THE BOBBY VAN - WHO IS HE?

The Wiltshire Police Bobby Van was set up 4 years ago and is run as a charitable trust. The Bobby Van operator is a fully qualified Crime Prevention Officer and carpenter who dresses in a uniform similar to that of a Police Officer and drives around in a white van marked up with 'Bobby Van' livery. He primarily helps out elderly, vulnerable and disadvantaged people. They include those who have been victims of burglary, attempted burglary, burglary as a result of bogus callers, those who are vulnerable or at risk of burglary and victims of domestic violence. He visits the vulnerable person and assesses what their needs are to make them more secure and to lessen the risk of them becoming a victim of crime. Any work, such as fitting additional door and window locks, door viewers and door chains is carried out there and then. In the 4 years since it's inception he has undertaken over 2000 jobs throughout the county and is due to be joined by another 'Bobby Van Man' soon. We refer people to the Bobby Van routinely as we come across them, but this is usually after they have become the victim of a crime. It would be better if they could be helped before they reach that stage. Do you know anyone who fits the bill?
Have you an elderly or vulnerable relative or neighbour who feels insecure at home?
If so please give us a ring and we will get the Bobby Van man to call and make them more secure. It will not only reduce the risk of crime but, more importantly, it will reduce the fear of crime.
The Bobby Van Man also undertakes various talks and presentations to clubs or groups on request
He's there for your benefit, he's very good and soon there will be two of him so please use him.
If you wish to make a donation to a very worthwhile cause you can. People can make cash or cheque donations to The Bobby Van Trust either at Tisbury Police Station or direct to the office at Devizes:
The Bobby Van Office at Wiltshire Police Headquarters, London Rd, Devizes, SN10 2DN

Tisbury 01747-870203 / Mere 0747-860268 / Control Room 01722-411444Tisbury

SUMMER SOLSTICE -GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL

This years Summer Solstice (sunrise on the 21st of June) will for the third year running see Stonehenge opened up to the public overnight. The following weekend is the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset. Last year an estimated 15,000 enjoyed the celebrations at Stonehenge. It has been reported in the press recently that someone has been trying to rent some land in Wiltshire for the week between the two events, apparently they weren't who they said they were and their application was refused. The NFU (National Farmers Union) is publishing a warning to farmers and other land owners that some people may try to set up some sort of gathering on open land for the period between the events. It is therefore wise, if you are a landowner and don't want this to occur on your land, to take some precautions to prevent a possible mass trespass. If you would like advice please give PS Cullop a ring at Tisbury.

CHANGES TO POLICING IN THE MERE AREA.

PC Dave MILLS who has been the Mere beat officer for the past 5 years has now taken over the Mere rural beat from PC Graham BRIANT (Gasper, Kilmington, Maiden Bradley, Norton Ferris, Stourton, Yarnfield, and Zeals). Graham directly replaces Dave by joining PC Pete ROBINS in Mere.

TWO MORE SCAMS TO BE AWARE OF.

MOBILE PHONES - Someone rings you on your mobile phone and says they are an engineer testing the line. They then ask you to key in a sequence of numbers before hanging up. If you follow their instructions they will then be able to use your phone number for their own purposes and you will get the bill! If you are contacted in this manner check with your service provider before doing anything.
BURGLARY BY POSTCODE? - This scam is apparently aimed at women. Someone will ring them at work stating they are from the Post Office (or Consignia I suppose) they will ask for their home postcode. After a while they will say a prize has been won and ask them to confirm their address. It is possible then for a burglar to assume the house is empty during the day and therefore safe to burgle.

I HAVEN'T COME ACROSS EITHER SCAMS BUT THEY ARE WORTH BEARING IN MIND. REMEMBER, SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE, SOMEHOW IS GOING TO TRY AND RIP YOU OFF AND IN AN EVER MORE SELFISH, GREEDY WORLD IT CAN ONLY GET WORSE.

REPORTED CRIME
TISBURY & MERE SECTION - MAY 2002

ALVEDISTON - 8th Ifor Williams trailer stolen from driveway during the day. (PC Graham Briant)
BERWICK ST JOHN - 10th Discutter stolen from insecure vehicle. (PC Paul Wilson)
CHILMARK - 3rd Garden furniture stolen from garden of house on Fonthill Estate. (PC Mark Steele)
DONHEAD ST ANDREW - 10th Insecure house burgled. Jewellery stolen. (PC Steve Madams)
17th A cleaner was arrested having stolen property from her employer. (PC Steve Madams)
DONHEAD ST MARY - 15th Overnight someone broke into a garage at the Donhead Sports Club, hot-wired a ride-on mower and drove into nearby woods causing damage, (otherwise known as mindless vandalism!) (PC Paul Wilson) 18th An attempt was made to enter a storeroom at Five Square Motors overnight. The burglar alarm activated and the thieves left empty-handed. (PC Paul Wilson)
EAST KNOYLE - 29th House entered via unlocked door and property stolen. (PC Jerry Wilkins)
MERE - 2nd Thieves broke into the Co-op and stole spirits and cigarettes. A similar attempt was made on the 5th but nothing was stolen. A male from Bristol was arrested later that night near Amesbury (Salisbury CID)
21st Unlocked Mountain bike stolen from outside the bank at lunchtime. (PC Pete Robins)
23rd Lock of front door damaged with 'superglue'. (PC Dave Mills)
29th During domestic dispute female assaulted by ex-partner causing facial injuries. (PC Graham Briant)
SEMLEY - 11th Transit van and contents stolen overnight from Sem Hill. (PC Jerry Wilkins)
STOURTON - 1st Thieves broke into a storeroom on Stourhead Estate and stole a large quantity of power tools. (PC Graham Briant) 3rd Minor domestic related assault in White Road. (PC Pete Robins)
7th Cash stolen by thief having forced open two alms boxes in St Peters Church. (PC Graham Briant)
TISBURY - 6th Male using abusive language arrested in Tuckingmill after refusing to calm down. (PC Mark Littlewood) 14th Male arrested for drink driving (twice the legal limit). (PC Jerry Wilkins)
20th Window broken by stone at Nadder School. Boy dealt with accordingly. (PC Mark Littlewood)
22nd Female arrested for drink driving (over three times the legal limit!) (PC Mark Steele)
22nd Two Yew trees deliberately poisoned in the churchyard. (WPC Lucy Deakin)
22nd Seat damaged on school bus by pupil. Youth to be dealt with. (PC Mark Steele)
ZEALS - 4th Thief forced shed door lock and stole lawnmower from within. (PC Graham Briant)

ALL REPORTED CRIMES ARE INVESTIGATED BY YOUR LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS. ANY INFORMATION YOU MAY HAVE THAT MAY ASSIST WITH THESE INVESTIGATIONS WILL BE LOOKED INTO AND IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
PLEASE DON'T WAIT TO BE ASKED, GIVE US A RING.

INTERESTING FACT OF THE MONTH.

"June is the National Beat the Bogus Official month and recent research conducted by interviewing convicted offenders in prison has found that homes displaying warning stickers are often avoided"

YOU CAN JOIN THE GROWING NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE THIS BULLETIN BY E-MAIL EVERY MONTH, CONTACT ME AT TISBURY mark.steele@wiltshire.police.uk

You can also access the bulletin including previous copies and a wealth of local information on the following websites:
www.tisbury.co.uk, www.swallowcliffe.com, and www.nadderfocus.com.

Tisbury 01747-870203 / Mere 01747-860268 (General Enquiries)
Police Control Room 01722-411444 (To report incidents)
CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111 (Anonymous reporting)
EMERGENCIES '999' (Crime in progress, persons in danger etc.)

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