• 20
• Jan

Warning after thefts from Bognor Regis allotments

Sussex Police are warning allotment owners to be aware following recent thefts.

Two sites in Bognor Regis have been subject to breaks where gardening tools, such as strimmers, cultivators and hand tools were stolen.

Breaks were reported overnight between 2 and 3 December in the Spinneymead site and 13 to 14 December when multiple sheds were accessed in Hook Lane. The most recent report was overnight on 6 to 7 January, again at the Spinneymead site in Hotham.

If possible, secure or immobilise vehicles or pieces of equipment when they're not in use. Always keep tools and equipment locked away out of sight.

Ask advice at your local hardware store as to the best locks and bolts to use.

Keep a record of serial, chassis and model numbers.

Security lights are an option if mains power is available on a site, infra-red activated security lights will deter night-time raiders.

Security cameras can offer a solution. These are available in low-light models and infra-red. Prominent signs warning of their presence would provide a deterrent effect.

Local police officers are holding a property marking day for allotment site owners to bring along their equipment to be security marked free of charge.

This will be held on Sunday 22 January at the Spinneymead allotment site at 10am and 2pm at the Hook Lane allotment site.

Sussex Police has donated £300 to the charity Action for Deafness to fund new maintenance equipment.

Cathy Cobbold, co-ordinator for Action for Deafness, said: "Action for Deafness are extremely grateful to the Arun Neighbourhood Policing Team for their generous donation of £300. In the current financial climate we are struggling to maintain the level of service we provide free of charge for deaf, deafened deafblind and hard of hearing people. This welcome gift is very much appreciated."

The donation comes from the Police Property Act Fund (PPAF), made up of monies received by the police from property confiscated by order of the court and then sold.

PCSOs Neil Billingham and Michelle Davies have been working closely with the charity in looking at ways to improve communication between Sussex Police and the deaf and hard of hearing community. One of the main offices of Action for Deafness is based in Worthing, although the charity provide support and advice in various locations inSussex including Bognor Regis.

PCSO Neil Billingham said: "The charity provide fantastic support to the deaf and hard of hearing community. The work they do is invaluable and the staff are welcoming and enthusiastic. It has been a pleasure to be able to provide this money to assist with the funding of such important equipment."

• 11
• Jan

Scrap metal industry told to 'clean up act over thefts crime wave'

Scrap metal dealers are to blame for fuelling theft by promoting a "no-questions asked" industry, a minister, Lord Henley, has claimed.

The £5 billion scrap metal industry should "clean up its act" because it was exacerbating the rising tide of thefts, said Lord Henley, a Home Office minister.
The peer admitted laws were well past their “sell by date”, saying dealers will soon face a new crackdown as metal crime reaches epidemic proportions in Britain.

Lord Henley, the minister in charge of Crime Prevention, blamed rogue elements of the industry for the escalating problem.

I have seen advertisements indicating that some scrap metal yards are quite prepared to take things, and more or less say ‘no-questions asked’,” he said.

“The industry should clean up its act.”

According to official figures, the number of thefts has doubled in five years with 60,000 offences in the first 10 months of this year alone.

In some areas, metal theft represents a tenth of total recorded crime while the British Transport Police now ranks the issue second only to fighting terrorism in its priorities.

Metal theft is estimated to cost the economy £770 million every year as gangs target the transport system, public buildings such as schools and hospitals and places of worship.

Railway cable, church roofs, war memorials, irreplaceable works of art, manhole covers and even plaques in cemeteries have been reported stolen.

Lord Henley, who is in charge of a £5 million government metal theft task force, admitted tougher regulation was needed such as improved face and identity checks and making cash transactions illegal.

Police say the cash-based industry makes it almost impossible to trace thieves but legitimate scrap dealers a ban would only “fuel” the black market.
It is estimated there are about 800 illegal yards in Britain, the same number as legal yards.

David Smith, the chief executive of the Energy Networks Association (ENA) welcomed the comments as a "significant step in the right direction".

"A package of tough measures is required to crack down on this dangerous and disruptive epidemic," he said.

"A cashless system is a critical element and those opposed to it lack convincing arguments."

Within the last two weeks there have been thefts of lead from roofs in Aldwick and Bognor Regis and a metal bed frame was stolen from a property in Felpham.

If you have any information regarding metal thefts you can call Sussex Police by dialling 101.  If you see anyone acting suspiciously or suspect theft is in progress always dial 999 immediatlely.
 

• 11
• Jan

Property Marking

Local officers are security marking at Halfords on Sunday 15th January.

Cycle marking at Halfords, Rustington takes place at 10am - 12pm

Cycle marking at Halfords, Shripney Road, Bognor Regis takes place at12pm - 2pm

You can bring along property such as cycles, laptops, electrical gardening equipment and tools to be marked free of charge.

Police will also be offering crime prevention advice about how to keep your valuables, homes and cars safe from thieves.

The event is being held in a bid to combat a recent spate of thefts from cars and outbuildings such as sheds and garages.

• 09
• Jan

Community invited to lend a hand at action day in Bognor Regis garden

A community action day is being organised to revamp a Bognor Regis garden and to provide advice and support to local residents.

A host of volunteers and organisations, including Arun District Council, Sussex Police and the Bognor Community Gardeners, will join forces on Monday, January 16 between 11am and 1pm at Hothampton Sunken Gardens.

During the last few months, Arun’s landscape maintenance contractors, ISS Facilities Services Landscapes, has been heavily reducing the overgrown shrubs to provide a more open and less intimidating park alongside the Bognor Community Gardeners.

This has been a tried and tested method for reducing anti-social behaviour and allows more light for smaller flowers to bloom.

The Parks department and Sussex Police have organised the day to try to highlight the changes that have been made in the park and to build on the growing community spirit in this more deprived area of the town.

The Bognor Community Gardeners will be refurbishing the benches on the day and will be providing teas and coffees via the Rosie Lee Café for workers.

The new gardening group came together in November with the aim of improving their health and wellbeing through gardening activities which benefit the whole community and make Bognor Regis a greener and more wildlife friendly town.

The Council’s Community Safety team and local police officers will be on hand to offer crime prevention help, advice and information to anybody who wants it and discuss any problems that may be affecting the local community.

They will be demonstrating and encouraging local residents to sign up to the new Community Messaging system to receive up to date information on incidents occurring in their area direct from police.

Community safety officers will be handing out free car crime prevention packs and anti-purse theft devices.

Helen Wilson, Arun’s Senior Community Parks Officer, has helped organise the event.

Helen said: ”We're really pleased to be working with these other agencies and the new gardening group to inject a greater sense of community spirit and care into this park. Since work has recently been done by the Council and the Bognor Community Gardeners to reduce the shrub cover we have already received positive feedback and we want to carry on this positivity into the New Year.

PCSO Michelle Davies, added: "It is a great opportunity for residents to see the work undertaken so far within the gardens, meet their local officers and other agencies that provide advice and support in the area. We look forward to seeing the residents there"Other groups involved in the day include the Bognor Regis in Bloom working party, The Greener Bognor Network and the Big Love charity, which works with homeless and deprived members of the community and Neighbourhood Watch.

 The event runs from 11am to 1pm on Monday, January 16.

• 15
• Dec

Op Tinsel

A Christmas campaign to crackdown on festive crime throughout Arun is being supported by the Safer Arun Partnership

The high profile Operation Tinsel brings together the police, the Safer Arun Partnership and volunteers from local Neighbourhood Watch groups and is aimed at combating theft and shoplifting in town centres and retail parks across the district.

High visibility police partrols will take place in Littlehampton, Bognor Regis, Arundel, Rustington and Shripney Retail Park  for the festive period and crime prevention advice is being given to make sure people keep their belongings safe. The Safer Arun Partnership team has also been working with retailers and shoppers, giving out purse chains, car crime prevention packs and ‘wobblers’ to local retailers who have attached them to tills and shelves reminding people to keep their bags and purses safe.

Sergeant Roy Hodder from Sussex Police said:  “Thieves often see the run up to Christmas as an opportunity to steal from shops and take people's wallets without being seen. To combat this Operation Tinsel will see an increase in the number of officers and PCSOs deployed on patrol to reduce crime. 

Councillor Paul Wotherspoon, Arun’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Chairman of the Safer Arun Partnership, added: “We have a good relationship with retailers across Arun and Operation Tinsel will help build on the joint goal of making the area a safer place to visit, shop and work.”

"The Operation brings together different groups who are all committed to providing extra support for retailers at this busy time and an important aspect of this is ensuring their customers feel confident they can come into Arun’s towns and shop in a safe environment. “

The Safer Arun Partnership has issued the following crime prevention advice for shoppers to reduce their risk of becoming victims of crime while out shopping this Christmas:

• When out shopping be aware of where your wallet is and keep your handbag close to you.
• Don’t be distracted with the hustle and bustle of the town centre, Christmas lights and all the bags you’re carrying, be aware of where your valuables are and who is around you. Never leave shopping unattended.
• If you leave your car unattended with shopping inside make sure you lock it safely away in the boot and don’t leave purchases on display – don’t make it easy for car thieves.
• Don't carry lots of cash and protect your pin at cash points