NHW Newsletter - Sept 05
THEFT OF PURSES
Over the past few months, there has been a marked increase in the number of thefts of and from purses from elderly females within our town centres.
These offences usually occur in supermarkets and large stores in our towns. They invariably involve a team of two or three persons, who appear to be of Eastern European or Asian extraction.
The team will work together and normally engage an elderly female in conversation about what type of product to buy. Whilst doing so, another member of the team will steal the purse from the handbag or shopping trolley.
The bank cards are then used almost immediately as the elderly will leave their PIN number in their purse with the credit card.
A common factor with all of these crimes is that the handbag and the purse of the victim have been visible to the offenders, and are therefore easily stolen. The offences occur during the daytime.
No violence has ever been offered by the offenders whilst these offences are being committed.
Can I urge everybody to be on their guard - put your purse in your pocket – do not leave the PIN number with your credit card. Don’t let yourself become a victim of crime.
HELP NEEDED
A theft has recently occurred in one of the outlying villages near to Warminster and Police are anxious to locate the following vehicle:
We are looking for a blue Ford Fiesta Mk II, with the part registration 476- JUG.
We believe this vehicle is local and checks on the Police National Computer do not reveal a vehicle with that index number.
Surely somebody in the NHW team knows this vehicle and who the driver is?
Please contact Pc Brian McAuley at Warminster or CrimeStoppers on 0800-555-111 if you have any information.
TRAVELLERS
Over the last month, the area has seen a marked increase in the number of travellers setting up camp at various locations within Warminster and Westbury.
Coupled with this, there have been many reports of Irish males selling tools and generators in Warminster and Westbury.
Thank you very much for passing on this information and I can update you that on several occasions, these males have been stopped, checked and it would appear that the items they were selling are legitimate. This has been further verified by the production of documentation and receipts and Police enquiries confirming lawful possession of these items.
Nonetheless, I would urge you to continue to telephone us if you are suspicious of any persons within our towns, as you never know - on the next occasion, when checked by Police, individuals may be in possession of stolen items.
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
You will have read in previous issues about the problems that mini-mopeds have caused us in the past.
Just to update you that two machines were seized under Police powers in the Town Park in Warminster as the machines are not designed for use on a road or public areas within the town.
The owners had to pay a hefty fee for recovery of the vehicles at a later date.
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