I'm writing this article on Good Friday and the weather is glorious! I hope it stays that way but I doubt it. This month I'd like to inform you of the procedures of contacting your local police station and "beat codes" as well as to update you on important changes on licensing your vehicle.

CONTACTING YOUR LOCAL POLICE STATION
As you may be aware the constabulary has introduced a "CALL HANDLING" centre which is designed to deal with routine calls. Caldicot is a 24 hour staffed police station, but the staff and officers may NOT always be in the station. We are usually out trying to catch criminals and keep the peace.

When you dial CALDICOT POLICE STATION on 01291-430999 you will usually be put through to the call handling centre. There, another person will either create an incident log if you are reporting something or put you through to the telephone extension of the person you wish to speak to. This is great in theory but it does mean that the call handlers may not be aware of your address or area, especially if your house has a name and not a street or number. brbrTherefore, if you are reporting an incident and the call handler cannot confirm your address location on the force's computer, it may help if you could quote the following 'beat code' numbers relevant to where you live.

BL57: CAERWENT, CRICK, HIGHMOOR HILL ETC,
BL60: WENTWOOD


I MUST STRESS THAT IF YOUR CALL IS AN EMERGENCY, SUCH AS YOU ARE WITNESSING OR HAVE JUST WITNESSED A CRIME OR SERIOUS ACCIDENT ETC, DIAL 999!

Purchasing and licensing motor vehicles
From February 2003 three important changes to taxing vehicle have come into force. I am therefore reproducing these changes in full from the DVLA leaflet INSI 57W.

Unfortunately, it is a fact that if you purchase a stolen or "ringed" vehicle then it is very unlikely that you will get any of your money back! Don't buy a car unless it has its regis tration document V5 and a valid MOT CERTIFICATE!

Where is my nearest DVLA local office?
• Visit http://www.dvla.gov.uk
• In your local telephone directory under DVLA you will find either the address or telephone number
• Address details are listed on page 14 of information booklet V100 available from licence issuing Post Offices.

Vehicle Identity Checks (VIC)
The Vehicle Identity Check or "VIC" will deter criminals from 'passing off' stolen cars as repaired accident damaged ones.
From 7 April 2003 all cars that have been written off/scrapped due to accident damage, and are subsequent ly repaired, must undergo and pass a VIC before they can be returned to the road. The check will be carried out by the Vehicle Inspectorate to confirm the identity of the vehicle but not whether it is roadworthy.
The logbook of any car that has passed a VIC will carry a note to show it has had its identity confirmed.
A logbook will only be issued for such a car if it has passed a Vehicle Identity Check. If you purchase a car without a logbook or a VIC pass, you could find that you will not be able to register or tax it.

Also, from 7 April, where an owner decides to sell or dispose of a car with significant unrepaired accident damage, they will be under a new obligation to return their logbook to DVLA.

For more information on this change, and what to do if you buy a vehicle that requires a Vehicle Identity Check, please see leaflet INF133 available from the DVLA leaflet line on 0870 240 6424

Register of Number Plate Suppliers
From 1 January 2003 all number plate suppliers in England and Wales will be required by law to register their details with DVLA. From that date a business will be unable to trade as a supplier unless it is registered. If you wish to purchase number plates, you will need to provide proof of your identity. You will also need to provide evidence to the supplier that you are entitled to purchase the number plate eg. using your logbook or licence renewal reminder (form V11).
Thieves put fake number plates on stolen vehicles to make them appear legitimate. It will be more difficult for criminals to get number plates because they will need to show that they are entitled to them. Number plate suppliers will keep records of all number plate sales which will help the police in the detection of crime.

For more information on these changes see leaflet INF130 available from DVLA offices or ring the DVLA leaflet line on 0870 240 6424.

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