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I do hope that everyone had a happy Christmas and New Year's Eve.
I also assume that most readers have now been to the JANUARY SALES
and purchased items. I will cover security marking of household items
later.
RECENT CRIME PATTERNS
Yet again I have to report that domestic
and industrial burglaries are continuing in the ROGIET and CALDICOT
area. The majority of these burglaries are being committed by drup
addicts who are mainly after money and DVD players, PlayStation
games and other attractive items they can sell quickly.
Sheds are usually broken into but they are now targeting houses
with poor security. Recently a house was entered by reaching inside
a CAT FLAP and getting the hack door key which had been left in the
lock! Please don't leave any keys on the inside of locked doors.
A better idea is to hang them on a hook near the door out out of
reach of someone who has an arm through any broken panels etc.
Also try to ensure that the key cannot be seen from the outside.
PROPERTY SECURITY
If you have purchased or been given new valuable
electrical items recently here are a few tips that will assist the
police greatly in recovering them and returning them to you.
Keep all receipts and instruction books safe and make a note
of all model and serial numbers of all equipment i.e. DVD,
VIDEO PLAYERS, TVs. HI FIs. and computer equipment. Get all bicycles post coded and again keep a note of any
serial numbers. If the items don't have a serial number - such as jewellery, paintinga,
or porcelain, then take two photographs (one for the police
in the event of theft) and keep them safe. Try to mark the items in several places using security marker
pens. Mark the items with your house name or number and post
code.
I should stress that these burglaries are mainly confined at
present to the CALDTCOT-ROGIET area. However, they may spread and
forewarned is forearmed. If you see anything suspicious - persons
looking around buildings, cars etc. or attempting to enter them
suspiciously then ring 999 straight away.
Finally, during New Year's Eve
two cars were scratched in CANON LANE using a knife, key etc.
If you saw anything or have heard who may have committed these crimes,
contact myself or any other police officer at OALDICOT police station
and let us know.
Alternatively you can contact CRIME STOPPERS.
It will cost £1,200.00 to repair the damage to these vehicles.
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.
Ashley Turner
PC 737, Community Police Constable
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