Waldridge Village and Waldridge Park Estate

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Active Priorities

• 15 January 2019 - Waldridge Village & Waldridge Park Estate
   

  Residents in Chester le Street are being urged to protect their property from opportunistic thieves.

  
  Think about it, a house which is in darkness can look empty to an opportunistic criminal, an unlocked door can lead to an opportunity?

  
  As part of Durham Constabulary’s Winter Nights campaign, people are being urged to take simple steps to secure their homes to help prevent themselves from becoming a victim of crime.
  

  Sergeant Pat Pygall, from Chester le Street Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “All too often people are making their homes attractive to burglars and thieves by leaving them unlocked or in darkness. Residents can take a few simple steps to reduce this risk and protect yourself from becoming a victim of crime.”
  Follow these tips to keep your home safe:
  
  • Lock all windows and doors – even if you’re at home.

  
  • A well-lit home gives the impression someone is in.

  
  • Leave a light on or use timer switches so lights come on when it gets dark.

  
  • Don’t leave valuables on show.

  
  • Don’t leave your house and vehicle keys in the lock or on a side table in view of a window, making it easy for a thief to fish them through your letterbox.

  
  • If you have a house alarm, use it.

  
  • Contact your local neighbourhood police team if you see anything suspicious in your area.
  
  As part of the campaign, residents are also being reminded to always lock their vehicles when leaving them unattended and remove all valuables from sight.

  
  “Vehicles left unattended with valuables left on display or unlocked are a magnet for criminals, who will often try a number of car door handles until they find one that has been left open, It only takes a few seconds to make sure you’ve locked the door, but it could mean the difference between having your car or valuables stolen”.

  
  During the campaign, officers will be patrolling key hotspot areas which have seen an increase in burglaries and thefts from vehicles.

   

  Officers will be providing reassurance to residents, gathering intelligence challenging suspicious activity and targeting known offenders.

  
  To report any suspicious activity in your area, contact Durham Constabulary on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

  
  If you would like to discuss this issue or have any other concerns, please come along to your PACT meeting or attend one of our community events as advertised on Facebook.

   

  If you have any concerns that need addressing why not come along to your next PACT meeting on Wednesday February 6th at 19:30 at Garden Farm, Carlingfoird Road or Friday 22nd February  at 10:00 at Auckland Communal Room.
  You can also Email
  
  PCSO 7095 Brian Donnelly brian.donnelly@durham.pnn.police.uk 
  PCSO 7994 Rhian Stocks rhian.stocks@durham.pnn.police.uk
  

This is what we have done

• 01 March 2019 - Waldridge Village & Waldridge Park Estate
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  01/03/19 Patrols are still continuing in 'Hot Spot' areas, we are still receiving calls in relation to properties that have been left insecure, entry gained and personal items taken. This also applies to your external buildings including sheds and summer houses. As the warm weather approaches please do not leave your tools lying around or windows open when you are not inside your home.

   

   

  15/02/19 Patrols have been completed over the last three weeks by officers from your neighbourhood police team, CID and response officers. There have been no more burglaries or suspicious activities reported in this area in the area, however, despite this, please do not become complacent, continue to keep your doors locked, even when inside your home, it can take as little as 30 seconds for an opportunist to strike and leave with your possessions including keys, mobile phone or cash lying around.
  For further crime prevention advice follow the fink below
  https://www.durham.police.uk/Information-and-advice/Crime-Prevention-Personal-Safety-and-Security/Pages/default.aspx

  
  Be a know it all, find out what's really happening in your area - receive regular crime updates, information on road closures and learn about what your local neighbourhood policing team is doing. “Keep In The Know” is a free service that allows residents of County Durham and Darlington to receive information and updates about their area.  Visit www.keepintheknow.co.uk to sign up.
  

   

  25/01/2019 Patrols have been completed by PCSO 7095 Brian Donnelly and PCSO 7994 Rhian Stocks, reassurance re-visits have been completed in the area, local businesses have also been visited, no concerns reported.

  
  Officers would like to remind people that it only takes seconds for an opportunist thief to strike. Can I ask that due care is taking whilst de-icing your vehicle, please do not leave your vehicle unattended with the engines running during the cold snap, as they can be stolen 'in seconds'.
  

   

  Patrols have been completed around the Garden Farm Estate and Waldrige Park Estate over the week ending 20th January, local businesses have been visited along with several addresses where suspicious activity has been reported from. Crime prevention advice has been given to prevent and assist in detection of crime.

    

  Please remember to lock your doors to take away the opportunity

   for the opportunist.

   

  PCSO 7095 Brian Donnelly & PCSO 7994 Rhian Stocks.

   

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These are the policing priorities that local people have agreed with your policing team. You can have some influence on future policing priorities by attending your next PACT meeting.