WHAT COULD NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH MEAN FOR YOU?
Like all Neighbourhood Watch schemes across the UK, Boughton Monchelsea members are expected to be alert and respond to what is going on in their neighbourhood. But the scheme does not expect members to patrol the streets or be vigilantes. The most important thing the scheme asks you to do is keep an eye on what is happening in your part of the village community – to be “Neighbourly”.
For example, milk bottles left on a doorstep, or a newspaper half-pushed through a letterbox can mean your neighbour has gone on holiday and forgotten to cancel a regular order. Or it can mean an elderly person living alone needs help or attention. These signs can attract criminals. But if you notice them and respond, you can save a lot of heartache and expense. And one day your neighbour might do the same for you.
You can ask local area coordinator for practical advice. He or she can give you information on how to secure your home and protect your property.
Deciding to join our local Boughton Monchelsea group means you have made a positive commitment to act against crime in our community. You have also become part of one of the largest and most successful grassroots movements in the country.
Being a member of the scheme has many practical advantages. For example, you can feel secure knowing that your neighbours are always keeping an eye on your property. You can also get lower insurance premiums from some insurance companies. Many members agree that Neighbourhood Watch has brought back a community spirit in their area, with neighbours working together to organise social events. Neighbourhood Watch can be much more than an attempt to prevent burglaries. You and your neighbours can actually improve life in your community. If you are interested in joining the local team or would like to be put in touch with your local representative please contact us through one of the following methods. You will be invited to attend one of our regular evening meetings in the village hall held approximately every two months.
Please e-mail: bmnw@onetel.net.uk with your contact details
Or telephone the Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator, John Marsh, on 01622 747515
Boughton Monchelsea Neighbourhood Watch News
Issue No.19 – Winter 2007
BOUGHTON MONCHELSEA NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
IF YOU LIVE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS
Harling Close – Joy Wood – Petlands – Heath Road – Gandys Lane
We need new Co-ordinators and additional cover for the above locations due to recent moves and other commitments of long-standing Co-ordinators. We urgently need cover in these areas, can you help?
It is not an onerous job. We meet bi-monthly for about an hour. We need residents who are community minded, willing to look out for their neighbours. We are not a vigilante group, just people who keep their eyes and ears open for suspicious events.
We keep an eye out for the elderly and vulnerable within our Parish.
The reported crime rate in Boughton Monchelsea is well below the average for similar size rural communities in the Maidstone area. Our Neighbourhood Watch Group can and does succeed and the criminals know that we are well organized and vigilant.
INTERESTED IN JOINING US? WOULD YOU LIKE TO ATTEND ONE OF OUR MEETINGS BEFORE COMMITTING YOURSELF? EITHER WAY, PHONE JOHN MARSH ON (01622) 747515 TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN HELP US TO KEEP THE LOCAL CRIME RATE DOWN.
CRIME IN THE AREA
SCAMS
Two scams that you should be made aware of:- a) There has been a spate of letters from the ‘International Lotto’, based in Spain. It informs you that you have won money and to complete an order form with your bank details to release the money. If you receive one of these letters we would recommend you destroy it.
- b) Kent Trading Standards would like to make you aware of the following; Consumers may receive a card posted through their door or an E-mail from a trader called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service). The card or E-mail suggests that the sender was unable to deliver a parcel and that they need to be contacted on 0906 6611911. This is a premium rate number charged at a minimum of £1.50 per minute. Consumers are advised NOT to call.
Crime in the Village Summary –
- 2 Thefts
- 3 Theft from motor vehicle, 1 theft of motor vehicle
- 2 Criminal damage
- 1 Arson
CHRISTMAS IS A TIME FOR GIVING
And yet many of us still give a gift to the burglar – a house full of presents left in full view.
We are at that time of the year when our houses begin to fill with expensive presents and gifts for our friends and families, something any would-be burglar will be very aware of, so please ensure that such items are well tucked away, not left in view of windows etc.
Other clues which could give the thief an idea of your house contents are packing boxes which will have product pictures and names printed on, left outside by bins. Try and collapse any boxes and store them out of sight, until you can re-cycle them or have them collected by the refuse teams.
Property marking can be done cheaply and easily with a UV pen, available from NHW, or etching tool. For larger and more distinctive items, it is quite useful to take photographs to keep with the other details.
IDENTITY THEFT
Criminals commit identity theft by stealing your personal information. This is often done by taking documents from your rubbish or by making contact with you and pretending to be from a legitimate organisation.
Identity theft can result in fraud affecting your personal financial circumstances. If your identity is stolen, you may have difficulty getting loans, credit cards or a mortgage until the matter is sorted out.
Your identity and personal information are valuable assets. Keep them secure. The Home Office Identity Theft website is www.identity-theft.org.uk. The site contains lots of information and links to other websites giving the low-down on how not to become a victim.
Some essential tips:
- If you suspect your mail is being stolen, call the Royal Mail: 08457 740 740.
- If your plastic cards are lost or stolen, cancel them immediately. Keep a note of the emergency numbers you should call. Visit the Card Watch website (www.cardwatch.org.uk) for more information.
- If your passport or driving licence has been lost or stolen contact the issuing organisation immediately. www.passport.gov.uk www.dvla.gov.uk
- Keep your personal documents in a safe place, preferably in a locked drawer
- Destroy unwanted documents, preferably by using a shredder
Mailing Preference Service - www.mpsonline.org.uk for junk mail.
Banking Industry Bank Safe Online - www.banksafeonline.org.uk
I.C.E. IN YOUR MOBILE PHONE
The original concept, conceived by Cambridge paramedic Bob Brotchie, involves entering the acronym ICE – for In Case of Emergency – into the mobile’s phone book in front of your designated emergency contact. Almost everyone carries a mobile phone now, and with ICE the emergency services would know immediately who to contact and what number to ring. Your ICE Partner may even be able to help them with your medical history.
Follow these hints to get the best out of ICE:
- The person whose name and number you are using has agreed to be your ICE partner
- Your ICE partner has a list of people they should contact on your behalf - including your place of work
- Your ICE person's number is one that's easy to contact, for example a home number could be useless in an emergency if the person works full time
- Your ICE partner knows about any medical conditions that could affect your emergency treatment - for example allergies or current medication
- If you are under 18, your ICE partner is a parent or guardian authorised to make decision on your behalf - for example if you need a life or death operation
- Should your preferred contact be deaf, then type ICETEXT then the name of your contact before saving the number
Christmas Greetings
Finally for this edition, Boughton Monchelsea Neighbourhood Watch would like to wish all residents in the Parish a very Happy Christmas and a healthy, safe and secure New Year.
Until next time – Be Neighbourly – Be Safe!