Caerwent Community Neighbourhood Watch
POLICE NOTES
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This month I'm going to advise on nuisance behaviour and criminal damage. Young people between 9 and 17 years old occasionally get involved in "Nuisance Behaviour" which then tends to lead on to "Criminal Damage". Fortunately, in Caerwent, these incidents are rare and it must he stressed that only a very small proportion of young people get involved in these activities. The vast ma,jority of youngsters that 'hang about' in the streets are just chatting and laughing. However, recently in Caldicot, mainly Oakley Way and Longfellow Road, and in Magor Square problems have been occurring. Nuisance behaviour can be summed up as loud noise, bangong of gates and dustbins, loud music, running up and down the streets at night and so on. This particular problem is very difficult for police to prosecute but the Council, in partnership with the Police, can apply for EXCLUSION ORDERS which, although very expensive to obtain (approximately £16,000) a time, do seem to be effective in controlling persistent offenders. However, in all instances it is important that witnesses are located and are prepared to make statements to the police. An EXCLUSION ORDER basically excludes the offender from any area deemed by the court. It could be a street, neighbourhood or even a town CRIMlNAL DAMAGE: It is a criminal offence to damage any other person's property without their consent. Please note: Damage is also defined as not just property but expense as well. So, for example, if I throw eggs and flour at a bus shelter in Caerwent which then involves time and labour to clean (which is an expense) then the offence of criminal damage is complete. Criminal damage is an ARRESTABLE OFFENCE. Persons convicted by a court of this offence will have a permanent criminal record provided, of course, that the victim wishes to pursue a complaint. There have been persons prosecuted recently for throwing flour inside cars on Hallowe'en night in Caldicot. I must stress again that the majority of young people do not get involved in these offences. RECENT CRIME PATTERNS: In the Caldicot, Rogiet, Undy and Magor areas cars and businisses have been broken into and items stolen. These items have then been sold on to purchase drugs, chiefly Heroin. If anyone knows any information concerning people who have recently been trying to sell jewellery in red boxes or power tools, please contact me. Finally, I'd like to wish everyone a crime free Christmas and remember that the chances of your being a victim of crime, particularly in Caerwent, are still very low. HAPPY CHRISTMAS! I welcome all constructive comments, critical or otherwise, about my articles. If there is any aspect of general criminal law tnat you would like to know about, let me know and I will write an article on it. A GENERAL REMINDER! If you see any suspicious activity - don't worry about 'disturbing the police'. Please just dial Caldicot Police Station on 01291-430999 or 999 straight away. Remember, your efforts can make a real difference. Until next month. Ashley Turner. PC 737, Community Police Constable PS:- I still have "BOGUS CALLER INITIATIVE" packs and some very good booklets on drugs and alcohol abuse. If anyone would like one contact me at the Police Station on 01291-430999. |