Sussex Police

PCSO - change for Chidham.
Our PCSO Karen Huggett has been seconded to Chichester Police Station for a period of time. In the interim our local PCSO's will be PCSO Bruce Ives and PCSO Colin Booker.

Burglars don't care whose name is written on the label - that's the message from Sussex Police as it launches the 'Keep it wrapped' campaign, in a bid to reduce the number of burglaries over the festive period.

There is no indication of an increased risk of burglary at Christmas. However, most house burglaries and thefts from vehicles are committed by opportunist thieves. It may be the season of goodwill, but Sussex Police are urging people not to make it a Happy Christmas for criminals by 'handing them' their Christmas presents.

Trevor Cox, from the Sussex Police Crime Reduction Team, said:

"Burglars will take any opportunity that comes their way. The fact it's Christmas makes no difference to them. Very often the presents under a Christmas tree or on the back shelf of a car can be seen from the outside, putting temptation in their path.

"Empty boxes outside a house, or nice new presents which are easy to spot inside, are just too tempting to resist. Burglars aren't bothered about the misery they cause at Christmas. The best defence against any burglary is prevention."

In order to hammer home the crime prevention message Neighbourhood Policing Teams across Sussex are distributing 'Keep it wrapped until Christmas' leaflets, which contain the following advice:

• Make sure your house looks occupied - use time switches for lighting and close the curtains.
• Keep your home secure and store gifts out of sight until Christmas arrives.
• Be a good neighbour - report anything suspicious.
• Don't leave good and presents on view in your car. Park in busy and well lit locations.
• Empty boxes outside your house advertise valuables inside.

Sussex Police Newsletter -

On 12th November, the majority of the rural Policing team were involved in a multi agency speed management operation in Fishbourne and Chidham.

In addition to the SID that we will often deploy within the villages we had access to our Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) van which will read all number plates travelling past and alert us if there is anything amiss, such as no MOT, insurance etc. We also had access to the speed gun and an officer from Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) to check the roadworthiness and standards of vehicles. As Christmas is approaching a drink drive initiative will be undertaken by your Neighbourhood Policing Team along with traffic police from Chichester , this will include further SID deployments.

Two burglaries took place in Bosham on 07/11/09 and 11/11/09 and in Salthill Road on 18/11/09 . These crimes are currently being investigated by other officers but any information or reports of suspicious vehicles or persons are always welcome and can prove very helpful in investigations. Over the Christmas Period we urge all residents to lock doors and windows with good quality locks when you go out (even for a short time) and make use of timer switched for lights and a radio. Make your neighbours aware when you are going away and also contact your local neighbourhood watch co-ordinator.

Local crime figures and neighbourhood police details will be available for viewing at www.ukpolicing.info from Jan 1st 2010. This is a new interactive national map giving the public access to local statistics and details on neighbourhood policing in their area. The online map will allow you to view figures for all crime as well as burglary, robbery, violence, vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour in your area at the touch of a button. For the first time you will be able to compare one police area with another, compare figures over a three-month period against the same period for the previous year and see annual crime rates.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Here's what you can do to keep yourself safe - and help others:

When you hear someone at the door:

•  Take your time - a genuine caller will wait.

•  Look and see who is there, using the door viewer or a window.

If you do not recognise who it is:

•  Apply your door chain or door bar.

•  Check all your doors are locked - burglars often come in pairs, so one may come in the back why you're being distracted at the front door.

Always ask for identification, but remember:

•  ID cards are easy to copy. If in doubt, ask them to wait and call their company to check - once again, a genuine caller will not mind.

•  Use your phone book or utility bill to find the number - don't accept a mobile number offered to you by the caller.

You do not have to let people in and if you are uncertain then don't, however persuasive or plausible the caller is. It is better to turn a genuine caller away than let a burglar in.

www.cdnwa.org.uk - Chichester & District Neighbourhood Watch Association

www.chichester.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5282 – Chichester Careline & Keepsafe 01243 778688

www.crimestoppers-uk.org/ - Crimestoppers 0800 555 111

www.westsussex.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/trading-standards/ Trading Standards 01243 777100

Sussex Police update -

During the last month there have been a number of vehicles which have been broken into and vandalised in the beauty spot car parks in West Stoke and Stansted, Merrivale Court and Penny Lane, Southbourne and Walton lane, Bosham. A vehicle was stolen from Kelsey Avenue this month in which the keys were taken from inside the property. Please can we remind everyone that your vehicle should be left secure and in a well lit area when possible and all valuables should be left out of sight. It is recommended that a wheel lock or other security device is used as a further deterrent. Any suspicious activity which is seen concerning vehicles should always be reported to Police.

Can I also take this opportunity to remind those of you who drive that speeding is still an issue that it being raised at local meetings. Salthill Road, Broad Road and Stein Road are areas which are being constantly being mentioned and we feel that this issue now has to be enforced and we will be deploying speed checks in local areas in the near future. Anti anti social driving can be reported using Operation Crackdown. The link for this can be found on the front page of the Sussex Police Website. Also available on the Police Website is the date and time when local officers will be conducting street meetings in the local area. Leaflets will be delivered before the meeting and it is an opportunity for you to come and see us and talk to us about any local issues.

On a positive note we have seen a decrease in the number of reports of anti social behaviour this month, especially in Mosse Gardens, Fishbourne, Delling Lane, Bosham and Mill Close, Westbourne. There was a large gathering of youths on Nutbourne Station last month which Police responded to and dealt with.

The recent spate of cycle thefts has also declined and two people have been arrested. A bike found in Kingfisher Drive has been returned to it's owner so please be vigilant in your area and report any bicycles that appear to be abandoned as if they are stolen we may be able to return them to their owners.

We are still trying to facilitate a Neighbourhood Management Panel Meeting in Westbourne and are also asking for any recruits from the Chidham or Hambrook area to join the Bosham Neighbourhood Management Panel. The local Priorities can be found in Local Priorities and Actions.

Local crime figures and neighbourhood police details are now available for viewing at

Thefts of cycles are still occurring in Fishbourne and Bosham. Some of the cycles stolen have been left insecure in a public place, and others taken by forced entry to outbuildings or garages. Sussex Police are advising people to purchase a good quality lock and use it, consider obtaining insurance for your pedal cycle and make use of any security marking for your cycle (you can contact your local police station who can provide this service). All incidents need to be reported to the police on 0845 60 70 999 so that enquires can be conducted in the area. Someone may have seen something suspicious and this may lead to the apprehension of the culprits.

Speeding remains a priority at the Neighbourhood Management Panel (NMP) meeting's. Now that the children are back to school may I take this opportunity to remind drivers that it is paramount to the safety of children that speed is reduce to 20MPH around school areas.

We would encourage you to report all incidents of anti-social driving (which includes use of mobile telephones whilst driving) via Operation Crackdown on either 01243 642222 or via the website www.operationcrackdown.org.

Parking around Fishbourne, Bosham and Chidham primary school's also remains a priority at the NMP meetings. Can all drivers remember that parking within ten meters of a junction or on yellow lines or zig zag lines is illegal. It can restrict the view of other drivers which is very dangerous when children are crossing the roads. Please be considerate and park in the designated areas.

Unfortunately in the past month there have been a number of garage and shed break's in Apuldram and Fishbourne. We urge all residents to ensure that they secure their garages and sheds with good quality locks. Gardening equipment such as chain saws, leaf blowers and lawn mowers should be chained together and secured with a padlock to a concrete floor. If you seen anything suspicious then please call the police immediately on 999. With regard to home security we urge all residents to lock doors and windows with good quality locks when you go out (even for a short time) and make use of timer switched for lights and a radio. Make your neighbours aware when you are going away and also contact your local neighbourhood watch co-ordinator.

Chichester Neighbourhood Policing Teams are continually seeking ways to improve how we engage with the community and make ourselves identifiable, accessible and responsive to your needs and concerns.

We introduced Neighbourhood Management Panels in September 2008 and will continue to develop and enhance them during 2009. We have committed to expanding this concept with the formation of twenty four panels within Chichester District consisting of local persons representative of the community in which they live. This approach will allow you the community to choose your own priorities which the police and partner agencies will work together on to solve. Examples of priorities already set by existing panels within the district are involve issues such as speeding in villages and anti social behaviour in set locations to name but a few.

Interested in becoming involved in a Neighbourhood Panel for your area? or if you would simply like further information please contact myself either by e mail or leave me a message on my voicemail (Tel 0845 60 70 999 Extn: 27372) and I will happily get back to you.

Karen says: I have been a Police Community Support Officer since October 2008. Prior to joining Sussex Police Force I worked in the education sector helping International students find suitable courses. I enjoy working as part of a team and in a varied, challenging and unpredictable environment. I felt that being a PCSO could fulfil this as I interact with the public in a variety of situations and everyday brings a new challenge.
I am interested in continuing to build essential links between the police and the local community, hopefully helping reduce low level crime and anti-sociable behaviour by being an approachable presence on the streets of Bosham, Fishbourne, Chidham and Hambrook.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH - Neighbourhood Watch is one of the biggest and most successful crime prevention initiatives ever. It is not just about reducing burglary figures, it's also about creating communities who care. It brings local people together and can make a real contribution to improving their lives. Neighbourhood Watch is a method of developing close liaison between households in a neighbourhood and the police. The aims are to help people protect themselves and their properties and to reduce the fear of crime by improved home security, greater vigilance, fast and accurate reporting of suspicious incidents to the police and fostering a community spirit. Householders are the ‘eyes and ears' of the community and they usually know who and what people and vehicles belong in their road. All they need to do is to be reactive as to what is occurring.

‘RAISING AWARENESS' - Police can only react to problems and crime if they are made aware of it. If incidents of crime or anti social behaviour occur they need to be reported as this paints a picture for the police as to where problems are taking place. Police and Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) will target such areas. There are a large number of PCSO's, plus some District Council Wardens. They are briefed to patrol these areas and hold ‘street' briefings in order to discourage incidents from occurring and to foster good relations with the community.

INCIDENTS / CRIME - All incidents and crime reported to the police is recorded. In some situations when crime is reported and there is no evidence at the scene and there is no likelihood of an arrest being made, the police may not necessarily visit the scene. Similarly, if an incident occurs, there may be other more serious occurrences taking place in the area, at the time, that the police have to give a higher priority to, therefore your incident cannot be attended to. Such calls are graded according to their severity.

WHICH NUMBER TO CALL - These guidelines should help you to decide as to which is the best number for you to call, should you require the police:

999 – EMERGENCY - You should only use the 999 number when:
A crime is in progress.
A life threatening situation is occurring.
A serious road crash has taken place.
Or if you genuinely believe that the police need to attend as a matter of urgency.

0845 60 70 999 (or e-mail contact.centre@sussex.pnn.police.uk ) - NON EMERGENCY You can use this telephone number to contact Sussex Police in all other situations. Switchboard operators answer these calls in Lewes and transfer you to the appropriate person. You will either be transferred to the local police station or the Call Handling Centre depending upon the nature of your enquiry. You should use this number when:
You witness a suspicious incident but you haven't actually seen a crime take place.
You belatedly discover that a crime has been committed which still needs the attention of the police.
You see evidence of a crime recently having taken place, but no obvious offender
You want to speak to a member of the Sussex Police staff

NEIGHBOURHOOD SPECIALIST TEAMS (NST) – Each area has its own NST police officer and PCSO. To find out who covers your area go to www.sussex.police.uk and search on your area or postcode, or call the police on 0845 60 70 999 .