New Forest Accredited Community Safety Officer’s( ACSO’s) Weekly Bulletin

Week Ending Friday the 8th of February 2013

Dear all,

Another urgent appeal please:

Appeal summary

The householder was driving home from New Milton town and started to pull into her driveway, when she saw an unknown male walking down her driveway. The woman stopped and asked him what he was doing there. The suspect said he was looking to visit a friend. He then apologised and walked.
When the woman went to her home, she discovered that the glass in the side door of her house had been broken and entry gained.
The woman got back into her car and went to search for the man and after a few minutes spotted the him walking towards her. She confronted him and he ran off.
Several items of jewellery including bracelets, earrings and a watch were stolen, along with some cash.

Suspect description
  • Sex: Male

Additional Info: White male, late 20s/early 30s, 5ft 6-8ins, slight build, a long thin pale face with pallid, bland and unhealthy skin, non-descript straight mousey hair and light eyes. Suspect was wearing mainly grey tone clothes: a light jacket over a pale top and grey stonewash or similar jeans. He was slightly hunched in gait. He had a local accent – not unusual.

If you would like to speak to the police directly

Contact Name: PC 21805 MATTHEWS Tel: 101 or Email:

Renewed police appeal after Ringwood bank robbery

Published: Friday, February 8, 2013

Detectives at Lyndhurst today renewed their appeal for information a week after robbers struck during a delivery of cash to Lloyds Bank in the High Street, Ringwood.

At about 9.11am Friday, February 1, a G4S security man, 64, was approaching the bank entrance when he was grabbed by a robber who took the money. The robber ran to a black Honda moped which was waiting with a second man in the High Street.

The moped was recovered by police a short time later in the grounds of Oak Mount Care Home, Poulner.

Detectives need to hear from anyone who witnessed the robbery, but who has not spoken to police. They also want to hear from anyone who saw two men abandon the moped and get into another vehicle in Poulner.

DC Naomi Mellish is leading the investigation. "We need to speak to every witness to the robbery itself and the transfer from the moped to another vehicle. The switch of transport might not have seemed important to a witness at the time. But information about that change of vehicle is vital to our enquiries," DC Mellish said.

Detectives also want to hear from anyone who saw the moped arrive in the High Street or who saw suspicious people in the area in the days leading up to the offence.

"The moped was distinctive in that it was black with a full windscreen and a rear top box, and the two men on the moped were dressed in dark clothing. In addition, the moped was driven the wrong way up a one-way street when it left the High Street. If you saw any of this activity, we need to hear from you," DC Mellish said.

"This is a bold attack during daylight hours on the High Street of a busy market town. The men who carried out this robbery had no regard for the safety of anyone around them, and they need to be stopped," she said.

RMS Number: 44130040649

New Forest North

  • Ashurst & Netley Marsh
  • Burley & Bransgore
  • Cadnam
  • Damerham
  • Fordingbridge
  • Hightown
  • Ibsley
  • Lyndhurst
  • Poulner & Ellingham
  • RingwoodTown

Crime Reports Data- Week Ending 08/02/2013( Including 101 Calls)

Last 4 weeks Including 08/02/2013(Series 4)

TOMV- Theft of Motor Vehicle

TFMV- Theft from Motor Vehicle

RTC- Road Traffic Collision

ASB- Anti Social Behaviour

More detailed information for your exact neighbourhood can be viewed at:

New Forest East

  • Blackfield, Calshot & Fawley
  • Calmore
  • Dibden Purlieu & Netley View
  • Holbury
  • Hounsdown & Eling
  • Hythe And Dibden
  • Marchwood, Exbury & Beaulieu
  • Testwood
  • Totton Town Centre
  • West Totton

Crime Reports Data-Week Ending 08/02/2013( Including 101 Calls)

Last 4 weeks Including 08/02/2013(Series 4)

TOMV- Theft of Motor Vehicle

TFMV- Theft from Motor Vehicle

RTC- Road Traffic Collision

ASB- Anti Social Behaviour

More detailed information for your exact neighbourhood can be viewed at:

New Forest South

  • Ashley
  • Barton & Milford On Sea
  • Brockenhurst & Boldre Rurals
  • Hordle & Sway
  • Lower Pennington
  • Lymington Town Centre & Buckland
  • New Milton Town Centre
  • North Milton Estates
  • Upper Pennington

Crime Reports Data- Week Ending 08/02/2013( Including 101 Calls)

Last 4 weeks Including 08/02/2013(Series 4)

TOMV- Theft of Motor Vehicle

TFMV- Theft from Motor Vehicle

RTC- Road Traffic Collision

ASB- Anti Social Behaviour

More detailed information for your exact neighbourhood can be viewed at:

Colleagues,

This week I had the pleasure of addressing the Hampshire network of Women In Rural Enterprise. Approximately forty women were present and received an input on the work of the Country Watch team, the Forest Watch partnership, rural crime trends, business security and personal safety. The presentation generated lots of discussion amongst the members. I was encouraged by the fact that many of the members ordered security products from us and have requested site visits of their premises’ to provide advice on security measures.

In TestValley this week we have received several reports of an Asian male flagging down motorists stating that he has run out of petrol. He claims he has no money but would like to exchange his gold rings for cash to purchase fuel. He then asks to borrow the motorists’ mobile phone with a promise to return it the following day. Please remain vigilant and do not engage with such males. Please record vehicle registration details and call the Police on 101.

We are still experiencing thefts from outbuildings throughout the area. Please take a few moments to review the security of your sheds, garages and barns. We have just placed another order for alarmed padlocks that can be purchased from us for £10. All money made goes back into the pot to buy more equipment.

Louise.

Sergeant 483 Hubble.

Poaching

  • .No incidents reported this week.

Rural Arson

  • .No incidents reported this week.

Theft From Motor Vehicle

  • 31/01. Holbury. Site entered and fuel stolen from two vehicles.
  • 03/02. Romsey. Catalytic Converter stolen from vehicle.
  • 04/02. Lymington. Vehicle left unlocked overnight. Chainsaw stolen from foot well.

Rural Theft

  • 30/01. Lockerley. Outbuilding broken into. Stihl hedge trimmer, John Deere lawn mower and other tools stolen.
  • 30/01. Braishfield. Heating oil stolen from tank in garden.
  • 31/01. New Milton. Lead stolen from roof of premises.
  • 31/01. Blackfield. Horse lorry and outbuilding broken into. Horse rugs, bridle, harness and grooming kit stolen.
  • 31/01. Lockerley. Mitsibushi Shogun located burnt out. Stolen from farm near Stockbridge – suspected to be used in poaching.
  • 01/02. Hangersley. Outbuildings broken into. Nil stolen.
  • 01/02. Ringwood. Outbuilding broken into. Fishing equipment stolen.
  • 01/02. Romsey. £3000 of power tools stolen from secure works van on driveway.
  • 01/02. Romsey. £500 of Dewalt power tools stolen from works van.
  • 01/02. Braishfield. Heating oil stolen from garden storage tank.
  • 02/02. Hythe. Outbuilding broken into. Leaf blower and golf clubs stolen.
  • 03/02. Hightown Hill. Outbuildings broken into. Nil stolen.
  • 04/02. Exbury. Insecure caravan in rural field entered. Bag of hose feed stolen.
  • 04/02. Hightown Hill. Outbuilding on farm broken into. Nil stolen.
  • 04/02. Blackfield. Lead stolen from roof of premises.
  • 04/02. Bransgore. Chain to gate in field cropped off. Freestanding tractor back-box container stolen.
  • 04/02. Bransgore. Two batteries stolen from HGV parked in compound overnight.
  • 04/02. Dibden Purlieu. Lead stolen from roof of premises.
  • 04/02. New Milton. Tack room broken into. Items stolen include saddles, driving harnesses, stirrups and bridles.
  • 04/02. Holbury. Metal gate stolen from driveway.
  • 05/02. Pennington. Skip full of scrap metal stolen from site. This skip was dumped at a site in Somerley where another skip containing more valuable scrap metal was stolen.
  • 05/02. Totton. Outbuilding broken into. Nil stolen.
  • 05/02. Brockenhurst. Wooden door to outbuilding forced. Second metal door still intact. No entry gained.
  • 06/02. Tiptoe. Outbuilding broken into. Nil stolen.
  • 06/02. Dibden. Hole cut in barbed wire fence and generator stolen from site.
  • 06/02. Brockenhurst. Three outbuildings and a camper van broken into. Nil stolen.

Off-Road Vehicles

  • None reported this week.

Miscellaneous Offences

  • 31/01. Copythorne. Domestic rabbit in rear garden shot in head and killed.
  • 31/01. Blissford. Small hole cut in stock wire fence.
  • 03/02. Beaulieu. Two gates opened in paddocks allowing horses to escape.
  • 04/02. Totton. Cat shot in rear leg with air weapon.

Fly Tipping

  • 04/01. Blackfield. Household rubbish dumped on edge of rural road.
  • 05/02. Blashford. Quantity of cable sheathing dumped. Copper stripped out of centre.
  • 05/02. Nursling. Fly tipping offence caught on CCTV. Enquiries ongoing.

Vehicles of interest

  • HV09TVY. Silver Ford Transit panel van. Seen in the Lymington area asking for batteries and scrap metal.
  • EN56DHM. White Flat-bed Ford. Seen on land in Fordingbridge ferreting. Their services were declined.
  • NH06XXF. White Ford Transit. Reports of vehicle around Lymington taking scrap metal. Stated he had permission which was not actually true.
  • HV54CTU. White Ford Transit. Seen in Blashford area paying attention to properties. No current keeper registered at this time.
  • NU51LHC. Green and white Ford transit drop-side lorry. Seen three times in two days in rural areas asking for scrap metal.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ends ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Residents alerted to cold calling workmen

New Forest residents are urged to be wary of workmen calling at their homes offering to resurface their driveways at a cut price.

The Safer New Forest Partnership is alerting people to the cold callers who have been operating in Hythe and Holbury. They have been calling at the homes of mainly elderly people, telling them they have been "working down the road and have materials left over from that job, and we noticed your drive needs doing. We can give you a good deal.”

The workmen are offering residents a written quote and the right to cancel within seven days, but the Partnership is concerned about the quality of work on offer and a possible lack of after-sales service.

Local people are urged to remain vigilant for workmen cold calling in their areas and asks them to keep a lookout for elderly or vulnerable neighbours.

Cllr Jill Cleary, New Forest District Council portfolio holder for housing and communities, advised: “If you are thinking of having any work done, including resurfacing of your driveway, it pays to deal with reputable local tradesmen who, if something goes wrong, will return and sort out the problem.

“Always get a number of written estimates for any work, along with a description of what the work will entail and how it will be done. You should also be given a seven day "cooling off" period in which you can cancel.”

Hampshire County Council Trading Standards runs the Buy with Confidence Scheme and recommends that residents refer to the Directory of Approved Local Businesses to find reputable tradesmen. Find out more at

Hampshire Trading Standards asks people to know their consumer rights before they agree to any work for peace of mind. In particular:

  • Any work costing over £35 requires the trader to provide the purchaser with a written notice of their right to cancel any contract within seven days
  • If the work is to be carried out there and then - the purchaser has to sign a "waiver" (provided by the trader) which states that the purchaser has been informed of their right to a seven day "cooling off" period but they have chosen to waive that right and have the work carried out immediately.

HCC Trading Standards Quick Response Team can be contacted on 01962 833666 - they will attend and advise the householder of their legal rights and the trader of their legal responsibilities.

Make your outdoor buildings burglar-proof

With Springtime just around the corner, you may be thinking of clearing out your sheds and garages to prepare for the year ahead.

If so, the Safer New Forest Partnership is offering a low-priced but highly-effective alarmed padlock to help householders secure their outdoor buildings and protect their property from intruders.

“Don’t be complacent – make sure your sheds, garages and any other outbuildings are securely locked with a good quality device.”

The Safer New Forest Partnership offers residents a high quality alarmed padlock for £10 which can be purchased at New Forest District Council information centres across the district, as they’re too heavy to post.

The Partnership also reminds residents to protect their valuable outdoor furniture, such as gas barbecues, patio heaters and patio sets, bikes and garden machinery, by property-marking and photographing them. They can also register their property for free on

“The New Forest is a relatively low-crime area but that’s no excuse for apathy,” said New Forest Chief Inspector Tony Rowlinson. “I would advise all householders to protect their property, especially when it is left in outdoor buildings which may be easier to access. Lock your outbuildings and remember if you don’t, you may not be covered by your insurance.”

CalshotMountain Sports Festival

Hampshire County Council sent the following message:
LOFT INSULATION GRANT OFFERS
Green Deal is a new government initiative that aims to encourage consumers to make their homes energy efficient. It lets you pay for improvements to your home through your energy bills. Only authorised Green Deal businesses can offer this.
In an attempt to prevent mis-selling and potential scammers, all Green Deal Providers and Assessors must follow the Green Deal Code of Conduct which stipulates that they must respect your wishes if you do not wish to be cold-called at home.
Genuine Green Deal providers won’t call at your home if you display a no cold calling’ door sticker* and householders should be wary of sellers who ignore the signs.
Hampshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service has received complaints, where members of the public have been given misleading information by less scrupulous traders who cold-call. They may make false claims that they work for the local council, and high pressure sales techniques are used to frighten more vulnerable consumers into agreeing to contracts for goods or services that the do not necessarily need or want. By using scare tactics, the salesperson may claim the householder will be sued if they do not improve their home energy efficiency, or that they are breaking the law.
Real Life Case Study
Mr M who is an older man living alone was cold-called by an insulation company. The trader told Mr M, that unless he had correct insulation in place, he would not be able to sell his home in the future. On this basis, Mr M agreed to have work carried out in his loft. Although Mr M was not charged for the work, he was concerned this was not a genuine trader. A follow up visit by Trading Standards Officers was carried out where Mr M was reassured. The trader has not contacted him since.
To avoid rogue traders offering energy efficiency home services, do not deal with unsolicited callers who contact you at the door, by telephone, email or letter and seek advice from the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234 or visit * Residents of Hampshire can request a ‘do not cold call’ door sticker by calling 01962 833620.
For further help or advice please contact;
Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on
08454 04 05 06

Kind regards, and stay safe.

Dean Birch

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