News : North Devon Insight

2011 has been a very busy year for the Local Police Partnership Team having very positive results & resolutions. The team has gained strength by working along other agencies such as Safer North Devon, Devon County Council, Local Housing Associations and local GP’s. This work will continue into 2012 and beyond.  As you are aware there have been changes throughout Devon and Cornwall Constabulary in 2011 to fall in line with government guidelines.

Budget cuts  set by the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review are on a scale that are unprecedented for the organisation. The Force have thought very carefully about protecting the standard of policing which has meant a major reorganisation programme to remodel and modernise the way policing services are delivered. Every function of the Force is under ongoing  review reviewed and ultimately redesigned to ensure it operates in the most cost-effective and efficient way possible. 

At this time PCSO Hannah Denton will continue to cover Whiddon Valley, Landkey, Bishops Tawton & Swimbridge to tackle local issues, provide a visible presence in the community, carry out effective community engagement and reduce crime and antisocial behaviour.  You will continue to have a named local police officer, Neighbourhood Beat Manager PC Andrew Wills, as your point of contact with responsibility for where you live. To deliver the required service, Neighbourhood Beat Managers will assist on additional parishes with any policing responsibilities.

Winter security
North Devon still remains the third safest place to live in the UK to live.  The majority of burglars are opportunists who gain entry into a home through an open door or window so ensure that windows & doors are locked, including when you are asleep inside.  If you are going away this festive season ask a neighbour or member of your family to collect post, pull curtains or park on your driveway. Timers are available from local stores that you can put on a light in your home, they are a great way of making the house look occupied.  To ensure that the crime figures keep falling please read the following advice.

Top tips to secure your home
Locks - fit strong locks (that comply with British Standards) to external doors and windows.
Keys - don’t leave keys in locks especially in front and back doors where burglars can get their hands through a letterbox or cat flap.  Keep keys accessible but out of sight and in a safe place.

Alarm - install a burglar alarm and remember to use it.

Mark & register your property - marking your
property with your postcode, house number or house name makes your property traceable and deters criminals.  Register at www.immobilise.com

Please remove any personal belongings from the
interior of your vehicle.
Place any Christmas Shopping out of sight in the boot of your vehicle
Leave your vehicle in a well-lit area & lock it at all times.

The weather we endured through the Winter of 2010 affected almost everyone, especially motorists. The roads and pavements get particularly icy causing various incidents. If & when we receive this conditions again

Please only travel if necessary,
Slow down
Leave a far greater braking distance than normal.

Many side roads are treacherous, as they are not always treated. For further advice visit our website.

Congratulations!
Julie Whitton, a hard working resident from Swimbridge, was invited to an award ceremony by Devon and Cornwall Community Watch Association (DACCWA) Awards. Julie was presented with the award for her hard work within the “Rural Community”. Julie has helped within the village of Swimbridge for numerous years, creating a newsletter, updating the website, helping to raise money for local events, founder of the Swimbridge 10K and on various community groups. Thank you Julie & long may you keep up your great work!

PCSO Hannah Denton 30094
Whiddon Valley, Landkey, Bishops Tawton &
Swimbridge
Telephone: 08452 777 444

Email:
Hannah.denton@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk

General Enquiries, to report a crime and for
information and advice:
08452 777 444

Hi Everyone

Now that Christmas is fast approaching and all that it entails, I would just like to remind you all, to remain vigilant regarding your own personal safety.

Here are some pointers for you to bear in mind, while you are out “enjoying” your Christmas shopping.

Make sure that all your purses, wallets etc. are kept out of sight of “Itchy fingers & prying eyes”
When you are withdrawing money from the “hole in the wall” that you make yourself aware of people around you and that you are happy that the ATM has not been “Tampered” with.
That you leave your vehicle in a place that has street lighting and if possible CCTV, such as the public car parks.
As you approach your vehicle, you have the car keys already in your hand, so that you can open the door straight away.
That your presents and belongings while in the car are kept hidden and out of sight from “Prying eyes”.

The above advice is also relevant to Christmas presents that are left in view of passerby’s while they are in the house.

Please also remember that as Christmas gets closer, so the office parties also start to come thick and fast.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind the motorist’s amongst us, about our obligations not to “Drink and Drive”.

If there are a group of you going out, perhaps a solution would be to nominate a driver not to drink alcohol on that occasion.

And please keep in mind, that should you have an early start the “morning after the night before” then you might still be over the legal drink drive limit. Please don’t let yourself be caught out by this omission.

What constitutes dialling 999?

An emergency is:
When a crime is happening
When someone suspected of a crime is nearby, or
When someone is injured, being threatened, or in danger.

For all other policing matters, please use the new non- emergency number 101.

What is the remit for Environmental Health

Environmental Health’s remit is very varied and with it comes wide ranging powers.  They are responsible for a wide range of statutory public health activities and with it come wide range of powers. This work undertaken contributes to the health and well-being of both residents and visitors.

The emphasis is on the prevention of ill health, but also on the promotion of well being and is achieved by education and the enforcement of public health legislation.

The following services fall within the remit of Environmental Health:

Food safety
Health and safety
Pest control
Noise
Pollution
Air quality
Contaminated land
Infectious diseases
Dog Enforcement
Trading Standards

If you have a problem that falls within one of the above categories or would like further information, you can email them on:
customerservices@northdevon.gov.uk or ring customer service on: 01271 388870.
I would like to remind residents that any reports of noise ie loud parties or music etc are NOT a policing matter and should be reported to Environmental Health.

And finally
It just remains for Rich & me to thank you for all your help and support over the past year. And to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy but peaceful New Year

Regards,
Tony & Richard

LOCAL POLICE SURGERIES:
Woodville: The second Tuesday of each month and is held in the Children’s Centre (which is located in the grounds of Sticklepath Community School) from 2 – 3.15 pm

PC 11010 Richard Preston / PCSO 30093 Tony Charles
Contact Telephone Number: 08452777444, Barnstaple
Neighbourhood Beat Office

Email addresses:
Richard. PRESTON@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk, Terry.HODGSON@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk, Anthony.CHARLES2@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
Jessica.MEAKER@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk

'If you have been a victim of crime and would like assistance, please contact Victim Support on 0845 676 10 20.