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GOODWORTH CLATFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH CO-ORDINATORS

VILLAGE CO-ORDINATOR - Jackie Grey

Hampshire control centre 0845 045 45 45.                   Crimestoppers 0800 555 111

If you are new to the village and have not been left details of the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme by the previous owners, please contact your nearest co-ordinator for an information pack.

BE A GOOD WITNESS

Without putting yourself at risk, try to remember or make a note of as many facts as you can:

What does the person look like? Male/female, height, weight, age, skin colour, hair and other distinguishing features like beards and glasses. What sort of clothing and colours? A hat or gloves when it's warm?

What are they doing? This is easy if a crime is actually being committed but sometimes it can just be an unfamiliar person in an odd place at an odd time. Are they carrying anything?

Where are they going? Don't try to follow but, if you can do so safely, watch them out of sight ­ do they drive off in a car?

If a vehicle is involved do try to identify what make of car or van you saw and what model if you can. The colour and registration number will also be helpful.

SECURITY CHECKLIST

Here is a quick reminder of some of the things you can do to improve the security around your home.

* Fit mortise locks to all front and back doors, and locks to all downstairs windows, or windows that are in easy reach.

* Keep your house and car keys safe and away from doors and windows.

* Ensure your burglar alarm is installed properly and works.

* When you are away from home use timer switches to turn on some lights when it goes dark.

* Cancel any milk or newspaper deliveries when you are away and let your immediate neighbours know when you will be back.

* Keep your garage and garden shed locked with proper security locks, and keep any tools
secure and out of sight.

* Trim back any plants or hedges that a burglar could hide behind.

* Make sure your household insurance is up-to-date.

MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR BURGLARS

Most burglaries are carried out by opportunist thieves. In two out of ten burglaries they don't even have to use force ­ they get in through an open door or window.

Look at your home through a burglar's eyes:

* Are there places where someone could break in without being seen?
* Have you fitted strong locks on your doors and windows?
* Would a burglar have to make a lot of noise by breaking glass?

Reduce the risk of your home being burgled by making sure you've taken a few simple and inexpensive precautions.

A third of burglars get in through a back window. Window locks which can be seen easily put some thieves off as they know they will make a noise which might attract attention.

Remember to remove keys from locked windows and keep them out of sight.

Never leave keys in doors or under the mat ­ thieves know all the usual hiding places.

Never leave keys, handbags or wallets in the hall or where they can be seen from a window.

SECURE YOUR CAR

Despite numerous warnings and police campaigns people still leave valuables in the car while they go for a walk.  Our local beauty spots have become prime targets for thieves.

Don't leave anything on display in your car. Even and old coat on the back seat is a temptation for someone to 'smash and grab' ­ they steal first and think about the value later.

Take all your belongings with you when you leave the car. If you can't, lock them in the boot, preferably before you start your journey and not while you are at the beauty spot as you may be being watched.

Never leave any of the following items on display in your car as they are all particularly attractive to car thieves:

* Mobile phones
* Sat Navs
* Laptop computers
* Credit and debit cards
* Cheque books
* Cash
* Vehicle registration documents
* Private mail, especially with your address on it.

GARAGES AND SHEDS

Garages and sheds are often full of expensive tools which are ideal for breaking into the rest of the house. They are also often left unlocked and even wide open.

* Never leave a garage or garden shed unlocked, especially if it has a connecting door to the house. A thief could get in and work on the inner door without being seen.

* Fit strong padlocks to shed and garage doors and make sure that the doors are solid enough not to be kicked in.

* Lock ladders inside your garage or shed to stop a thief using them to reach upstairs windows. If there is no room in your garage or shed, chain or padlock them horizontally to a sturdy bracket on an outside wall.

* Consider having lockable steel boxes fitted to the floor to store your tools in.

* Mark your expensive tools, garden equipment and bicycles

MARK IT OR LOSE IT

Mark your belongings with your post code. This may put off burglars as it will make your possessions harder to sell ­ it will also help the police to reunite you with them if they are found.

Mark items with permanent ink, showing your post code and the number of your house or flat, or the first two letters of your house name. Only use an ultraviolet pen when other methods would reduce the value of the object, because the mark can fade.

Take pictures of all valuable items like jewellery and silverware.

Write down the serial numbers of your TV, video, stereo, home computer, camera and other expensive electrical equipment. This will help the police to identify your property if it is stolen.

If you have many valuable items consider installing a safe to keep them in.

A marking kit, purchased by the Parish Council, is available for loan from the Clatfords Village Store for a small fee.

CALL THE POLICE

If you see someone behaving suspiciously, or believe an intruder may be at work ring 999 IMMEDIATELY.  This gives the police the best possible chance to apprehend the offender.

There is no need to worry about calling them unnecessarily.   You can report anti-social behaviour and ask for advice on other issues on 101. The emergency services only get upset about hoax calls and deliberate mischief making, not about people trying to be public spirited.

You can use the Hampshire Police number 0845 045 4545 for reporting non-urgent information which might be useful. Confidential information can also be left on the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.

Also please remember that the Police do not advise householders to take direct action against would-be criminals ­ you could get hurt, or risk becoming an offender yourself if your reactions are considered too harsh.

Be a good witness, without putting yourself at risk, try to remember or make a note o