Leckhampton Community

Cheltenham South Weekly Newsletter

On a weekly basis Pc Ian Miles compiles a report that is sent to over 600 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

New Retail Community Officer for Cheltenham

My name is PCSO James Holyoake and I have recently been made the named officer for the retail community in the Cheltenham South area. As you will be aware retail is at the heart of Cheltenham, being very popular with visitors who come to Cheltenham for the day. Having a vibrant retail community also attracts people who will be shoplifting and committing other retail related offences. It will be my responsibility, along with the named PCSO for the respective area, to work very closely with retailers in the Town Centre, Bath Road, Tivoli, Six Ways in Charlton Kings and many other retail stores.

I will also be working with PC Besford (who is also responsible for Retail), Colin Pilsworth (Daysafe Co-ordinator). We will work together in making Cheltenham an even safer and pleasant place to shop.

Daysafe is part of the Cheltenham Safe scheme, it allows members to work with each other and the police to combat retail related crime.

If you are a retailer and interested in becoming a member please contact Colin Pilsworth on 01242 252323 or visit http://www.cheltenham-safe.org/

Or alternatively contact myself on the details below.

If you are a store experiencing theft then please contact me and I will be happy to offer crime prevention advice.

Tel No 101 Extn 6138

Email James.Holyoake@Gloucestershire.police.uk

Leckhampton Community Updates

PCSO Julie Lewis writes -

There have been a number of dwelling and non-dwelling burglaries in the area and I urge all residents all residents to secure their homes when going out, gardening, moving to other parts of the house or retiring to bed. Currently 50% of all burglaries are through unlocked and open doors & windows.

I would like to remind all residents at this time not to leave any item on display in their cars.  Please do not leave anything on show, such as sat navs, mobile phones or loose change. A jacket or blanket in the car looks to you like a blanket, but to a thief looks like a cover for something far more valuable.

It is very important that residents continue to be vigilant. If you have any suspicions or see something or someone you consider to be suspicious, please do not hesitate to report it on the non-emergency no. 101, or if you believe something may be in progress call  999.  

Street Surgeries

I have carried out numerous ‘targeted’ Surgeries which have been very successful. There has been good attendance from residents in those areas, who have been able to find out what has been going on in their road, share information with me which may have come to light, receive free crime reduction advice and literature. They are proving to be a very effective way of meeting the local community where the residents can share their views and concerns with me directly.

Neighbourhood Watch

I am very pleased to report that we are referring more and more people to our Neighbourhood Watch Field Officer who are interested in becoming Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators, with a good mixture of age groups wanting to become involved.

We have new schemes in the following roads

• Leckhampton Road
• Hall Road x 2 schemes
• Highland Road
• Pilford Avenue
• Peregrine Road
• Merlin Way x 2 schemes
• Allenfield Road
• Hobby Close

If you would like any information about Neighbourhood Watch, you can contact me, or William Carpenter, the Field Officer. His email address is William.carpenter@gloucestershire.police.uk.

Safe at Home - a service for older and disable people across Gloucestershire

Safe at Home is the new county-wide Home Improvement Agency, to help vulnerable people to maintain their independence and continue living in their own homes. Gloucestershireshire County Council and its partners  have appointed local provider 'Mears' to deliver the service which will deliver home aids and adaptions, repairs and improvements, a handyperson service, (who can install new/additional locks and other home security measures), as well as give advice on funding and benefits that are available to people to help them stay at home.  If you are disabled, or over 60 and in receipt of means tested benefit, the service is usually free - if you are not, you can still use this service for a simple charge.  

For more information: FREEPHONE 0800 0323139

Some other Activities

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
• Open Day visits/patrols at the Sue Ryder Hospice

The Emmanuel Youth Group now meets on the following dates:

• 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month at Emmanuel Church Hall from 6.30pm-8pm
• Every Tuesday at St Peter's Church, Leckhampton for Arts & Crafts from 6.30pm-8pm
• Every Friday at St Philip & St James, Leckhampton from 7pm-9pm

The Youth Workers, Sarah Brown and Tom Elliott, can be contacted for more information on:

sarahbrownscc@gmail.com          07531 739348  

youthworktom@hotmail.co.uk    07531 707166

Cindy Walton - Hospital Liaison Officer

Cindy is the team's primary contact with Cheltenham General Hospital and other health care facilities in the area and works with them to promote community contact. She maintains a Police Information Point (PIP) within the A&E department at CGH and holds regular surgeries there. She also takes a lead role in working with a variety of agencies in supporting vulnerable people across the Cheltenham South area.