Tewkesbury Safer Community Team

Profile: PCSO Bill Wren

Bishops Cleeve. PCSO Bill WREN

"I have been a PCSO for six years and was one of the first 20 employed by the Constabulary. I have been a member of the Tewkesbury Inspector Neighbourhood Area from the beginning and I am now a local Officer covering Bishops Cleeve and surrounding villages. I find the role of PCSO to be very satisfying as being on foot patrol I have direct contact with the public . I find nothing more pleasing than someone saying "It's good to see you on patrol".

Team Members

PS Geoff Blindell

Tewkesbury
PC Kieran Bolton - Beat Manager (County Council Funded Officer)
PCSO Hannah Dill (Walton Cardiff)
PCSO Sherry Piper (Town Centre, Newtown and Prior's Park)
PCSO Chris Scott (Town Centre)
PCSO Karl Simpson (Northway and Ashchurch)

Bishops Cleeve
PC Sarah Sceats - Beat Manager (County Council Funded Officer)
PCSO Farah Devji (Southam and Gotherington)
PCSO Dee Jones (Bishops Cleeve village and Teddington)
PCSO Bill Wren (Woodmancote, Stoke Orchard, Oxenton and Mobile Police Station)

Winchcombe
PC Phil Mawdsley  - Beat Manager (County Council Funded Officer)
PCSO Angela Parker

Specials
SC Louise Knight
SC Tim Lord
SC Charlotte Parry-Jones
SC Paul Wakeham
SC Phil Whitehead

  Police Community Support Officers
The Tewkesbury INA, incorporating Bishops Cleeve, Coombe Hill and Winchcombe currently employ ten Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) working within the area.  Each of them are responsible for a particular neighbourhood and whose faces should by now be recognisable in your particular area.  They are responsible for high profile patrols and can be used as a first point of contact for the public.  Police Community Support Officers spend the majority of their time on foot patrol - last month 698 hours were spent patrolling your neighbourhoods!

Should you need to contact one of these officers, or indeed any member of the team please use the contact form on the Contact Us tab.

Burglaries in Tewkesbury - Did You See Anything?

Police are appealing for information to three burglaries in Tewkesbury.

The incidents happened overnight between Monday 1st March and Tuesday 2nd March at a business premises in Northway Lane in Ashchurch.

Offenders have broken into three businesses and stolen several thousand pounds worth of building equipment and power tools.

Anyone with any information should contact police quoting incident 23 of March 2 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Latest Tewkesbury Community Newsletter

Our latest Community Policing newsletter has just been printed and will be delivered. It is designed to provide you with details about your Safer Community Team and keep you updated about what we are doing to reduce crime and disorder and promote safety in Gloucestershire.

This edition reinforces the Constabulary’s commitment to the Policing Pledge – our contract with the public that outlines the standard of service you can expect from us.

These newsletters will be available at key locations within your community. If you require a copy please speak to your Safer Community Team who will ensure you receive one or where you can collect one. To view your Communities newsletter online please click here.To view your Communities newsletter online please click here.

Bishops Cleeve Police And Local Supermarket Work Together To Tackle Neighbourhood Concerns

Bishops Cleeve police and the local Lidls store have been working together to combat public concerns.

At a recent Neighbourhood Coordinating meeting local residents and police aired concerns about anti social behaviour in the area that surrounds the Evesham Road shop. To read more view our press release here.

Operation Norse

During the second week in December PC Bolton setup a multi agency Operation involving partner agencies from Vehicle Operator Services Agency(VOSA), Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency(DVLA) & department of Work/Pensions.  This involved members of the Safer Community Team and the Roads Policing unit. The operation also incorporated the build up to the constabulary led Christmas drink drive campaign. The operation was a great success with 86 vehicles being stopped, 23 breath tests conducted all of which were negative, 1 vehicle seized for no insurance and 2 more being investigated for further offences.VOSA examined 32 vehicles, 2 of which were given a prohibition order for tyre and windscreen defects and 12 had defect notices given for minor faults. Department of Work and Pensions have followed up enquiries into 26 suspected offences and DVLA are following up 1 other offence. PC Bolton replied “This was a great success and shows what can be done when partner agencies work together. I will be looking to set up a further operation in the new year”

Update on Pamington speeding issues

I am pleased to report that the Safer Community Team (SCT) in partnership with the Local Council and Highways department have made a significant impact on the local issues.  Local residents have noted the regular patrols and random speed checks with the following comments being made:

“A number of people, who live in the village, have told me that they noticed you carrying out road usage checks earlier this month and have said how much they appreciate this. There is a feeling that by continuing these checks we are managing to contain the problem to some extent.  The subjective impression is that there has been a reduction in traffic at peak periods”.

“Thank you once again for your continuing interest in improving safety in this village”.

“Thanks for all of your time and effort spent on the traffic issues in Pamington.Its nice to see the Police so engaged”

PS Geoff Blindell "We are grateful for the comments and will continue to make random patrols and speed checks to make sure the message and good work is reinforced"

The National Mobile Property Register

Tewkesbury are currently experiencing a spate of bike thefts in the area.  Cycles are being taken from sheds/garages especially when they are left insecure outside shops and homes.

The National Mobile Property Register (NMPR) is a scheme that is free of charge, supported by the Home Office and is a great way to get all your property that has serial/property numbers registered on a national database.  You can access this database by using the following web address www.immobilise.com.  The police are currently urging local residents to register their property, including bicycles, on this database.  Items that can be registered are mobile phones, laptops, televisions and basically anything with a unique or serial number attached to it.

The Police nationally are currently using this scheme to help recover lost and stolen items and return them to their owners.

If you do not have access to a computer, or would like further information please do not hesitate to contact PCSO Emma Birch at Tewkesbury Police Station on 0845 090 1234 extension 6367.

If you require any crime prevention advice or would like to advise me of something that is going on in your neighbourhood, please do not hesitate to contact me on the above number or you can email me at emma.birchPCSO@gloucestershire.police.uk

Mobile Police Station

The constabulary regret that due to an operational requirement the Mobile Police Station will be unavailable for the foreseeable future in the Tewkesbury Inspector Neighbourhood area.  We hope to reinstate the service as soon as possible

Cycle Patrols

Tewkesbury Police Safer Community Team are stepping up cycle patrols in the area and warning cycle owners following a series of theft of high value bicycles in the area over the past few weeks.  PC Phil Groom from the SCT said that over the past six weeks no less than twelve cycles have been stolen within the town, a large number being left insecure and of high value.  PC Groom continued, “some of the cycles stolen are worth many hundreds of pounds and have been left completely insecure in gardens and on the pavement outside of properties.  You wouldn’t leave your iPod or your mobile phone just lying around outside so why leave your bicycle.  A few simple steps is all it takes to prevent your cycle from being taken….”

• Always lock your bicycle, even if you are just leaving it for a couple of minutes
• Avoid isolated places; leave your bike where it can be seen
• Hardened steel D-shaped locks are recommended as the minimum lock standard; check out for certified locks, or ask your local bike shop
• Lock your bike to an immovable object – a bike rack or ground anchors; thieves can remove drainpipes and lift bikes off signposts
• Make the lock and bike hard to manoeuvre when parked -  stop thieves smashing it open by keeping the lock away from the ground; keep the gap between bike and lock small
• Secure removable parts; lock both wheels and the frame together

Tewkesbury Safer Community Team advise that any owner who wishes to speak to the Police regarding keeping their cycle safe to contact them on 0845 090 1234 and they will arrange for a local officer to make contact.

Is Your Property Safe? Warning To Residents In Cheltenham And Tewkesbury

Officers in Cheltenham are urging people to make sure their homes are secure following a spate of recent burglaries.

Inspector Paul Cruise said: “We cannot emphasis enough the importance of making sure your property is safe.  Never leave windows open, even if you are just popping out and never have your house keys in a hiding place like under a plant pot or in an outside cupboard.

"I know this is something which we have said time and time again but sadly these burglaries are still happening.

“Officers are thoroughly investigating these incidents and doing everything possible to make sure the offenders are caught.

“But we do need everyone to help by ensuring their homes are secure and to report any suspicious people or vehicles to police.”

For further crime reduction advice you can visit the Crime Reduction pages on this website.

Alternatively you can call 0845 090 1234 and ask to speak to your local crime reduction officer.

Gloucestershire County Council Contact - Hayley Vining

As the Area Lead Officer for Community Engagement for Tewkesbury, Winchcombe, Bishops Cleeve and Coombe Hill I am the main contact for any issues involving the county council that are agreed as priorities by our communities.  This can include issues such as flooding, parking, street lighting, road condition, footpaths, recycling, schools, Trading Standards, road safety and more.  It is my job to ensure the right county council services are engaging with our local communities, working to help meet the priorities agreed by them at the quarterly Neighbourhood Coordination Meetings.  Through working together with the Tewkesbury Police Safer Community Team and Tewkesbury Borough Council and other partners I hope we can really make a difference to people where they live, making their neighbourhood a safe and pleasant place to be.  As part of this role I will attend community meetings or identify relevant County Council officers who need to attend help discuss community concerns.

Hayley can be contacted at Gloucestershire County Council on 01452 425777 or by e-mail at hayley.vining@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Anchor Staying Put

Tewkesbury Safer Community Team work closely with ‘Anchor Staying Put’, a local based and locally funded home improvement agency, which provides help to allow elderly and vulnerable residents to remain in their own homes.
All residents who reside in the Tewkesbury Borough Council area are entitles to use the scheme, which will also offer confidential advice and assistance.
The scheme will offer anything from repairs to improvements to the property and full details can be found by clicking on the below link to the website.

http://www.stayingput.org.uk/agency/tewkesbury/aboutus.htm

Reminder to Guard Against Door to Door Workmen

We are reminding homeowners to be on their guard against people selling goods and services door to door.

Police would urge other residents to follow this advice:

• Whether it's a child asking for a glass of water or someone offering to repair your drive, never let them into your house unless you are sure they are genuine.
• Genuine callers will carry identification with their photograph and details of their company or business.
• 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.
• Take your time to check the identification.  If the caller is unexpected, ring their office to confirm their identity and always use the number in the telephone book rather than the one displayed on the card.
• If you need any work doing on your property try to find a local company that has been recommended by a friend or neighbour.
• Never believe a cold caller offering to fix something.  Always get quotes.
• Never agree to anything at the door.

For more information visit http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk

Speed Devices

The Tewkesbury SCT, in partnership with Tewkesbury Borough Council, have purchased a number of speed detection devices which can be borrowed and operated by members of the public such as local Parish Councils and other groups.  The radar devices, which are similar to speed guns, can be used to record speed of traffic along sections of road where there may be a problem with speeding motorists.  Though they are not an enforcement tool, the devices are a way of ascertaining whether there is indeed a problem at a location and any information gathered can be divulged to other agencies such as the Police or the Highways Agency for further action to be taken.  
PC Kieran Bolton from the SCT said, “This is a great tool which groups and organisations can take away with them to monitor speed along stretches of road near to where they live or outside schools.  Not only does it act as a deterrent to speeding motorists, but it can also let us, the Police, know where specific problems occur so we can target that area.”

Parking Enforcement

Please be aware that the responsibility for enforcing certain parking offences is now under the control of Tewkesbury Borough Council.  If you have any complaints in relation to parking problems please ring John Horsey on 01684 295010, or e-mail him at john.horsey@tewkesbury.gov.uk