NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Property Marking Kits
You are now able to purchase Property Marking Kits from your West Kent Neighbourhood Watch Association.
Each Property Marking Kit contains its own unique marking adhesive, along with property and window stickers. The adhesive turns clear once applied, and shows up under UV light. The adhesive also contains “microdots”, which contains your own unique registration code.
Once you have marked your property, the items are registered to your address, and placed onto a secure database. Therefore if anything that has been marked is ever stolen, it can be easily linked back to you.
You are able to mark up to 50 items in and around the home, including televisions, mobile phones, tools, garden furniture, sat nav’s, and much more.
Marking your property in this way can help to prevent crimes, by acting as a deterrent to any would-be offender. The property marking adhesive is quick and easy to use, and does not have a detrimental effect on the marked products.
For more information, please contact your Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer,
Suzanne Daniell on: 01322 422 518 or 07980 770 548
General Summer 'Stay Safe' Tips
Burglary
o Keep doors and windows shut if you are not in the room;
o Think about which windows you leave open in hot weather;
o Consider outside lighting - it helps keeps thieves at bay;
o Remember, some burglars could get through small spaces such as a cat
or dog flap so, if in doubt, shut and lock it;
o Keep valuable garden equipment locked away - use a strong padlock;
o Make sure garden sheds are secured properly;
o Lock ladders away;
o Don't leave keys in obvious hiding places or near doors and windows;
o Mark your property - this helps deter burglars;
o Avoid leaving boxes and other packaging outside your home, as this
could advertise what is inside your home to burglars;
o If you are offered second hand goods, think twice as they could be
stolen - if you are suspicious, report it.
Theft from vehicles
o If you are visiting beauty spots in the warm weather, secure your
vehicle - just because you are somewhere rural does not mean thieves won't
be there too;
o Take your valuables out of your vehicle when you leave it
unattended. Don't be tempted to hide valuables in your boot or glove
compartment - these are the first places a thief will look.
o Remove your portable sat nav, even if you are only leaving your car
for a minute or two;
o Wipe any sat nav holder suction marks from your windscreen - they
can be a giveaway to thieves;
o At night-time, park in well lit areas, covered by CCTV, if possible;
o Property mark items which have to stay inside your vehicle, for
example, your stereo or baby seat.
Staying safe
o If you are going to enjoy a night out, plan how you intend to get
home beforehand - book a taxi or have a designated driver in your group;
o Stay in control - enjoy yourself but don't drink to excess;
o Watch out for your friends and make sure that they watch out for you
too - intervene and steer them away if they seem to be drinking too much or
appear to be getting out of control;
o If you end up in a situation which becomes aggressive, walk away;
o Always keep an eye on your drink - don't leave it unattended;
o If you are walking home from a night out, do so in groups and stick
to well lit areas.
More crime prevention advice can be found on our website:
www.kent.police.uk
Report a crime online: www.reportacrime.kent.police.uk
Call 01622 690690 to report a non-urgent crime.
In an emergency call 999. If you are deaf or speech impaired text Police and
your message to 60066.
General Messages and Information
Our Parish Council encourages everyone to report crime so I thought I would give you the number - 01622 690690 - so that you can jot it down somewhere where it will be handy. I recently had to report a crime and found the officers very much more friendly than the service used to be and, more importantly, the whole process seems to have been speeded up. I can well remember being on the phone for 40 minutes some years back, going through endless questions whether or not they were relevant, which is enough to put anyone off reporting an incident.
Crime Prevention
The summer is fast approaching so we are all thinking of our holidays.
As you dream of relaxing and recharging your batteries, there are those
who are planning where to steal from next.
There are a several precautions you could take which will
put the thieves off from making you a statistic in crime.
Any measures you take to prevent a crime is better than none at all. If
a thief knows a house is unoccupied the chances are increased of being
burgled than from a house which is seen to be visited from time to time.
Are people in your locality vigilant in looking after others property. Talking with your neighbor or family relations will give you a sense of security knowing that at least someone is caring about your belongings whilst you are away.
Here are a few basic things to consider before going away.
1. Cancel milk and newspapers.
2. Invest in a good Burglar alarm.
3. Leave a key with a trusted friend or relative.
4. Have lights in the house go on and off from time to time.
5. Leave a record with your nearest Police Station of Key Holder Details.
6. Mark any valuable property items and record their serial numbers.
(Do it today as tomorrow is too late). If you have not got an alarm, you
may borrow one from your local Police Station in Dartford. All you have
to do is call the front counter and make your request. There is a limited
supply of these alarms. So, they will be allocated on a first come, first
served basis. If you require any further advice.
If you have not got an alarm. You may borrow one from your local Police
Station in Dartford. All you have to do is call the front counter and
make your request. There is a limited supply of these alarms. So, they
will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
If you require any further advice please contact PC Geordie Laidlow,
01474 565008; email:Michael.laidlow@Kent.pnn.police.uk
Suspicious Callers
Message from Police:
If you can't verify who they are, don't let them in, call 079806 83951
This number is manned from 9am to 7pm.
Abandoned Vehicles
If you want to report an abandoned, untaxed vehicle on the public highway
call the Police on 01474 331055. The Police will want to know registration
plate number, make and colour of car and what damage there is so be prepared
with this before you ring.
Make sure all of your property is as secure as possible.
A special message has been received which affects many
of us.
Kent Police have received information from their colleagues in London
that there have been a lot of thefts at cash points. The person
withdrawing money is distracted by someone beside them who engages them
in conversation then snatches the money. This is happening in the London
area at the moment but could easily spread south.
Don't be afraid to forget about politeness and tell anyone who talks to
you at a cash point to go away!
Your Local Beat Police Officers 01474 565008,
Michael.laidlow@Kent.pnn.police.uk
REMEMBER -- REPORT ALL CRIME -- 01474 564346
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