Home Watch News LetterBolton South and Bolton West

(3/10/12 – 16/10/12)

Our Official Website: www.Boltonhomewatch.co.uk

Email us on: Bolton.partnershipteam@gmp.police.uk

1 - 3 – Operations update

4, – Bolton South Overview

5 – 7, - Bolton South Update

8, – Bolton West Overview

9 – 12, Bolton West Update

13, - Other News

14, - Letters of thanks

15, - Upcoming events/Police surgeries

On Wednesday 7th October officers and staff from across the Force will target criminals that use the dark evenings to burgle homes, carry out street robberies and inflict alcohol-fuelled violence.

In the final week of Operation Harvest, ACC Terry Sweeney said: “The nights are now drawing in and the clocks go back soon heralding potential increases in burglary and other theft offences. Through this final phase of Operation Harvest we particularly need to target the thieves that use the dark evenings to steal the hard-won valuables of law-abiding citizens. We need to disrupt their illegal activities and be there when they step away from the straight and narrow. We also need to keep educating people about the measures they need to take to decrease their chances of falling victim to opportunistic thieves at home and while out and about going about their business.”

During the first week of Operation Thunder, the hard work of divisional and specialist officers as well as Special Constables supported by police staff and a wide range of partners led to more than 800 arrests and the seizure of almost £100k from criminals.

Great news as crime continues to fall across Greater Manchester.

Latest figures show that in the last six months between April 2012 and September 2012 there was a 12.4 per cent reduction in crime (compared with the same period the previous year), meaning 13,215 fewer victims across Greater Manchester.

The Force has seen reductions in all stealing offences - including burglary, robbery and car theft - as well as drugs offences, hate crime and domestic abuse.

The Force also saw significant sentences handed down by the courts during the six month period following investigations by detectives from the Serious Crime Division.

Lottery fraud captures personal information. The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau is issuing a warning about a suspected lottery fraud that is being used to secure victims personal details rather than their money.

Bogus PPI companies have been contacting people under the pretence of assisting with a PPI claim they are entitled to. They are obtaining personal information off residents claiming to investigate whether money is owed. These fraudsters then get victims to pay fees up front for services that are never delivered.

A virus contained in a supermarket voucher. A malware infected email claims that several major supermarkets have collaborated to offer customers an all-in-one shopping voucher worth £30.

Energy saving scam warning. A warning has been issued after an elderly and vulnerable resident paid £99 to fraudsters for a useless and potentially dangerous „plug-in' energy saving device.

Telephone Scam Warning. In the last few days there have been numerous reports from local residents from the Saddleworth and Lees areas concerning a phone scam. A male described as foreign sounding (other reports also suggest a male with a local accent) has phoned the occupant and told them they were from UK Utilities and had overpaid and were owed some money back. He then asked whether the occupant preferred to be paid by bank transfer or by cheque and then asked for the occupants bank details.Luckily all the residents who were contacted refused to give any details over the phone. Unfortunately some were then met with abuse.

Full details of these and other scams can be found on the action fraud website. You can reach this by clicking on the following link: www.actionfraud.police.uk/news

To report a scam, you can contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk

Crime in the last month has dropped significantly across the whole area.

Next week also see the official launch of Farnworthretail crime Partnership. This has been growing for the last few months and almost all of the stores are now engaged with this and this has resulted in numerous arrests already. Hiopefully this will help make Farnworth Town Centre a much nicer place to live and work.

There has been further thefts of number plates this week so I urge everyone to attend 1 of our Plate Safe events where local officers will re-secure number plates with tamper proof screws. These are on the 23rd

and 27th October at Burnden Park Asda car park between 10 and 2pm.

The South Police Team will also be supporting Remembrance day parades Farnworth, Kearsley and Little Lever.

Farnworth and Moses Gate

There have been 2 burglaries to report over the past fortnight. The first on Central Avenue the offenders entered the address via an open window in the conservatory. The second on GreenfoldAvenue the offenders also entered via an insecurity.

There's also been 3 theft from motor vehicles. On one occasion the offenders have removed the full exhaust system from a vehicle, the second the offenders have removed the front and rear number plates and finally the offenders have stolen a part from another vehicle identical to the vehicle they were driving.

Please advise residents to increase their home security. The above two burglaries could have been prevented if the victim would have locked the open window and or door. When your house is empty or overnight please do not leave windows or doors unlocked or open.

Farnworth Town Centre and South

There have been 2 burglaries to report this fortnight. Both burglaries on Fernlea Lodge and Randolph rd where the offenders have entered both premises via insecurities either an open window or unlocked door.

There has also been one theft from motor vehicle, here the offenders have forced the lock using a long flat instrument.

Like for Farnworth and Moses gate please advise residents to increase their home security. The above burglaries could have been prevented if the windows and doors would have been locked and secured.

Little Lever/Darcy Lever

There has been one burglary to report this week. Here the offenders have entered the back yard and re angled the security light to stop it from turning on. They have then thrown a brick through the conservatory door and entered taking vehicle keys from inside along with the vehicles.There have also been a small number of burglaries from garden sheds.

Only one motor vehicle related incident to report this week. Two offenders have arrived at the victims house stating they are interested in buying his vehicle. One offender has asked for the keys for the vehicle so he can start the engine. On doing so offender 1 has driven away in the vehicle while offender 2 has got in their vehicle and driven away.

Please be wary of giving your vehicle keys to strangers. If anyone is interested in buying your vehicle always keep hold of the keys, never give them to the person buying it from you.

Great Lever

There have been 3 burglaries to report over the past fortnight. The first 2 on Little Home Walk and Green Lane occurred due to open windows. Here the offender has climbed in gaining entry. On Bradbourne Close the offender has entered via unlocked gate, climbed onto the roof of single story extension and forced first floor window.

There has also been 3 theft from motor vehicles. On two occasions the offenders have removed front and rear number plates. The other occasion the offender has smashed a window to gain access.

Please always ensure windows and doors on your homes are locked when the house is empty and also overnight. Never leave windows unlocked as this is an open invitation to opportunist thieves.

Harper Green

The only incidents to report this fortnight have been burglaries. The first on Seathwaite Rd the offenders have forced the dog flap on the rear door to enter the property. The other three on Lupin Av, Bradford rd and Carnation Rd, the offenders have entered the properties via insecure windows or doors.

Please advise residents to increase their home security. The above 3 burglaries could have been prevented if the victim would have locked the open window and or door. When your house is empty or overnight please do not leave windows or doors unlocked or open.

Ahead of the clocks going back we have been engaging with our residents by encouraging them to leave some lights on in their property whilst out. We have even been re-attending properties where advice has been given to continue this encouragement. The outcome of this work has been seen already with burglary numbers continuing to fall.

Over the last month crime on the West area has fallen across the board and in total there have been 122 less crimes than the previous month.

Particular progress has been made in the areas of Hulton and Smithills where both crime and ASB have reduced significantly. Over the coming weeks we will be working hard on reducing ASB through the Halloween and Bonfire period and Horwich and Blackrod will have particular focus.

From 10 - 2pm on Tuesday 30th October we will be giving out Trick or Treating 'yes please / no thanks' door posters near to Asda and M&S on the Middlebrook.

Thank you for your continued support, Inspector Chris Evans

Westhoughton North

One burglary to report over the past fortnight on Park Rd, here the offenders gained access into the property by smashing a rear window with a stone.

There has also been one theft from motor vehicle and one theft of motor vehicle. The theft from motor vehicle occurred when the offender smashed a window on the vehicle to gain entry inside. The theft of motor vehicle occurred when the owner of the vehicle whilst working left the vehicle with keys in ignition to check on work, as he returned to vehicle he sees a male drive off in same.

Please advise residents to remain vigilant with their home and vehicle security. Never leave keys in your ignition with the engine running. This is an invitation to opportunist thieves to drive off in your vehicle.

Westhoughton South

Only two crimes to report over the past fortnight. The first is a burglary on Wigan rd where the offender has attempted to jammy open a rear patio door but was unsuccessful. The other is a theft from motor vehicle, here the offender has removed the catalytic convertor from the underneath of the vehicle.

Please advise residents to increase their home security. The above two burglaries could have been stopped if the victim would have locked the open window and or door. When your house is empty or overnight please do not leave windows or doors unlocked or open.

Hulton

There have been 2 burglaries in this area over the past fortnight. The first on Heathfield Drive the offenders have attempted to force open the front door but no entry was gained. The second on Hollinsroad, the offender has entered the unlocked front door whilst the victim was in the back garden.

There have also been 2 theft from motor vehicles, on both occasions the offenders have forced doors to gain entry. Finally there has been one theft of motor vehicle, here the offender has wheeled out a moped from a rear garden and is thought to have loaded it onto transport and taken same.

Please advise residents to increase their home and vehicle security. If you see any suspicious behaviour on your street please call: 101

Horwich North and East

There has been one burglary over the past fortnight on Ainsworth Avenue. The offender has entered the insecure garage door and then gained access to the internal door leading to the kitchen by forcing it.

Also there has been a theft from motor vehicle where the offenders have gained access and taken items due to it being unlocked. Finally there has been one theft of motor vehicle where the offenders have taken a moped via unknown means.

Please advise residents to remain vigilant with their home and vehicle security.

Horwich West, South and Blackrod

There has only been one burglary to report over the previous fortnight. This occurred on Lindsay St, here the offender has attempted to force front door but failed.

There have also been 3 theft from motor vehicles. The first the offender has taken the front and rear number plates, the second the offenders have entered via an insecurity and the final one the offenders have removed the entire exhaust system from a number of vehicles. There has also been one theft of motor vehicle this has occurred via unknown means.

Please ask residents to be more vigilant with their vehicle security. Always ensure vehicles are locked and secure when unattended and overnight.

Smithills North and South

There has only been one incident to report this week; a burglary. This occurred on Hazlewood grove, here the offender(s) entered via an insecure door.

Please advise residents to remain vigilant with their home and vehicle security but also ensure they always lock and secure their property when empty and overnight.

Heaton and Lostock

There have been 5 burglaries to report in this area over the following week. Two of these have occurred on The Walkway, here the offender has attempted to gain access by bending the window but failed to. On the other occasion the offender has removed the window. On Chorley New Rd, Armadale Rd and Olstead Grove the offenders have entered the properties by smashing windows to gain entry.

Finally there has been one Theft of motor vehicle where the offender(s)have wheeled the motor cycle with no battery away.

Please ensure residents increase their home security. Never leave windows and doors unlocked or open when your house is empty or overnight. Always ensure alarms are set as these, when activated can deter some criminals.

Communication Survey Greater Manchester Police wants to ensure it provides information and

updates about the work taking place every day to make communities safer. It means making sure we give details about things that matter to you and do it in ways that you can easily access. As part of the continued work to do this we need your feedback about how you find out about policing, whether you take local newspapers or use social media, and what aspects of neighbourhood policing and policing across Greater Manchester are you interested in.

We would be grateful if you could help us to make sure we are focusing on providing information that matters to you in the ways you want to receive it by completing this short questionnaire. The results will be used to refine and refocus what we do to share information.

You can access the survey below: Policing Communication Questionnaire Survey

Please feel free to visit any of the places below to discuss any issues you may be having in your area. Your local neighbourhood officers will be there to offer advice and listen to any problems you may be having in your neighbourhood in the following drop in sessions:

Bolton 23rd October, Neighbourhood Surgery, Morrison's, Mornington Rd, 16.00 – 17.00 2nd November, Neighbourhood Surgery, Co op, Chorley Old Rd, 16.00-17.00 13th November, Neighbourhood Surgery, Morrison's, Mornington Rd, 15:00 – 16.00 16th November, Neighbourhood Surgery, Co op, Chorley Old Rd, 15.00-16.00

Bolton East Please speak to your local neighbourhood team to find out about police surgeries and events.

Bolton West 22nd October, Horwich Public Hall, Lee Lane, 16.00 – 18.00 25th October, Blackrod Library, Church Street, 18.00 – 19.00 29th October, Horwich Public Hall, Lee Lane, 16.00 – 18.00 30th October, Affinity Sutton Community Centre, Addington Rd, 19.00 – 20.00 1st November, Westhoughton Police Post, Pavilion Square, 18.00 – 20.00 5th November, Horwich Public Hall, Lee Lane, 16.00 – 18.00

Bolton South 16th October, Farnworth Cricket Club, Lavender Road, 10.00 – 12.00 19th October, Lynton Road, Morris Green, 09.00 – 16.00 22nd October, Trinity Church, Market Street, 18.30 – 20.00 22nd October, Asda, Burnden Park, 17.00 – 19.00 26th October, Asda, Brackley Street, 13.00 – 15.00 2nd November, Asda, Brackley Street, 13.00 – 15.00