NHW Newsletter Nov 04
VEHICLE CRIME
Over the past two weeks, a series of vehicle-related crime has taken place in Warminster and Westbury. These offences occur predominantly during the night time. Please could all members ensure that vehicles are secured and all property of value removed when the vehicle is unattended, not only when parked on your driveway or outside on the road, but of course when visiting local beauty spots. Last weekend, three juveniles from the Frome area were arrested in Warminster in a stolen vehicle from that area. A short while later, another vehicle was stolen in Warminster, and ended up in Hartcliff, Bristol. It would follow that there were actually four in the car, and not three as we suspected. Vehicle crime is tremendously difficult to detect and let us not forget that prevention is just as important. To that end, we have ensured that warning posters are placed at all of our beauty spots and the P.C.S.O.s are embarking on a campaign to notify the registered keepers of vehicles that leave them unattended with valuables inside, particularly on the run-up to Christmas. As always, we need your help and if you see anything suspicious, please ring ‘999’ or contact your local Police.
DRUGS
You will no doubt have read of our success in arresting a drug dealer in Westbury who received a term of 5 years imprisonment for this offence. The fight against drugs continues and two warrants were executed in Warminster on Tuesday 23rd November which proved positive, albeit for small amounts of cannabis. Interestingly though, further offences were discovered of abstracting electricity and theft of credit cards. To use that well-known phrase, "Two males are helping the Police with their enquiries."
BURGLARIES
There has been a series of dwellinghouse burglaries in the village of Horningsham, over the past six months. A common theme for all of these offences is that they occur during the day and that the occupiers are out when the offences are committed. It would appear that a white van, possibly a Ford Transit, has been seen on or around the date of the offences. On the 20th November 2004, the most recent burglary took place, and male described as white, short and stocky, was seen in a blue Ford saloon vehicle, in the Water Lane area the previous day, asking for directions. He purported to be a taxi driver, although the car bore no markings to indicate that it was a taxi. Most alarming is that the directions he asked for were the houses that have subsequently been burgled. If you have any information regarding these offences, please contact your local Police or you can contact CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.
WESTBURY CAR PARKING
Residents of Westbury will be aware that over the past few weeks, there has been increased Police activity in relation to unlawful car parking in and around Westbury Town Centre. Our warning to you is quite simple – do not flout the car parking restrictions and you will not receive a £30 fine. Don’t forget, yellow lines are put there for a reason and that mainly is to ensure the safety of pedestrians and road users.
You have been warned!
DAMAGE AT SHEARWATER
As you may be aware, there has recently been a large amount of damage caused to sailing boats and other pleasure craft at Shearwater Lake. These offences occurred overnight on the 13th/14th November 2004. The damage caused is into the thousands, and has left numerous innocent people out of pocket and naturally upset.
The offences include the slashing of sails and tarpaulins and on some occasions, holes have been drilled in the boats’ hulls. These details have been circulated to the local press and television news, but to date no information has been forthcoming.
Again, your assistance is required in detecting these offences, and if you have any information, please forward it to your local Police or CrimeStoppers on 0800-555-111. |
