PCSO Monthly Ward Update

Welcome to your monthly Hangleton & Knoll Ward update by Beat PCSO Sharon Baker

Key Priorities:    

Speeding

Parking on the pavement

Meeting

The next H & K Community meeting will be held on the 10th September at 10:30hrs – 12:00hrs, St Richards Community Centre, Main Hall.

Ward Update

Currently some key concerns in the area include:

Scammers door knocking

Fire’s in local parks

Male in bushes

Police have received a couple of reports of suspicious behaviour – persons door knocking saying they are selling/taking orders for ‘Hello Fresh’.   Also, Builders/Roofers door step trading.

Two of our local parks have seen the Fire Brigade turn out for reported fires, these have only been small and referred to the Police, due to deliberate ignition.

There was one report of a male hiding in the bushes of Greenleas, this was seen as suspicious.

Please be vigilant and consider vulnerable neighbours when strangers are seen in the area trying to sell door to door.  We would advise never giving over personal details and check with the company they claim to be representing that they are working in the area.  Also, do not accept doorstep traders of any kind, on numerous occasions we receive reports of Rogue Traders who report urgent work needs carrying out and whilst claiming to do that work, say it is worse than they first thought.  They charge exuberant amounts of money and can become threatening when challenged on costs etc.

The tip would be only to employ someone you have used before who is reliable, or comes with a very high recommendation from a friend etc. If they say they have done work just up the road, this is another ploy to get you to trust them.

Alert your neighbours as soon as you can, as well as informing the Police with as much detail as you can.

In relation to the fires within the parks, although these have been small, with the very dry weather these can easily become out of hand.  It is a criminal act to set light to areas in a public place.  If you think you see someone acting suspiciously, please call the Police immediately.  Lets not wait until our open spaces are destroyed.

Unfortunately, the Police did not find the male hiding in the bushes.  There could have been a perfectly reasonable explanation, but this is not usual behaviour and I would again urge the public to call in any such behaviour when it is seen.  Please do not wait until you get home so we can challenge the individual responsible.

Community Meetings and Ward Days

Myself and a colleague spent some time at the Goldstone Primary School Summer Fayre with ours Police Prison Van.  It was very successful, with most of our patrons wishing to be locked in the back!!!

This was an excellent engagement opportunity and we were also spoken to by local residents wanting advice.

The Hangleton & Knoll meeting was held at St Richards Community Hall, where various topics were discussed.  I delivered the crime figures for March, April and May.

A private meeting was held with residents from a particular location in relation to neighbour issues. Police and Housing attended and advice was given to the group in relation to future worries.   If any one else would like to organise such a meeting, please let me know the issues and I can look at facilitating this along with the relevant partners if it is deemed necessary.

Crime Prevention Advice

There was a burglary in our area via the rear of the property, car keys along with the car were stolen and also the house keys.   Keep all keys away from view and not hanging on hooks near the front or back doors, these are easily grabbed if the property is broken into.   Leave them, along with other valuables, in a secure location not visible to anyone wishing to deprive you of them.

Install  Ring Doorbells/CCTV, Security Lights, locks etc. Burglar Alarm boxes on the front of the property can also be a deterrent. 

Incidents of Note / Any Other Business

 A house was egged, but is believed the suspect was known to the victim.  A bicycle was stolen from a garage and there was a reported broken shed window and broken window on a property. Investigations are continuing.

Police have been dealing with youth ASB on Brighton & Hove seafront, where alcohol and drugs are a contributing factor.  Schools were contacted pre-end of year 11school exams, asking them to send letters home to parents/guardians.  Any parents/guardians etc who have the responsibility for our young people, please be aware of their whereabouts in the evenings, ensuring their safety.

Crime figures are slightly up on the same time last year.  This is the first rise in the year, although burglaries remain low, with just the one reported.