can find details of how to join or set up a scheme from the partnerships officer at your local station.

Sergeant Andy Gregory said: "Many people will now be returning home from work in the dark and often forget to leave a light on, making it obvious to a potential burglar that the property is probably unoccupied. Homeowners should consider investing in time switches, windows should always closed and locked and, where available, house alarms set.

"Traditionally the number of burglary offences rises in the winter and we want residents to think about how they can help themselves by taking a few simple measures."

For further advice about keeping your property secure, see the force's website: www.safer-homes.org

The burglary initiative comes at a time when West Midlands Police is showing a large reduction in house burglary. Over the last six months there have been 2,300 fewer victims of house break-ins (down 24 per cent) compared to the same period last year.

Follow this link to view our Beat the Burglar video on You Tube: https://exchange.wmpad.local/owa/redir.aspx?C=921ae18c93374983a76d54512762de26&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fwatch%3fv%3dkDkIQggah2c

Frosty Morning Car thefts

With the winter fast approaching and the inevitable drop in temperature, Police are issuing a warning to all car owners who start their car on a frosty morning and then go back indoors, even for a moment - Please Don't!

You leave yourselves open to the vehicle being stolen, opportunist thieves wander round looking for cars to steal. The easiest option for them is to steal a car with the keys and they know that in frosty weather, there will always be a car engine running somewhere while the car defrosts and the driver is inside the house. 

This not only causes you inconvenience but information from the AA states 'Most car insurance policies will not cover theft of your car if it has been left unlocked with the keys in the ignition.'

Leaving your car engine running while you go back indoors for any reason is a huge risk but incredibly last year a surprising number of people did it in Solihull and a number of cars were stolen as a result. There were 129 cars were stolen this way in the West Midlands with over 10 cars being stolen in Solihull whilst defrosting during last Winter.

In addition if you leave your car running on a road without proper supervision you actually commit an offence for which you could be fined or issued with a fixed penalty notice.

Our advice is that wherever possible, you store your car in a garage. If you do not have a garage, cover the windscreen with a purpose made cover, newspaper or cardboard to keep the frost off. Use a scraper or de-icer, or pour hot (not boiling) water on the windscreen.

 

Local Police officers will be conducting additional patrols in residential areas during cold weather, help us to frustrate would be car thieves and don't leave your car running.

Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre Fun Day

On the 19^th August 2011 a fun day took place in Chelmsley Wood shopping centre to raise money for the Shopping Centre Association.

The Fun Day was arranged by members of the Town Centre Tenants Association, which was set up by Sergeant Mark Cowl from the Chelmsley Wood Neighbourhood Police together with Barry Jones the Centre Manager to build on the excellent working relationship between retailers and their local police teams.

The Association exists to improve the environment and shopping experience for retailers, staff and vistors to Chelmsley Wood Town Centre

A number of retailers donated raffles prizes, the proceeds of which will help to fund the purchase of additional radios for the Retail Link scheme to enable retailers, Security Staff and Police communicate more easily.

Throughout the day there was a Disco in the centre of the Shopping Malls with DJ Paul “ The Prisoner “ Chambers, who is one of the town centre cleaning staff. The disco attracted many members of the public to dance with “ Woody the Owl “ the town centre mascot who’s time was donated by Albermarle and Bond pawn brokers.

The Incredible Hulk also made an appearances on the day played by centre cleaner Martin Thompson in between his regular duties of keeping the centre clean.

Other attractions in the centre included a Bouncy Castle and some 'Stocks' where willing victims had wet sponges thrown at them for a price. Some of the more popular victims included Sergeant Mark Cowl;  the centre manager Barrie Jones and PC Dave Jephcott. 

Sgt Cowl said “it is fantastic to see Chelmsley Wood residents turn out in force to support an event to improve their local shopping centre”

The day raised over £300 toward the cost of the Retail Link radios, which will provide a better and safer environment for shoppers and staff

If you want to get in touch with your local Police team visit Solihull Police or phone 0345 113 5000

Disorder in Birmingham and Solihull Part 2

I thought it would be helpful to update people where we are at in Solihull. As I write now 10.30am on Thursday 11th August 2011, we have not had any disorder or crimes related to the issues happening in Birmingham and other parts of the country for over 48 hours. In fact the minor disorder we experienced was nothing like other areas have seen and was quickly dealt with by our local police officers. That said there has been plenty of rumour and speculation circulating through all kinds of media; usually third or fourth hand that something is likely to or has actually happened. None has proven to be true.

This does not mean we are complacent, I am meeting with colleagues and partners on a daily basis to reflect on what has happened in the last 24 hours and whether our plans are right for the next 24. My focus over the last few days has been around reassurance for people who live and work in the Meriden Constituency area in Solihull.

I have placed my staff in areas that see the most pedestrian traffic - shopping locations such as Chelmsley Wood town centre, Chester Road, Marston Green, Kingshurst and Smiths Wood and we are also paying particular attention to transport hubs.

This is not because we believe there is any danger but that these are the places we can interact with significant numbers of people. I also authorised some additional police powers for my staff, enabling them to search anyone they believed was likely to be involved in disorder or criminality. Everyone stopped under those powers will receive a visit from the Police so they understand the behaviour we expect in Solihull.

I have asked my staff today to go about their normal business this morning but later this afternoon we will be holding a number of street briefings so that we can take questions from you and pass out the latest information we have.

Solihull Borough remains a safe place to visit, work or live in, the problems experienced elsewhere have not appeared here and the actions we have taken through highly visible and robust policing has sent a message to any potential trouble makers - 'You're not welcome here!'

Finally as an appeal, can I ask that you go about your normal business as you ordinarily would. Please do not listen to gossip or rumour especially on social media such as twitter or Facebook - for the facts visit our website Solihull Police or follow reliable sources on twitter such as me at InspWestMidsPol or colleagues on DIWestMidsPol or SolihullCouncil.

If you have any information on the recent disorders, you should call West Midlands Police on 0800 096 0095, or 0207 158 0125 and quote Operation View. In an emergency always call 999.

Recent Disorder in Birmingham/Solihull

Following last night’s disorder in Birmingham, and to a lesser extent in Solihull, West Midlands Police are actively working with our communities and partners to ensure the safety of our communities.

We appreciate these scenes and incidents will cause concern but we can reassure you that we are monitoring all activity and have comprehensive policing plans in place for Solihull.

We have additional police patrols on the street, and trained public order teams on standby, in order to protect members of the public, homes and retail premises.

We are confident we can provide an effective and proportionate policing response to any given situation and remain fully committed to supporting and protecting our communities.

West Midlands Police will not tolerate violent behaviour and will arrest any people who commit acts of violence or criminality. Offenders can expect to be put before the courts and punished appropriately.

Should there be any incidents of disorder I would ask members of the public to stay calm, remain at home, and give police officers the space they need to monitor and contain any issues that arise.

We would appreciate your help in this respect and encourage you to spread the message amongst your community.

We remain concerned that young people are being drawn into unlawful activity and encourage families and communities to ensure their young people are safely at home during this period.

Anybody with information relating to the disorder is urged to call West Midlands Police on 0345 113 5000 and quote Operation View.

Rumours of Abduction

There have been some messages circulating recently concerning alleged “attempted abductions” of children near schools in Dorridge.

Firstly, can I reassure you that no children have been abducted, injured, grabbed by any member of the public, or forced into vehicles.

We are aware of three suspicious incidents over the last fortnight – the latest being in

Station Road

on Wednesday June 29 – where a man in a car has attempted to engage schoolchildren in conversation.

Thanks to the swift action of a parent, who noted down the car’s registration number, Solihull Police have now traced a man in connection with the incident and are speaking to him about his conduct.

We are currently establishing whether a criminal offence has occurred; if we believe that to be the case he will be arrested and interviewed.

As always, parents are encouraged to ask their children to remain vigilant and to reinforce the age-old message of never talking to strangers.

Any suspicious behaviour by individuals, especially around school premises, should be reported to the school and/or the police. Solihull Police can be contacted on 0345 113 5000 or 999 in an emergency.

Police officers will continue to maintain a visible presence in the area to reassure schoolchildren.

Meriden Sector Community Identified Priorities - What are They?

As we have now moved into our new way of working at Solihull, the dedicated neighbourhood teams are really focusing on what our communities are saying is important.

If it is an issue that the team can deal with themselves, they will resolve it as quickly as they can and feedback to the community that raised the issue.

Where it is something that takes a little longer and requires help from our partners and even the community themselves then we will raise it as a priority and take it to a multi-agency local meeting which meets once a month. At the meeting a plan can be put together involving all the agencies including how long we think it will take to resolve. If it helps, a concerned member of the community can attend the start of the meeting to explain how the priority is impacting on them and their community. It is vital that we maintain contact with the affected community and let them know how we are progressing; we will also keep our websites updated with progress.

So how can you help? Please just tell us about the issues that are bothering you - it is vital that we understand what they are and how they are impacting on you.

Visit our website www.solihullpolice.org.uk and check out when our next meeting is in your area or contact your local neighbourhood team.

Our current priorities identified by you are;

• Blythe - Anti-social behaviour and damage in Shelley Farm
• Smithswood - Anti-social behaviour in Burtons Park Road
• Marston Green - Anti-social behavior and theft in Willow Way
• Kingshurst & Fordbridge - Anti-social behaviour and drugs in Bosworth Drive
• Chelmsley Wood - Anti-social behaviour in Raglan Way
• Bickenhill & Meriden - Anti-social behaviour in Alspath Road.

Contact the team if you think there is an issue we are missing.

Finally if you have any thoughts on the best way for us to meet and talk with you I am keen to hear from you

Big Society?

A lot is said about Big Society and how there is a real need to get people involved in their communities....

I can tell you from my experience there already are a lot of people involved and doing a very good job!! I had the privilege of meeting John from Dorridge earlier this week; he had written to my Chief Superintendent to ask if he could push an idea he's had for a few years - joining up Neighbourhood Watch Schemes and Environmental Champions. John is both and has made a great success of involving his neighbours in the NHW scheme and cleaning up a local pond through the use of volunteers. It is no exaggeration to say that he is rightly proud of the difference he has made to his local community.

Then there are the Balsall Common Volunteers who originally started off as a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme but around three years ago took over the running of the Police Shop in Balsall Common. Without their help there wouldn't be a Police Shop that residents and visitors to Balsall Common could use to report issues that require police attention. The shop is open and staffed by local people who freely give up their time to make a difference.

Today I attended the North Solihull Community and Volunteer Association and sat and spoke with around 20 people from different volunteer organisations in the North of Solihull. Each was there because they wanted to give something back to their community.

Volunteering is very much alive in Solihull and will be celebrated on the 7th June as part of National Volunteer Week.

It makes me proud and realise what a privilege it is to work with and for the good people of Solihull.

If you want further information on Volunteer week please get in touch.