Charlton Kings Community

Charlton Kings and Battledown Communities Update

With the start of the New Year it is probably worth taking stock of the previous year and how well we did.

So I have included an extract from the Constabulary Summary of performance. 

Our purpose is to keep people safe from harm and to inspire the highest levels of public confidence in us, their local police.

In terms of keeping people safe from harm, in the twelve months to June 2011, crime levels overall remained stable. There were reductions in violence against the person and criminal damage offences, and perceived levels of anti-social behaviour remain below the national average. Improving our service to victims of repeat anti-social behaviour has been a high priority over the past twelve months.

There have been increases in acquisitive crime types, such as burglary, vehicle crime and robbery. Addressing these increases has been a high priority, with a number of operations carried out. In particular, the domestic burglary problem in Cheltenham has been the subject of an extended high profile operation working with partners and the local media.

So the message to all our community for 2012 is to reduce the number of this type of crime in the community and make Charlton Kings and Battledown one of the lowest crime areas in the LPA.

So please read some of the advice for Crime Prevention below and stop thieves from getting into your home and if you see someone suspicious report it to your local police and you may prevent you, or your neighbour becoming another victim of crime.

Please be aware that during the winter months with the darker mornings and evenings as a community we can become more vulnerable to crime. Whether it being car breaks, shed or garage breaks.  At this time of year we need to be more vigilant and more aware of securing our properties, out buildings and cars. 

Don’t keep keys, money, phones or other valuables on a hall table.  Make sure these items are well out of sight and range of doors and windows as thieves use rods and hooks through letter boxes and open windows to reach keys and bags

If you store bicycles in a shed make sure the building is secure

Take the frame numbers of new bicycles and electrical equipment in case the worse happens

Mark goods where possible with a UV pen / smart water

If you’re going out

Make sure you have locked all windows and doors

If you are going out in the evening close your curtains so potential thieves can’t see in

Leave a light and the radio on

If you are going out in the morning and won’t be back until it is dark use an automatic timer for lights and radio

Ensure all doors and windows are shut and locked

Cancel all newspapers and milk

Tell your neighbours/and or your Neighbourhood Watch Scheme that you will be away so they can keep an eye on your home

Perhaps they can make sure any mail is pushed through your letter box

Maybe a trusted neighbour could draw and pull the curtains of your home in the evening and morning, again, looking as if you’re at home

Hide any valuables

Use timers for your lights, TV and radio so it looks as if you’re at home

Your Local Policing Team is here to help and offer any crime prevention advice you may wish. If you would like us to visit and carry out a home property safety survey please calls us on 101 or email us via the 'Contact us' page on the Constabulary website.

I am aware that there are other issues in the village such as parking and some ASB which results in parks and open spaces being littered and generally spoils the village.

Some residents feel that there is little point in reporting these issues because nothing appears to be done.

We can’t always solve the issue because; whilst it may be annoying it is not necessary an offence or it may be an issue that is a council issue rather than a police priority.

When that happens we can still help and refer the problem to our partner agencies and the Council.

Areas of work undertaken by the Council Enforcement officers are

Fly Tipping, litter and refuse, stray dogs bogus collectors, licensing issues, peddlers littering dog fouling fly posting dogs on leads , dog fouling, abandoned vehicles, graffiti, household waste., and the list goes on.

So if it is not a police issue and you report it to us we will refer it or advise you who to contact.

So please do not adopt the attitude that nothing can be done, so why report it.

The Parish coouncil meet on the last Monday of the Month at the Stanton room and the public are very welcome all the agencies are there including the local councilors, borough and County, so if you have issues come along and talk to us at the meeting and tell us what you’re not happy about.

Daily foot patrol

Crime reduction surveys requested by householders

NHW/Residents Association meetings

PCSO Reassurance Visits

House to house enquiries and follow-up visits/enquiries.

Welfare checks

Targeted Street Surgeries

Fixed Surgeries see website for details.

Next Neighbourhood Forum meeting on 19^th January 2012 

Cheltenham South Weekly Newsletter

On a weekly basis Pc Ian Miles compiles a report that is sent to over 400 Key individuals and Neighbourhood watch Co-ordinators across the south of Cheltenham.

This Neighbourhood briefing details crimes of note during the last week, to raise awareness so that the residents can take relevant actions and also an update on some of the work that Leckhampton Community Team is undertaking -

In order to access this document please click here - Cheltenham South Newsletter