Crime: 12 September 2013  

Just to let you know, this is my last day in the office for 2 weeks.  My son wanted to go to Chernobyl, to photograph the abandoned city and no-one else would go with him !  Fortunately, he could not organise the visas in time, so he had to book something else last minute and none of his friends had leave booked in time .....apart from.....his reliable old dad !  Passport in hand ready to go anywhere, bag always packed.  So it’s Orlando.  I will get back exhausted, as he goes from Park opening in the Water Parks, to Park closing after the fireworks !  I will get back a lot fitter than when I went !
 
As I won’t be here, few messages will go out - so – everyone needs to be extra vigilant and alert.  If you see anything that appears out of the ordinary, rely on your instincts, they are always right – phone it through on the 101 number.  Don’t think about it – just do it.  Thinking about it, incurs a 30 minute delay, while you convince yourselves – that man at the police station says I am supposed to report this – should I / shouldn’t I / I can’t be bothered / I am busy / and 100 other excuses.  The first hour after any crime is a ‘Golden Hour’, when we can carry out Area Searches, to locate whoever was involved.  Think more along the lines, this may help me and my neighbours and prevent a crime – someone becoming a victim.  You will feel so much better, when you have called !
 
I am receiving loads of reports about people cold calling representing really good charities to collect money.  Unfortunately, you will not be able to help them on the spot.  They will ask you to complete a bank standing order form and an Inland Revenue form, enabling the charity to claim back the tax.  You cannot complete these forms.
Please do not hand any personal details – most importantly, your bank account details, to anyone, let alone a complete stranger who calls at your door – however wonderful the charity – even if they flash an ID card at you.
Simply thank them, take any forms they can give you, complete them - if you support that charity - and send them off yourself.
No-one leaves your home with details of your Bank Account number / Sort code / name and address etc.
 
I was listening to the police radio yesterday lunchtime, when an ‘immediate’ job came in, about possible bogus builders in old Windsor, at that very moment.  The owner had recently had building work done.  Two men appeared on the doorstep, to check the tiling on the roof.  They nipped up onto the roof and reappeared with some tiles, saying work needed to be done.  It would cost £5,000.  The owner said they could not afford it, so the price went down to £3,000.  They then left to get tools and materials.  They arrived back at 1.45 p.m.  The owner still said they could not afford it and the price went down to £2,500, to £2,000 to £1,500.  The police were called and a shift response team dispatched.  I then contacted one of our members who lived close by.  They could see out of a window, a black 4X4 arrive with ladders on the roof.  They kept in contact with me, while the police car sped to Old Windsor.  The men became suspicious, jumped back into the car and immediately drove off, passing the police car, as it turned in off the main road.  A containment was put on, but so far, the 4X4 has not been located.  They will know every little side road, to escape.
 
My thanks to my member, who immediately offered to assist the potential aggrieved.  We in NHW, are a very nice group of people, always willing to help their neighbours – Kindness – our Watchword
 
Can everyone keep their eyes open for any vehicle pulling up outside a vulnerable / elderly neighbour – particularly if any ladders / builders machinery appears.  Phone us and let us make enquiries.  This could happen to your next door neighbour – particularly if they have had some building work done recently and displayed a builder’s name board outside.
 
Since writing the above I have had a message from the member who went to assist:
 
Both my husband and I did go straight around to see our neighbours.  They were indeed quite shaken.  The gentleman has just asked me for the Neighbourhood Watch contact details, which I have given to him.
 
It is so sad that it leaves an elderly couple feeling so shaken and silly.  They also have to sort out the damage that these men have caused to their roof.  The men were very devious. 
 
I can only say to any victims of any sort of crime, my husband and I were victims of a very serious crime ourselves many years ago in London, in our own home.  It is normal to have these sort of feelings, but do not let these people win and leave you feeling so bad - use these feelings, to be cautious, to be aware and to keep safe.
 
Thank you for the positive work you and your colleagues do - I know it helps to make me feel safer, I'm sure it does to many others too.
 
My grateful thanks for these kind words – but we must all work together.
 
 
MAIDENHEAD CENTRAL:
maidenheadcentralnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
Neighbourhood Page:
http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/yournh/yournh-tvp-pol-area/yournh-tvp-pol-area-berkse-winds

/yournh-tvp-pol-area-n391.htm
NO CRIME TO REPORT
Good Morning Jeff,
I hope all is well and you enjoy the new version of my newsletter.  Can you send it out via Thames Valley Alert please ?
Kind regards
Ashley Burton - Community Warden
Maidenhead Town Centre 
W: 01628 685636
Website: http://www.rbwmsafety4all.org.uk/index.htm
A copy is attached.
 
RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:
maidenheadcentralnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
NO CRIME TO REPORT
 
MAIDENHEAD WEST
BISHAM, COOKHAM, HURLEY, THE WALTHAMS, LITTLEWICK GREEN & KNOWL HILL:
maidenheadwestnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
Neighbourhood Page:
http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/yournh/yournh-tvp-pol-area/yournh-tvp-pol-area-berkse-winds

/yournh-tvp-pol-area-n393.htm
11/9  Wednesday 10.45  Marlow By Pass.  Lorry hit and damaged while parked up, by ball bearings, obviously shot from a catapult on the other side of the road.  This may, or may not, be connected to the incident with the chickens earlier this week.
10/9 – 11/9  Tuesday 4.15 – Wednesday 7 a.m.  Grubwood Lane, Cookham Dean.  Garage break – garage door forced.  Unknown if anything stolen.
10/9  Tuesday 11.30 p.m.  Shop, Lower Road, Cookham Rise.  Break-in.  Forced sash window on the front of the property.  Till opened and cash tray stolen containing a small float.
9/9 – 10/9  Monday 10 p.m. / 9 a.m. Tuesday.  Winter Hill, Cookham.  Garage break – door forced – hedge trimmer, strimmer and chain saw stolen.
10/9 – 11/9  Tuesday 5.30 p.m. / Wednesday 7.45 a.m.  Nursery, Henley Road.  Children’s garden furnioture stolen from a fixed marquee.
 
PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:
maidenheadwestnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
11/9  Wednesday 0.15 a.m.  Business, Gardner Road, Furze Platt.  Rear fire door forced with a screwdriver – a metal pole was then used to lever open the safe – cash stolen
 
MAIDENHEAD SOUTH
BOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK:
maidenheadsouthnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
Neighbourhood Page:
http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/yournh/yournh-tvp-pol-area/yournh-tvp-pol-area-berkse-winds

/yournh-tvp-pol-area-n392.htm
11/9 – 12/9  Wednesday 7 p.m. / Thursday 7 a.m.  Bath Road.  Building site entered – 2 boxes and the tools inside stolen.
10/9  Tuesday 4 p.m.  Car Dealership, Bath Road.  Tools stolen.
 
OLDFIELD & BRAY:
maidenheadsouthnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
11/9  10.40  p.m.  Company, Braywick Road.  Rear ground floor window smashed, this set off the alarm and the police were called.  There was an untidy search as they left immediately – Nothing stolen.
10/9  Tuesday 7.30 a.m. / 8.30 a.m.  Carvery Car Park, Braywick Road.  Car passenger door lock and glove box forced – CD player, iPhone, wallet and contents stolen.