Witham South

Update

After a relatively quiet Christmas period, we still offer the following crime prevention advice.

Dwelling Burglaries have dropped, however, we don't want the community to become complacent. We ask that you safeguard your homes and would ask that you all remain vigilant and give consideration to the following:

• Leave a light on when going out in the evening or place a light on an automatic timer
• Draw your curtains when it is dark.
• Fit security lighting where suitable.
• Ensure windows and doors are closed and locked before leaving.
• Ensure your shed or garage is locked whilst not in use.
• Before opening your front doors ensure your back doors are closed and locked.
• If you are not expecting visitors check from your window who is at the front door.
• Ensure keys to your property and vehicle are out of sight kept away from the doors and windows.
• Property mark valuables to assist in returning items found by police. Also take photographs of expensive items, especially jewellery. If you are victim of a burglary, then photographs will help the Police investigation.
• Check identification of any persons visiting, these can be passed through the letter box without opening doors, trust your instincts if in doubt call the telephone number on the identification for conformation, or call police.

Garage Burglaries and shed Burglaries are a re-occurring problem, by the nature of their positioning and construction, especially when away from the house they are always going to be vulnerable. Always consider supplementing existing locks with further locking systems both for the doors & items contained within. It is also worth fitting an alarm and security lighting, these are relatively inexpensive.

Following calls from residents concerned about cold callers selling burglar alarms police advice is, if you are concerned about your security and considering fitting a burglar alarm, contact your local police crime reduction officer who will give you free advice and put you in touch with regulated alarm installation companies in your area.

Residents throughout the county have reported receiving unsolicited telephone calls from companies who say that crime is on the increase and that they are at risk. They offer to install a free or very cheap burglar alarm and claim they are working with agencies such as the Home Office or the police. This is not true.

The callers may block their own telephone number so they can’t be called back. However if any interest is shown in their product they will persistently call and badger the homeowner, particularly if they find out they are elderly, to agree to a visit.

My advice is not to buy a security alarm from a cold caller over the telephone or at the door and don’t agree to a visit.
If you do feel that you have been a victim of cold calling regarding home security then contact Trading Standards.

Our crime reduction officer will always welcome calls from people who want advice to keep themselves and their property secure whether it is installing an appropriate security alarm or something as simple as having proper locks fitted to your home.
The crime reduction officer, Stephen Armson-Smith will be happy to help with any queries about home security and can be contacted on 101.


As your Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) we are happy for you to contact us at any time and would particularly request any reports of suspicious activity observed. A report to police will allow for officers to attend the area concerned and conduct checks on individuals and vehicles identified as foreign to the area. This will hopefully put you and the community at ease and will aid us in our continued investigations and gathering of information in order to identify possible offenders. Visit our Be Safe section of our website for crime prevention advice to keep you and your family safe.

If you are experiencing problems of Anti-social behaviour, I would ask that you contact your neighbourhood policing officers so that we may help and offer advice.

Please check our events listings, beat surgeries are an opportunity for members of the public to speak with an officer about any issue, any concerns that you may have.
A NAP is for you, the community, to come and voice your opinions about ongoing issues in your area.

Should anyone have any information concerning any Criminal matter or suspected Criminal matter, please contact police, be assured that information can be provided anonymously.