SEPTEMBER 2010

Police and Communities Together (PACT)

This initiative from the Lancashire Constabulary involves you, the local Community Beat Manager (CBM), Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and local community partners. Your local PACT team covers the area of Tarleton, Hesketh Bank, Mere Brow and Sollom and meets every month to engage with your community. If you want to be involved in helping to influence local priorities, deliver positive interventions to tackle identified priorities and get answers on what has been achieved locally then come along to one of our monthly meetings which are detailed below. By working together we can make our local area a safer and cut crime.

PC 980 Phil Corrigan ECSO 7124 Andy Curry PCSO 7548 Dee Owen

September 2010 PACT Priorities:

1 – ASB by the phone mast near to the Sports Bar, Station Rd, HB between 10.00pm and midnight, especially at weekends.

2 – Cycling without lights on Hesketh Lane and Station Road between 7.00pm and 10.00pm each evening.

3 – Road closures outside new Booths store on Station Road, HB from Sunday 5th Sept to 12th Sept 2010.

August 2010 PACT Priority Feedback:

1 – Speeding on Moss Lane, HB between 10.00-12.00hrs

Drivers reported for the offence by RPU (Road Policing Unit) officers in and around the area

High vis patrols to slow / calm traffic

2 – Using mobile phones whilst driving Hesketh Lane / Station Road weekdays 8.00-9.30hrs

As Above

3 – ASB in the area of Becc’ Play area and new MUGA (Multi Use Games Area), Station Road, HB

High vis patrols in the area

MUGA completed but yet to be opened for use

Reports of ASB low

Key Contact Details

Emergency Dial (when there is danger to life or a crime in progress) 999

Non Emergency (for all other matters and incidents)0845 1 25 35 45

E

Crimestoppers (to report information relating to a crime anonymously)0800 555 111

Neighbourhood Watch is one of the biggest and most successful crime prevention initiatives ever. Getting together with your neighbours to take action can cut local crime. Everyone knows that the police are there to fight crime, but we need your help to do an effective job.

Crimes and Incidents of note:

  • Between 16:00hrs 14/08/2010 and 09:00hrs 17/08/10 unknown offender(s) have approached the rear of a property on Hillcrest Drive, Tarleton and stolen an insecure Scorpion Rage Mountain bike which is white, black and green in colour.
  • Between 16:15hrs and 17:00hrs on the 14/08/10 unknown offender(s) have approached an unattended and insecure motor vehicle on Hesketh Lane, Tarleton and stolen a considerable amount of cash and personal possessions.
  • Between 20:30hrs 16/08/10 and 08:00hrs 17/08/10 unknown offenders have approached the side of a property under renovation on Station Road, Hesketh Bank and have stolen a considerable amount of building materials.
  • Between 14:00hrs and 18:00hrs on the 22/08/10 unknown offender(s) have approached an insecure garage on Carr Lane, Tarleton and stolen a Specialized green and red Rockhopper mountain bike.

Crime Scams of note:

  • It has been reported in the local press that organised gangs are stealing tractors from West Lancashire farms and loading them onto ships at the docks. The farm vehicles are being stolen to order, placed on the back of HGVs which then head to the docks where they are shipped out of the country. NFU Mutual recently conducted a rural crime survey which revealed a national increase of 70%. This highlights the need and importance of good security measures (warning signs, locked gates, alarms and security lights) as well as vigilance.
  • Scam letters are on the increase. Often these letters are addressed personally to an individual. They include promises to deposit money into people’s bank accounts on receipt of a handling fee, predictions that individuals could win the lottery and asks for money as well as scare letters advising the recipient they can be protected from danger in return for payments.
  • A new telephone scam that has been identified: A representative from BT phones an individual and informs them that they are being disconnected because of an unpaid bill. The caller demands immediate payment of the bill or a reconnection charge will be charged at a later date. When the caller is questioned they offer to demonstrate that they are from BT by telling the individual to hang up and try phoning someone and they would disconnect the phone line to prevent the person from doing so. When the handset is replaced and picked up again, the phone is dead – no engaged tone, no dialling tone, nothing until the ‘representative’ calls back. They ask if that was enough proof then asks for credit card details. This is a convincing scam that could easily be fallen for. NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR BANK OR CARD DETAILS ON THE PHONE!
  • Lancashire Trading Standards are advising students not to respond to an email asking them to provide personal information. The fraudulent email which is targeting students throughout the UK has the subject title ‘Urgent Verify Payment Details’ and goes on to ask for personal information including back account number, roll number and sort code through clicking on a link. Although the link appears genuine, running the cursor over it reveals an alternative hidden address. Anyone who thinks they may have been a victim of a scam or wishes to report a scam should contact Consumer Direct on 08454040506 or online at

General crime prevention advice:

  • Household and Property
  • Always close and lock external doors, windows, garages and sheds when you go out
  • Don’t leave spare keys outside, in a garage or shed and always keep car keys out of sight
  • Use timers for lights and radios if you are away from home – it creates an impression that someone is in
  • Visible burglar alarms and good lighting put burglars off
  • Make sure you destroy unwanted documents that contain personal details
  • If your passport, driving licence, bank cards are lost or stolen, report it to the organisation that issued it immediately
  • Vehicles
  • Always lock doors, close windows and sunroof when you leave your vehicle
  • Don’t leave anything on display, including clothing, toys, CDs, SatNav support cradle
  • Never store the vehicles documents in the vehicle
  • Avoid parking in isolated and poorly lit places
  • Personal Safety
  • You will be safest in bright, well lit and busy areas
  • Try to look and act confident, be aware of your surroundings
  • Don’t leave your bag or valuables unattended or out of sight
  • Spread your valuables around your body – phone in your pocket, keys in your bag, money in your jacket
  • Try not to advertise your valuables such as mobile phones, MP3 player, laptop