Police Messages

G364 220408

This message is sent to all Neighbourhood Watch Schemes requesting information on a particular vehicle.

There were 2 reports of burglaries at Brushford near Dulverton during the early hours of 21 April where property has been stolen from building sites.  A vehicle was seen in suspicious circumstances in relation to these offences and has also been linked to offences in other areas across the district.

Police request that any sightings of the vehicle (detailed below) are reported direct to them including the date, time and where it was seen together with any description of the person or persons using it.

The vehicle is a white Ford Transit van, registration number LV51BPU.

Please report any sightings to the police using the general number 0845-456-7000 asking that the information is passed to Intelligence Officers at Taunton Police Station.

G364
If you have information about any crime, phone the police on 0845 456 7000 or you can call anonymously to CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111

G324 150408

Following an increase in the number of thefts from non dwelling properties across large parts of this police district this message is sent to you.

Officers would ask that observations are kept for a vehicle that has been seen in suspicious circumstances in the vicinity of offences. 

The vehicle is described as a green Vauxhall Cavalier, registration M729RNP.  The vehicle has been noted in the Lydeard St Lawrence, Williton, Dulverton and Stogumber areas asking for scrap.  Please report any further sightings of this vehicle giving date, time and where it was seen, together with any description of the person using it or others in the vehicle.  Please report this information through the general police number 0845-456-7000 for the Intelligence Officer at Taunton.

Officers also remind you to take sensible crime preventative measures to secure property and buildings.

Message G324
If you have information about any crime, phone the police on 0845 456 7000 or you can call anonymously to CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111

G307 090408

This is a general reminder to all areas about the theft of items from sheds, garages and outbuildings.

There has been in increase in the number of such crimes since the beginning of April in many areas.

In Sedgemoor there have been 11 incidents
In Taunton Deane there have been 10 incidents
In West Somerset 1 incident.

Entry to sheds and garages has been by a number of means including cutting off padlocks, forcing doors open and gaining access through insecure doors.  Most offences have occurred overnight and items stolen range from garden tools and equipment through to a motorised scooter.

In one particular incident a break was made to a shed at a property that was subject to an offence a few years ago.  After that incident the householder had alarmed the shed and when the alarm was activated early one morning this week, the householder was able to disturb the offender before any items were stolen.  Indeed he was also able to inform the police very quickly of the incident with the result that one person has been arrested and held for questioning regarding the matter.

Members may wish to think about the security of such property at this time.  The NHW office can supply crime reduction leaflets on this subject - call Lindsey on 01823-363348 to place an order - and likewise do have some suggestions for security measures such as battery operated alarms.

G307
If you have information about any crime, phone the police on 0845 456 7000 or you can call anonymously to CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111

G265 180308

As you are probably aware we are frequently warning about bogus callers
and rogue traders in the area.  There are 2 matters that occurred
recently. 

In recent days one elderly person had work done by persons that called
at the door, originally quoting £600 for the work but then demanding
£1600.  The work was carried out and money was paid but a concerned
neighbour reported the matter to the police due to the shoddy workmanship.
  Enquiries managed to locate and seize the vehicle used but enquiries
continue into the persons involved.

In contrast, on 17 March callers were in the Berrow area selling items
door to door.  They knocked on doors in a Neighbourhood Watch area and
were turned away being told that the householders did not buy from
callers at the door.  One householder then called the police who located
the callers in a nearby street and arrested 3 persons.  They were later
charged for not holding a `Pedlars Certificate' and released on bail.
  Thanks to the co-ordinator for passing on the information from previous
warning messages and to the resident who took the correct action when
answering the door and then called the police so promptly.

With Easter already upon us some may take advantage of the bank holiday
weekend, and hopefully fair weather, to visit some of our beautiful
countryside.  Please ensure that care is taken whenever leaving a vehicle
unattended that it is secure and that no items are left on display -
beauty spot car parks are often targeted by would-be criminals.  As an
example over the period 14-18 March Vehicle crime figures include:
14 theft from motor vehicles in the Taunton area
1 theft from motor vehicle in each of the Sedgemoor and West Somerset
areas
Taunton also had 4 vehicles stolen and 4 reported damaged whilst one
each of these offences occurred in the Sedgemoor and West Somerset areas.
Sensible precautions can dramatically reduce the likelihood of becoming
a victim of vehicle crime.

Finally to remind you that Yellow Pages are being delivered across many
of the TA postcodes at the moment.  We have had some reports from
areas saying that these have been left in full view on doorsteps with no
attempt to hand them over to residents or put in less obvious places.  We
are collating this information to pass back to the distributing
company and welcome details of any further instances that occur.

G265
If you have information about any crime, phone the police on 0845 456
7000 or you can call anonymously to CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111