ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
We hear about anti social behaviour (ASB) all the time, and we all have ideas of what we believe it is. Tackling ASB is one of the key issues for our community which, on the whole, is affected by low level crime. ASB includes a variety of behaviours covering a level of selfish and unacceptable activity that can blight the quality of community life. It creates an environment where more serious crime can take hold.
Examples include:
- Yobbish behaviour.
- Intimidating groups taking over public places.
- Rowdy and nuisance behaviour.
- Vandalism.
- Graffiti / Tagging.
- Fly posting.
- People dealing and buying drugs on the streets.
- Anti social drinking.
- Fly tipping - people dumping rubbish and abandoning cars.
- Begging.
- Nuisance neighbours.
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Misuse of fireworks.
Source: Home Office website: http://www.asb.homeoffice.gov.uk/article.aspx?id=9066
Take for instance graffiti and tagging. Did you know it is the responsibility of the Police to prosecute and the Council to clean up? The Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police, schools and council use a database containing information about graffiti and tags to help aid prosecution. ASB it not totally about the younger generation. Adults carry out anti social drinking, driving, rowdy behaviour etc. Whilst parents and adults carry out this type of activity, the youth and children see this as acceptable behaviour. Help break the cycle and be a responsible role model.
The Police tackle ASB by adopting a three point plan:
Intervention - PCs and PCSOs meet, talk and engage with local communities.
Diversion - Youth Services can be enrolled to provide activities appealing across the board including sports, projects, music, deejaying skills.
Enforcement - If all else fails then this is the final stage.
If you are a victim of ASB, or witness ASB, call it in - Your Call Counts
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SECURING YOUR HOME
You can help prevent crime before it happens. We all have a role to play to ensure we do not become victims of crime. It is not just the responsibility of the police. You can take simple steps to avoid becoming a victim of crime. Remember many thieves are opportunists so keep your valuables locked away. Out of sight is out of mind.
Windows and Doors: It only takes a few minutes for an opportunist burglar to gain entry to your home, even when you're in it. Ensure all your doors and windows have robust locks and are fully secured when leaving your property.
Burglar Alarm: Install a burglar alarm and set it when going to bed. Fake boxes are easy to detect and therefore not an effective deterrent.
Lights: Install security timers on lights inside your home. You can set the timer to go on and off at different times of the day. A cheap and easy way to give the impression that someone is in.
Out Of Sight: Hide your home and car keys from view. All to often a burglar has gained entry by using a telescopic device to hook keys out through the letterbox. Make sure friends and family know where your keys are in an emergency, and always ensure you and your family can quickly and easily vacate your home in the event of fire/emergency. Don't have expensive possessions on display. Move your flat screen TV away from the window, away from full view of would-be burglars.
Securely Store Valuables: Don't leave them lying around. In the unfortunate event of a burglar gaining entry to your home, don't make it easy for them to take your possessions. Invest in a safe and lock away your jewellery and cash. Invest in a 'Safe Can' - disguised as well known household products, but untwists to reveal the perfect hiding place for keys, money and jewellery. You can purchase these at any good security shop, or DIY store.
Property Mark Your Valuables: Use an invisible marker pen, allowing speedy recovery in the event of a burglary. The pens are a permanent UV marker to be used on items of value or importance. Write your post code followed by house number or initials of your house name on a clean surface, free from grease. Contact your local Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator for supplies.
Homesafe: Apply for a FREE security upgrade of your home. The Homesafe Project, supported by the Safer Neighbourhoods Police team and funded by Greenwich Council, can provide a range a security home improvements including window and door locks (new or upgrades), door chain, spy hole etc. Items installed depend upon an initial assessment carried out on what is required to make your home, and your family, as safe and secure as possible. This service is available only to victims of burglary and the elderly. For more information and to book a Homesafe visit call: 020 8316 4188.
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SECURING YOUR GARDEN
Our gardens can help protect our possessions. Don't give burglars the tools to make their criminal activities easier.
Plants: Hedges, prickly bushes and dense plants such as holly, Rose Rosa, Ilex, berberis, hawthorn and blackthorn could help stop intruders getting in to your garden, climbing drainpipes and in to your property. However remember not to let your plants grow too high. Any higher than three feet and an intruder can hide behind them undetected.
Pathways: A gravel driveway or garden path can also be an effective way of alerting you to the presence of an intruder.
Out buildings: Garages and sheds should be locked with a heavy duty padlock or mortise lock, and secure hinges. If you have anything stored in your garage and shed that can be used as a means to gain easy access to your home, think again about where to store it out of sight.
Garden fences: Fences should be kept in good condition. If they are falling down or there are sizeable holes, a burglar could potentially get through.
Ladders: Where is your ladder stored? Don't leave it unlocked where a burglar could use it to gain access to your home.
Rubbish bins: Your wheelie bins can be used as a handy platform to help a burglar gain access to your home. Think where you store these bins and your garden furniture.
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SECURING YOUR VEHICLE
Most vehicle crime is opportunistic and therefore preventable. By following some straightforward advice, and working together, we can ensure that this type of crime keeps falling.
- Check your car is locked and the alarm is on when you leave it. Secure your vehicle with an alarm, immobile and steering wheel lock.
- It's best never to leave anything on view in your car, but if you have to, lock it in the boot where it is out of sight.
- Remove your Sat Nav and its holder from the card and wipe away the sucker marks from the windscreen. Thieves target cars where Sat Navs are installed.
- License plates are stolen as part of organise car crime. Fix your license plates with FREE security screws. Contact your local Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator or Safer Neighbourhood Police Team for supplies.
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PERSONAL SAFETY
Keeping yourself, your family and friends safe is a key concern. You can do your bit in a number of ways by protecting your identity and your personal well being through a number of measures.
IDENTITY FRAUD: Identity fraud occurs when a person's personal information is used by someone else without their knowledge to obtain credit, goods or services fraudulently. Criminals use a mixture of tactics to acquire the information needed to steal another person's identity. This ranges from:
- Taking personal information from a stolen purse, handbag or wallet
- Going through rubbish
- Phishing - stealing someone's identity online
To often the victims do not realise their identity has been stolen until it is too late, and it takes a lot of time and effort to resolve. As always prevention is better than cure.
STAY SAFE ONLINE: When using the Internet make sure you have the latest security patches and up-to-date anti-virus software installed on your PC/laptop.
When purchasing goods and services, deal with reputable sellers and use a secure website (look for the padlock symbol on the bottom right-hand side of your browser window).
Beware of scams. Phishing is big business to fraudsters. Bogus emails are sent that lure unwary people to a fraudulent site, and in turn captures confidential information. For example, be very wary of any emails encouraging you to log on to your internet banking service provider, no matter how plausible it may look. More advice about this scam can be found at: http://www.getsafeonline.org
SHREDDING: Criminals make use of discarded paperwork that contain personal information.
- Shred all documents which contains personal and financial information to ensure criminals cannot build up a profile of you based on the information you discard in your rubbish.
- Invest in a shredder and make it standard practice, whether at home or work, to shred before recycling the material.
- Confetti-cut shredders provide greater security by cutting paper in to small, confetti-like pieces and reduces bulk waste.
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MAIL AND TELEPHONE SCAMS
Are you being inundated with unwanted direct mail, or phone calls from companies trying to sell/market their products and services? If so you can do something about this by registering to have your address and telephone number removed from contact lists.
MAIL SCAMS: For mail you can register, for free, with the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) which is funded by the direct mail industry to enable consumers to have their names and home addresses in the UK removed from or added to lists used by the industry. It is actively supported by Royal Mail and all directly involved trade associations, and is fully supported by The Information Commissioners Office. It will not stop mail that has been sent from overseas, un-addressed material or mail addressed to The Occupier.
Register online at: http://www.mpsonline.org.uk
To protect your post whilst you are on holiday, why not contact Royal Mail about its
'Keepsafe' service which helps you avoid the tell-tale pile of unopened mail on your doormat. For more information visit: http://www.royalmail.com Be aware of when your creditors issue their bills to you. A missing bill could mean a fraudster has taken over your identity and changed your billing address.
TELEPHONE: Are you being inundated with unwanted telephone sales calls? You can register, for free, with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) which is a central opt-out register whereby individuals can register their wish not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing telephone calls. It is a legal requirement that companies do not make such calls to numbers registered on TPS. It is covered by the Privacy and Electronic (EC Directive) Regulations 2003. Register online at: http://www.tpsonline.org.uk
If anyone contacts you unexpectedly and asks for personal information or account details, even if they claim to be from your bank, the police or another official organisation, ask for their name and a contact number. Then check with the formal organisation before calling them back. If the contact is bonafide they will have no issue in providing you with this information.
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BOGUS CALLERS
Delivery drivers usually have uniforms, use liveried vehicles and carry identification. Gas and electricity meter readers will also have ID and you should make sure it is presented to you for close inspection.
Bonafide charity collectors will have ID and will not be offended if you ask to see it and check it carefully. If you are in any doubt do not open your door and use your door chain.
IF IN DOUBT, LOCK THEM OUT.
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