Police Reports for Norton in Hales

Local Policing newsletter Summer 2012 - please click here

RURAL WATCH QUARTERLY] April 2012 - PACT meetings and Crimes in the North Shropshire Report

PACT Meetings

Whitchurch South, West and North surgeries
12th April Thompson Drive area. 10.0am
12th April Alkington and Rosemary Lane areas. 2.0pm
19th April Elizabeth Street and George Street areas. 10.0am
19th April Wayland, Claypit, Bargates and Castle court areas. 2.0pm
20th April Whitchurch Market. 10.0am
18th May Whitchurch Market. 10.0am
14th June Alkington and Rosemary Lane areas. 2.0pm
14th June Caldecott Crescent area. 10.0am
21st June Elizabeth Street and George Street areas. 10.0am
21st June Wayland, Claypit, Bargates and Castle Court areas.2.0pm
22nd June Whitchurch Market. 10.0am

Whitchurch Rural surgeries
15th May Manor Place .2.0pm
17th May Prees, Calverhall and Ash areas. 10.0am
14th June Tilstock village hall. 7.0pm
26th June Manor Place. 2.0pm

Wem Town surgeries
18th April Thomas Adams School. 12.0pm
2nd May St Peters School. 3.0pm
17th May Wem Town Hall. 11.0am
29th May The Grove Wem. 10.0am.
7th June Wem Seniors Club. 10.0am
15th June Thomas Adams Sixth Form. 12.0pm
29th June Co-op Wem. 6.0pm
19th July Drivers Event. Thomas Adams School. 9.0am

Wem Rural surgeries
17th April Clive Post Office. 2.0pm
5th May Shawbury Co-op. 2.0pm
29th May Shawbury village hall. 10.30am
12th June Shawbury Buzz Inn (village hall). 10.30am
4th July Hadnall village hall. 2.0pm

Market Drayton Rural North surgeries
11th April Livestock Market. 10.0am

Market Drayton Rural South surgeries
11th April Livestock Market. 10.0am
25th April Countrywide Stores. 11.0am
9th May Livestock Market. 10.0am
13th June Livestock Market. 10.0am
11th July Livestock Market. 10.0am

Crimes in the North Shropshire section

For the first quarter of 2012 (1 Jan - 28 March), police in North Shropshire have recorded approximately 530 incidents classified as crimes to date. (737 in the previous quarter)

Of these offences, over the quarter, 46 have been classed as burglaries or attempted burglaries of dwellings.

Thirteen of the offences were reported in Whitchurch with one spate of seven.

Eleven burglaries were reported in Market Drayton with four of them on 16/17 January.

Wem Police recorded seven burglaries in the quarter. In Higher Heath, there were two burglaries and an attempted burglary on 23/24 March.

During the period, eighty eight burglaries of premises other than dwellings have been noted so far.
Twenty two incidents involved business premises including a series of raids on shops in Market Drayton in January.
Another nine incidents were raids on construction sites, ten were attacks on farm buildings.

Nearer home, fifteen detached garages and eighteen garden sheds were raided. About a third of these had been left unlocked, inviting visits from the opportunist thief.
The main targets of offenders were power tools and gardening equipment. There were also a number of thefts of garden ornaments reported - a timely warning to gardeners to tighten up on garden security now that Spring has arrived.

Between 1 Jan-28 Mar, ten motor vehicles were reported stolen. Two of these were stolen following burglaries, one in Whitchurch in February and another in Clive during March. The latter vehicle has been recovered.

Other vehicles stolen include two tractors, two Landrovers, a motor bike and a motor scooter.
On 6 January a walker's car was taken from a car park at Colemere.

Just over sixty thefts from motor vehicles have been noted to date. Eleven of the thefts were from unlocked cars. Fourteen thefts involved personal property (wallets, handbags etc) and three included sat navs.
Other targets for thieves were catalytic converters (about 25 in four incidents) and power tools.

In North Shropshire, two robberies (in Shawbury and Whitchurch) led to four arrests of suspects.

Approximately 100 other thefts have been recorded for the quarter to date.
Heating oils were taken on four occasions in January. Copper cable, scrap metals and lead flashings are still being stolen by thieves.

Sixty shoplifting offences were also recorded.

For details of incidents recorded in your own area, see CrimeMapper or local policing reports on the West Mercia Police websites.
Please note that figures are regularly revised as further reports come in and investigations progress.

Police Activities
Police Praise Oswestry Residents In Distraction Burglary Bid
Police praised two elderly Oswestry women for their actions in preventing distraction burglars entering their homes.
Two men attempted to gain entry to the homes in Llwyn Fields.
In the one incident, the 75-year-old occupant opened her front door just a couple of inches when a man rang the doorbell. He said he needed to come into the kitchen because there had been some flooding at a bungalow a few doors away.
But she was suspicious, especially when she spotted a second man stood behind him. As she attempted to close the door, the man placed his foot in the way, but she pushed harder and managed to shut and lock it.
It seems the same two men called at a neighbouring property but the occupant refused to open the door, told them to go away and that she was calling the police. The men promptly left.
A West Mercia Police spokesperson said today: "These two elderly ladies showed tremendous awareness and pluck. Their suspicions were raised and they acted accordingly.
"The golden rule is never let strangers who come calling inside your home, whatever story they give. They might claim to be from the water authority or the council, or make out there is an emergency situation nearby, but even if they offer identity cards, don't let them in.
"Keep the door shut and call a friend or neighbour. If possible call the authority they claim to be from to check them out and if you are suspicious, call the police immediately. But don't let them inside."

Shropshire Police Chief Praises Public For Helping Tackle Crime
A Shropshire police chief praised members of the public who supply tip-off information about criminal activity.
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Edwards, head of the county's CID, said: "I particularly want to thank people who phone in when they spot something which makes them suspect a crime is taking place.
"It's that type of instant information which enables us to react quickly and check-out if a crime is in progress."
DCI Edwards was speaking following the arrest in Shrewsbury of two people suspected of going equipped to steal.
"We received a call from a member of the public about two people acting suspiciously in the Sundorne area during the early hours. We responded immediately and found a man and a woman in a secure compound on a building site.
"A 40-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman were arrested and brought into custody at Shrewsbury police station for questioning. Several items of equipment were also seized from the man."
DCI Edwards: "It is this kind of support from the public which can make all the difference. I would urge people to follow their instincts and if they see something which strikes them as odd or suspicious, then do not hesitate to call the police on the 101 non-emergency number.
"It gives us the opportunity to check out what is going on there and then - and if it is genuine activity, no harm is done. People are usually reassured we are making a check."
He said there have been a series of successful arrests recently following tip-offs from the public, including theft of metal and cable from buildings, bogus traders, burglars and illegal drug activity.
"I want people to be our eyes and ears and my appeal is simply to call us and tell us without delay if you see something suspicious," DCI Edwards added.

Community Activities

Police Element Of Council Tax Will Not Rise For West Mercia Residents
West Mercia Police Authority has agreed there will be no increase again in the policing element of the council tax for 2012/13.
This means, for example, that the payment for a Band D property household remains £178.72. The precept will remain at 2010/11 levels
Notes from a Rural Police Officer
Spring is in the air and with it the rural community gets to grips with filling the bread basket of the country. Although we know farmers and landowners run busy lives, we would urge then to take care whilst working on fields during wet weather as a great deal of mud is often transferred to the lanes when the heavy machinery leaves the fields. The effects cause serious hazards to car divers and very severe hazards to cycle and motor bike users. We also urge hedge cutters to clean up their debris as this is also a nuisance to road users.

Speeding traffic is still a factor of concern in all rural locations and we would urge all drivers to show due consideration, that includes local drivers as well as drivers from outside the parishes. Often figures show that local drivers are the ones that break local speed limits the most.

There has recently been a European seat belt campaign, the local police team have been successfully targeting drivers in order to promote road safety as a result a number of drivers have been reported for summons. This is seen as a high priority for rural policing as there is a high number of Road Traffic Collisions in rural areas.

Please, can we ask all dog owners to take responsibility for the control of their dogs? At this time of year we often suffer an increase of sheep worrying. This can have a devastating impact on both the farmer and the dog owner if it occurs as extreme incidents can not only result in the death of the sheep, it can even result in the dog being shot. It is imperative that dog owners keep their dogs on a lead, especially near livestock. It's also important that they clean up after their dogs as dog mess can have a serious affect on the health of livestock. Injury to any stock may also possibly result in the owner of the dog being prosecuted for criminal damage to the farm animals. This may result in a fine as well as a hefty insurance claim from the farmer.

Fly tipping is also a concern, this is not only unsightly, it is also a danger to both animal stock and wildlife. Fly tipping carries a heavy price tag on the limited resources of the community in cleaning up after the offenders. If seen committing, please report the offenders.

Successful Outcomes

Three North Shropshire Burglary Suspects Arrested
Police traced three burglary suspects today following an attempted break-in at a home near Market Drayton.
They were alerted by a member of the public who spotted three men trying to break into a garage at a home in the village of Childs Ercall.
A white Astra van was also seen driving away from near the scene.
Within 30 minutes, the vehicle was seen by patrolling police officers in the Trench Lock area of Telford.
It was stopped and its three occupants arrested. Various items of equipment and some property believed to be stolen were also seized.
The three men, all in their twenties, were taken into custody at Shrewsbury police station for questioning on suspicion of burglary and going equipped to commit crime.
A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "The arrests were made possible by a vigilant member of the public who was suspicious and immediately called the police.
"Having been alerted, officers on routine patrol across Shropshire throughout the night were informed and the suspect vehicle was quickly located.
"This incident demonstrates the important role the public can play in assisting the police. We urge people to call us on the non-emergency number 101, or 999 if they spot a crime in progress, so we can respond without delay."

Police investigating two recent house burglaries in Market Drayton, have arrested a suspect.
The arrest follows overnight burglaries in Elm Drive and Clifford Road.
A West Mercia Police spokesperson said "A 31-year-old local man was arrested at his home on suspicion of burglary and theft.

Police have arrested a man in connection with a series of house burglaries in Whitchurch at the weekend.
Seven homes were targeted overnight on a Saturday in Smallbrook Road, Chester Road, Dodington, Sharps Drive and Kingsway.
A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "A 32-year-old man was arrested at Prees Heath on suspicion of burglary and theft.
The man is also being questioned about the theft of charity boxes from a Whitchurch church in November.

Police Arrest Three Suspects Over Whitchurch Garage Burglary
Police have arrested three suspects in connection with a burglary at a Whitchurch garage.
Intruders ran off after being disturbed breaking into the garage in Wrexham Road. Police were alerted and within half an hour of the burglary being reported, officers arrested three men in Park Avenue.
Shutters at the garage were forced to gain entry. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Whitchurch police station on the 101 non-emergency number.

Shropshire Drugs Dealer Has Cash Confiscated
A Shropshire drugs dealer jailed for 30 months for possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply, has had more than £1,000 confiscated under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
His sentence included an order to pay £1,142.58 or face a further spell in prison.
He was convicted of having 33 wraps of heroin, a Class A controlled drug, with intent to supply and also possessing four wraps of crack cocaine, also a Class A controlled rug, with intent to supply.
Stuart Duddell, of West Mercia Police Economic Crime Unit, said: "The confiscation order has been fully paid. Those involved in criminal activity can be assured that the police, assisted by the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts, will use all available legislation to seize their ill-gotten gains."

Please be alert and vigilant. If you witness any suspicious behaviour or have any information to report please call the Police straight away on 101.

To speak to a specific person or department within West Mercia Police, please call the general switchboard 0300 333 3000.

If you see suspicious behaviour, try to get a description of the person/s and make a note of their direction of travel. In an emergency always dial 999

11 January 2012 - ALERT - please be aware of three males in a white vehicle. They may be wearing blue overalls and assuming the role of waterboard personnel. One of these males has an Irish accent. They have been involved recently in distraction burglary in Cheshire. If seen please call 101 immediatly with as much information as possible - thank you.

For information on PACT visit our Local Policing pages at http://www.westmercia.police.uk/localpolicing/ or to find out more about Crime Prevention and Personal Security visit our on-line advice centre at http://www.westmercia.police.uk/advicecentre/
To contact us please ring 0300 333 3000 Extension 5811 - In an emergency dial 999

Or you can email contactus@westmercia.pnn.police.uk

November 2011 - to read the latest Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter, please click here

Winter newsletter 2011 - please click here

19 September 2011

As your local officer, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to my first police report. Here I hope to give some updates as to what we are up to as well as the latest campaigns, both nationally and locally, crime figures and trends and some advcie and tips. I welcome feedback and my contact details can be found at the end of this report.
Norton in Hales sits in the Market Drayton Rural North local policing area. I have responsibility for this and Market Drayton Rural South in all, covering a vast rural area around Market Drayton up to our borders with Staffordshire and Cheshire as well as Newport. To assist me, CSO Sharon Creber and CSO Mike Ellis work with the communities to tackle what concerns you the most. We all work out of Market Drayton police station but have police posts situated at Childs Ercall, Hodnet and the MOD police house in Ternhill.

PC Mick Sturland

CSO Sharon Creber

CSO Mike Ellis

Tel: 0300 333 3000 ( non emergency )

07792 774 058

marketdraytonruralnorthlpt@westmercia.pnn.police.uk

www.westmercia.police.uk