Summer

Northumbria Police e-Newsletter

Northumberland Area Command: Alnwick Edition

Issue 1 | Summer 2010

Inspector Sue Peart

Welcome to the first edition of the new Alnwick Neighbourhood Policing Team's newsletter.

These newsletters are aimed at keeping you up-to-date about what’s going on in Alnwick and to keep you upto speed on what work your neighbourhood Policing team have been doing.

Officers have been busy tackling the issues which we know affect residents and we've been working with other agencies to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

Over the summer we're putting a big focus on anti-social behaviour, an issue which can affect anyone, living in any community.

Northumbria Police are running a force-wide campaign focusing on anti-social behaviour and how it can affect people's lives.

Neighbourhood Police officers are engaging with young people in the area and working with our partners at the council to offer young people positive activities to do over the summer. We hope that if young people are actively engaged then anti-social type incidents will reduce.

Over the coming months we’re running a number of community events and meeting in the area which everyone is welcome to, you'll find details in this bulletin of where and when they are being held. They give residents their say on how the area is policed and the opportunity to raise any local concerns direct. They are also a good way to meet your local officers and find out more abut the work we're doing in your community.

As ever, we need your help to continue to make Alnwick a safe place to work, live and visit and so if you see anything suspicious where you live or have any concerns then don't hesitate to get in touch by phone, email or by calling in at your local police station.

Crime figures (April - July)

Overall crime in Alnwick is down 2% compared to the same period last year (1 April - July 31). That means there has been 7 less crimes in the area and 7 less victims compared to last year.

Although this drop is excellent there is still lots of hard work to be done and further reductions to be made in some key areas.

Violent crime is up from 85 offences to 91. This is an area we will focus on to deter offenders and reassure the public by increasing patrols in 'hot spot' areas.

Car crime down - In this period last year we recorded 21 offences, compared the 27 we have had this year. That's 31 fewer victims of this crime, and shows that motorists are being security conscious, locking their vehicles and removing valuables when they park up. This really does help to reduce opportunist crime.

Burglary is up from 26 to 37 offences. We really need your help to combat the thieves responsible for breaking into our homes, sheds and garages. Please make sure you keep your homes secure, and don't leave doors and windows unlocked which makes it all too easy for burglars to simply walk in and help themselves. And please keep ringing police if you see anyone suspicious in your neighbourhood.

Criminal damage is down from 122 to 74 offences. We are committed to take action against those caught causing damage in our communities. The Neighbourhood Policing Team will continue to carry out patrols in key areas at key times to act as a deterrent to vandals.

ASB is down from 782 to 642 offences - we are currently in the middle of anti-social behaviour campaign and hope to see further positive reductions in this area. We are working closely with our partners at Northumberland County Council to provide activities for young people over summer and are also carrying out extra patrols and taking action in hot spot areas.

Community meetings

Look out for the Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meetings across Northumberland, where members of the community are invited to meet with their local officers and discuss any policing concerns.

These meetings support the Policing Pledge to make sure residents 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.

The next PACT meetings are:

Wednesday, August 25, between 6.30pm – 7.30pm at the Jubilee Hall, Rothbury.

Monday, September 6, between 6-7pm at Hindmarsh hall, Felton

Monday, October 11, between 6.30-7.30pm at Creighton Hall, Embleton

Thursday, November 4, between 6-7pm at Rennington village hall

Monday, November 8, between 6.30 – 7.30pm at Felton Community hall.

We do welcome your feedback on this newsletter or on other policing matters. If you are unable to attend one of our public meetings you can email or ring the policing team direct. Check out our website www.northumbria.police.uk for more information

Tackling illegal motorcycles

Tackling motorbike ASB in South East Northumberland

Police are teaming up with partners to tackle illegal off-road motor cycles in Northumberland.

Alnwick Neighbourhood Policing Team are working with the Northumberland National Park Authority, Northumberland County Council, the Forestry Commission and Defence Estates to tackle the illegal use of off-road motor cycles causing distress to the farming communities in rural Northumberland, especially during lambing season.

Alnwick Neighbourhood Inspector Sue Peart said: "We have received a number of reports from members of the community raising concerns about people riding off-road motorcycles in inappropriate areas. We take these reports extremely seriously as they cause a lot of problems for members of the public as well as local farmers during lambing season."

Andrew Miller of Northumberland National Park Authority said: ''We welcome all visitors to the National Park and ask that everyone respects this special place and those who live and work here. The illegal actions of a small minority of motorbike users is putting the environment at risk, spoiling the enjoyment of other visitors and at this critical time of year impacting severely on farmers and shepherds.

“The joint Liaison Group made up of land managers and representatives of user groups, including the Trail Riders Fellowship is working very positively to overcome this issue and we very much hope that there will be no incidents during this lambing season”.

Insp Sue Peart added: "We will continue to work closely to target illegal use of motorcycles in order to minimise disruption to our farming and rural communities. We've already started taking action with 30 warnings and several summonses being issued to illegal riders. Potential offenders, thinking of riding their bikes where they shouldn't can think again, as we will not hesitate to seize and crush motorcycles which are being unlawfully used''.

Anyone with any information into the illegal use of off-road motorcycles in Northumberland is asked to contact police on 03456 043 043 ext 69191.

Warning to holiday makers

The leaflet being given out to visitors to the area

Police in Northumberland are warning people visiting and staying in the area over the summer holidays that they face being arrested if they break the law and cause disorder.

People on holiday tend to relax more and can drink too much, which can lead to ASB or disorder - and this won't be tolerated throughout Northumberland's towns, caravan parks and holiday spots.

Superintendent Allan Brown said: "Right from the start I want to point out that this is definitely the minority of people we are referring to here. Most people just want to come to the area and enjoy themselves, its just the small few that take things too far - and it's those that we are targeting.

"Throughout summer we will be paying extra attention to the areas in Northumberland that are most popular- tourist destinations, camp sites and holiday parks. Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams have built up excellent relationships with the owners and staff of these sites and we work closely with them to ensure the public can enjoy themselves in a safe and pleasant environment.

"Officers regularly patrol and visit the holiday sites to provide reassurance to holiday-makers. We are carrying out checks at beauty spot car parks regularly to act as a deterrent to thieves and are working closely with licensees in our town's pubs and bars to ensure that people drink responsibly.

"The overlying message to everyone is to come to Northumberland and enjoy everything the county has to offer, but respect the area and other people. Enjoy the beaches, the countryside and our vibrant night-life but be aware that If you choose to come here and break the law then you will be arrested."

To report a crime or speak to your local neighbourhood policing team ring 03456 043 043 or visit www.northumbria.police.uk

Respecting the roads

Police and partners in the Alnwick area of Northumberland are launching an initiative aimed at cutting motorbike related accidents on the counties roads.

Road signs warning bikers about the dangers of excess speeding and cornering have gone up throughout the Alnwick, Rothbury, Hepple, Elsdon and the Coquetdale Valley - in key locations where police have received reports of dangerous driving.

The striking yellow coloured signs are designed to make bikers think twice about speeding through the rural country-side roads.

Historically, the area has seen a number of serious biker related collisions and a number of lives lost on the roads.

This year there has been one fatality involving a motorbike and a number of serious injury collisions.

Local residents raised concerns with police around the issue of speeding bikers on the roads and police, working with partners from Northumberland County Council, Northumberland fire and rescue, Safer Northumberland and the three parish councils - Rothbury, Hepple and Elsdon,have clubbed together to pay for 35 signs to go around the areas roads.

Similar initiatives have been used by other police forces throughout the UK and there has been a noted drop in fatalities in those areas.

Alnwick Neighbourhood Inspector Sue Peart said: "Local residents came to us and said they were worried about bikers passing through the area, especially during summer time, and driving dangerously on our roads, especially on some of the more rural country roads.

"We responded by getting together with our partners and taking action. The signs form part of an operation aimed at specifically cutting the number of deaths, crashes and accidents here in the Alnwick area.

"Bikers who choose to speed and drive dangerously are a danger not only to themselves but other road users, and what we're hoping to do with this scheme is make bikers think about the speeds they are travelling at and the way they use the roads.

"I have to stress that all bikers don't drive in a dangerous way, we see hundreds of motorbikes pass through every week - most of which are being driven sensibly and safely. It's the minority who choose to speed and it's those who are at risk.

"This initiative is an excellent example of what can be achieved through partnership working. I would like to thank all partners but especially the three parish councils and also Councillor Gordon Castle for the support they have given to the scheme."

The scheme is underpinned by enforcement, each weekend Op Weekender involves motor patrols officers and local officers patrolling the areas roads taking positive action with anyone caught speeding or riding dangerously

Crime prevention advice

Historically over the summer months we see a rise in the number of burglaries where homes, sheds and cars are broken into. Opportunistic, sneak-in style thefts where thieves benefit from residents leaving doors open, windows ajar and their homes unlocked.

It's not just houses too - thieves will steal anything! If your garage or garden shed is left open or unlocked or if your car window is left down or you haven't locked your car - you’re leaving an invitation for thieves to come and take your belongings.

In order to stop this we need you to help us beat the burglars by taking some simple steps which could deter thieves and help you avoid becoming a victim of crime.

Fit and use good quality locks to both front and rear doors, remove all keys from locks. Leave them out of sight of any intruders but close to hand in the event of an emergency.
Make sure that car keys are not visible or kept in an obvious place which makes it easy for a burglar.
Lock front and rear doors even when you are in the house.
Do not leave ground floor or accessible windows open in an empty room.
Always use a bicycle lock, even if you're just leaving a bike for a short time
Remember if you keep your bike in a shed make sure that's secured too
Remove sat nav systems and their holders when you leave your car - and remove the watermark
Do not leave mobile phones, iPods or other valuables on display in your car
Remove detachable radios and CD players If you want more information on crime prevention then visit the Crime Prevention section of our website or ring 03456 043 043 63514 / 63595

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:

Get involved with Facebook here:

Facebook page

Keep up to date with Twitter here:

Twitter page

Contact us

To contact your Neighbourhood Policing Team call: 03456 043 043 ext 69191 or contact us by Email if you wish to provide any feedback on this newsletter or if you wish to contact your Neighbourhood Beat Manager with any policing issues.

http://www.northumbria.police.uk