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Police Connect
The way in which Suffolk Constabulary communicates with Neighbourhood Watch schemes has changed. Newsletters ceased in February 2016 and crime alerts are now sent out using Police Connect.
Police Connect (PC) is a messaging service connecting you to the very latest policing news for your area via e-mail, text or phone. PC messages will be more targeted and timely, therefore more effective.
There is no charge for this service - all messages you receive are free.
You can register to receive information about the issues that most matter to you and be among the first to be alerted by police in the case of an emergency affecting your area.
You can choose to receive regular updates on crime and public appeals, safety advice and meetings and events. There is the option to receive information about a range of specific interest areas - such as ‘rural' or ‘rivers and coastal' - as well as updates for business owners and news from your Police and Crime Commissioner. The choice is yours, however we would recommend that, as NW members, you select local crime alerts.
Whilst we urge all residents of the county to register, this service is of particular importance to members of Neighbourhood Watch schemes.
To find out more - and to register - click here
As part of the registration process you will be asked to indicate whether you are a co-ordinator or a member of a NW scheme, please remember to indicate your status.
Additionally, you can look at crimes and crime information for your area using the ‘Police.UK' crime mapping and information facility.
If you have any information about any crimes please either contact the Police on 101 or anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 088 555 111.
Check the Police website and/or press for news about any crime.
Neighbourhood Watch Scheme
Many insurers give discounts to members of Neighbourhood Watch schemes.
If you'd like to join the Aldringham Watch contact Maria Chapman-Beer (email: tribunegang@gmail.com) who covers Aldeburgh Road and roads leading off (except Aldringham Park) up to the borders of Leiston and south to the border of Aldeburgh, and down Thorpe Road towards Thorpeness.
Tony Woods used to co-ordinate Neighbourhood Watch in part of Aldringham, covering Chandlers Way, Mill Hill and Mill Lane, and West Hill. Sadly Tony died in June 2017. It may be worth asking Maria Chapman-Beer or checking the Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch website (details above and below) to find out who will be co-ordinating NW in this area.
Bill Crow manages the Thorpeness Scheme. You can reach him on 01728 454641.
For more information see the Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch website and the National Neighbourhood Watch website.
Neighbourhood Watch (NHW)
Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) is for the community and run by the community. It is about being vigilant, looking after yourself, your family, your property and your community. It helps to develop the community spirit and is about being prepared to report any suspicious incidents.
You will be notified of what crime is happening in your area, so you can take steps to prevent yourself and your neighbours from becoming a victim of crime.
Crime cannot flourish in a community that cares - Just a few minutes per week, working with your neighbours, is all it takes.
Please contact me for more information about starting a scheme where you live.
Anne Powell, Community Watch Liaison Officer - Suffolk Coastal,
Felixstowe Police Station, 32 High Road West, Felixstowe. IP11 9JE
E-mail - anne.powell@Suffolk.pnn.police.uk
Office based Tuesday, Wednesday and alternate Monday
Email:anne.powell@suffolk.pnn.police.uk or speak to your Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) on 01473 613500
Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch site - http://suffolknwa.onesuffolk.net/
You can now follow the SNWA on twitter https://twitter.com/SuffolkNWA
National Neighbourhood Watch site - www.ourwatch.org.uk
NHWN is a national charity and umbrella body which represents all Neighbourhood Watch and Home Watch members across England and Wales. It is the organisation that engages with the government, partners and like-minded organisations at a strategic level.
The overall aim of the Neighbourhood & Home Watch movement is to bring neighbours together to create strong, friendly, active communities where crime and anti-social behaviour are less likely to happen. Crime cannot flourish in a community that cares.
Stay Safe Online
Six top tips to keep it personal
1. Don't publish your date of birth in your profile or highlight your birthday in posts or tweets. Why not? Your date of birth is very useful information for a fraudster, hacker or identity thief.
2. Remember that if you use the names of pets, family members, a sports team or other ‘favourite' things in your passwords or memorable words, and reveal your likes and dislikes online, you may be handing a criminal clues to your login details.
3. Don't reveal your passport number, driving licence number or any other official details to anyone unless you're absolutely sure that they are authentic, and that providing these details is necessary. For example, if a prospective employer or agency asks you for a passport scan as proof of ability to work in the UK, check their authenticity.
4. Don't get fooled into revealing your PINs or passwords in response to an email, social networking post, text or phone call, however convincing it seems that the request is from your bank, the police or another real organisation.
5. Don't write down or store login details electronically or on paper, where there's a chance they could be found.
6. Never open an email attachment unless you're 100% certain of who sent it, or what it is. This is because it could contain a virus that steals your personal information. Even an email that seems to come from a friend or colleague could have been sent by a virus on their device. If in doubt, ask the person you believe sent it before opening anything.
SCAMS - If it seems too good to be true - it probably is !
For more information about Scams go to www.actionfraud.police.uk
Suffolk Trading Standards is also a good source for advice about Scams.
Homes with no security measures in place are five times more likely to be burgled than those with simple security measures.
Good window locks and strong deadlocks can make a big difference.
It pays to secure your home, not only to deter an offender, but also because most insurance companies offer discounts to houses with alarms and good quality locks.
Never leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place, such as under a flowerpot or doormat, or behind a loose brick. Burglars know to look there too. They will also check the garage or shed for spare keys to get into your flat or house.
While the number of burglaries has recently decreased following successful police apprehensions and subsequent prosecutions, house burglary is always a priority for the police to deal with, as there is always someone else ready to take another offender's place.
Police still receive information where the offender has just walked into a home, as a result of some people failing to lock their doors.
There are simple steps you can take to reduce the chances of your home being targeted. These include always locking up doors and windows and taking measures to make your home look occupied - for example leaving a light or two on and even better a radio, left tuned to a well-known talk station, to make it look like someone is at home and talking to someone else.
Here are a few tips to enforce this message, especially during periods when no one is within the property:
- Lock your doors, and windows every time you leave the house, even when just out in the garden
- Hide all keys, including car keys, out of sight (DO NOT LEAVE THEM IN DOORS OR WINDOWS)
- Install a visual approved and monitored burglar alarm
- Install good outside dusk to dawn lighting, leave a radio, fake television and lights in your house on a timer (Suffolk Police do not endorse any products unless they have been thoroughly tested via The Association Of Chief Police Officer's (ACPO) ACPO Secure by Design, the link for secure by design is Secure by Design In particular if you click on this site within the secure by design site you will see a police approved timer that rather than be used with a lamp can turn a main light off and on at 9 set intervals of your choice. Here's the link: Mains light timer switch
- If you have a side or rear gate, make sure it is secured via locking bolts and padlocks, not only at the top, but also at the bottom of the gate
- Make sure the fences around your garden are in good condition and if they are below 5 foot, add height by installing additional trellis, backed up with defensively planted vegetation, or add security toppings such as Prikkastrip.
- Store valuable items (including passports, driving licences and bank statements) out of view and if possible in a safe
- Hide cash and wallets away and well out of sight and try to keep only a bare minimum of cash within the property)
- Secure bikes at home by locking them to an immoveable object inside a locked shed or garage, or to a secured ground anchor post.
- Keep ladders and tools secured and stored away; don't leave them outside where they could be used to break into your home
- Secure away wheelie bins, so that they cannot be used as a climbing aid to an offender
- Forensically mark your property
- Register valuables with www.immobilise.com a free service that allows subscribers over the internet to securely register their valuable details and serial numbers, as well as photos of the items, not only to assist in the recovery of that property, but also to assist with any insurance claims.
- Property mark all valuable items, using a Ultra Violet marking pen, with your post code and house number.
Cars are much harder to steal now, thanks to modern immobilisers and fitted alarms, however, a number of offenders enter properties looking to steal car keys and will even attempt to reach through cat flaps or place rods through letter boxes to take keys left on hall tables.
On a final note your home is your castle and so reduce the likelihood of being burgled by checking your security, think about the impression a burglar would get on first viewing your property. The more visible obstacles that you put in the way of a burglar, the more likely they are to go elsewhere.
If you see anyone acting suspiciously around your home or a neighbour's home report your suspicions by phoning 101.
Community Safety Department
Suffolk Coastal Crime Reduction Officer, Phil Kemp - Monday - Friday
Community Watch Liaison Officer, Anne Powell
Felixstowe Police Station, 32 High Road West, Felixstowe. IP11 9JE
E-mail - anne.powell@Suffolk.pnn.police.uk
Be safe - Be responsible
If you have details about any crimes, then please contact your local Police Station, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Leiston and Aldeburgh Safer Neighbourhood Team Information:
To speak with an Officer - telephone 101
E-mail: leistonaldeburgh.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk
Write to: Suffolk Constabulary, Leiston and Aldeburgh Safer Neighbourhood Team, Leiston Police Station, 34 Kings Road, Leiston. IP16 4DA
For further information about Safer Neighbourhood Team's (SNT) including Team Members; Priorities; Campaigns and Meetings, please see their website.
Crime Reduction Advice
Check the Suffolk Police website www.suffolk.police.uk for up to date information. Choose Crime Reduction for crime reduction advice.
Suffolk Coastal Community Safety
Crime Reduction Officer - Phil Kemp
Monday - Friday