KEEPING WATCH

AGM – Lifts available

If you are without transport and would like to enquire about a lift to the AGM in Bewbush, telephone 01293 583832.

There is a new police Non-Emergency telephone number, which covers the whole of Sussex.  This is 0845 60 70 999 (easy to remember) and has been operational since May 1999.

Telephone Preference Service

To register your telephone number(s)                              telephone 0845 0700707

Fax Preference Service

To register your fax number(s)                                           telephone 0845 0700702

To report a breach of these regulations                       telephone 020 7766 4420

Mail Preference Service To register                                telephone 0345 034599

Crawley Neighbourhood Watch Internet Web Site:  www.crawley.org.uk

NHW Hint

Also tick the small ¨ at the bottom of many forms if you do not wish your details and address to be used for further marketing offers and possibly shared / sold to other companies or organisations.

`British Summer Time                   Darker nights approach

British Summer Time ends on Sunday 29^th October 2000 and requires all your clocks to be changed backwards by one hour at 1:00 am GMT.

Does the street lighting in your neighbourhood watch area come on and go off at the right time?  If not please report the lamppost numbers, roads affected to one of the fault reporting telephone numbers above.

Do you have security lights on a timer switch that requires the clock to be changed backwards by one hour on Sunday 29^th October 2000. ?

Death after thirty                 slow down – speed cameras in action

The Sussex Police force (Traffic Division) is getting tough on speeding motorists from 3^rd July 2000 onwards.  The speed threshold at which drivers are issued with fixed penalty tickets or prosecuted is to be lowered, particularly in 30 mile per hour zones.  Traffic officers will also issue fixed penalty tickets for drivers and rear passengers not wearing seat belts.

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LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER - TAKE A LESSON FROM NATURE'S MEERKATS

          MARK IT !    LOCK IT !   PHOTOGRAPH IT !   LIST IT !     or        LOSE IT

Newsletter Articles

Articles for future newsletters are welcomed from any member of the Crawley NHW.

Email address:   linda.connor@ sussex.police.uk

Road Rage               contribution from a NHW member

The following advice is offered concerning potential road rage situations.  To prevent road rage situations developing, motorists should always lock their windows and doors if another driver stops to approach their car.  If the other driver seems angry or you have been involved in an incident with them, it is a deterrent to get a pen and paper out and start writing down their car registration number.  This action puts the other driver on their guard as they are no longer anonymous because everyone should know that their car registration can be readily traced.  Another good idea is to carry a disposable camera in the car glove-box and take their photograph if they are behaving aggressively, as this action should also deter them and give you proof of identity.  If you are also unfortunate to be involved in car accident it is a good idea to take photographs as evidence to support any subsequent insurance claim.

Keys, Labels and Cat-Flaps        who has access to your keys ?

Keys are a vital part of security in our lives.  But how do you look after your keys.  Keys in the wrong hands allow unauthorised entry to your home or car usually without trace.  Where do you keep your keys?  Are they labelled?   Keys should be kept separate from anything with your address on it.  Keys if kept within a household should not be on view from the outside of the property.  Location of keys to lock double glazing should be carefully considered for both entry and exit to your property. Consider how would you get out of your property if not by the front or back door, in the case of smoke or fire.

Do not keep keys on a labelled key rack, especially within access from an open window or even a small cat flap.  Keys have been ‘fished’ through small apertures to gain untraceable entry.  Lock those doors, even if only going out for a few minutes!

Promotional Items              personal safety and house signs

The Crawley Neighbourhood Watch committee has the following promotional items for sale.  Personal attack alarms complete with an inbuilt torch are available for £6.99

Also NHW gatepost signs are available for those with long drives where NHW member window badges could not be clearly seen.

Property Marking               looking after your possessions

Property marking kits are always available on loan for a very nominal charge.  They can be collected or possibly delivered.  They are suitable for marking many household and office items with your postcode and house number or name.  Remember where they are marked and tell the new owner if you sell any item. 

Tel: Crawley 583832 for further details.

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MARK IT !    LOCK IT !   PHOTOGRAPH IT !   LIST IT !     or        LOSE IT !                                  THIEVES HATE MARKED ITEMS    

CrimeStoppers                   confidential information line

Crimestoppers is a national information line operating under Crimestoppers Trust that is a registered charity.  The telephone number is 0800 555111.  All call are FREE, you do not have to give your name or number.  You may receive a reward for the information given.

Reminder                              change of Telephone Numbers / personal circumstances

This is a further reminder to all members of Neighbourhood Watch schemes in Crawley. If you change your telephone number to Eurobell or come back to BT, please let your NHW scheme co-ordinator know or Linda Connor, the Crime Prevention Co-ordinator, direct on her telephone Crawley 583832 so that the 'Ringmaster' messaging service can be re-programmed.  A large number of NHW scheme co-ordinators are not receiving information because of their change of telephone number / personal circumstances.

Community Problem Solving Form       feedback to NHW members

The Sussex Police have re-introduced a Community Problem Solving report form.  This form does not in anyway replace the normal crime reporting procedures.  It is simply designed to allow NHW residents to identify potential areas that could be vulnerable to crime and make sure that police are aware of a current problem or potential problem.  It also allows NHW members to both report particular locations and also suggest solutions. The forms are available from Linda Connor (Crime Prevention Co-Ordinator) at Crawley Police Station or copies from your NHW area co-ordinator.  The information is noted confidentially and would allow the much sought after positive feedback from the police to NHW members of their contribution to Crime Prevention.

So 'be part of the solution' by filling those simple forms.

NHW Area Representatives

For 2000/2001 NHW area representatives are still required for Gossops Green and West Green.  Contact Linda Connor (Crime Prevention Co-ordinator) direct on her telephone Crawley 583832  if you would like to find out what this involves!

Responsibilities of a Neighbourhood Watch Member

There are now over 9,000 NW schemes operating throughout the county of Sussex involving over 180,000 households.   The pattern of growth has largely been due to the increased public awareness on the structured approach to crime prevention together with the need to maintain a good quality of life in the neighbourhood.

Please play your part in helping to prevent, deter and reduce crime and most importantly the fear of crime in your neighbourhood.  Ensure that your home and property are adequately secure to a reasonable standard by adopting the home security advice set out in the Home Office free booklet 'Beat the Burglar'. (available from the Police Station).

Ensure that any incident arousing your suspicion is fully reported BY YOU to the Police, in detail and in accordance with the procedure laid out in the booklet.

LET THE POLICE KNOW YOU ARE A NHW MEMBER WHEN REPORTING

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Crawley Borough KEEPING WATCH is sponsored by Graham Edwards Ltd  (Independent Insurance Consultants) Winchester House, 34 Crescent Road, Worthing, West Sussex.  Tel: 01903 236788.  SPECIALISTS IN NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH, HOME & MOTOR INSURANCE

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