Caerwent Community Neighbourhood Watch

POLICE NOTES

MARCH 2002 Spring is now upon us, but as it's been so wet recently, I doubt if a lot of work is going on in the garden at present. However, we will shortly be entering the time when criminals are on the look out for items to steal from garages, garden sheds etc. There is a ready market for stolen bicycles, mowers, chainsaws and other power tools. I've outlined this month some simple precautions that can be taken to reduce the chances of theft. GARDEN SHED SECURITY If your shed has a window put up a net curtain. This helps prevent thieves from looking inside. Fit a heavy HASP AND STAPLE on the door and door frame. Ensure that it is securely fixed using nuts, bolts and washers or a metal back plate. The bolts should go right through the door frame. If the window opens fit a lock. Ensure that you buy and fit a good quality padlock. If you have to store expensive items, lawnmowers, cycles etc., consider chaining them to a rack inside the shed. Don't leave anything useful to thieves around, the garden, such as AXES, CROWBARS, etc. You can now buy battery operated infra-red alarms for sheds and garages. These would probably scare off most intruders. If you have a deep freeze in the shed, fit a lock to it. Lots of thieves steal food in addition to other items. RECENT CRIME PATTERNS Owing to recent successful prosecutions some of our regular ~"customers" are currently away in "secure accommodation". However, there are other thieves around. Some good news - thefts from vehicles are much lower at the moment. DRUGS There is good intelligence that several heroin drug users who were smoking the drug are now injecting it. This is usual after about a year when the smoking method decreases in it's effectiveness. If anyone wishes to pass on, confidentially, any information concerning drug suppliers or users they can contact me at CALDICOT POLICE STATION on 01291-430999 or leave a message and I'll get back to you. REMEMBER - IT COULD BE ONE OF YOUR RELATIONS WHO BECOMES ADDICTED NEXT! Continuing the articles on drug abuse... "MAGIC MUSHROOMS" Known as "shrooms" and "mushies", these are small mushrooms called PSILOCYBE and are found in the late summer. They contain an hallucinogenic compound called PSILOCYBIN which, when injested, is converted into the class 'A' drug PSILOCIN which has a similar effect to LSD. In fact the user experiences the effects even quicker than with LSD, but the 'trips' are of shorter duration. These mushrooms are eaten raw, dried, cooked in food or stewed into a tea. HEALTH RISKS Eating the wrong kind of mushroom can cause serious illness and even fatal poisoning. They can cause stomach pains, sickness and diarrhoea. Behaviour when under the influence of the drug may be very unpredictable and complicate any mental health problems. LEGAL NOTE While it is not illegal to possess raw magic mushrooms, when prepared, e.g. dried or stewed, they are a class 'A' drug. CYCLE POSTCODING Unfortunately the new serialised security stickers have not yet arrived. I should he publishing the proposed dates for me to mark cycles in Caerwent in next month's magazine. REMEMBER - IF YOU SEE ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS RING THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY. Until next month. Ashley Turner. PC 737, Community Police Constable

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