Blenheim

Update

There has been a rise in reported crime in the Blenheim Neighbourhood when compared with the same period last year. Unfortunately there has been an increase of dwelling burglary offences, vehicle crime, and robbery offences but there has been a reduction in violent crime and commercial burglary offences. Locally there has also been a problem with the increase of theft offences such as thefts of pedal cycles.

As a result the Leigh Neighbourhood Policing Team has been working on several initiatives in order to help tackle vehicle crime and burglary offences. We are working on initiatives to tackle these problems incorporating directed Police Patrols, Stop checking pedestrians, cyclists and drivers and by giving crime prevention advice to residents.

Essex Police have made some positive arrests for burglary offences in the Leigh area in November and December but we always ask that you take extra care in securing your homes at all times and remain vigilant to strangers or unusual behaviour in your road.

You can beat the burglars by taking just a few simple steps:

1. Make your home safe and secure by fitting 5 lever mortice locks on external doors and for all other doors and windows fit secure locks.

2. It is most important to take extra care when locking up particularly with regard to UPVC doors. Lift the handle and lock the door with the key.

3. When you leave your property remove keys from locks and place them out of sight.

4. Afternoons and evenings are dark now so use automatic light timers to make your property look occupied at all times even when there's nobody home. If you don't use timers you still might want to consider them as well as installing external lighting for evenings and overnight. Also consider using radios on timers to make it sound like somebody is home.

5. Burglars often break into properties to steal car keys so avoid leaving car keys near a door or window where they can be easily found and where possible lock your car in a garage or behind a locked gate. For additional security, secure your vehicle with steering locks.

6. Items that are targets for burglars are usually small concealable items and cash, jewellery, laptops, cameras, sat’ navs' and games consoles. Help us by recording serial numbers of electrical items or mark property with ultra violet pens which can be picked up from local Police stations, roadshows and Police surgeries across Essex. Marking can help trace an item that’s yours as well as the person who stole it. Recent burglary offences have targeted electrical items and especially gaming consoles.

Photograph your property so you have a record of it and if you do have unique jewellery of significant sentimental value hide it away from your normal jewellery in spots where you would not expect to put it ordinarily.

7. Empty boxes left outside advertise your property - dispose of packaging carefully.

8. Do not answer the door to cold callers. Never let anybody you do not know into your home without checking their Identification first. If you are ever in any doubt, do not let them in and call for assistance. Seek assistance from friends or family or call Police for advice on 101.

Many burglaries appear to be committed by forcing the side/rear gate and then forcing open the rear window/door. Whilst it can be hard to stop this, often garden tools that have been left out in the garden, are then being used by the burglar to force open the window/door. Please consider this when leaving your property and make sure you tidy away any tools and that your gates are as secure as they can be.

If you are going away for any amount of time use an automatic timer for lights; check your fire alarm is working properly before you leave; ask a trusted neighbour to watch your home; cancel your newspaper and milk deliveries; and ask a family member to collect your mail from the door and store away.

We would encourage any of you to help your neighbourhood by being vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity as soon as you can and don’t just leave it to someone else to do.

You can do as much or as a little as you would like, from keeping an eye out on a vulnerable neighbour or area to setting up a neighbourhood watch scheme in your road or even attending one of our local 'Neighbourhood Meetings' which are advertised in the events section.

If you know of an elderly person that may benefit from a security assessment then contact us and we will arrange it with them, using the handyman scheme if appropriate.

Reports of anti-social behaviour have fallen over the period of the last year.

We have been making stop checks on youths in our area and alcohol seizures have been made from anybody under the age of 18 found to be drinking in a public place. We also work hand in hand with the Southend Integrated Youth Support Service and referrals of underage youths are regularly made so that follow up home visits can be made.

Keep yourself safe in public and don't become a victim of robbery. When you go out, plan your routes, there and back. Avoid short cuts through unlit or deserted areas. Try to walk in groups. Let someone know where you are going and your time of return. Have keys ready so you can get into your house or your car quickly. Be aware of your surroundings, ear- phones may prevent you from hearing traffic or somebody approaching behind you. Don't advertise your property such as expensive phones or cameras. If you think you are being followed, go to the nearest public place and call the Police.

Vehicle Crime is also a priority for us. The majority of thefts from vehicles in our area are due to cars being left unlocked. Always lock your car when you leave it unattended.

If you are unable to park your car securely on a drive or in a garage, park it in a well lit open space and always make sure that it is locked. If you are using a remote key, listen for the locking mechanism to work and watch for the indicator lights to flash. Extra Locks or other devices will always put criminals off. You can get information about vehicle immobilisers and other security products by calling the Vehicle Security National Helpline on 0870 550 2006. Make sure any device is approved by a recognised organisation such as Thatcham or Sold Secure. Mechanical immobilisers, such as steering locks are not expensive and are easy to use.

Always remove all property from your car when you leave it. Any items on display could be tempting to a car thief, even an old coat on the back seat or a mobile phone charger. Most car thieves want car stereos or ‘sat nav’ devices. Get one that you can remove or that has a front that you take off. Remove or hide the ‘sat nav’ holder too. Also consider property marking these items just in case. If you have any questions about any security issues, please give us a call.

Cycle theft is still a problem across the Southend district. It is important to remember to secure pedal cycles whenever they are unattended - even if they are only left outside shops for a matter of minutes. Always lock your bike to an immovable object, through the frame and securing removable parts (including wheels). Invest in a quality lock. Hardened steel D-shaped locks are recommended as the minimum standard. It is worth spending proportionately more on a lock for a more expensive bike. You can also get your bike electronically tagged for free. (Contact us for further details). This type of theft is normally in the daytime. If you see anybody acting suspiciously around any bicycle please call Police immediately.

There were a number of Crime Prevention Roadshow events in Leigh and Southend throughout last year where bikes were tagged for free as a crime prevention and recovery tool (Log onto www.southendcdrp.co.uk to find out more). There will be a number of new dates this Year. Just check the website for dates. Police have been making and will continue to carry out stopchecks on cyclists. We have been conducting a new operation to stop cyclists, check the riders and the bike to make sure they are not stolen and giving crime prevention advice to the owners.

Whilst cycling in the Leigh area, please remember that it is still an offence to cycle on the pavement under the Road Traffic Act and that there is a no cycling zone along the promenade adjacent to Chalkwell Esplanade. Anybody found cycling on the footpath or along the promenade will be stopped by Police and may receive a fixed penalty notice for the offence which is a £30 fine. There are safer cycling schemes available in the Southend area. If you are interested, please contact us.

Take a look at our Be Safe section of our website for crime prevention advice, videos and audios.