BE CAREFUL OUT THERE - A ONE DAY SNAPSHOT

Last Friday I went to three road traffic accidents one after the other. The first happened at 3.50pm on the A350 at Semley. There were two vehicles involved one of which was a write off. One of the drivers was taken to hospital but was later released with whiplash only. I was there for an hour and 20 minutes. The second one was at 6.30pm on the A303 near Chicklade. It involved 10 vehicles all going in the same direction. Thankfully there were no injuries. All 10 cars were damaged, 5 of them had to be taken away on the back of recovery trucks. Some of them will never be driven again. I was there for 2 hours and 10 minutes. The third accident happened at 8.40pm again on the A350 about a mile from the first one I went to. This involved two vehicles, and I don't know how but none of the 6 occupants were injured. I was there for 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Ok so why I am I boring you with this information? Firstly, it is to give you an insight into what we get up to. An excuse if you like as to why we are not always there to answer the phone, a reason we are sometimes hard to get hold of and why sometimes we can't devote as much time as we would like to local issues. Secondly, it is simply to ask you to consider this - 8 hours, 3 accidents, 14 damaged vehicles (8 requiring recovery services), one minor injury (thankfully) and 28 people who's day was ruined, some of them were very lucky to be going home in one piece. Was it bad weather or something? No it was a fine sunny afternoon and evening.
Finally, please treat this as a reminder that accidents happen every day on our local roads. No-one intends to have an accident but through inattention, carelessness, stupidity, complacency or simply bad luck they do happen and when they do happen it is always going to ruin your day. Be careful out there, please.

NIGERIAN SCAM ARTISTS BANGED UP

You may remember that I have warned you in previous bulletins about scams originating from people who purport to be Nigerians in need if assistance. The bait is laid by these people mail-shotting thousands of people asking for help to get millions of pounds out of Nigeria. Once you reply they skilfully extract your bank details and subsequently money from you. Well although there are obviously more than one group using this scam it was pleasing to read in The Daily Telegraph on the 24th of June that two of them had been caught. Two Nigerians living in London were jailed, one for 3 and a half years the other for 12 months for fraud. They were also ordered to repay £141,000 or have their jail time increased.
The reasons for bringing this to your attention are twofold. Firstly, I just love it when criminals get locked up and thought I'd spread the good news. Secondly, I would like to use it as an example that these con artists are real and they are getting money out of innocent people. There are more out there so always be on your guard. If you are contacted in this manner, don't tell me, send any correspondence to the following address: WEST AFRICAN ORGANISED CRIME SECTION, UNIT 2 SPRING GARDENS, P.O.BOX 8000, LONDON SE11.

FARMWATCH AND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Both Farmwatch and Neighbourhood Watch Schemes are being revised at the moment. Francesca Day our civilian enquiry office clerk has been ringing round to make sure people are still interested. If you feel you should have been contacted or would like to get involved please give Francesca a ring at Tisbury. She works here at Tisbury police Station Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 1.00pm.

REPORTED CRIME
TISBURY & MERE SECTION - JUNE 2002

CHICKLADE - 19th Following an accident on the A303 a male was assaulted and had his sunglasses smashed by the other driver. Male has subsequently been arrested and interviewed. (PC Mark Steele)
CHILMARK - 21st Drunken male on his way home to Tisbury from Salisbury had his car stolen after stopping to phone home. The car was being driven by a virtual stranger who he had asked to drive him home. Car later found in Salisbury. (PC Mark Steele)
DONHEAD ST.MARY - 28th Damage caused to a car in Coronation Drive. (PC Steve Madams)
FONTHILL BISHOP - 16th Vauxhall Belmont stolen overnight from layby. (PC Mark Steele)
FONTHILL GIFFORD - 9th Motorcyclist arrested for drink driving. His passenger was reported for not wearing a crash helmet. (PC Graham Briant)
HINDON - 16th Overnight thieves entered The Lamb and stole cash and cigarettes. (PC Mark Steele)
22nd Female arrested for drink driving. Charged - twice the legal limit. (PC Paul Wilson)
KILMINGTON - 11th Window of car smashed. Interior searched but nothing stolen. (PC Dave Mills) 9th Strimmer stolen from unlocked shed. (PC Dave Mills)
16th Male arrested for possession of an illegal drug. (PC Pete Robins)
28th Ifor Williams trailer stolen overnight. (PC Dave Mills)
28th Chainsaw and hedgetrimmer stolen from locked outbuildings. (PC Dave Mills)
MAIDEN BRADLEY - 28th Radio stolen from tractor cab. (PC Dave Mills)
MERE - 3rd Male assaulted during domestic dispute. Offending male dealt with. (PC Dave Mills)
6th Alleged break-in at flat in Southbrook. (PC Graham Briant)
6th Male stole tobacco from The Co-Op. (PC Pete Robins)
9th Male was abusive towards female in The Square after she remonstrated with him as he stole a child's bicycle. He has been arrested and charged with a Public Order offence and theft. (PC Graham Briant)
11th Male from Bridgwater arrested for assaulting his ex-partner. (PC Graham Briant)
13th Insecure Mountain bike stolen from garden. (PC Graham Briant)
15th Car stolen from Denes Avenue. (PC Pete Robins)
21st Car broken into in Salisbury Street, cash stolen. (PC Pete Robins)
21st Purse stolen from unlocked car parked in Salisbury Street (PC Pete Robins)
26th 19yr old male assaulted by a known assailant during fight at Southbrook. (PC Graham Briant)
30th Money stolen in domestic incident, thief dealt with. (PC Paul Wilson)
SEMLEY - 2nd Village Hall broken into damage caused. (PC Jerry Wilkins)
18th Industrial unit broken into damage caused inside. (PC Jerry Wilkins)
STOURTON - 4th Tool store broken into and tools stolen. (PC Dave Mills)
26th 48year old male assaulted during domestic related argument. (PC Graham Briant)
SWALLOWCLIFFE - Male slashed all four tyres on a Ford Fiesta and poured paint over it. He was later arrested by Hampshire Police and charged with criminal damage. (PC Mark Steele)
TISBURY - Male assaulted at The Cross. Victim did not wish to press charges. (PC Mark Littlewood)
5th Wing mirror smashed on parked car. (PC Mark Steele)
21st Female arrested for causing damage on three separate occasions in Tisbury. (PC Mark Littlewood) 23rd Fence panels damaged by yobs. (PC Mark Littlewood)
TOLLARD ROYAL - 18th Car broken into at Win Green, purse stolen. (PC Paul Wilson)
WARDOUR - 11th Someone entered the grounds of Old Wardour Castle overnight and caused damage to property within. (WPC Lucy Deakin)
WEST KNOYLE - 8th Jubilee mugs stolen from car outside the village hall. (PC Jerry Wilkins)
WILLOUGHBY HEDGE - 13th Window of parked car smashed, handbag stolen. (PC Jerry Wilkins)
ZEALS - 1st Damage caused to car during domestic dispute. Male arrested and charged with causing criminal damage. (PC Dave Mills)

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.

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.)