Local officers are
warning visitors to New Forest beauty spots not
to leave valuables in their vehicles, and to
remain vigilant if anyone is acting
suspiciously, after a rise in theft from motor
vehicles across the district in recent weeks.
During this time,
we have thefts from numerous car parks in the
Godshill area, as well as surrounding areas
within the Forest.
As such, this is a
timely reminder not to leave personal belongings
or valuables in motor vehicles – even in the
boot of vehicles – when you leave your vehicle
unattended for any period of time.
Most thefts are
committed by opportunists. These are often
spur-of-the-moment decisions, made when they see
valuables left on view or lapses in security.
Personal items such as mobile phones and
tablets, handbags and work tools left somewhere
obvious can be an attractive target, so please
do take them with you where feasibly possible.
Any item left in a
vehicle can entice a thief to smash the window
for a closer look. As such, we would always
suggest that you don’t put items in the boot
either, as you never know who may be watching
from a distance.
Our officers in the
community are continuing to follow-up on all
reports of thefts from motor vehicles, so please
be reassured that we are doing all we can to
protect the community and bring these offenders
to justice.
We have developed a
three-step process for vehicle owners in an
attempt to stop you from becoming a victim of
crime;
• Take it –
ensure you take all your valuables with you –
don’t hide them in your vehicle
• Lock
it – make sure you have locked the vehicle
and all the windows are securely shut
•
Check it – before you leave your car,
check again that it is locked and look inside
again – have you left anything on show?
If you see anything
suspicious, please report it to us directly by
calling 101, or via our online reporting portal
on the
Hampshire Constabulary website
As always, if a crime
is in progress, please dial 999.
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Are you leaving the door open for Hackers? 24.12.21
Why are software updates important?
Software updates are an important part of staying secure online.
But why? You’ll often hear about the new features or performance
improvements in a software update, but what isn’t talked about as
often are the bug fixes and security improvements.
Out-of-date software and apps contain weaknesses. This makes them
easier to hack. Companies fix the weaknesses by
releasing updates. When you update your devices and software, this
helps to keep hackers out.
Why would cyber criminals target me?
Your device contains a lot of personal data that is highly
valuable if it fell into the hands of a fraudster. The likelihood is
your device will contain your full name, date of birth, address,
bank details, passwords, as well as many other forms of personal
data such as private photos or videos.
Improve your online security by using automatic
software updates
We understand it can sometimes be annoying to remember to update
your devices every time a new update is released, that’s why we
encourage you to enable automatic updates wherever it’s available.
That means you don’t have to manually install updates every time
they’re released.
We’ve provided some useful links below where you
can find step by step instructions on how to enable automatic
updates for your devices and apps.
Not long now until the big man arrives. This is a final reminder
that we all still need to keep our homes and valuables inside safe
from the burglars who are especially busy at this time of year.
Remember to keep your valuables and Christmas presents out of
sight of opportunistic thieves through your windows.
Here are some other tips that can help to keep your home secure:
· Add as many layers of
security to make accessing your home more difficult. This could
include installing CCTV or video doorbells – which can then be used
for evidential purposes in the event of a crime.
· A house that appears
occupied is less likely to be targeted by burglars, installing light
switch timers inside the house can help make it appear occupied.
Likewise, dusk to dawn or sensor lighting to the front and rear of
your home can help deter potential thieves.
· Keep high value, easily
portable jewellery and equipment from being visible through a window
and don’t forget to register them at immobilise.com
Police and Crime Commissioner seeks public views on
council tax contributions to policing
Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones is urging residents to
share their views in the annual police budget precept consultation.
The Government is giving Police and Crime Commissioners the
flexibility to increase the policing precept of the council tax in
2022 by £10 per year (based on a Band D property), to fund the
increasing demands on policing. For Band D properties this would be
an increase of 83p per month and for Band B properties, this would
be an increase of 65p per month or £7.77 per year (an increase of
4.4%).
With over 60% of council taxpayers in the Hampshire Constabulary
policing area living in properties that are Band A-C the majority of
people would see an increase of less than £10 a year.
The Commissioner is asking local residents to complete an online
survey and/or to sign up to a focus group to ensure they have their
say:
SIGN UP TO A FOCUS GROUP Commissioner Donna Jones said “As
your Police and Crime Commissioner I am committed to ensuring that
your police precept is spent wisely and delivers best value for
money. I am committed to reducing wasteful spending across policing,
to ensure we employ the maximum number of police officers possible.
Your support of an increase in the policing precept for the year
ahead, will be spent on increasing police numbers in order to detect
more crime and improving our police service. In my Police and Crime
Plan ‘More Police, Safer Streets’ I have committed to the
recruitment of 600 additional police to compliment the Government’s
national uplift programme.
Through the increased visibility of neighbourhood police
officers, I want communities to be safer and feel safer too. With
more police officers and better budgeting you will see greater focus
on tackling the crimes that matter to you like: anti-social
behaviour; scams and fraud, as well as greater targeting of rural
crime and tackling serious violence and knife crime.
Long call wait times, repetitive messages, no feedback, and a
perceived lack of action are some of the comments I have received
about the 101 service. With an increase in police funds from the
police precept, I will make it easier for you to report crime and
receive feedback via the Hampshire Constabulary website.
Preventing crime from happening in the first place and diverting
young people away from the criminal justice system needs investment.
I will be increasing my commissioning budget by £1million to fund
specialist services to stop the cycle of criminality. This will be
achieved through early intervention programmes with young people and
those vulnerable to becoming victims.
Your support of policing services and the completion of this
budget-focused survey, is greatly appreciated.”
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My Police and Crime Plan 'More
Police, Safer Streets
I am pleased to share with you my Police and Crime Plan 'More
Police, Safer Streets'. As your Police and Crime Commissioner I have
written this plan based on your feedback over the last 18 months to
reflect the issues that matter to you and to make all of our
communities safer.
My vision is for Hampshire and the Isle of
Wight to be the safest places to live, work and visit in the
country. 'More Police, Safer Streets' sets out the policing
priorities for the next three years to achieve this, holding the
Chief Constable and police to account to deliver on your policing
priorities. More police, less crime, greater detection and a focus
on anti-social behaviour are your priorities.
We need things
to change across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and as your
Commissioner that’s my job. By working with the Chief Constable and
partners I am going to make our communities safer for you and your
family.
Drink & Drug Driving Campaign Launched in Hampshire
The Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit of Hampshire
Constabulary and Thames Valley Police has launched its annual drink
and drug driving campaign, Operation Holly.
Running from 1 December until 1 January 2022, the campaign
combines educational and enforcement activity in the run up to
Christmas and New Year to tackle drink and drug driving.
Driving while impaired through drink or drugs can increase the
chances of road users being killed or seriously injured in a road
traffic collision.
Sergeant Dave Hazlett, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing
Unit, said: “Every year we run Op Holly and every year we find that
people still take to the roads having drunk too much alcohol or
having taken drugs that will impair their driving.
“It is important to plan how you are going to get home after a
Christmas party or a night out. Consider using public transport,
taxis or have a designated driver, especially if going out in
groups.
Think carefully about the morning after. It’s is highly likely
that you will still be over the limit the next morning as it can
take hours for alcohol and drugs to leave your system.
“Even the slightest amount of alcohol or drugs in your system has
the ability to effect the way you drive; increasing the risk of
serious harm to either yourself or other road users.
“Therefore, this festive season, plan your journeys, think about
how you are going to get home as this can reduce the chances of
families facing Christmas and the future without their loved ones.
“Our message is simple. Don’t drink or drug drive – it’s not
worth the risk.
“If you know of anyone who is drink or drug driving call 999 in
an emergency, 101 with information or report via Crimestoppers.”
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Appeal issued after a number of high value mountain bike thefts
across the New Forest
We are appealing for information after the theft of a number of
high value mountain bikes in the New Milton and Fordingbridge areas
in the last week (23 - 28 November).
Two sheds and a garage were broken into between 11pm on Tuesday
23 November and 7am on Sunday 28 November, as follows:
• Forest Oak Drive, New Milton - a Canyon Nerve mountain bike as
well as a black and blue Canyon EXDCF worth £1,500 each were taken
between 11pm on Tuesday 23 November and 6am on Wednesday 24 November
(Crime ref: 44210472477)
• Hobart Road, New Milton – Two bikes, including a black
Bombtrack gravel bike worth £3,500 were stolen between 10.30pm on
Saturday 27 November and 5.30am on Sunday 28 November (Crime ref:
44210477726)
• Station Road, Fordingbridge – Two bikes including a black
carbon fibre bike with Campagnolo gears valued at £2,000 was taken
between 11pm on Saturday 27 November and 7am on Sunday 28 November
(Crime ref: 44210477748)
You may know where these bikes have been taken and or have been
offered them for sale.
If you have any information about these incidents or have seen
any suspicious people or vehicles, please call 101 quoting the
relevant crime reference numbers as above.
If you own a bike, make sure you take some simple crime
prevention measures:
• Ensure your bike is locked or anchored to an immovable point,
even inside your shed or garage
• Use a D-Lock - anything less won’t do
• If you use Strava or ride tracking apps, make sure your privacy
settings are changed so that your start and end point aren’t shared;
this is clearly your home address and where you probably store your
bike
• Mark your bike by using a property or police approved forensic
marking solution only visible under Ultraviolet (UV) light
• Take pictures of the bike, as well as the bike frame number, as
this can assist police in stolen property is recovered and reunite
you with your prized possessions
• Register your bike free of charge using one of the accredited
property databases such as
https://www.immobilise.com/
• You know your community and will notice anything out of the
ordinary, such as someone tampering with a lock on a neighbour’s
shed - please report this to us
