Update
Since the 1st of April this year the Leigh Neighbourhood has seen a
reduction in crime when compared with the same period last year of
about 6%. Reports of violent crime, vehicle crime, damage and
commercial burglary offences are all lower when compared with the
same period last year. There has however been a rise in 'dwelling'
bburglary offences of about 18%. The current Neighbourhood
Priorities for Chalkwell are to concentrate on the prevention and
detection of burglary offences.
As a result the Leigh Neighbourhood Policing Team has been working
on several initiatives in order to help tackle burglary offences.
We are working on initiatives to tackle this problem incorporating
directed Police Patrols in uniform and in plain clothes, Stopping
and checking pedestrians, cyclists and drivers and by identifying
vulnerable people and locations and giving crime prevention advice
to residents.
Essex Police have made some positive arrests for burglary offences
in the Leigh area since November 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.
At the Leigh Neighbourhood Meeting held on 12/03/2012, the priority
was made to reduce anti social behaviour in and around the Broadway
area. As a result, we have been making stop checks on youths 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.