RURAL WATCH LAUNCH.

Attention all 'watchers'. Those of you who are members of (or have been in the past) Neighbourhood Watch, Farmwatch, Horsewatch, Keeper watch, Polar Bear Watch etc may be interested to know that a new watch scheme is being introduced. RURAL WATCH was launched in Wiltshire on 21st of May 2003.
It is a little unclear as to how it will manifest itself but I would imagine that in the Tisbury and Mere Policing area it may well become the name for an all-encompassing watch combining all previously mentioned watches. We all live in a rural area and as such we fit the bill exactly. The aim is to have a structured, organised and more effective scheme which will make life harder for criminals to operate in our area without being seen and caught. This will create a safer environment for us all to live and work in but will only work with your support. As such there will be two meetings in June where the scheme will be discussed.
Your view are important in defining how rural watch will be managed.

Mere Area Meeting - 7.30pm on Wednesday 11th June 2003
at Duchy Manor School, Springfield Road, Mere.

Tisbury Area Meeting - 7.00pm on Tuesday 17th June 2003 in the Old Court House, Tisbury (this will also be the Annual Public Meeting for the Tisbury Community Safety Partnership).
( I apologise in advance if you receive this message too late due to publishing/distribution constraints. )

BUSINESS BEWEAR - ANOTHER SCAM.

A scam aimed at small businesses has recently been brought to my attention that I feel is worth passing on. A letter arrives addressed to 'the office secretary'. The sender states that he has seen your business website and is very interested in what your company has to offer. However, due to a computer virus he is no longer able to send e-mails or look at your website. Strike up the violins and fight back those tears, poor dear. He then requests that you ring a mobile number immediately to discuss his requirements for your services. I think there is enough evidence here to suggest that the telephone number may cost you rather a lot of money per minute. Don't ring it - bin it!

ALARM COMPANIES COLD CALLING

I have been made aware recently of an alarm company that approached a householder in Tisbury. They initially telephoned and then followed up by letter an invitation to have a 'top of the range' alarm system worth £1,400 at the hugely reduced price of £125. That simply sounds too good to be true I hear you exclaim. Now where have we heard that phrase before? As I have said before in this bulletin on a number of occasions 'if it sounds too good to be true…..it probably is!' If your suspicions are raised by an approach made to you by an alarm company please contact us here at the Police Station. We are always happy to discuss your suspicions and offer advice. Generally, I would be very wary of companies that 'cold call' with this sort of offer.

I would suggest that if you want a burglar alarm fitted that you contact at least two reputable alarm companies and ask for quotes. A burglar alarm is a valuable crime deterrent, make sure you get a good one.

REPORTED CRIME AND ARRESTS

(25TH APRIL - 23RD MAY)

TISBURY BEAT Beat Officers: PCs Mark Littlewood and Mark Steele
(TISBURY, WARDOUR, HATCH, E HATCH & NEWTOWN)

During the night of the 30th April three houses were broken into in the Tisbury area. A bungalow in The Avenue, a house in The Mallards and an apartment at New Wardour Castle. Silverware and cash was stolen. (Salisbury CID)
3rd overnight damage was caused to a wooden fence panel in Vicarage Road. (WPC Angie Carpenter)
1st week of May a mobile phone was taken as a prank and returned later damaged. (PC Mark Steele)
6th Male from Salisbury arrested for theft in Tisbury. (PC Mark Littlewood)
13th Youth arrested for breaching his bail conditions. (PC Graham Briant)
14th Cash stolen from trousers left in house in Tisbury. (PC Mark Steele)
15th Male arrested in Tisbury following domestic related incident. (WPC Lucy Deakin)
22nd Tisbury man arrested for theft, deception, assault and blackmail. (PC Mark Littlewood)

TISBURY NORTH BEAT
(BERWICK ST. LEONARD, CHICKSGROVE, CHICKLADE, CHILMARK, FONTHILL BISHOP, FONTHILL GIFFORD, FOVANT, HINDON, RIDGE, SUTTON MANDEVILLE & SWALLOWCLIFFE) Beat Officer: WPC Angela Carpenter
29th April overnight a wooden trailer was stolen from a farm at Swallowcliffe. (WPC Angie Carpenter)
4Th Male arrested at Fovant Down stealing from a building site. (PC Jerry Wilkins)
5th Male arrested stealing building materials from Fovant Poultry Farm. (PC Jerry Wilkins)

TISBURY SOUTH BEAT
(ANSTY, ALVEDISTON, BERWICK ST.JOHN, CHARLTON, THE COOMBES, THE DONHEADS, LUDWELL & TOLLARD ROYAL)
Beat Officer: PC Paul Wilson
Between January and April someone stole a 5 ton roller from Ansty Polo ground. (PC Paul Wilson)
13th Male arrested in Ludwell for assault. (PC Mark Littlewood)
13th Ornamental chimney pot stolen from driveway of house in Donhead St. Andrew. (PC Jerry Wilkins)
18th Female arrested in Ansty for driving whilst disqualified. (PC Jerry Wilkins)

MERE BEAT (including BURTON)
Beat Officers: PCs Graham Briant, Pete Robins and Lucy Deakin.
7th overnight a trailer was stolen from The Quarry Industrial Estate in Mere. (PC Pete Robins)
12th Male arrested for drink driving following an RTA in Mere. (PC Steve Porter)
17th Male from Gillingham arrested in Mere for drink driving. (PC Pete Robins)

MERE SOUTH BEAT
(EAST KNOYLE, WEST KNOYLE, SEMLEY, SEDGEHILL & WILLOUGHBY HEDGE)
Beat Officer: PC Jerry Wilkins
8th Male attacked a wooden fence with a lump hammer in West Knoyle in some sort of boundary dispute. (PC Jerry Wilkins)
16th Male arrested on Metropolitan Police warrant at East Knoyle. (PC Jerry Wilkins)
18th Male from London arrested for drink driving in East Knoyle. (PC Pete Robins)
19th Male arrested in Semley for harassment. (PC Jerry Wilkins)
22nd Male from London arrested for drink driving in Semley. (PC Jerry Wilkins

MERE NORTH BEAT
(GASPER, KILMINGTON, MAIDEN BRADLEY, NORTON FERRIS, STOURTON, WOLVERTON & ZEALS) Beat Officer: PC Steve Porter.
During the last week in April a cash box was stolen from a business at Maiden Bradley. (PC Steve Porter)
9th Male from Maiden Bradley arrested for assault. (PC Steve Porter)

If you would like to leave a non-urgent message for your beat officer or would like advice please ring the following numbers either TISBURY 01747-870203 or MERE 01747-860268.
Be aware that you may get an answer phone if all officers are out on patrol which may not be picked up for several hours.
OTHER NON EMERGENCIES CALL 01722-411444. ALL EMERGENCIES -'999'

TISBURY 01747-870203 / MERE 01747-860268
CONTROL ROOM 01722-411444
CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111