Home Watch News LetterBolton South and Bolton West

(10/8/12)

Our Official Website: www.Boltonhomewatch.co.uk

Email us on: Bolton.partnershipteam@gmp.police.uk

1 – Operations update

2 – Bolton South Overview

3 - Bolton South Update

4 – Bolton West Overview

5 Bolton West Update

6 - Other News

7 - Letters of thanks

8 - Upcoming events/Police surgeries

On Friday 3rd August a campaign called „Every Action Has a Consequence‟ was launched in the town centre.The campaign is to raiseawareness around alcohol related violence after a youngman called Adam was killed inBlackburn town centre in 2009.Since this time his family have set up this campaign to raise awareness about how this issue can destroy lives. Sgt Ellis has already helped to train nearly 500 young people between 15 - 18 who are our next generation of town centre drinkers. In Victoria square today there will be people giving out information on the campaign, and all of the venues involved will have t-shirts on with the 'Every Action Has Consequences' motto. Further information on this event can be found on: www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/local/9854070.New_campaign_pulls_no_punches/?ref=rss

Safe4Summer Update Pubs and off licences have been caught selling alcohol

to children in a sting last month. Volunteers aged under 18 have visited pubs and off licences and tried to buy alcohol. Four business where caught selling alcohol to under 18‟s last month. The person caught selling the alcohol was given an £80 fixed penalty notice. Partnership Sgt Rob Knight said “ The Bolton public deserve a professional licence trade and if pubs and off licenses are serving people under age that could lead to potential anti-social behaviour: when kids are drinking it can potentially lead to problems. We are trying to educate the establishments to prevent this from occurring”.

To read more on this article it can be found in a copy of the Bolton news 2nd August print, under the headline „Shops and Pubs Caught in Sting‟.

The last month has seen the South Neighbourhood Police Team make double the arrests than is average. They are totally committed to reducing crime by disrupting offenders. In the last week we have disrupted some young offenders by conducting 2 drugs warrants on Queen Street and Brentwood Drive in Farnworth and these have resulted in arrests for possession of cannabis with intent to supply and cultivate cannabis respectively. Although we continue to focus strongly on reducing domestic burglary and particularly within Farnworth as part of Op Viking, huge progress is being made and we have now had no burglary in this area since last Saturday. Research tells us that 75% of all burglaries in the South area occur by the offender entering through the rear of properties. As such I encourage you to keep back doors and windows locked and focus crime prevention expenditure on this area of your home. The last 2 burglaries this week were through open back doors so the best thing you can do is very simply avoid complacency. Finally I really encourage you to sign up to @gmpboltonsouth on Twitter. We have put out over 300 pieces of information to our residents in the last month alone and have 200 new followers this month. I also visit the account everyday and as such if you ask a question on the site you are likely to get a prompt response direct from your local Inspector.

Farnworth and Moses Gate

There have been 4 burglaries over the past 2 weeks. 2 of them occurred due to insecurities. The firston St Germain St, the offender forced the secure reargate then used pliers from an insecure outhouse tosmash a rear window gaining entry taking items. Thesecond on Railway St happened due to thevictims leaving a window open. On Greenhill Av theoffenders entered the victims motor vehicle takingtheir house keys from inside using these to enterthe victims premises. Finally on Pear Tree Drive theoffenders attempted to force a rear door but wasunsuccessful.

There have been a small number of theft from motorvehicles 3 of them occurred due as the offendersmashed a window to gain entry. The other 2 werethefts of vehicle number plates and the mirror from wing mirror

Finally, there have been 2 theft of motor vehicles. In thefirst the offenders have taken and drove off in thevehicle via unknown means. The second happened dueto the victims leaving their keys in the ignition and thevehicle insecure. The offenders have jumped in thevehicle and drove off.

Never leave your windows or doors unlocked andinsecure when the premises is empty. Also never leaveyour vehicle keys in the ignition with the enginerunning, this is just an open invitation for opportunistoffenders.

Farnworth Town Centre and South

There have been 6 burglaries the two weeks on; FrederickCourt, Conway St, Springfield Gardens x2, Newport Mewsand Grosvenor St. Here all 6 burglaries occurred due toeither an insecure front door or rear door. On one occasionon Springfield gardens the offender entered the insecuredoor as the victim was out hanging washing in the garden.

There has been one theft from motor vehicle. Here theoffenders have taken the secure vehicle. Once vehicle hasbeen taken the offenders completely remove the engine andabandon the vehicle.

Finally,there has only been one theft of motor vehicle overthe previous 2 weeks. The offenders smashed a window togain entry into the secure vehicle taking same.

The above 6 burglaries could have been avoided ofresidents would have been more vigilant with their homesecurity. Never leave your front or rear doors unlockedwhen you're not inside your property. This is just an openinvitation to opportunist thieves to enter and take itemsfrom your homes.

Little Lever/Darcy Lever

There have been 4 burglaries, the first occurring on Tong Road here the offenders forced a window and entered then damaged the alarm box inside. The second on Higher Darcy St the offenders forced the rear gate and then opened a window to gain entry. On Bentley St the offenders used bodily force to kick side wooden door leading to the kitchen. However they were disturbed when a witness confronted them. Finally on Sunningdale Court the offender has forced a door but on entry activated the alarm.

There has been one theft from motor vehicle. The offender has approached a secure vehicle and smashed a window to gain entry and remove vehicles.

Finally, there have been three theft of motor vehicles. The first occurred when the offenders smashed a window to gain entry and the other two were done via unknown means.

Always make sure residents activate their house alarms when leaving the property empty or over night. This as above will help to deter most criminals.

Great Lever

There have been 4 burglaries over the past fortnight. The first on Newport Rd where the offenders smash a rear window but no entry is gained. Another on Recreation street the offenders remove handle from a secure wooden door to gain entry. Once inside take items also forcing entry into two sheds taking items from inside these also. On Brazley Avenue offenders entered via an insecure window once inside offender takes car keys and vehicle. Finally on crescent Rd the offenders enter via a window. Once inside the offenders put items in a bag but is confronted by victim dropping bag.

There have also been a number of burglaries from sheds and garages.

There have been 4 theft from motor vehicles. Three of them occurred as the offender smashed a window on the vehicle to gain access. The other the offender stole items from an unattended insecure emergency services vehicle.

Please advise residents to be vigilant with home and vehicle security. Always ensuring windows and doors are locked on vehicles and in your home. Also activating any alarms you may have as this can help to deter criminals.

Harper Green

There have been 3 burglaries. The first on Tern Av the offenders have forced a rear window to gain entry. In another on Lavender Rd the offenders have smashed a rear ground floor window . Finally, on Cherry Tree Av the offenders entered via an insecure window.

There have been 2 theft from motor vehicles over the past two weeks. The first occurred when the offenders smashed a window to gain entry and the second the offenders entered via an insecure door taking items from within.

Please advise residents to always ensure windows and doors are secure before leaving your property. Also never leave your vehicle unlocked if you are not present inside the vehicle.

The Bolton West Officer‟s have been busy highlighting the issue of insecurity burglary. We have reintroduced the campaign whereby we deliver a leaflet in the shape of an arm through open windows and doors to illustrate to residents their complacency in leaving easy points of access to their home. This work is combined with conducting the quarterly police surveys and the patrols we do in hotspot areas. We have also made a very satisfying arrest of 2 brothers from Blackpool who were staying in Bolton. A burglary was committed at The Clough in Heaton where a large amount of IT equipment was stolen. Amongst the stolen property was an i-phone that had a „find my i-phone‟ application activated. This allowed us to use the phones GPS to trace it back to a particular street. Local officer knowledge led us to suspect a house and a warrant was quickly applied for. When executed the stolen property was recovered along with property from other breaks. If anyone has an i-phone or I-pad I strongly encourage them to download and activate this app as the benefits are clear. Operation Safe4Summer also continues and I am pleased to say that anti-social behaviour is 33% down on last year's summer holiday period.

Westhoughton North

There has only been one burglary over the past two weeks and it occurred on Leigh Road. Here the offenders approached two locked and secure garages removing the lock from the first and forcing lock on the second.

There has only been one theft from motor vehicle. Here the offenders have approached what the victim believed to be a secure vehicle. The offenders have gained entry via unknown means taking power tools from within.

Please advise residents to be vigilant with home and vehicle security. Always ensuring windows and doors are locked on vehicles and in your home. Also activating any alarms you may have as this can help to deter criminals.

Westhoughton South

There have been 3 theft from motor vehicles over the past two weeks. The first the offender gained access inside the vehicle as the vehicle was left insecure on the drive. The other two the offender entered the vehicle via unknown means searching and taking items from within.

There has also been one theft of motor vehicle. Here the offender has approached the secure moped removing the chain taking the vehicle.

Please advise residents regarding vehicle security. Always ensure your vehicle is locked with your alarm activated (if you have one) double checking all your windows are closed before leaving your vehicle unattended. If possible park your vehicle in a secure garage or on a well lit street overnight.

Hulton

There have been 3 burglaries over the past 2 weeks. The first on Cleaveland Gardens the offender forced the rear window to enter. Once inside they took items. The other occurred on VigoAv and the offender‟s entered via unlocked patio doors, once inside offender took vehicle keys and victims vehicle. Finally on Wellington rd the offender‟s entered via an insecure front door taking property from inside.

There have been 3 thefts from motor vehicle. Two have been were the offender has taken the front and rear number plates. The other the offender‟s entered the insecure motor vehicle taking tools from inside.There was also one theft of motor vehicle were the offender‟s took the vehicle via insecure means.

Please advise residents to be vigilant with home and vehicle security. Always ensuring windows and doors are locked on vehicles and in your home. Also activating any alarms you may have as this can help to deter criminals.

Horwich North and East

There have been no burglary or theft crimes to report this week. Please ensure residents keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviour in your neighbourhood and if you suspect anything then report it to the police on the non emergency police number: 101

Horwich West, South and Blackrod

There has been two burglaries over the past two weeks. The first occurred on Oxford rd, here the offender forced the lower panel of the kitchen door using bodily force and entered via hole. Once inside offender took property. The other occurred on Eskdale avenue, here the offender forces the rear gate then forces the lock on the shed door taking a blunt instrument from inside. The offender then uses this to force rear window gaining entry and taking items. There was also a burglary from a garage where the offender forced the garage door taking several items from inside.

There has also been 2 theft from motor vehicles. The first the offenders prised open the sliding doors, taking items from within. The second the offender(s) entered a parking lot. The offender(s) then entered several vehicles taking items from with and or removing their catalytic convertors.

Please advise residents to be vigilant with home and vehicle security. Always ensuring windows and doors are locked on vehicles and in your home. Also activating any alarms you may have as this can help to deter criminals.

Smithills North and South

There have been 4 burglaries. The first occurred on Cope Bank, Here the offenders forced a rear window to enter taking property. On Woodland Dr the offenders forced the patio sliding doors but was disturbed by victim before entering. On Limefield rd the offenders entered via what is believed to be an insecure window taking items from within. Finally on Bryn Lea Terrace whilst the victim was removing shopping from his vehicle an offender has entered via insecure front door taking a pedal cycle from the hall.There has also been thefts from sheds and garages where offenders have forced the locks, entering and taking items from within.

Never leave your front or rear doors unlockedwhen you're not inside your property. This is just an open invitation to opportunist thieves to enter and take items from your homes

Heaton and Lostock

There have been 7 burglaries in this area over the past 2 weeks. Four of these occurred due to insecure front doors or windows. Here the offenders have entered and taken property. On three occasions the offenders have taken car keys and the vehicle. The other three occurred where the offender has entered via forcing entry or smashing windows.

There has been one theft from motor vehicle also. Here the offender entered inside the vehicle taking items and was later arrested.

Please advise residents to increase their home and vehicle security. Never leave your homes unlocked and insecure when they are empty.

North Yorkshire Police has produced an awareness raising DVD called „Not Sure? Don‟t Open the Door!‟.

This film has been funded by money raised from the sale of a vehicle owned by a gang of convicted distraction burglars. The good news is that this film has now been placed onto the internet so that everyone can share it. The film is viewed through YouTube which many of you will have heard of.

If you wish to view the film please click on the below link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RJ64gFo0s0

A celebrity football match and family fun day is to beheld on Sunday 12th August 2012 at Valley Road stadium in Urmston. The fun day will commence at 10am with the football match due to kick off at 2pm. TV stars are turning out in support of a local charity for a celebrityfootball match against officers and staff of GreaterManchester Police. The match will be the highlight ofa family fun day hosted by Northwich Victoria FC at their newly-acquired Valley Road stadium in Urmston.Other attractions will include a mas-cot race at half time, games and activities, music and a bouncy castle. Food and drink will be available both before and after the match, with a barbeque if weather permits. The fundraising event is being delivered as part of a partnership between GMP and Retrak, a CheadleHulme-based charity that gives street children in Africa an alternative to life on the streets.

Please feel free to visit any of the places below to discuss any issues you may be having in your area. Your local neighbourhood officers will be there to offer advice and listen to any problems you may be having in your neighbourhood in the following drop in sessions:

Bolton Central

Contact your neighbourhood policing team for details of your next meeting

Bolton East

Contact your neighbourhood policing team for details of your next meeting

Bolton West

21st August, Westhoughton Police Post, 18.00-20.00

Bolton South

11th August, Asda, Brackley Street, 13.00-15.00

14th August, Farnworth Cricket Club, Lavender Road, 10.00-12.00

14th August, Lower Orchars Community Centre, 10.00-12.00

16th August, Little Lever Library, Market Street, 18.00-19.00

18th August, Asda, Brackley Street, 13.00-15.00

25th August, Asda, Brackley Street, 13.00-15.00