Force campaign update
Officers have also been supporting the forcewide bogus callers campaign "If in doubt - keep them out". Officers will continue to target doorstep crime, bogus callers and rogue traders through operational work and crime prevention advice.
The message is good advice - never hand money over to someone who cold-calls at your home and never let them inside. Anyone calling from an official organisation will happily wait or come back while you check their identification.
Look out for your relatives and neighbours and if you do see any suspicious vehicles or people in your neighbourhood you should report this to police as soon as possible.
Every incident involving a bogus caller, illegal trader or fraudulent work that is reported to police is investigated immediately. These types of reports are treated as a priority, especially those reports involving an elderly or vulnerable victim.
First on-line meeting for North Tyneside
Police had an enthusiastic response to the first North Tyneside on-line meeting for residents to contact officers in Wallsend.
Twenty-six comments were posted on-line during the virtual meeting on Wednesday, March 16, held between 6.30pm and 8.30pm when questions and comments were made on a variety of local issues. Representatives from North Tyneside Council Safer Estates Team also took part and answered several queries.
Inspector David Guthrie said: "This was the first time we'd run an on-line meeting in North Tyneside and it was great for us to attract so many people to take part.
"We know that after a busy day it can be difficult to find the time to turn out for a meeting to meet local officers. We've now seen for some, an on-line meeting is more convenient. It gives people the chance to type in a question or comment direct to me while still sitting in the comfort of their own home."
To find out when our next meetings are taking place go to www.northumbria.police.uk/online click on North Tyneside, Wallsend. People can ask questions or raise any concerns with local officers and other members of the public who log on.
Pictured Inspector David Guthrie showing meeting poster
Shopwatch revamp for Wallsend
Wallsend Shopwatch has been revamped with extra members boosting the crime prevention scheme.
Stores work closely with neighbourhood officers and share information among the group about active shoplifters. Shops have photographs of people who've been barred to help staff identify them. Members also keep in contact via a radio link and can quickly alert other stores about travelling criminals.
Inspector David Guthrie said: "Shopwatch is an effective scheme to make our retail areas safe and pleasant places for shoppers to enjoy visiting and they help prevent shop theft and support store staff.
"I'm pleased to see that membership has recently increased from 17 to 23 premises which gives the whole scheme better coverage in the town."
Tony Donnelly, The Forum Centre Manager said: "We're pleased to be working with other retailers and Northumbria Police as part of this crime prevention initiative which aims to benefit our customers as well as our businesses."
Shops in The Forum, High Street East and West as well as Wiltshire Drive and Segedunum Way have signed up to the scheme and officers are still keen to welcome other new members.
Pictured with Wallsend Shopwatch poster, PC Tom Spencer and Jeffrey Martin (Security Manager, Wallsend Forum).
Motorists warned about parking
Police are warning motorists not to put pedestrians in danger by parking too close to a zebra crossing.
Thoughtless drivers have been seen leaving their cars parked across the white zig zag markings, next to the crossing on Station Road in Wallsend, while they pop into the Golden Chippy or nearby off-licence.
PC Neil Cowen said: "We've had quite a few complaints from pedestrians and other drivers because of this behaviour. By parking so close to the crossing it not only contravenes the road traffic regulations but also puts lives at risk.
"We're reminding drivers to obey the law and drive and park sensibly. We are enforcing the traffic regulations and those caught parking on the white markings face a £60 fine and three penalty points on their licence."
Posters reminding drivers of the penalties of falling foul of the law are being put up in local shops on Station Road.
Pictured PC Neil Cowen and PC Gareth Hindle with posters giving advice to drivers on Station Road.
School steps up cycle security
Cycle security has been stepped up at a Wallsend school with help from Northumbria Police.
Officers visited Burnside Business and Enterprise College to provide pupils and staff with advice on how to keep their cycles safe.
PC John Tierney explained: "The college has an increasing number of pupils who cycle to school and sadly some have been the victims of cycle theft. To prevent further crime and to safeguard students bikes the college has increased security measures on their bike sheds to keep thieves out. Officers have visited the college and given pupils crime prevention advice about how to keep themselves and their possessions safe.
"We know it only takes a few seconds for an opportunist thief to hop onto a bike which has been left unlocked and ride it away. Our advice is keep it locked even if you leave it just for a few moments."
Bike sheds now have posters reminding students to lock up when they leave their bike. Letters have also been to the parents of cyclists advising them to get a secure bike lock for their child.
Richard Carr, Deputy Headteacher said: "In recent years, our students have requested additional bike storage which we have provided and of course security is an issue we take seriously. We will ensure Burnside works closely with local officers and Mitie PFI to ensure that every measure is taken so that bicycles stored on site remain as safe ass possible."
Pictured Richard Carr Deputy Head Teacher and PC Laura Batey with students
Tackling anti-social behaviour together
Police and North Tyneside Council are helping people deal with anti-social behaviour issues with the aid of a new pocket sized leaflet.
The leaflet explains whether their particular problem can best be dealt with by police or North Tyneside Council.
Inspector David Guthrie said: "The term 'anti-social behaviour' is wide-ranging and covers everything from criminal damage to concerns about youth disorder. These are issues the local neighbourhood team can help with. But other calls about noise or inconsiderate parking are matters for the local council to deal with."
Cllr Glynis Barrie, cabinet member for Community Safety and Safer Neighbourhoods, said: “When anti-social behaviour does occur, it’s important that people know which organisation to contact for help and how."
Anti-social behaviour is any aggressive, intimidating or destructive activity that damages another person's quality of life. If anti-social behaviour is affecting your life or making you worry about your safety or the safety of others, please get in touch using the following contact details.
For any criminal activity or neighbourhood policing issues contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team on 03456 043 043 ext 69191 or visit www.northumbria.police.uk and click 'contact us' to report a non emergency incident. In case of an emergency ring 999.
For issues about general environmental concerns, noise and inconsiderate parking contact North Tyneside Council on 0345 2000 101, or use the online enquiry form at the 'contact the council' section of www.northtyneside.gov.uk
Police crush motorcycle disorder
Police crushed two bikes after repeated episodes of disorder were reported to them.
Officers responded to a large number of calls from residents complaining about motorcycle disorder in the Battle Hill area of Wallsend.
Local people were worried that pedestrians and cyclists could be injured by off-road bikers riding their vehicles illegally. They were also concerned about noisy bikes disrupting their peaceful estate.
Officers carried out an operation to tackle the problem. After warnings were issued officers seized two machines, a mini motorcycle and a quad bike. The bikes valued at £500 were later crushed. Two young people aged 11 and 17 years were also warned by officers about their behaviour.
PCs Graeme Eley, Dougie Robinson and CSO Tim Slaney who cover the Battle Hill and Hadrian Park area carried out the operation. PC Eley said: "We wanted to nip this sort of behaviour in the bud and send a clear message to others that this type of conduct is not acceptable.
"Now that the evenings are beginning to stay lighter longer, people want to be able to enjoy using our outdoor spaces in safety. We will continue to patrol these areas to monitor behaviour over the coming weeks."
Making an impact on metal thefts
A North Tyneside team of officers is making an impact on tackling metal thieves in the borough.
The Impact Team have already netted 45 arrests and recovered suspected stolen property including 30 kilos of copper wire and electrical equipment valued around £1,600.
The team is made up of a sergeant and team of five PCs and works with partners including the Environment Agency.
They work across North Tyneside on regular joint operations stopping vans and flat bed lorries checking for stolen scrap metal as well as making sure dealers have an appropriate licence and conform to its conditions.
Acting Sergeant Mark McKeown said: "We know that metal theft is on the rise around the country, because the price of scrap metal has increased sharply and North Tyneside is part of the overall trend.
"Our advice is to be vigilant and if you see someone acting suspiciously in your neighbourhood or where you work, please make a note of the registration number and make of any vehicle and ring the police straightaway."
Pictured officers during the latest operation in North Tyneside.
Striking out underage cigarette sales
Police and HM Revenue and Customs have taken part in a joint operation to tackle underage cigarette sales in Howdon.
Wallsend officers responded to calls from worried residents that children had been buying cigarettes and tobacco from a house.
Officers made initial enquiries and passed on information to HM Revenue and Customs who carried out a search warrant seizing 15,000 cigarettes and 7.5 Kg tobacco, worth £4,100 in unpaid excise and VAT from a house in St Oswald's Road, Howdon.
A local man was interviewed under caution for the offence and the case will be referred to Trading Standards officers to consider prosecution. Offences such as the evasion of excise duty can, in the most serious of cases, can carry a seven year prison sentence.
Sergeant Phil McConville said: "This action was the result of people coming forward with information and speaking to their local community support officer about this matter. It shows the value of neighbourhood officers working closely with local people. "
Michael Connolly, HMRC Regional Director comments: "Tobacco smuggling is organised crime. It breeds criminal activities into local communities and robs the taxpayer of millions each year in unpaid duty and VAT.
"Anyone with information about the storage or sale of illegal tobacco in their area should contact the Customs’ hotline on 0800 59 5000.”
Tackling troublemakers
North Tyneside Council is helping residents take a stand against anti-social behaviour.
The local authority is seeking more members for its Witness and Victim Support Group, which is made up of volunteers from the borough who themselves have suffered from anti-social behaviour.
The group supports the council’s safer estates team in taking action against people responsible for such crimes, as well as offering practical and friendly advice to those affecteStriking out underage cigarette sales
.
Witness and Victim Support Group member Des Baldwin said: “We all have a part to play in combating anti-social behaviour and helping to support victims and witnesses is an extremely rewarding experience.”
Cllr John Goodfellow, cabinet member for Housing said: “Anti-social behaviour is not tolerated in North Tyneside, and the Witness and Victim Support Group plays a significant role in helping the council tackle the problem.
“It’s vital that witnesses and victims of anti-social behaviour have the confidence to provide high quality evidence, which is why the work carried out by the group is so important.”
The group aims to:
Provide emotional support over the telephone and on a one-to-one basis
Refer people onto specialist agencies when needed
Assist in reducing fear of intimidation
Encourage communities to take a stand and promote respect
Help to complete incident diary sheets.
For help or for further information about joining the group, tel: (0191) 643 7715 or email: saferestates@northtyneside.gov.uk
To contact victim support tel: (0191) 257 9079
Advice to keep burglars at bay
Police are advising residents to keep their doors and windows locked to prevent house burglary.
Around 40% of recent burglaries have happened in homes where doors or windows are left unlocked, which mean these crimes are easily preventable.
Detective Inspector Neil Brotherton from North Tyneside CID, said: "Although house burglary is still at a relatively low level, with on average one crime reported each day across the borough, we believe many of these could easily be prevented simply by householders making sure their doors and window are always kept locked.
"We know that residents with UPVC front doors can be tempted to leave doors unlocked because a family member is expected home soon, or when they're just popping next door for a few minutes it's tempting to leave a door ajar. But in these cases it only takes a few seconds for an opportunist thief to try a door handle or push open a window further to help themselves to your valuables.
"Our message is simple, don't make it easy for thieves to steal your hard earned property, keep your home safely locked to help to prevent crime in your neighbourhood.
"Over a six week period we've also made over 40 arrests for burglary offences and we will continue to target known offenders. Police are also stepping up patrols to prevent crimes in affected areas.
"Remember, if you do see someone acting suspiciously in your community, walking up your street trying doors, then please contact the police straightaway as your actions could prevent you or your neighbour becoming a victim of crime."
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Northumbria Police are now adding local information to our Facebook pages.
This gives you the opportunity to keep up to date with local news and events, and is another way to find out more about what we are doing in your local area.
We are also posting regular news updates and upcoming events to our Twitter feeds.
To join and take advantage of any of these FREE services please use the links below:
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Contact us
If you'd like to meet and speak to your local neighbourhood officer why not try out one of our new on-line meetings. Check out the force website for details.
Your Neighbourhood - North Tyneside
Or why not pop along to an informal police drop-in surgery where you can talk to your local neighbourhood officer about any policing concerns you may have or to ask crime prevention advice. Check out forthcoming dates on the force website.
Look out for the Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meetings across North Tyneside, where members of the community are invited to meet with their local officers and discuss any policing concerns. These meetings, also publicised on the force website, help residents to know who their local officer is and how to contact them. Representatives from the local authority will also be present to deal with your queries.
If you want to find out more about how local North Tyneside officers police your community why not sign up to our new Facebook and Twitter pages.
http://www.facebook.com/npnorthtyneside
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