To Reduce crime and disorder and make Aldridge area safer.

Glossary of Terms.
"A short guide to some of the terms and Abbreviations used in crime reports."

BDW Burglary Dwelling (house)
BOB Burglary Other Building (anything not used as a dwelling)
IP Injured Party (i.e. victim)
MO Modus Operandii (how the crime was committed)
M/V Motor Vehicle
OIC Officer In Charge (of the case)
TFMV Theft From Motor Vehicle
TOMV Theft Of Motor Vehicle
U/K Unknown
VRM Vehicle Registration Mark (number plate)
W/O Without (e.g. without owner’s consent)

The Phonetic Alphabet

A = alpha B = bravo C = Charlie
D = delta E = echo F = foxtrot
G = golf H = hotel I = India
J = Juliet K = kilo L = lima
M = mike N = November O = oscar
P = papa Q = quebec R = romeo
S = sierra T = tango U = uniform
V = victor W = whiskey X = x-ray
Y = yankee Z = zulu
Identity Codes (used to describe a person’s ethnicity).

IC1 White Caucasian
IC2 Dark European (Mediterranean)
IC3 Negroid
IC4 Indian/Pakistani
IC5 Chinese/Japanese
IC6 Arabian/Egyptian
IC7 Alien !

Kevin Pitt has been recovering from an accident in December, and will resume his weekly report in the near future, meanwhile, "Kevin get well soon! "

November 2007 crime watch reports

Crime watch Report week ending Friday 30th November

Incidents of Note

BURGLARY DWELLING, SAT 24-NOV-07 in Aldridge
The victim had Left The Front Door Of Property Unlocked Due To Daughter Having Just Left the house. The victim Then Going Into Kitchen To Put Away Groceries And Was Joined 5 Minutes Later By Son In Law At This State Offender Was Already In The Address And Searched Upstairs Rooms Untidy Offender Has Then Ran From Upstairs Back Through Open Front Door Son In Law Saw Male

THEFT FROM PERSON SAT 24-NOV-07 WALSALL ROAD
Unknown Male On Bike Has Come From Behind victim, Snatched Her Handbag And Made Off

Npower – cold calling
Note that the energy company Npower may be canvassing door to door during the coming weeks. Representatives, who will be working up to 8pm, will carry two badges, one from Npower and the other from Energysure, both include photographs. The telephone number to verify the identity of callers is 08456 0111 102. If the agents are successful in encouraging the householder to change energy suppliers, and the householder is over 65 years of age, they will require a witness signature to the contract.

Credit Card Warning
A few people have sent me an e-mail warning of a credit card scam whereby a caller purporting to be from your credit card company will call to ‘warn’ of a fraudulent transaction on your account. In short, the caller will ask you to confirm the security code on the back of your card. Suffice to say the caller is not from your credit card company (they already know your card’s security code) and some time later actual false transactions will appear on your account. I have checked this warning at www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp and have found it to be true. However, it is rather old, having first appeared in 2003. I have not actually heard of anyone becoming a victim of this scam. Many such warning, both real and hoax, are circulating by e-mail. Before passing on any e-mails please check them out at a site such as www.snopes.com to avoid alarming your friends unnecessarily.

Chief Constable’s Christmas Message to Neighbourhood Watch Members

This year has seen many changes within the police service and the Neighbourhood Watch movement. The restructuring of Neighbourhood Watch both nationally and at regional level will assist in bringing our two organisations closer together.

In policing such diverse communities within the West Midlands, affected by many issues both globally and at home, the challenges and demands increase year on year. On appointment to the West Midlands Police, I sought to broaden the definition of our aims to include a reference to making our communities feel safer. Our feeling the difference surveys are unique within the police service in providing an assessment of quality of life, fear of crime and feelings of public satisfaction. The most important fact to arise from our regular surveys is that most people believe crime is reducing or at worst remaining stable. This is directly contrary to the British Crime Survey, which shows that across the nation almost two thirds of people believe crime is increasing. Facts such as this are a real indicator of success and confirm that our approach to Neighbourhood Policing with your support is beginning to produce real difference within our communities.

In terms of our performance, we have seen some outstanding results across the West Midlands. Whilst there is still much to be done, Neighbourhood Watch groups should be proud of the contribution they have made, in making our community, a safer place in which to live, travel and work. Working together in partnership to prevent and reduce crime continues to be one of our main aims and I hope that you will continue to support us during the next year. Every victim is one too many and it is important that communities help us to identify and look after potentially vulnerable people. This message is never more important than at this time of year.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Neighbourhood Watch on their 25th anniversary and thank you all, for your continued dedication and selflessness in giving your time and effort so freely, in support of West Midlands Police and your local communities.

Once again I thank you on behalf of West Midlands Police for the tremendous work you do and wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas and every good wish for the New Year.

Sir Paul Scott-Lee,
Chief Constable,
West Midlands Police.

Crime watch Report week ending Friday 23 November

Incidents of Note
CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE THU 15-NOV-07 19:50 to 20:30 LONGWOOD LANE Unknown Offenders Caused Damage To Motor Vehicle By Throwing A Brick At The Front Windscreen Causing This To Crack Offenders Made Good Their Escape

CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WED 14-NOV-07 18:00 to 20:00 MIDDLEMORE LANE U/K Offenders Have Smashed The Windows To A Tractor Unit Whilst It Was Parked In The Street Causing Damage To The Value Of £900

Distraction Burglary On Tuesday 20 November a number of distraction burglary offences occurred across the Walsall area, as follows:

At about 6.15pm in New Street, Rushall, two offenders gained entry to an occupied dwelling by forcing the front door. Once inside a search was made and a quantity of cash stolen. An offender was confronted by the occupant of the house while making his escape and is described as: White male, 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall, heavy build, aged 40 to 50 years, midland accent, wearing a flat cap.

It is believed that the offenders may be the same as in the following incident.

At about 7.30pm in Coalpool Place, Walsall, an offender entered the house through the insecure front door and told the occupant to turn on the taps as there was a leak next door. After turning on the taps the occupant ushered the offender out of the house by the back door, but then found a second offender inside the house who was also told to leave. Thanks to quick thinking by the occupant nothing was stolen. It is believed that the offenders were using a silver Audi estate car.

The offenders are described as: 1/ white male, 6 feet tall, heavy build, clean shaven, aged approx. 50 years, midland accent. Wearing a woolly beanie hat and black clothing.

2/ white male, 5 feet 7 inches tall, medium build, aged approx. 60 years, midland accent. Wearing a flat cap and dark clothing.

It is believed that this incident followed an unsuccessful attempt to force entry to another property in the street.

At about 7.25pm two men called at a dwelling in Westminster Road, Rushall. The occupant opened the door on a security chain and was told by the men that they were from the water board and needed to check the supply. They were not allowed entry. One offender is described as:

Male, aged in his 30’s, heavy build, mousey coloured hair brushed back and cut in steps, Irish accent.

Later, at about 8.20pm two men were in Ashbourne Road, Little Bloxwich, acting as water board officials. They are described as:

1/ white male, 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, slim build, clean shaven, aged 30 to 37 years, irish accent, wearing a flat cap, dark duffle coat and scarf. 2/ white male, approx. 5 feet 2 inches tall, stocky build, aged 30 to 35 years, wearing a flat cap and duffle coat.

Similar incidents have also occurred in Wolverhampton.

The silver Audi estate is significant as it was seen at several incidents. Please ask all neighbours, particularly the elderly and vulnerable to be extra alert for bogus callers, and to follow the example of the resident of Westminster Road by denying them entry.

Relay Messages Due to a problem with the system there will be no messages sent out for a while.

RSPCA: update In last week’s newsletter I highlighted concerns about RSPCA representatives asking residents to supply bank account details on their doorstep. The RSPCA have now contacted police headquarters to let us know that they have stopped collecting for this year. Doorstep canvassing will recommence in February and the police will be informed. They are also taking on board our concerns regarding their fundraising methods. If you wish to donate to the RSPCA visit www.rspca.org.uk.

Crime watch Report week ending Friday 16 November

Wartime Souvenirs
Following two recent events where possibly live military ordnance (such as hand grenades) have been found in peoples homes, please remind neighbours that keeping a bomb as a souvenir is not a good idea!

Apply now to the new Tax Refund Program
Please note that an e-mail purporting to be from HM Treasury, promising a tax refund, is doing the rounds. This is a scam, if you are eligible for a tax refund it will come from the Inland Revenue not the Treasury. DO NOT click on the link “Apply by clicking here”.

Callers At the Door.
I’ve recently had a couple of concerns raised about fund raisers from the RSPCA asking residents to fill in direct debit forms on their doorsteps, occasionally using ‘hard sell’ tactics which have left residents feeling intimidated. As this has happened in other areas the police have contacted the RSPCA who are understandably concerned. The company working on behalf of the RSPCA has also been contacted and warned that such practices will not be tolerated and any further complaints will be referred to Trading Standards. They have agreed to review their approach and will be informing the police regarding locations, dates, hours of operating, officers names, vehicles and license/permit details prior to any activity. The police do not want to prevent the RSPCA (or any other legitimate charities) from raising funds, however we will not tolerate members of the community being intimidated in their homes. You are advised not to hand over bank details at the doorstep to cold callers. If you want to donate there are several ways of securely supplying your bank details, for example by post or secure internet connection. If you are visited by fundraisers whose behaviour gives cause for concern please let me know.

Crime watch Report week ending Friday 2 November

Distraction Burglary: Delves, Walsall
A distraction burglary took place on Wednesday 31 October in Lord Street, Delves, whereby the offender called at the address and stated that he was working next door and needed to stand in the rear garden. The victim has allowed him entry, locking the front door but after a few minutes of standing in the rear garden has noticed an upstairs light come on in the house. The offender made good his escape via the rear garden. Please be aware of this method.

November edition of the exclusive Walsall Crime Reduction News which includes the latest news about crime reduction initiatives from across the H1 Walsall area.
click on the images below.

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