Not Sure Don't Open The Door

Advice to help protect yourself and your home.

STOP

• Most people who call at your door are genuine but some are not. They could be thieves or con-men trying to trick their way into your home to steal. That's why it is important to take precautions when people call at your home.
• Bogus callers will pretend to be any one of a number of authentic callers such as officials from the council, gas, electricity or water companies. They may say they are workmen needing to make repairs or even claim to be Police Officers.
• Bogus callers are convincing liars and anyone can be taken in by them
• Whether it's a child asking for a glass of water or someone offering to tarmac your drive, never let them into your house unless you are sure they are genuine.
• A genuine visitor will always make an appointment first, so you should be wary if someone turns up unexpectedly. When someone calls at your home make sure you take a good look at that person through the window or by using the door viewer.

CHAIN

• Always put on the door chain or bar before opening the door and keep it on while you are talking to them.
• You should not feel embarrassed about using a door chain, a genuine visitor will not be offended and will expect you to take precautions.
• If you don't have a door chain, get one fitted - it will not cost much. Contact your local police for advice.

CHECK

• Always ask for proof of identity and check it carefully, keeping the chain on the door.
• Genuine callers will carry identification with their photograph and details of their company.
• Don't assume just because a caller is wearing a uniform or clothing with a badge or logo, that they are genuine always ask to see an ID card.
• Further crime reduction advice can be found at our website www.gloucestershire.police.uk        

Hot Days And Open Windows

Hot Day Open Windows

  On a hot day we all like to have our windows open to let fresh air through our properties. However this can make our homes the targets for opportunist thieves. In May this year over half the burglaries on the Hesters Way INA were committed after the thief entered through a ground floor window.

Our advice: If you are going out ensure your windows are closed and locked. When at home avoid leaving windows open in rooms that you are not in, especially ground floor windows. Do not leave valuables on show where they can be seen through a window. Think about the positioning of your TV and computer in relation to your windows and avoid leaving purses/wallets, house/car keys where they can be easily seen.

It takes seconds for an opportunist thief to climb in through a window, take what they want and then leave.

Beware Of Opportunist Thieves

  It doesn’t cost a thief anything to break a window or walk in through
an unlocked door.

To prevent becoming a victim of opportunist theft, please follow this simple advice.

Before you walk away from your vehicle, check that there isn’t anything on show. This should include electrical equipment like stereos, MP3 players and Satellite navigation systems. Please ensure you take handbags, wallets and purses with you and do not leave any change on display. Even a coat on the back seat of your car could invite unwanted attention. If you can, leave your glove box open. This will show there isn’t anything of any value inside.

Always lock the door of your home, even when you are inside. Why make it easy for burglars. It can take just seconds for a thief to enter your property, take what they want and leave.

Don’t Give a Thief a Chance!

Neighbourhood Coordination Meetings Minutes

The minutes of the Neighbourhood Coordination Meetings held on Tuesday 11th May are now available to view on our website and can be accessed via the following links:

Hesters Way, Springbank and Fiddlers Green Communities

St Marks Community (including St Peters)

The next meetings have been arranged for 13th of July as follows (please note the change of day and slightly earlier time of the morning meeting) :

Hesters Way, Springbank and Fiddlers Green Communities - 10.30am to 12.30am at St Silas Church Centre, Hesters Way Road, Cheltenham

St Marks Community (including St Peters) - 2pm to 4pm at Oasis Youth Centre, Coronation Square, Cheltenham. Further information on these meetings, including dates of future meetings, papers from previous meetings, SARA action reporting templates and links to useful information can be viewed on our website.

Hester’s Way Police Support Free Breakdancing Sessions For Young People

DJ Masterclass - Can You DJ?

  The Dj Masterclass project is looking at urban music and rap and gives young people the opportunity to be involved in the making of this music.  The young people will be tutored over the six week holiday and will learn to mix and DJ, lyric write and record a track that they have made from start to finish.

This is being organised by Hester’s Way Safer Community Team and will run at the start of the summer holidays.  Anyone aged 12-19 can attend at Oasis Youth Centre.  The project, which has been set up by PCSO Jenny Bellis, hopes that young people from across Hester’s Way will want to be involved in. 

Everyman Youth Project

Schools across Hester’s Way and Swindon Village, are to be involved in an exciting school project, which the Everyman theatre is co-ordinating.  Hester’s Way Primary, Arthur Dye, Sir Thomas Moore, Gardeners Lane Primary School and Rowanfield Juniors, are the schools chosen to participate in the project, which is being run by Hester’s Way Safer Community Team, Police Community Support Officers and The Everyman.  This was locally funded and was successfully bid for by Hester’s Way Safer Community Team.

The project, is for Everyman practitioners to work with each school to help pupils pick a local community issue, which they will develop and turn in to a play.  The final production will be held at Pates Grammar School and will bring all of the schools together so they can perform and showcase their work to each other and the local community.  This will be starting in September.

 C.O.P.S COMMUNITY ORIENTATED POLICING

Cops is a new initiative that is helping Gloucestershire Police, help victims of crime straight away, with a positive and direct resolution.

Cops lets the victim decide how they would like a crime to be dealt with, within reasonable parameters.

An example of this on a local level was carried out by PC Charlie Griffin of Hesters Way Safer Community Team. 

Whilst out a local boy was bitten by a dog that was being walked by their owner.  This was an accidental incident, whereby the dog in excitement bit the young boy.  On Sunday the 4th of July 2010, the owner of the dog, the young boy and the young boys father attended Hesters Way Police Station.  The owner of the dog apologised profusely to the young boy and had bought him a football as by way of another apology.  He brought the dog with them, upon the request of the young boy, and he got to meet the dog in more friendly surroundings. The boy has said that he is no longer afraid of dogs.  This a great example of how this is working in Hesters Way and how the public will see an immediate and positive response to local policing.