Eardisley and District Neighbourhood Watch
Latest news from the Police
"CLEVER NEW SCAM. Someone, posing as a representative of your credit card company, telephones and quotes your card details. He tells you that they have intercepted an unauthorised transfer and want to reverse the transaction. The give-away is that he asks you for the 3 number code off the back of your card. If it happens to you, assume it to be a fraudster and crosscheck. Your real card issuer already knows that code! " Follow this link for more latest news from the local police.
Community Support Officers
Are out and about and, because they are in uniform’ are sometimes mistaken for actual police officers. In fact they have distinct roles as their title implies.
· To support the community young and old;
· To help the police in carrying out their duties;
· To reassure people living in the area;
· To help reduce the fear of crime especially in a low crime area like Eardisley;
· To visit scenes of crime and talk with victims of crime.
They are part of the police presence in the area and work with police teams from Leominster and Hereford.
You can contact or leave a message for Dick Allford either on his mobile 07968 462523 or by email at richard.allford@westmercia.pnn.police.uk.
Preventing Thefts
Dilwyn neighbourhood watch is hosting a meeting on Monday 5th September in the Crown Inn Dilwyn at 8.00pm at which Mark Bishop of Fire and Security Ltd. will demonstrate the sort of equipment available for people in a rural area. There is an increase in the number of thefts of valuable equipment from farms and garden sheds and there are ways of protecting our property better.
Local man challenges theft
He was at Tech Trucks late at night on Monday 8th August when he saw 3 or 4 men acting suspiciously probably trying to take fuel. They saw that they had been spotted and made a quick getaway and he followed them to Millstream Gardens. They got out of the car and approached him in a threatening manner. He immediately left the scene and reported the incident to the police giving them the car’s registration number. This quick thinking almost certainly prevented a crime.
Mike Dutton
Neighbourhood Watch Information
Eardisley neighbourhood watch is registered with the National Neighbourhood Watch Association (N.N.W.A.) It was formed during 1970's following a spate of local house burglaries and burglaries of business premises.The group is headed by its chairman Mr. Bill Rowlatt, a retired Police Officer and its meetings take place twice a year unless extraordinary/emergency meetings are called for.
At present we have a total of twenty local volunteers who go out to perform pro-active patrols, mostly during the late night and early morning periods. Their role is to observe any suspicious persons, vehicles, or situations that they may see during the observations period and report to the Police via mobile phone. Volunteers patrol in pairs and are covered by strict guidelines. They inform the Police, before going on patrol and when they return, providing their mobile telephone number and registration number of the vehicle they are using.
More volunteers are always needed. This pro-active extension to neighbourhood watch membership has reduced crime considerably in the area, and given the Police immediate opportunities to apprehend offenders for a variety of criminal offences and activity.
The group also have a quick method of sending information out to area co-ordinators by a telephone messaging or 'round robin' system. This has proved most useful when the Police or the group want to send around a message or information very quickly. Residents are encouraged to inform their house or vehicle insurers that they are in a N.N.W.A. registered district, as many will offer substantial discounts on insurance premiums. Notification of meetings is printed in the local Offa Tree News magazine and the meetings are open to everyone. Currently, a proposal has been made for the purchase of C.C.T.V. equipment to permanently record traffic activity at a central location near the Tram Inn, which will help prevent and detect crime and assist the Police with their enquiries to trace suspect vehicles etc.
The West Mercia Police can be contacted on 03003 333 000 (they will require your postcode) or in an emergency always dial 999. If anyone witnesses a crime or has suspicions, or has to call 999, then please also call Mike Dutton on 327404. To join our night patrol volunteers then please call Mike. We are always available to offer any help or advice.