Barkway – (May, 2015)

Offence / No. In Parish / No. North Herts
Dwelling Burglary / 0 / 9
Burglary Other / 0 / 31
Criminal Damage / 0 / 75
Vehicle Crime / 0 / 23
Anti-Social Behaviour / 0 / 180

Outcomes

·  The only reported crime for the month of May within the village of Barkway was at the Golf Club, where a set of golf clubs and bag were stolen over a two day period.

Other news and events

• Proactive work is still on going, stopping vehicles for traffic offences and intelligence.

• Speed checks will be conducted as and when weather permits.

• There has been no recent anti-social behaviour reported in the village.

Useful information

You can follow your local team on Twitter @RoystRrlPolice

Visit www.herts.police.uk where you can find the latest police and crime news, crime prevention advice and people wanted by police.

Police non-emergency number 101. (In an emergency always use 999).

Contact Crimestoppers anonymously with information about crime on 0800 555 111.

Sergeant’s Message

May was another relatively quiet month for our local parishes in Royston. I’m pleased to report that overall North Herts has continued to see a reduction in all crime by eight per cent across the district. We have also seen significant reductions in dwelling burglary and motor vehicle crime down by down by 59 and 41 per cent respectively in comparison to this time last year.

As the weather is getting warmer, I would like to remind people to help us to keep car crime low by remembering to leave your cars secure when visiting local attractions and beauty spots. Remember to lock your vehicles securely and to remove possessions from your cars to avoid tempting opportunist thieves.

The public can help us continue in the fight against crime by joining Neighbourhood Watch. Members receive regular information via the OWL messaging system which updates on crimes happening in local areas and give tips on crime prevention. Being part of the scheme can create a sense of community, give you peace of mind and even reduce your home insurance. Call the police non-emergency number 101 and ask to speak to one of us in your Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Sgt Guy Westwood

Royston Safer Neighbourhood Team

Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, David Lloyd

For those of us who take an active interest in rural affairs and policing, there were two items of interest in May which I would like to update you on. The largest ever survey of crime and anti-social behaviour in rural areas in England, Wales and Northern Ireland was launched last month, conducted by the National Rural Crime Network, of which I am a founding member. The survey – supported by the Home Office – asks for views on policing in rural areas from people who live and work in them as well as the impact crime has on their lives.

I believe crime is not just an urban problem and understand that rural communities can often feel overlooked and isolated when it comes to tackling it. At the same time I also believe that Hertfordshire Constabulary overall serves the rural community well – particularly with its excellent Rural Operational Support Team – however it is vital that locally and nationally we have a clear understanding of the issues faced by these communities. This survey will draw together information that will help further improve policing and crime prevention in the countryside in the years to come and so I urge as many people as possible in Hertfordshire to take part. The survey will be open until Wednesday 24th June and can be completed by visiting http://www.nationalruralcrimenetwork.net/survey?member=Hertfordshire.

I was pleased that new legislation came into force last month meaning that incidents of fly grazing can be dealt with more quickly and effectively. The Control of Horses Act 2015 allows for animals that have been abandoned or left to graze on public or private land, without landowners’ permission, to be rehomed sooner than previously permitted.

My deputy David Gibson has taken a keen interest in how police and their partners deal with fly grazing and we are quite aware of the blight that this illegal activity can be on the community. The animals are often in poor condition and not properly secured, meaning they can stray onto roads and cause traffic delays or even serious collisions. I welcome these changes and believe they are good news for the welfare of these animals as well as the communities affected by them.

By the time you read this message, a meeting between numerous agencies in Hertfordshire will already have taken place in order to discuss what the Act means for the county and what more can be done to deal with those who continue to flout the law.

To find out more about how rural crime in Hertfordshire is dealt with please visit the Constabulary’s website at www.herts.police.uk/rural.

David Lloyd, June 2015

Police warning to drink and drug drivers in Hertfordshire

Throughout June, drivers in Hertfordshire are being reminded about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The month-long campaign urges motorists not to get behind the wheel after drinking, and warns that any amount of alcohol can affect your ability to drive. Officers from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit (RPU) are conducting an increased number of drink driving checks. Those arrested for drink driving face a minimum 12-month driving ban and up to £5,000 fine – however the offence of causing death by dangerous driving carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

In March a change in the law also made it easier for the police to catch and convict drug drivers. It is now an offence to drive with certain drugs above a specified level in your blood, just as it is with drink driving. Some 17 legal and illegal drugs are covered by the law, including cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine. The limits for all illegal drugs are extremely low, so even taking a very small amount of an illegal drug could put someone over the limit. Some prescribed drugs can also affect a person’s ability to drive and the new legislation allows drivers who are not taking these medications in accordance with their prescriptions to also be prosecuted.

Hertfordshire Constabulary has a confidential drink drive reporting line to report people who put lives at risk by drinking or taking drugs before driving. If you know someone who does this please call 01707 354 111. However, as usual, if a crime is in progress always call 999.

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