Mid Sussex Police – Monthly Update

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Mid Sussex District Monthly Update – October 2013

How we deliver policing to Mid Sussex District is broken down into three pillars –
Keeping People Safe, Neighbourhood Policing and Best Use of Resources.

To reflect this, my update will be structured alongside the three key themes supporting each pillar.

Keeping People Safe

Catching criminals
After a call from a member of the public, we located a group of young people kicking and damaging wing mirrors on Fairfield Road, Burgess Hill. We are now investigating their involvement in the damage of six vehicles.

We have suffered many diesel thefts on Victoria Industrial Estate, Burgess Hill. PC Upton has identified a possible suspect and is progressing activities to locate and arrest them.

Following reports of suspicious activity we have arrested a suspect for attempted burglary. They are currently on bail whilst the investigation is progressed.

Police have offered a reward for information leading to the arrest of Mark Vine. Mark is currently wanted for Burglary and the teams from Mid Sussex and other departments in the force are actively seeking him.

Cutting Crime
A Cannabis factory was discovered in Cuckfield after Police attended the address regarding an incident. Two people have been arrested and are currently on bail.

Dealing with critical incidents
None of note

Neighbourhood Policing
Being Visible and Accessible
The Neighbourhood Policing Team hold monthly surgeries and bi-monthly neighbourhood panel meetings in each ward for residents to attend, for more information please go to www.sussex.police.uk

Welcome to our new team members
New Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s) – Karen ILES, Chelcie SHANAHAN and Jamie JOHNSON
New Police Constables (PC’s) – Katie BREEDS and Claire IRVING

Providing a Quality Response
The Neighbourhood Policing Team is working with West Sussex Fire and Rescue to help deliver the ‘Who Cares Scheme’. This scheme is aimed at people over 65 with vulnerabilities. It is a free service from West Sussex Fire and Rescue including a home visit to offer fire safety advice, fit smoke alarms and/or specialist detection/protection equipment. Call free on 0800 328 6487 or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire to make a home fire safety check referral.

At the end of October, Halloween and firework literature was handed out to all local shops across the district and ‘NO Trick or Treat’ posters were available for members of the public at Police Stations and other public buildings. The posters were gratefully received by everyone.

Working with Communities
Business Watch is being set up across Mid Sussex to increase the flow of communication between business communities and Sussex Police. The aim is to prevent and detect crime, increase intelligence and build relationships with this community. If you wish to find out more about this initiative email Haywardsheath.npt@sussex.pn.police.uk.

Best Use of Resources
On Mid Sussex District we have an excellent team of Special Constables, eight in total, who are a real credit to the Force. They provide us with lots of support and their assistance on a variety of operations and calls (often at short notice) is highly commendable.

‘Thank you Specials for your ongoing commitment and support – you do a fantastic job!.’

Being Productive and Effective – Burglary Series
Op Bourne is running in relation to a spate of burglaries that have occurred in the Mid Sussex District. Burglars are targeting houses with the aim of stealing cash and jewellery. Offences have primarily been occurring between 8am – 5pm with the offenders entering premises via the rear of the property by smashing a door or window.

Please ensure that you lock and secure your outbuildings. Side gates should be locked shut and access to the rear of your house restricted. Where you have high value items such as jewellery or cash in your property please make sure they are not on view and where possible securely hidden away. Please keep an eye out in your street and local area and report any suspicious activity immediately to Sussex Police on 101 or 999 if you believe that a crime is in progress.

Please share this message with your family and friends – thank you.

Regards
Chief Inspector Simon Beardwell
Mid Sussex District Commander
West Sussex Division

Small Dole bakery loses £20k

Truffles phished at NatWest
The Shoreham Herald is reporting:

Small Dole firm Truffles bakery, which has branches in Shoreham and Steyning, lost £19,600 when its NatWest account was raided in a phishing scam. .. Criminals got into the company’s computer using a virus planted in a fake email from HMRC. When the email was opened, the fraudsters could view data being input on the computer, including the firm’s online-banking password and pin code. .. General manager Gabby Taylor made an online payment on Friday, September 20, and found on the Monday morning the money had gone. .. She said: “We are gutted. We employ nearly 200 local people who are paid weekly and this has taken a huge amount out of our cash flow”.

Electricity at risk from fly-tippers

Fly-tipping at electricity substation
The Shoreham Herald reports:

The UK Power Networks site, off the A283 Steyning bypass, has been targeted, along with more than 150 substations which deliver essential power supplies in the south east, London and the east of England.

The incidents can put power supplies at risk by delaying access to vital equipment and endanger staff visiting the sites to carry out inspections, maintenance or repairs.

A piano, builders’ rubble, guttering and downpipes have all been found outside the Steyning substation.

Fly-tipping is a criminal offence under the Environmental Protection Act, carrying significant fines and even prison sentences in more serious cases.

Sussex 4×4 Response to help police

Sussex 4x4 Response
Sussex 4×4 Response are to help police deal with major emergencies. The heavy snow that has fallen in the county over the last few years has shown the benefit of having an extra fleet of all-weather vehicles available to the emergency services. The idea was trialled successfully by Sussex Police during the sudden snowfall in the county in March when Sussex 4×4 Response volunteers helped get 999 control centre staff to their offices to keep the emergency telephone system working. Volunteers will have to undergo first aid training, learn advanced driver skills and be given health and safety guidance before they can get involved in the scheme. They will also vetted by the force and would have to sign a health declaration and confirm their vehicle is in good working order.

Men behaving oddly

Sussex Police Dog Unit (general purpose dogs)Last night at around 3:00am, a car alarm was activated in The Street. When it was investigated, two or three men were seen hanging around by another parked car. The owner of this latter car went outside to check and the men disappeared. The police were called, but they were unable to find anything, although their tracker dog did trace a scent on to the bridleway at the rear of The Street.

Note also that the number plates were stolen from a car parked overnight at the Shepherd and Dog about ten days ago.

If you see or hear anything suspicious, please report it –- the non-emergency number is 101.

Cold Callers — Some Advice

cold-calling-poster-thumbnail

Dear Friends,

This time of year when the weather is hot, the undesirables are out knocking on doors to gain entry and possibly ROB you. Please see below further advice that may help your in making your decision to open your door. You may think my message is a bit strong, but I do not know of another way to tell people to be careful. I hear many times of burglaries where people still leave windows open, doors unlocked because I am just popping to the shops for a few minutes. It takes 2-3 minutes for a burglar to steal from you. Please, please be more aware about your security. Look after your neighbour and they will look out for you.

You can tell door-stop salesmen not to knock — and they have to listen (it’s an offence not to!).

To stop them disturbing you print out Trading Standard’s ‘No Cold Caller’s’ sign (PDF) and put it by your front door. You have seven days to cancel most purchases over £35 made on the door-step. This cooling off period starts when you get written notice of your right to cancel (they have to give you one). If you cancel in this time you should get a refund (including your deposit). There are exceptions – check out the CAB website for details. Remember: the safest approach is to never buy on the door-step or let anyone in if you’re not sure who they are.

If someone knocks that you don’t know:

  1. Don’t answer if you don’t feel safe
  2. Always ask for ID and call the company to check
  3. Don’t sign anything on the spot – get details and do your own research
  4. Never hand over cash or agree for work to start straight away
  5. Call the police if you feel threatened

Best regards,

John Wright MBE
Chairman
Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Federation.

Mobile: 07917385213
Business:01444 247368
Email: enquiries@sussexnwfed.org.uk
Web: www.sussexnwfed.org.uk