Neighbourhood Watch and your Community

The Neighbourhood Watch movement (NHW) in the United Kingdom started about 25 years ago and now embraces several million households.

It was several years later that the Mid Sussex District was formed. Three years ago a report by the Sussex Police Authority stated that in East and West Sussex together there were some 12,000 NHW road schemes each led by a co- ordinator. More recently Sussex Police, following a full update of the relevant police database, recorded about 8,000 co-ordinators of which 528 were included for Mid Sussex with their road schemes, representing 13,000 or so households which shows that there has been a decline in support over the past two or three years.

The loss of some road schemes does raise the question as to why there has been some reduction of interest and support as well as questioning what can be done to redress that loss. No-one knows how effective NHW working is in helping to reduce crime and to enhance community safety. But there can be no doubt that most households are well aware of the need to improve protection of home and family as well as their local environment. Certainly the guidance and information that NHW co-ordinators provide both encourages and reminds people about ways of reducing risk and alerts them of particular current concerns about criminal and anti-social behaviour.

Many voluntary organisations often now seem to find that the loss of someone who has taken a lead role in helping to run that body is far from easy to replace - and NHW is no exception to that experience.

All of us have the pressures of home, family and business life to fill our days in varying ways and we often feel that someone else should fill the gap that may have emerged in a local organisation. But the loss of even just one or two key people can quickly lead to the collapse of an effective scheme.

Over the years, NHW activity has advanced a good deal from the early days of ‘curtain twitching’ as a stranger walked up a neighbour’s drive. ‘Watching’ is still important in keeping alert for possible dubious activity around and about, but our increased linkage with bodies like the Fire & Rescue Service and Trading Standards has widened the aspects of safety that can affect us all. Participation in the North Downs NHW Search Team and in quite a number of Speed Check teams brought about new ventures and these have been supported by many new volunteers drawn from member households. For both these areas of work more helpers are needed and your local road co-ordinator or your local PCSO will be able to put you in touch with those leading these teams.

Despite the many NHW road schemes that are working in Mid Sussex there are still a significant number of roads, ward areas and even a few villages that have no representation. If you are reading this and have no local scheme in part of your road or perhaps in another nearby road, you could help. The work of a co-ordinator is not at all onerous, but can be a worthwhile contribution to assisting the well-being of your local community, especially those people who may be a little more vulnerable than you are. Again, a nearby road co- ordinator or your local PCSO can be the contact point for your offer of help. Please think about it.

Lowland Dogs Search Team

Most of us probably think that a search dog may be an Alsatian or – if you're lucky – a St Bernard with a comforting drink attached to his collar! But the photograph above taken at the recent Hayward Heath 999 day shows one of the Sussex Lowland dogs in an off duty moment. Search dogs include a wide variety of breeds including just the sort of pet you may have at home. There are about seven dogs currently used by the local Sussex team and their training can take 18 months to two years or so to reach top standard. They have a remarkable ability to find a trace of a missing person at a considerable distance and lead the searcher to the right location. The Team specialises in night time searches but also works with the North Downs Search Team and the similar ones in Sussex. Volunteer helpers are welcome to assist the dog handler in search operations, etc.

e-mail: jeff@sussexpetsitters.co.uk

Our own North Downs team also needs additional volunteers who will be trained by a police specialist so they can join in daytime searches. Contact Sgt Rachel Mundy at e-mail: rachel.mundy@sussex.pnn.police.uk or telephone 07818 010083.

Message from
Chief Inspector
Edward De-La-Rue

Fire Safety
in the Home

This is my first contribution to Watch Out since arriving as District Commander in July – I can’t quite believe that was only three months ago! Following Chris Ball has certainly been a tough task, but hopefully I’m starting to get to grips with it, and to carry on with the good work the district was doing under him. Already I’ve seen the really broad range of policing in Mid Sussex.

Much of it is not related to crime but to events like the planned Beachdown Music Festival, intended to take place at Devil’s Dyke on the August Bank Holiday weekend, with an expected attendance of 10,000. When this was cancelled by the organiser it was estimated that as many as 50% of the audience would still travel to the location, with a risk of disorder or illegal parties/raves occurring. A major operation was put in place, with support from the rest of Sussex Police and in fact the weekend went very smoothly. I’m constantly struck by how beautiful an area Mid Sussex is, and it's also a very safe area. Every so often I get Home Office information showing how crime here compares to other similar areas elsewhere in the country – places like the New Forest, Surrey Heath and Aylesbury Vale. Out of 15 similar districts Mid Sussex has the 3rd lowest level of crimes per person!

One of my challenges is to keep crime as low as possible and at the same time to encourage people to feel safe and confident in their homes and communities. For both of those tasks I need the help of local partners, and I see Neighbourhood Watch as very important partners.

I have already had really productive discussions with Geoff Coe about how to get the police and NHW working together as effectively as we can. I don’t think this is about starting from scratch, but just about looking at how we currently work and making sure both sides are clear about what we expect of each other and how we will deliver it.

I will be working with my teams to make sure we get as much as possible of the right kind of information to you, and in return I ask that you continue to let us know straight away of any suspicious activity in your area, either via CrimeStoppers or direct to Sussex Police. Also one of the things I will be looking at improving is the way in which we get back to you with the outcomes of the information you give us (although this could take a little while – there are some difficult obstacles for us to overcome).

Wishing you a safe and happy Autumn.

Ed De La Rue
Mid Sussex District Commander
Haywards Heath Police Station

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Services aim is to ensure that all residents take simple steps to make their homes safer. Across the entire county we offer free Home Fire Safety Checks to assist residents to make this happen. Local fire fighters would visit your home and give you personal advice on Fire Safety within the home.

This service is available to all and only takes a small amount of time but may give you advice that would keep you and those that live within your home safe for years to come.

Please read the following as it gives good general Fire Safety information, but if you feel you would benefit from a Home Fire Safety Check, please call our free-phone number below and we will contact you to arrange a convenient appointment for you.

Home Fire Safety Check -
Free Phone 0800-3286487

Smoke alarms detect smoke at the earliest stages of a fire, giving you vital extra time to escape. Ensuring you have a working smoke alarm fitted is an important precaution to protect your home and family. Fit alarms on every level of your home – remember to test the batteries every week and never remove them. Also remember not to put alarms in kitchens or bathrooms where smoke and steam could accidentally set them off.

Preventing common fires

Over half of all fires in the home are caused by cooking accidents, but there are important precautions you can take to keep you and your family safe particularly when busy in the kitchen.

• always take extra care with hot oil
• avoid leaving children alone in the kitchen when cooking
• make sure you keep matches and saucepan handles out of their reach to keep them safe

Other common fires in the home can be prevented by following these steps:

• make sure that candles are in secure holders and never leave them unattended
• do not overload electrical sockets
• put cigarettes out properly

Planning an escape route

Planning an escape route is crucial in being prepared for an emergency and can save you valuable time in the event of a fire. Make sure everyone knows how to escape and keep all exits clear. Always keep keys for doors and windows where everyone can find them. If there is a fire, get everyone out of the building as soon as possible and call 999.

Message from
Community Crime Fighters

Police Pledge

In October a conference was held in Brighton attended by 130 or so delegates from Sussex and several neighbouring counties and led by officers of the Home Office Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Group. You may never have heard of this group, which was set up last year with the aim of developing stronger links between crime fighting agencies and the communities that they serve.

A Community Crime Fighter will be a member of the public who is active in their local community perhaps through a body such as Neighbourhood Watch, or a tenant’s or residents association or other similar body and who play a part in aiding crime prevention. They will seek to have increased information and training to help the work of the public bodies that are involved in tackling criminal activity and encouraging communities to enhance community safety.

The recently published Sussex Police Pledge sets out what you can expect from your local police and much of this links with what Community Crime Fighters aim to achieve. For example this may include giving police information about local crime, participating in setting priorities for policing in your local area, playing an active part in relevant community bodies and helping to allay the fear of crime especially on the part of those who may be the more vulnerable members of your local area.

More information can be found by checking relevant websites. Search: “Community Crime Fighters” on Google. Alternatively there is an ‘Action Line’ that can be contacted by dialling 0808 000 2030 and also by joining the Community Crime Fighters Club which provides e-mail updates, newsletters and some training opportunities, etc.

There are no fees or specific responsibilities in being a Community Crime Fighter. Indeed you may already be one! But it might help you to know more about what you can do.

Last year the Home Office required every police force to sign up to the National Police Pledge, which sets out a clear minimum standard of service that the community is entitled to be given. The Pledge is expected to include statements upon:

Standards and commitments on response times

Local Information about crime and actions taken

Follow up for Victims of Crime

How to make a complaint

The time the police will spend in your local area

The Sussex Police Pledge has recently been published and sets out its intentions on these and a number of other matters that are of relevance to their local working with the community.

Copies of the Pledge are available from your local police station and are also being provided at a number of other places that many people may visit including – for example, - local libraries, and Tesco supermarket stores. At present there is no general distribution to the public proposed, but the Pledge can be seen on the police website - www.sussex.police.ukbyclicking on the appropriate link part way down on the left of the home page.

Sussex Police take the view that most of the matters that are covered in the Pledge are part and parcel of the normal working arrangements that they have and so are probably fairly well known to the community. Nevertheless it is desirable that such arrangements are on record and the Home Office evidently desire that there is a common standard amongst the forces in the UK. There may need to be some matters that require more specific comment – e.g. a statement about ‘regular public meetings’ as this could have quite wide variations in what is provided.

Personal Safety When Out and About.

The time is quickly arriving when the shops will start to get busier and we will all be joining the crowds to do our Christmas shopping. It is a time when our minds are concentrating on other things and we don’t take much notice of being bumped or jostled around in busy shops , or even getting on a bus. Putting bags down at the side of a seat whilst we have a rest or some refreshments or in a shop examining potential purchases . However, for the thief, Christmas and the New Year sales are a good time to be out and about and there could be rich pickings if people do not take care of their belongings.

An open shopping bag carried across a ladies shoulder and behind her is a common target for purse thieves. Even when the bag is zipped, the thieves are skilled and well practised at opening the zip and taking a purse. We often put a shopping bag or purchased goods on a shopping trolley or on the floor of a shop whilst examining other items.

It only takes a moment for a thief to pick the bag up and disappear into the crowd whilst you are looking away, often passing the ill-gotten gains to other members of a gang to avoid being caught with the goods. Most ladie’s bags contain many valuable items, personal details and documents which are often difficult to get cancelled and replaced.

Driving licences, cheque books, bank cards, keys and cash are all there for the thief to make use of.

Men too have cash and bank cards, etc, in their wallets which are another real bonus for the villain to obtain and in a moment can be taken from a back or inside pocket.

Here are some basic security tips to avoid the trials and tribulations that may arise when you are out and about:

1. Keep a close watch on your handbags in shops and public areas
2. Keep hand bags securely closed and do not leave purses visible
3. Be cautious of carrying hand bags over your shoulder behind you. Keep them in view
4. Do not leave bags unattended, especially in the trolley that you may be using
5. Be vigilant, especially when making withdrawals from cash machines
6. Cancel stolen bank cards immediately
7. Keep wallets in a secure pocket. It can pay to spread your personal items around your body. Don’t carry everything in one pocket or bag
8. Lastly, don’t leave valuable items and Christmas presents on display in your car. Put them in the boot out of sight. Make sure you remember to lock the vehicle and ensure the windows are closed. Better still, keep valuable items with you if you can and ensure that the alarm and immobiliser is set
9. Report thefts immediately to the police on 999 ‘if urgent’ or use the non emergency no: 0845 60 70 999.
10. Note: Plastic key coils or key chain alarms can be attached to purses and onto bags to deter and detect purses being stolen from hand bags. Your PCSO can help advise about the purchase of suitable products from Neighbourhood Watch.

Ensure you are the one to have a Happy Christmas!

Reports from Neighbourhood Police Teams

Update from East Grinstead NPT

It has been a busy few months in East Grinstead. We had a hugely successful 999 Emergency Services open day at the Fire Station on 12th September. The weather was fantastic and the day drew in a large number of people who were able to speak with Officers from the local Fire, Police and Ambulance stations as well as take part in the events on the day.

We ran Operation Beatsweep during the week commencing 14th September in Herontye Ward. We responded to fliers requesting feedback from local residents about the issues that affect them. We investigated reports of dog fouling but found no trace and several vehicles were clamped by DVLA for having no tax. Extra police patrols conducted high visibility patrols with the local Youth Service to look at anti- social behaviour but were pleased to report that there were no problems. We will continue to work on the feedback received from local residents.

If you have any issues you wish to discuss, please do not hesitate to contact your local PCSO or NPT Police Constable either via the Sussex Police website www.sussex.police.uk or via telephone on 0845 60 70 999.

Sergeant Victoria Tomlinson

News from Burgess Hill NPT

August saw the 4th Annual Burgess Hill Emergency Services Open Day. Over 1500 people visited The Brow in Burgess Hill to see displays and demonstrations by representatives from Sussex Police, West Sussex Fire and Rescue and South East Coast Ambulance Service. The displays were accompanied by a host of activities for people of all ages to take part in, coupled with advice and information on how to stay safe.

Sergeant Simon Alexander who co-ordinated the event said: “This is the fourth year that we have organized this event. I was a little worried that moving it to August would cause problems with attendance but the great weather ensured that we probably had our biggest attendance so far. We had some new partner agencies join us this year including the Blood Runner Motorcyclists and the Probation service.

Everybody that I spoke to found the day informative as well as fun and money was raised for the locally nominated charities. Now that the event is firmly fixed on our calendar we look forward to seeing you all again next summer.”

Sergeant Simon Alexander

Report from Haywards Heath NPT

We had a fantastic day at the Haywards Heath 999 day based at The Fire Station in Mill Green Road. The road was closed from 10am until 5pm on Saturday 5th September for the event. There was an excellent turn out and the weather was lovely and sunny.

The displays seemed to be very popular, especially the rescue from the fire tower, chip pan fire and demonstrations of resuscitation and the police dogs. The children enjoyed getting their fingerprints taken at the Scenes of Crime tent and were enthusiastic when using a fire hose on a model house. The football stand was also very popular. The Sussex Safer Road Partnership were giving out freebies, such as fluorescent tabards. There was a good deal of interest at the Police trailer from potential new Neighbourhood Watch Members and NHW search volunteers. The BBQ did a roaring trade and the 1st Lindfield Scouts provided an excellent cake stand. Music was provided throughout the day by Gemini Disco.

I am very grateful to all the members of the services and volunteers who helped on the day, including the Police and Fire cadets, Crawley and Mid Sussex NHW coordinators, NHW search volunteers, 1st Lindfield Scouts and for the three face painters who helped me painting the faces of an endless stream of children. The money raised during the day was in excess £2000 and one of the main benefactors was Court Meadow School.

Your local officers have actively been promoting Farm and Countryside Watch in Haywards Heath and the surrounding villages. They have been visiting farms to offer crime prevention advice and sign them up to the scheme, so that they can receive regular updates on crime and suspicious activity in their area via text, e-mail and fax.

It also enables members to report suspicious activities, which can then be quickly disseminated to other members and agencies. The South of England Agricultural Society kindly donated £1000 to purchase a machine which embosses saddles with a unique and traceable number. If you would like further information on Farm and Countryside Watch or would like your saddle marked please contact your local officer via the website www.sussex.police.uk under the heading 'contact your local officer.'

The area has suffered from several spates of catapult incidents, resulting in numerous car, house and commercial premises' windows being smashed and also several reports of people being hit with missiles from catapults. Two search warrants have now been executed in connection with this crime spree and I am hoping there will be no further incidents of this nature.

Sergeant RACHEL MUNDY