From 16/01/03 to 28/02/03 in the Birkby District there were…

•30 house burglaries (including attempted)•2 Arson attack•1 Assault•15 interference’s with motor vehicles•8 Cars stolen•10 thefts (other)

If you have any information about these crimes then please get in touch with the police by calling

Non emergencies - 0845 6060606In an emergency please dial 999

You can contact our Community beat officers on 436729Or email them

PC Neil Moorhouse - rm423@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

PC Dave Collet - dc437@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

Or, you can always come and let me know of anything suspicious you see in the Neighbourhood and I will pass this on. I am at number ??????

The Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter

Jan/Feb 03

Last month I spent a good hour or 2 putting NHW packs through your doors. I have just walked down the street and discovered less than 10 of you have decided to display the stickers provided.

Can you please, please take the time to display one of the NHW stickers in your window. Believe it or not, these do actively prevent crime in the neighbourhood by letting criminals that they are being watched.

Please try and make the next NHW meeting, It is becoming more and more important to join together as a community to fight crime issues together. Details of the next meeting will be sent to you all shortly. What’s an hour of your time when it could save you becoming a victim of crime.

We have now identified another spate of house burglaries, where car keys are being stolen, then the actual car stolen from the driveway.The offenders will;1. identify the car they want (have even gone for one car which was in the garage)2. break in for the car keys3. will not worry about house alarmsHow can you stop them?1. garage the car so they can't see it2. always keep your outer doors locked3. do not leave keys on the inside of the door4. do not leave keys on show through a window5. in fact hide away the keys when you go to bed6. keep the outside of your property well lit at night7. keep an eye on your neighbours house for suspicious persons hanging around8. dial 999 if you see or hear any suspicious activity 9. bear in mind the thieves will probably have another vehicle with them.

POSSIBLE VACUUM CLEANER SCAMVery recent report indicates man calling at house Bradley saying he was checkingvacuums.He identifies faults, takes the vacuum and so far has not returned them.Similar occurence at Salendine Nook 3 weeks ago when a woman called at a houseand took away a Vacuum. (None have been returned to date!)

As a lot of crimes committed in the last 2 months have been related to cars I thought it might be appropriate to give you some security tips.

Car crime makes up nearly 20% of all recorded crimes in England and Wales. It can be distressing and annoying as it can cause a lot of inconvenience - You could be without a car for weeks - waiting for repairs or insurance. This is why the security features of your car should be as important as any other feature.

A lot of vehicle crime results from criminals seeing opportunities and taking them. But its easy to outsmart the car thief by following the simple advice given below.

• don’t leave anything on display - even an old coat is a temptation to smash and grab

•Take all your belongings with you when you leave your car or lock them in the boot.

•NEVER leave any of the following on display in your car

Mobile phones, Lap tops, Credit and Debit cards, Cheque books, Cash, Vehicle registration documents, Private mail (especially with your address on it)

Electronic immobilisers - prevent the car from starting - These are a sure way to put off car thieves but they must be fitted by main dealers or installers accredited by the VSIB. All new cars (since Oct 98) are fitted with electronic immobilisers

Mechanical immobilisers - such as steering locks, are a good alternative and are inexpensive and easy to fit yourself.

Fit locking wheel nuts - wheels are often a target for car thieves. Wheel nuts are not expensive and are easy to fit

An Alarm can help keep your car secure but it must be installed professionally to be effective.

When you leave your car, always remove the ignition key and lock all doors - it only takes a few seconds for a thief to jump into your car and drive away. Follow this routine all the time, even when just filling up with petrol or popping to the shop.

On icy mornings never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running to warm it up/

At home, keep your keys in a safe place which is out of sight and away from windows and doors.

Lock doors and close all windows and the sunroof every time you leave the car unattended - no matter how briefly.

Many cars get broken into in the few seconds that the car is out of the drivers sight. You should also have a fuel cap that locks.

Always remove your car stereo if you can. Its one of the most sought after items in your car. All car equipment should be permanently marked in a visible place with the vehicles registration number. Make a note of the stereo’s serial number and keep it in a safe place.

A lot of stolen goods are sold on to the public. If you are being offered a bargain you could be buying something that has been stolen. Always stick to reputable shops and dealers.

ALLOY WHEEL THEFTS.

Huddersfield Police have had 1,440 stolen alloy wheels taken in the last 12 months. The majority of these have been from vehicles parked on owner’s house driveways overnight. This is despite having locking wheel nuts fitted.

There are a number of easy measures that you can take to make life difficult for the thieves.•If you have a garage clear it out and park you vehicle in there. Less than 1% of car crimes are to cars parked in garages.•Do not leave your house keys lying around in the kitchen or near a door. Many cars are stolen along with the alloy wheels in Huddersfield, where a sneak-in thief has entered the house by insecure door whilst the occupants are at home and taken the car keys, ( or handbag containing them ), only a few steps from the door. The car is then taken from the driveway. •Do not leave your keys downstairs at night. Take them to bed with you. Thieves operate by opening the letterbox at night, and then hook out the keys using a long pole and take the car from your driveway.•It is desirable for a thief to have a full set of wheels. Park your car close next to a wall or another car. This frustrates the thief to be able to get to all 4 wheels.•For the same reason as above, fit a wheel clamp to one of the wheels. It also protects your car from being stolen.•If possible, empty your glove compartment and leave it in the open position. Several cars have their side windows smashed where thieves go looking for the locking wheel nut key that they think may be kept in the glove compartment.•Fit an AUDIO movement sensor light to your house that covers the area where your car is parked on the driveway. These cost £33 from B & Q ( Isle 46 ) or other security outlets. This is like an ordinary movement sensor light but it comes with a chiming device that plugs into any 3 pin electrical socket in the house. When the light is activated the chiming device inside the house sounds off and lefts you know someone is there. It even works during the daytime when the light is not illuminated. It gives you a fighting chance to let you know that someone is around your car.Have your alloy wheels POSTCODED.

ALLOY WHEEL MARKING COMPANIES.

Viaduct Tyre Services Allcar Tyres & Exhausts36 Viaduct Street 933 Leeds RoadHuddersfield DeightonTel 432697 Huddersfield

HD2 1UETown Tyres & Autocare Ltd Tel 427677Manchester RoadCowlersley Charles Tyre ShopsHuddersfield Huddersfield RoadHD4 5TB Honley Tel 461612 Huddersfield

Tel 666916Charlie Brown Manchester Road Dixon Renault,Longroyd Bridge 649 Leeds Rd,Huddersfield Huddersfield.HD1 3JBTel 430720 Hepworth Motor Co.

208 Huddersfield RdQuickfit (Paul Muscroft) Holmfirth.Lockwood Road HuddersfieldHD1 2QW Almondbury BMWTel 532448 Wakefield Rd

AspleyQuickfit Huddersfield,Leeds Road 01484 421512.HuddersfieldTel 515942

Surefix (Auto)Just Tyres 229 Leeds RoadUnit 3-4 Colne Road HuddersfieldFolly Hall HD1 6NWHuddersfield Tel 545626

Samra Autos,138 Manchester Rd,Longroyd Bridge,