ALL INCIDENTS (AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION) SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE MAIN CALL CENTRE : 0845 458 0000 open 24 hours, 7 days a week

Note - this page now carries just the most recent updates. Previous Homewatch Updates are retained as an archive here.

[New format from February 2008 - Ed.]

Western Rural Round-up
Week beginning 14th July 2008- CAT Voicemail- 0845-458-6393

Sightings please for a Landrover M241VMB. This vehicle was seen in suspicious circumstances in Blakemere and Tarporley and I would ask for reports please.

A Good result at court this week. Billy Perks from Willington banned for drink driving and given 80 hours community service with a curfew.

3 Males with Liverpudlian accents seen acting suspiciously in Elton this week. The vehicle they were in was an Astra S465JOB with a previous keeper from Wallasey.

I am often asked why on some Market Days in Frodsham there is an abundance of Police Officers walking the streets. The answer is that the Police Training Department are looking for locations for brand new officers to conduct role playing exercises.

To this end I have managed to request that they come to Frodsham to gain some experience and many of you will have seen them on Thursday around the Town Centre. This will be a regular feature every few months and I welcome their presence.

Sightings please for a vehicle disturbed in Sutton Weaver with 3 white males aboard that was stealing diesel from agricultural land. We have only a partial registration number of N763. This vehicle was a Transit van.

A disturbing incident took place last weekend in Cuddington. A male who was with a group of two females and a further male damaged 19 vehicles from Hadrian Way, St Johns Way and School lane. This male damaged wing mirrors and car bonnets in a wanton act of vandalism. As a result of this incident we have from our enquiries traced two witnesses and recovered forensic evidence from beer cans. Furthermore, we have liaised with local pubs regarding the descriptions of the offenders and I have placed an appeal for information in the local press. Can I ask that anyone with any information can contact me in the strictest confidence on the CAT voicemail at the top of this bulletin or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.

Regards
Inspector Phil Hodgson

Western Rural Round-up
Week beginning 7th July 2008- CAT Voicemail- 0845-458-6393

Sightings please for what is described as a scruffy flat bed lorry no registration number with the word 'Connor' on the side. The caller felt that the white male occupant of this vehicle was eyeing up properties on Primrose Lane Helsby. A house burglary did occur the following day in this road and the occupant's vehicle taken.

Sgt Boothby and the CAT staff ran an operation in Helsby and Frodsham this week in the evenings. They seized a number of uninsured vehicles and reported 8 drivers for a variety of offences ranging from not wearing a seat belt to illegal mobile phone use.

The Tesco car park was given special attention and a 14yr old youth who was riding a moped on Tesco car park was also dealt with using our powers. This action was in response to requests from local people living near to Tesco.

Good initiative this week between ourselves and the Community Safety Partners. We have secured funding to buy 12 special footballs for the summer. These footballs have a unique design which differs from normal footballs in that they cannot cause damage and are virtually sound proof. We are providing these to areas where we have had problems with youths playing football and causing annoyance to residents. The footballs will be going out this week.

We are experiencing a small rise in car key burglaries. These are burglaries within the home where entry is gained to a house with the specific intent of taking car keys which are on display on window ledges or hallways. Vehicles have then been stolen from the driveway. Most vehicles are recovered with some in Merseyside, but others have appeared in Birmingham and Manchester. Can I ask that you place your car keys in a place where they are not readily accessible or visible.

Regards
Inspector Phil Hodgson.

Western Rural Round-up
Week beginning 30th June 2008- CAT Voicemail- 0845-458-6393

Good result at Court. Umam Patel who was an Accountant for Tarporley British Legion was found guilty of theft of money from them and received a custodial sentence at Crown Court of 12 months.

Sighting please for a Red Volvo T 5 Estate N218BYG. I am very keen to receive any reports about the activities of the two occupants of this vehicle anywhere in our area.

Sightings please for a Green Rangerover L78UNP. This vehicle was seen in suspicious circumstances in Mouldsworth this week and I would like to speak to the owner of it.

Sightings also for a Purple Renault Megane P286MNE. The 3 male occupants of this vehicle were seen near to farm buildings in Oakmere and the caller felt they were acting suspiciously.

We received a report of a suspicious vehicle seen in Dutton near to some farms that have experienced thefts. MT03JCY. This is a Ford Transit in White with a keeper from Manchester. Sightings please.

A brief update. We cautioned 2 youths from Helsby this week for smashing the green house window of an elderly lady in Helsby. In addition one of the youths admitted to painting his name on waste bins at Tesco. Both of these youths will be referred to the Cheshire Youth Offending Team.

A lady in Sandiway reported on Wednesday night at 22.30hrs that Water Board officials called at her house. They didn't show any identification and we have confirmed that no United Utility workers were in the area. Can I remind you all to be vigilant and ask for identification from any callers from the Utilities and if you are unhappy then inform them you are ringing the Police.

Regards
Inspector Phil Hodgson

Week beginning 23rd June 2008- CAT Voicemail- 0845-458-6393

Observation please for a Ford Transit van in White. NG02HKY. I would be very interested if to know if the occupants of this vehicle came cold calling at your house. The vehicle has been seen around Cuddington and Sandiway.

The red Volvo V 40 S108DBW that I gave observations for 2 weeks ago is back on around the Tarporley area. I would ask that any sightings of this week are reported to us a matter of urgency.

I gave an update of the arrest of 3 men from Wigan who had been committing distraction burglaries on the Rural area recently and all 3 men have now been sentenced following their arrest in Warrington. The main offender received 6 years imprisonment at Warrington Crown Court and I am delighted with this result.

You will recall me mentioning 3 men from Northamptonshire who we arrested for breaking into telephone kiosks and removing cash from them in Norley earlier this year. We charged one of the offenders yesterday and two others remain outstanding. I will update you with a court result.

Quarterly Performance Update Year to Date

This is something I will do every quarter to give you an idea of how we are performing against the crime targets set by the Police Authority. These figures are cumulative totals across the whole of the Western Rural Area.

All Crime Target = 664 Year to date = 574 14% under recorded

Burglary in a dwelling Target = 41 Year to date = 20 51 % under recorded

Criminal Damage Target = 140 Year to date = 115 18% under recorded

Vehicle Crime Target = 113 Year to date = 63 44% under recorded

Violent Crime Target = 103 Year to date = 83 19% under recorded

I am very pleased that across all of the main crime categories crime is coming down despite the very challenging targets set. Hopefully you will find this data helpful.

Regards , Inspector Phil Hodgson

Western Rural Round-up
Week beginning 16th June 2008- CAT Voicemail- 0845-458-6393

This week we presented prizes of 2 new bicycles to pupils from the Primary school on Langdale Way Frodsham who were winners of a 'Design a Parking Ticket' competition. The competition was commissioned by the Vale royal funded PCSO Gary Hargreaves in response to local complaints of people parking outside the school premises and causing a danger to school children. The parking tickets are advisory notices designed by the school children so we hope that parents will take more notice.

Thefts of lead are still occurring. On this occasion it was in Sutton Weaver. No vehicles or offenders seen but any information would be appreciated.

Sightings please for a Black Audi A4. PN54BTV. Sightings in the Frodsham and Helsby area are of interest to me.

Further speed enforcement occurred this week on Station Rd, Delamere. A total of 9 drivers were given verbal warnings for excessive speed. We will be conducting at least one speeding operation probably two per fortnight around Vale Royal from now on and I will update you with results.

Regards
Inspector Phil Hodgson

Western Rural Round-up
Week beginning 9th June 2008- CAT Voicemail- 0845-458-6393

We attended at Park Lane Frodsham this week to reports of rowdy youths. Upon our arrival we seized cannabis and alcohol from 2 youths in the group and they have been prosecuted.

Reports of a red 4x4 vehicle no registration number taken eyeing up horses on Hondsclough Lane. This is one of several sightings we have had recently to do with horses and I would ask that you report anyone seen acting suspiciously around farm buildings.

Gary Rivers from Elton has been charged with assault following an incident in Frodsham two months ago. He appeared at court and has elected trial at Crown Court. I will update you with the result when I have it.

Craig Lamb from Cuddington has been arrested for burglary and breaching his ASBO. He was charged and remanded in custody.

Sighted in Alvanley whilst we were conducting speed enforcement was a Volvo V40 index no. S108DBW. This vehicle is of great interest to me and I would urge any sightings are reported to us.

Regards
Inspector Phil Hodgson

Western Rural Round-up
Week beginning 12th May 2008- CAT Voicemail- 0845-458-6393

Marc Ashbrook 24yrs was arrested and remanded in custody this week for an offence of attempted murder which occurred in the White Barn Pub in Cuddington. I will update you as the matter progresses.

Sightings please for a Citroen Van in White, S296CTC. The occupants of this vehicle were caught on CCTV breaking into a vehicle at Forest Hills.

The Rural Community Action Team undertook a traffic enforcement initiative last Saturday in Norley, Helsby and Fluin Lane Frodsham. 13 speeding tickets were issued in Norley, 5 speeding tickets on Fluin Lane and 8 speeding tickets in Helsby.

On 13th May 2008 we conducted further speed enforcement in Crowton. We issued 5 speeding tickets in response to requests from local people. The highest speed recorded was 44 mph.

Can I ask that those of you who store diesel make every effort to ensure that it is secure. We have experienced thefts this week in Utkinton, Frodsham and Sutton Weaver of thefts of diesel from tanks.

Regards
Insp Phil Hodgson

Western Rural Round-up
Week beginning 21st April 2008- CAT Voicemail- 0845-458-6393

Excellent arrest by my staff of 3 men from North Wales in possession of cocaine on Hapsford services. The men were in possession of a very large amount of cocaine and all three have been remanded in custody for conspiring to supply controlled drugs.

Sightings please for a Citreon Saxo number similar to R82MSG. This vehicle was seen acting suspiciously in Utkinton and the occupants made off when challenged.

Sightings please for a Ford Focus on false reg plates bearing the numbers DA07ZNG. The occupants of this vehicle stole tools from a vehicle at the Shrewsbury Arms in Mickle Trafford.

Regards
Insp Phil Hodgson

Western Rural Round-up
Week beginning 14th April 2008- CAT Voicemail- 0845-458-6393

Liam Guest from Frodsham who committed a serious assault outside Top Taste on Main St Frodsham has been sentenced to 9 months imprisonment. His co-accused Daniel Rigby also from Frodsham received 6 months imprisonment. This is a very pleasing result.

We arrested 2 prolific shoplifters called Bone and Lamb from Runcorn last week and charged them with 6 offences. They have now been sentenced and Bone received 1 month imprisonment and Lamb received community service. They committed Theft offences in Frodsham, Helsby and Elton.

Craig Lamb who is subject of an ASBO in Cuddington was arrested and charged with 2 breaches of it. He is in court this week.

Following on from the success of the Army Camp Initiative that we undertook earlier in the year taking kids from Frodsham, Helsby, Kingsley and Cuddington away, we have now scheduled another one in May 2008. This time we are taking a party of girls away for the same course. The criterion is still the same and we will be working with schools and parents to identify kids who need a different look at life. So far we have 9 kids who have signed up to the initiative and we are looking ideally for 3 more. Pc Donna Beswick and Pcso Kay Swindlehurst at Frodsham can be contacted with any potential nominees.

This week we seized 3 vehicles for not having vehicle insurance in Kingsley. This was part of an initiative using unmarked vehicles to target young men driving erratically in the village. We will be conducting more of these initiatives in Helsby, Frodsham and Sutton Weaver.

Regards
Insp Hodgson

Western Rural Round-up
Week beginning March 17th 2008- CAT Voicemail- 0845-458-6393

1. Reports this week of a Polish Male going door to door in Norley. He was unable to speak English and offered a card explaining he was Polish and he was requesting money for food. Please report any incidents.

2. We have noticed an increase in thefts of Landrover Discovery vehicles. We one taken at The Abbey Arms and several others on my area near Malpas. Can I ask that any information is forwarded to us.

3. PC Terry Cawley the Frodsham CAT officer and Special Constable Neil Giton were injured this week whilst arresting a man from Runcorn for a public order offence on Main St Frodsham at 02.30hrs. The man was charged and remanded in custody. The officers have returned to duty.

4. We had a covert drugs detection dog out and about in our public houses this week in Frodsham and fortunately no drugs were found on any customers. We will continue to use this drugs dog periodically.

5. Excellent arrest on Wednesday night by Frodsham officers. The Tennis club in Helsby was broken into and trashed with paint emptied all over the interior. Officers from my investigation team attended and through diligent enquiries traced a 12 yr old girl and 15yr old male at their houses who had paint splashes on them. They were both arrested and a knife was also recovered. They will be prosecuted.

6. New officer for Cuddington and Sandiway arrives on 21st April 2008. He is PC Frank Lea and he replaces PC Paul Welsh who retired recently.

Regards

Insp Hodgson

Western Rural Round-up
Week beginning March 10th 2008- CAT Voicemail- 0845-458-6393

1. Stop checks please for a white van acting suspiciously, similar to M120EWF. This is an Astra van which was seen in Manley/ Ashton Hayes by an off duty PC at 3.30 am.

2. Sightings please:-

2 Asian Males were seen in a Black Honda Accord. Registration V563NBM on the car park of School Lane Sandiway at 9am. They had been seen in another vehicle two days previously. Caller felt the men were acting suspiciously. This vehicle originates from the Sheffield area.

3. Just to put the record straight regarding an incident that took place on Tuesday evening. I can confirm that a man did climb onto the roof of Frodsham Police Station to protest about an investigation we had pursued against him and threatened to jump. The man was on top of the Police station for some 3hrs and all 3 emergency services were employed. I spoke to the man with a trained negotiator and he eventually came down. He has been charged with a public order offence and appears in court on 27th March 2008.

4. We assisted our Economic Crime Unit to execute a warrant this week at an address in Delamere. A man was arrested under the Proceeds of Crime Act and has been remanded in custody following his court appearance.

5. We are still getting lead thefts occurring from Churches and buildings. This is due to soaring price of metal and I would ask you to forward any information you have to me.

Regards

Insp Hodgson

Western Rural Round-up
Week beginning February 18th

1. The first of our joint Army Initiatives took place this week. We took 18 youths from Helsby, Frodsham, Kingsley and Cuddington to a 4 day camp with the Army. The purpose was for them to make some choices and receive some discipline and direction in making life choices. All of the attendees were volunteers. It was a great success and I will be looking to conduct further camps in the future.

2. One of the benefits of producing this bulletin is that we can set the record straight when stories are embellished locally and the facts distorted. A recent example is one which has attracted considerable local attention and rumour abounds to the point where I have received a number of calls and enquiries to establish what did occur.

In essence we received a complaint that in a local pub 3 men were engaged in a sexual act with each other in the lounge of the pub. The facts are that we did receive a complaint and prosecuted a local man in relation to his involvement. Hopefully this sets the record straight and ends some of the wildly inaccurate local accounts that have surfaced.

3. Sightings please for an Audi A3 Index no. N477FDM. This vehicle is of great interest to me and I would ask you to report it if seen. The occupants of this vehicle were seen to break into vehicles all over the Rural area.

4. Further sightings please for a Blue Ford Transit van reg no. V35KCY. This vehicle has been of interest to me as it's been sighted at the scenes of a number of distraction burglaries in our area.

5. 4 males involved in well planned offence. Armed with weapons enter services and approach ATM machine. Staff lock themselves in store room for their own protection. No threats or violence offered by offenders towards staff. Males set about attacking ATM machine with Stihl saw and ultimately gain entry. Remove cash trays and make off with significant amount of cash. They leave the Services and head onto the M56 motorway which they exit at Junction 12 heading in the direction of expressways around Runcorn/Warrington. Offenders described as white males, aged in their mid twenties, of slim build, wearing dark clothing disguising their facial features with full face balaclavas. The males spoke with Liverpudlian accents.

Police are requesting information from anyone with knowledge of any persons involved in this offence. Police are also appealing for witnesses who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously around the Services in the early hours of Sunday morning or have sighted any vehicle at approximately 0420hrs making off at speed from Hapsford Services, along the M56 between junctions 14 and 12, and then into Runcorn. Please contact DS Simon NEWELL Western Specialist Investigation Unit on 01244 613254 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

6. CAT officers executed a drugs warrant in Helsby this week following an image we found on a website. The man posted an image of himself with what appeared to be cocaine. Sadly for him he posted his name as well and it didn't take us long to locate him. A local man has been prosecuted for possession of cocaine.

Regards, Insp Hodgson

1. We ran our usual operation in Castle Park this week and seized a small amount of drugs from a 20yr old local women. She has been prosecuted and the drugs disposed of.

2. On Friday night following a call from a member of the public we arrested two men from the Merseyside area stealing property from the new housing development in Helsby. They have been bailed for further enquiries and their vehicle seized.

3. On Tuesday night we arrested a wanted man from Runcorn for an offence of Robbery which occurred in Runcorn. The man was stopped in a vehicle in Helsby at 9pm whilst driving and arrested.

4. We arrested 3 juveniles this week breaking into a house in Sandiway. 2 were local youths from Cuddington and the other from Winsford. They will be prosecuted.

5. We ran a drink driving initiative this week in Frodsham and Sutton Weaver and made 2 arrests one in each area, both of whom will be appearing in court. 2 other vehicles were seized for no insurance as well.

Regards
Insp Hodgson

Att: Home Watch Co Ordinator/Community Watch Contacts - Western Rural - VR
Please share widely. This is the latest Police Update from Insp Hodgson - 08 Feb 2008

UPDATE

1. Sightings please for P338PCK. This is a Ford Escort from Blacon in Chester. The occupants of this vehicle were seen hiding in this vehicle down a dirt track in Helsby this week and the caller felt they were acting suspiciously.

2. We have had problems with a male calling at addresses in both Kingsley and Frodsham. He is 20's yrs, white, with a local accent. He is calling at houses purporting to be a plain clothes Police Officer and telling people that there is an intruder in their garden. The latest incident in Frodsham occurred in Riversdale at 18.40hrs and an OAP was conned out of £400. I would ask you to request identification from anyone purporting to be a Police Officer and if you are not happy to dial 999 for confirmation that the person who is at your door is a PC. All of my officers carry picture identification.

3. Results from 2 day traffic initiative focusing on Cuddington & Sandiway and also Crowton:

24 drivers dealt with, break down as follows;

3 seatbelt offences - non-endorsable FPN*
2 mobile phone offences - endorsable FPN
3 travelling in excess of 35mph in a 30mph limit - endorsable FPN
16 travelling between in excess of 30mph in a 30mph limit - advice given

*FPN = Fixed Penalty Notice

4. On 18th February 2008 we are within the Rural NPU launching an initiative with the Army to take 15 local youths on a 4 day camp at an Army Base. The camp is designed to give the youths a mixture of discipline, life skills, personal responsibility and direction in life in an effort to show them an alternative way to spend their time rather than affecting their communities. The 15 are taken from all over the Rural area and if its a success we will conduct further courses. Some of the input will surround alcohol misuse and its effects upon individuals and we are seeking to intervene at an early stage. I will update you with the results and hopefully this scheme will be replicated in other areas beyond our neighbourhood area.

5. Obs please for an Audi A4 in Red N477FDM. This vehicle is being used by 2 men involved in the commission of vehicle crime in our area and emanates from Huyton.

6. Some sad news. Pc Paul Welsh my Cuddington and Sandiway CAT officer is retiring from the Police after over 30yrs of public service. I am sure that you will all wish him well in his new career as a College Lecturer. Paul has provided sterling service in the 2 yrs he has been the local officer in these areas and he will be greatly missed.

7. A quick reminder that if you are leaving your laptop or mobile phone in your car and out of sight then sadly you are still not entirely safe from thieves. A Blue Tooth device on a mobile phone will pick up any other blue tooth devices in laptops or phones within a sizeable radius and thieves use these devices to detect these items. You may wish to turn these devices off by going into the Settings device on this equipment and disabling them. You only really need a blue tooth on if you are going to exchange ring tones etc.

Regards Insp P Hodgson

Att: Home Watch Co Ordinator/Community Watch Contacts - Western Rural - VR Please share widely. This is the latest Police Update from Insp Hodgson - 01st Dec 2007

UPDATE

1. We launched Cheshire's second NO Cold Calling Zone this week in Cuddington/ Sandiway. Whilst Trading Standards are the lead agency for this, the Police see this as being an important initiative to deter people knocking on doors and trying to con people out of cash for work on their houses etc. In some cases these cold callers have committed burglaries and this is very much the angle that the Police are coming from. I will be working with Trading Standards to examine opportunities to extend this scheme to other areas if we can back the bid with statistics. I would ask you to report any cold caller, where ever you live, if you are not happy, either to the Police or Trading Standards.

2. Alan Bower from Merseyside who committed a number of drive offs on ourselves and Merseyside has been sentenced to 10 months imprisonment. - A Drive Off - involves filling your vehicle with fuel at a petrol station and driving away without paying.

3. Our spate of burglaries in Mouldsworth, Frodsham, Helsby etc had a positive result this week. A man from Liverpool, who is one of the team from Liverpool using the Vectra that I gave observations for a few weeks ago, has been arrested and admitted a burglary in Acton Bridge and Mouldsworth. We will be continuing our efforts to interview him in the coming weeks whilst he is on remand.

4. We prosecuted a youth from Helsby last month for a series of burglaries and we have arrested him again this week for breaking into a shed on Chester Rd Helsby. I cannot reveal his name but he will be prosecuted.

5. Fake Water Board officials doing the rounds again. This time in Tarvin but they may travel across to our areas. 3 men conned their way into an 85yr old lady's house and stole her jewellery.

6. We had our Speed Indicator device out this week on Fluin Lane Frodsham and Delamere Rd, Hatchmere. No great speeding problems recorded at either location. Fluin Lane had a lowest reading of 14mph and a highest of 45mph. The average was around 31 mph. In Hatchmere the lowest was 19mph and the highest 47mph. The average speed was 29mph.

Regards

Insp Hodgson

Att: Home Watch Co Ordinator/Community Watch Contacts - Western Rural - VR
Please share widely. This is the latest Police Update from Insp Hodgson - 23 Nov 2007

UPDATE

Something a bit different this week as this is more of a community update.

1. More funding success. I have for some time sought to gain sponsorship to buy a water bowser which could be attached to a Police vehicle and used throughout our area to tackle people who urinate or vomit in the street. I have now obtained the funding and the bowser arrived this week and will be on the streets shortly, across not only my area but Northwich, Chester, E.Port and Winsford. We will use this equipment to make people who urinate or vomit in the street, clean up their mess or receive an £80 instant penalty. This an idea I have borrowed from North Wales who have reduced urinating in the street by 400%. In addition, I will be tackling dog foulers in a similar way and further down the line I will be utilising offenders who are on the Community Payback scheme to clean areas up as part of their probation orders.

2. Following consultation PCSO's are to have their powers extended to include the power to prosecute offenders for littering. Training is taking place in December and we should be in a position to issue tickets in January 2008.

3. Reports in Cuddington this week of a smartly dressed man going door to door selling signs to put in windows to deter cold callers. We will be launching a No Cold Calling Zone in Cuddington next week so residents do not need to buy signs as we will be providing home packs and signs for residents. Blake Lane is the designated area and Trading Standards are the lead agency in this joint initiative.

Regards Insp P Hodgson

Cheshire Constabulary will be holding a training exercise for our Special Constables in and around the Town Centre of Frodsham.

The event will be tomorrow Sat 17 Nov 07

- so if you are out and about in Frodsham Town Centre tomorrow - remember it's just a training exercise and not a cause for concern.

As usual, please share this information with anyone you feel may have an interest

Liz Biddle, HomeWatch Officer - VR, Northwich Police Station

Att: Home Watch Co Ordinator/Community Watch Contacts - Western Rural - VR
Please share widely. This is the latest Police Update from Insp Hodgson - 16 Nov 2007

UPDATE

1. Stop checks please on a Blue Seat Altea DE55OYN. This is registered to a keeper from Leigh. The occupants of this vehicle were seen to break into a vehicle in Eaton this week.

2. Observations please for a Blue Saab FE07ANU. This vehicle is on stolen plates and was seen breaking into vehicles in Sandiway this week.

3. Report this week of a bogus water board official calling at the address of an elderly person in Crescent Drive Helsby. The offender made off when challenged but only description is 5Ft 8" tall, medium build, early thirties, no accent. No identification offered.

4. Following months of planning and begging I have managed to raise enough money to purchase a set of bicycle lights for every child of High School age that cycles to the 5 High Schools I have in my policing area. This is a particularly pleasing initiative as I have been concerned for some time at the number of kids cycling to school in the dark without lights. I am greatly Indebted to the supplier of these lights Mr Dave Quinn from the Bike Factory at Broughton who has supplied these lights and I intend to visit Tarporley, Frodsham, Christleton, Helsby and Bishop Heber next week to distribute them.

Regards Insp P Hodgson

I am sharing this update with all Vale Royal Home Watch CoOrdinators and other Community contacts.
Stealing of metal is still occurring in other parts of Vale Royal Item (1) as are instances of thefts of car keys from homes to steal cars (Item 2) and rogue trader visits predominately targeting retired residents (Item 3); although the examples below are in the Frodsham/Kingsley areas.

Att: Home Watch Co Ordinator/Community Watch Contacts - Western Rural - VR

Please share widely. This is the latest Police Update from Insp Hodgson - 8 Nov 2007

UPDATE

1. Sightings please for a Golf GTI T952JUJ. This vehicle is registered to a keeper from London and was responsible for the theft of lead in Delamere this week.

2. A spike in burglary offences this week in Kingsley. We have had two in the last week, one of which was a break in at a house where a vehicle was taken. Can I ask you to report any suspicious characters that you see out and about.

3. Incident of note on Fluin Lane where a man demanded payment for cleaning guttering at a cottage. Fortunately the occupant refused to pay as the workman tried to deceive her by saying her husband had authorised it. No vehicle for the workman or distinctive accent etc.

4. Sightings please on a Black Seat Leon DG04LNH. The occupants of this vehicle were throwing fireworks in Sandiway at passers by. The vehicle is registered to a company in Nantwich.

5. I have approached Cheshire Highways about their plans for the Pedestrian crossing at Bradley Lane Frodsham following questions surrounding the approach to the site etc and they have informed me that they would not consider erecting warning signs on the approach to the site due to budgetary constraints. Furthermore they are liaising with a local landowner to purchase some land in order to widen the footpath here.

Regards Insp P Hodgson

Att: Home Watch Co Ordinator/Community Watch Contacts - Western Rural - VR
Please share widely. This is the latest Police Update from Insp Hodgson - 02 Nov 2007

UPDATE

1. Reports of a man calling at houses in Hockenhull Avenue Tarvin purporting to be from British Telecom asking people if they received their refunds after being overcharged. BT do not operate in this manner and would not deploy people to canvass door to door.

2. Sightings please on a Ford Fiesta R764RKW. This vehicle was being driven erratically around Hillside Drive Frodsham over the weekend. The vehicle is owned by a keeper from Widnes.

3. We are still getting thefts of lead from churches and businesses all over our area and I would ask that if you see anyone who you are not happy with removing lead in the evenings please contact us.

4. We arrested a youth on Tuesday evening from Runcorn on Frodsham railway station who had been seen by PCSO's with a baseball bat. He has been charged and is in next week. On Wednesday night we made another arrest on Main St Frodsham for public order of another youth who had travelled in. We will be maintaining our increased response over the bonfire period and I will update you with results.

5. Fun and Games during the run up to Halloween and on the night itself. We had a number of public order incidents around Frodsham, Helsby involving a Blue Vauxhall Corsa DE04EYL. Please report sightings of this to us.

Regards Insp P Hodgson

Licensed Street Collections - VRBC

Authorised street collections for Nov 2007 are:-

3-10 Nov Poppy Appeal - All Vale Royal
17 Nov Children in Need (Northwich Ladies Circle) - Northwich
26 Nov Little Stars - Winsford

Also house to house collections:-

12-30 Nov Help the Aged - All Vale Royal

Att: Home Watch Co Ordinator/Community Watch Contacts - Western Rural - VR Please share widely. This is the latest Police Update from Insp Hodgson - 26 Oct 2007

UPDATE

1. Observations please for MA02LGG this is a Ford Focus with a Widnes keeper. Seen in suspicious circumstances with 4 youths on board around the Frodsham area. When challenged the occupants ducked down and made off at speed.

2. S8 FRD is an Audi 80. The occupant of this vehicle was seen acting suspiciously in his vehicle near to the toilets at Hapsford.

3.A man from Frodsham has been arrested and charged with 8 drive offs from petrol stations in Helsby and Frodsham. The man was driving an Audi and committed offences all over our area. He is due to appear in court shortly.

4. A prolific shoplifter from Helsby arrested for theft again in Helsby. He is in court next month.

5. Observations please for a Vauxhall Astra MW03WGC. This is believed to be in Frodsham and was stop checked in Runcorn last week acting suspiciously.

6. This weeks alcohol donation went to a Breast Cancer Fund raising event in Frodsham.

7. This week as part of our environmental audit we obtained help from Helsby Youth Church to conduct a litter pick at skate park on Ship Street. A team of young people gave us their time and worked hard to clean up the area together with our partners at VRBC Streetscene. These environmental clean up's are something that we have been trying to get off the ground for some time and was the subject of a previous bulletin I gave some time ago. We will be looking at other areas to do further work in the future.

8. The Community Action Team ran a 3 day traffic initiative in Cuddington / Sandiway and the following results were gained. 44 motorists were dealt with for speeding, 4 people were prosecuted for using mobile phones and 3 people reported for driving without a seat belt. This initiative will move around the Rural area in the coming weeks.

PATTERN PARAGRAPHS Mark Christopher Dimelow, 27, of Weaver Crescent, Frodsham, has been arrested and charged in relation to a burglary at Pear Tree Close. "He was arrested on October 11 and appeared at Vale Royal Magistrates' Court today, October 12."

Regards Insp P Hodgson

Att: Home Watch Co Ordinator/Community Watch Contacts - Western Rural - VR Please share widely. This is the latest Police Update from Insp Hodgson - 19 Oct 2007

UPDATE

1. The Volvo V70 BT03KXA I circulated to your several weeks ago that was linked to incidents in Sandiway and Helsby has been at it again. This week the occupants of this vehicle committed two burglaries at houses in Bradley Lane Frodsham and Norley. At one incident a witness tackled them and wrestled property from two offenders. The vehicle made off and was located in Winwick in Warrington on the Merseyside, GMP border where it was recovered together with property from our burglaries. The offenders made off from the vehicle and enquiries are continuing.

2. This is a scam from Lancashire Police: Please pass this onto all your friends with a mobile

Dear All
If you receive a phone call on your mobile from any person, saying that he or she is a company engineer, or telling that they're checking your mobile line, and you have to press #90 or #09 or any other number, end this call immediately without pressing any numbers. There is a fraud company using a device that once you press #90 or #09 they can access your 'SIM' card and make calls at your expense. Forward this message to as many colleagues, relatives and friends as you can, to stop it.

3. Following complaints we have received this week we have made an arrest of a Frodsham man for exposing himself to passers by from the window of his house. The man was bailed pending further enquiries.

4. Reports this week of callers visiting door to door in Helsby around Primrose Lane selling items as part of their rehabilitation program. The sellers did produce I.D., albeit not very well made and our informant felt that the badges could have been home made. I must stress that there was a burglary in Proffits Lane Helsby on Wednesday but this street had not been subject of any cold callers and we shouldn't draw a conclusion linking the two.

5. More lottery scam letters this week surfacing in Mickle Trafford from "Prize Multi State Lottery". Letters have been sent to several addresses in the area telling them they are lucky winners.

Regards Insp P Hodgson

Att Home Watch Co Ordinators and Community Contacts
The attached warning concerns a man posing as a Water Board official - please do what you can to remind elderly residents that this is an ongoing crime (usually referred to as a Distraction Burglary) throughout the country and one they should be particularly wary of.

AND ADDITIONALLY
Att: Home Watch Co Ordinators

This burglary has just been reported in the Helsby area
Burglary - Profitts Lane, Helsby - Wed 17 Oct - morning - entry via smashed window in rear utility door.

THE NEXT PUBLIC POLICE FORUM FOR RESIDENTS OF VALE ROYAL will be :-
Wednesday 17 October 2007 - 7.00pm, Community Centre,High Street, Tarporley

I look forward to seeing you at the forum if you are able to come along. Further details about the open public meeting are attached below.
Regards Liz Biddle Home Watch Officer

PROGRAMME
.. Force Operations Unit
A discussion about how the Unit supports neighbourhood policing including the work of the Force Aircraft; Police Dogs; Armed Response Vehicles; Motorway Unit; Search Units; and specialised Support Teams.
.. Investing in policing services – investment options
Following the discussion at the last Forum, you are invited to say which policing services you want to see improved and whether you are willing to pay more to get these improvements.
.. ‘Your Policing’ - Annual Report 2006/07
‘Your Policing’ is being delivered to all homes in the area – what do you think about the Report? .. Policing in Vale Royal
Chief Superintendent Tim Jackson will discuss policing in Vale Royal. Details of crime levels and notable incidents are attached.
.. Question Time
Your opportunity to raise any policing issues of interest or concern.

Home Watch – a display managed by the Homewatch Co-ordinator will explain the benefits and how to get involved. National Neighbourhood Watch Week “Not in My Neighbourhood” commences on 15 October 2007.

Next Meeting - 2008
The next meeting of the Forum will be held at 7.00pm on Wednesday 30 January 2008 at the Memorial Hall, Northwich.

Police Forums are open public meetings, chaired by a Member of the Police Authority, which enable you to raise issues about policing with both senior Constabulary officers and members of the Police Authority.

You do not need an invite - just turn up!

Att: Home Watch Co Ordinator/Community Watch Contacts - Western Rural - VR Please share widely. This is the latest Police Update from Insp Hodgson - 05 Oct 2007

Note to residents in other parts of Vale Royal - although these reports are from the Frodsham and rural areas - you may wish to take note as many of these warnings and examples, apply across Vale Royal.

UPDATE

1. We are experiencing a number of thefts from telephone kiosks during the daytime across the rural area. One at Acton Bridge and then another in Malpas. The boxes are smashed off the mounting and then taken away. The only intel we have is that the one at Acton Bridge had a white transit van involved.

2. There has been a rise in vehicle crime in Delamere especially on Sunday. If you are going please ensure that you do not leave valuables in the vehicle.

3. We experienced problems in Eddisbury Square, Frodsham over the weekend with youths causing problems. The CAT officers made two arrests and seized a quantity of alcohol.

4. This week's alcohol donation has gone to a fund raiser in Norley.

5. Observations please for a Volvo V70 in Blue BT03KXA. This vehicle is on false plates and committing drive off offences all over our area. NB A 'drive off' offence = filling with fuel at a petrol station and driving off without paying.

6. R709CNA is a white transit involved in Rogue Trading on Ellesmere Port. This vehicle will travel around a wide area and the occupants have been completing very poor work on elderly people's houses for large sums of money.

7. Observations pleas for P235LBA is blue BMW 323. This vehicle is from Rhyl and we would like sightings of this vehicle. It has been seen in Sandiway and Cuddington in very suspicious circumstances.

8. Observations please for a Mitsubishi Shogun J61JWV. This vehicle was involved in a burglary in Ashton Drive, Frodsham and the keeper is from Widnes.

9. More scams. This time a lady in Helsby had a man called Mr Pratt ring her telling her she was being given a cheque for £40,000 from the Royal Bank of Canada. He stated that a man called Robert Kennedy would call between 12pm-3pm on Saturday to hand the cheque over. All she had to do was pay £800 to cover his expenses. Thankfully the recipient notified us of the scam. One to be aware of.

10. And another scam this time it's the Spanish lottery. Caller rang a lady in Tarporley telling her she had won. I will leave the rest to you.

Regards Insp P Hodgson

AND a further 'Suspicious' Trader - challenged and reported by care visitors this week :- 2 males cold calling at sheltered housing in Helsby selling household items, we have not been able to verify their Identity Passess or that they hold an appropriate licence to trade in this way.

Liz