THE SWAVESEY PATCH

We are a community organisation that endeavours to facilitate community action with the aim that we might continue to live in a safe and happy environment. We are all inclusive and welcome all people who live in Swavesey to this site and to any assistance that we can give.

Please tell us if you have been subject to crime. We can ask for witnesses to help solve your case. The sooner we ask, the more likely people are to remember. Our local officers try to keep us up to date and we now can get "real time" information on occasions. Follow Sgt. Paul Rogerson on Twitter @sgtrogerson. Polly also will give some real time info. out @pollywilderspin.

Coordinators are needed for Whitton Close. Please can you help? The task is small! See Polly at polly.wilderspin@btinternet.com for information.

NEW POLICE OFFICER FOR SWAVESEY We are pleased to welcome Ryan Carter to our Patch. Please give him a warm welcome if you see him. His photograph and contact details are on "CONTACTS" page.

SUS MEN IN VILLAGE THURSDAY A.M. Asking for metal but accessing to rear of properties so far in High St. Please phone police if observed plus we need reg. Thank you, Polly. UPDATE, these men have been identified by a villager as probabally those reported two weeks ago for similar activity. Police have agreed. Police did not manage to find them this time.

BIKE FOUND APOLLO XC26s opposite Constable's Rood. Police aware. For further info. please contact Polly 230083.

SUS PERSONS IN WIDER AREA gained access to rear of premises by breaking padlock on side gate. Please think thief. If you can break in so can they!

POLICE WARNING Thieves are using impliments through post boxes etc. in order to grab keys that have been left hanging/ have been placed near to doors. Please do not keep keys on hall tables/ stairs or shelves, please keep them well away from any mode of entry.

WHERE DO YOU STORE YOUR BINS? Burglars have used waste bin to gain entry to upper floor via side roof in Milton. Point to remember when placing bins!

PURSE SNATCHED AT MORRISONS. Please be thief aware and keep your money close to you and unreachable.

WALK IN CRIME IN S.CAMBS VILLAGE CAUSES DISTRESS. Please be aware that criminals use this good weather in order to access the homes of the elderly/ others also. Please do not leave back or front doors open or unlocked. Please do keep an eye on elderly persons; those with young children, who may forget door safety and leave them open for easy access.

YOUNG PEOPLE. Do your young persons know how to contact the police?! Please involve them with your NHW activities and tell them as to how, when and why they can contact the police. They all know 999 but for other questions, uncertaincies, help being needed it is 101. Most do not seem to know this.

POLICE MESSAGE. Thieves are now stripping tractors and other farm equipment of GPS and other electronic systems. If you see anyone who looks out of place near a tractor do call the police please. These items cost a great deal of money.

POLICE MESSAGE Metal thieves are operating in our area please ring in ANYTHING SUS. to 999!

FREE INSULATION. A phone cold caller is offering to connect people to the current free insulation scheme but charging a registration fee of Ł50! The free insulation scheme is a FREE insulation scheme, please do not pay Ł50!

PLEASE BE ALERT to anyone sus. in the village especially around shops and the Post Office. All such premises are vulnerable to crime. Please actively think of this if you see folk hanging around.

IMPORTANT. PLEASE UPDATE YOUR DETAILS TO YOUR STREET COORDINATOR. We had sus persons on premises in Over Rd yesterday, Friday, and needed to alert immediate neighbours as police think that they may return. Up to date emails are needed for situations like this. We could only alert three neighbours.

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH SGT. PAUL ROGERSON NOW ON TWITTER @sgtrogerson. Up to date reports and activity information when on duty. Well worth the link! Please encourage him by being a "follower".

S.CAMBS. BURGLARS ARE USING GARDEN TOOLS. Please note that the current spate of burglaries are being implimented by the offenders finding tools and other freestanding items in gardens and then using them to break into peoples homes. Windows, doors and patio doors are being broken or forced.Please keep all tools locked away securely. Why not walk round your garden thinking "what could a person use to get into my home?"

ANTI SOCIAL DRIVING if you are subject to this in your area please do phone the police as it happens so that they can attend.

ALERT RE METAL THEFTS Please be very watchful as to tipper lorries/ vans etc which are stealing man hole covers and other metals from this area. They are usually older than authority owned vehicles. If you see any of these taking away similar items please check with the police

NOTTINGHAM KNOCKERS These persons who claim to be an ex offender and whose way of working gives cause for concern, often come to our village. The police do not want them in this area and require calls straight away as soon as they arrive in order to ask them to leave. They often do not have a Cambs. Trader’s Licence.

YOU MAY NOT KNOW THIS.......USE OF FOOTPATHS. You may take prams, dogs and wheelchairs on footpaths. The County Council website states that you do not have the right to ride a bicycle, ride or lead a horse or take a horse drawn vehicle down a footpath. It is a criminal offence to take any motor vehicle down a footpath unless you have been given lawful authority.

YOU MAY NOT KNOW THIS......USE OF BRIDLEWAYS. Please note that bridleways are for walkers, horseriders and cyclists. Only motorised vehicles that have been given lawful authority can be driven down a bridleway. There is no right to drive a pony and trap or horse drawn vehicle down a bridleway. Cyclists must give way to walkers and riders of horses.

To reduce the risk of being a victim:

- It’s important to make your home look lived in and ask neighbours to keep an eye on it when you are not in. Consider installing light timers. Burglars will target homes in darkness as there is less of a risk of being spotted. If the bins are due to be collected, ask your neighbours to move them on and off your drive for you.

- Report unusual activity such as people knocking at your door. If you believe someone knocking at your door could be a burglar then contact police immediately. This type of information can be used to gain a better understanding of how criminals are operating in your area.

- Keep a note of any unusual vehicles parking in your area and pass information onto the police.

Deterrents:

Alarms: Install an alarm - even an empty box on the side of your home can be enough to put off a burglar.

Dogs: A `beware of the dog’ sign can be enough to put off an intruder, regardless of whether a dog is present.

Lock up your shed: Offenders do not like carrying break-in tools as they may be searched en-route to a burglary. They often raid sheds to get their hands on tools to burgle.

Strong communities are also a deterrent for burglars: Make friends with your neighbours or join your local Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

FRAUDSTERS ARE PHONING OR EMAILING PRETENDING TO BE FROM YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL. They are requesting your bank details saying that either you need to pay your council tax due to no payments being received or to say that you are due a refund. No council employee will ask for your bank details in this way.

"Buy With Confidence" is a scheme that helps you find local traders that are reliable. For further information contact www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk or telephone Comsumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06

SOUTH CAMBS. DISTRICT COUNCIL WARNING RE SCAM Scammers ring persons saying that they are due a council tax refund in a bid to steal bank details. Your council will not phone you on such a matter nor ask for your banking details

SCAM British Gas will not e-mail anyone to ask for their banking details in order update their records nor by which to "reinstate" your payment plan because your payments "have been declined", This is a scam.

E-MAIL BANK SCAMS Scam emails supposedly from nearly every bank are being sent out on a regular basis. If you receive an email that your account, for instance, has " been suspended", "needs confirmation of details" etc. think scam/ phish straight away and tell your bank. Do not click onto any link given, do not give any details at all to these persons. They are after your money!

ITINERANT TRADERS. Please do not use itinerant traders as many have questionable practices and motives. All garden works, roof works, scrap and refuse collection can be done by local and checkable persons and trusted traders. If in doubt check with neighbours or look in the Meridian for persons to employ. Our advice is to politely and assertively refuse, no matter how polite and pleasant they seem. If you have scrap, sell it and gain the profit for yourselves by using a local dealer. Also, to use unlicenced operatives could end in a criminal charge for the householder concerned.

CRIME PREVENTION STICKERS. We have received 300 "I am not buying at the door" stickers. These will be distributed through various means such as shops and organisations. We have done this as a response to complaints as to the number of unwanted callers here and as to their sales methods. These stickers are for all ages to use! Please put them so that approaching persons can clearly see them. If they call please just show them the sticker or ignore them altogether.