Latest Alerts

Remember -- if you see a crime being committed dial 999 at once.
To report anything suspicious dial 08453 700 700 or
email: SCTDaventryRuralSouth@northants.police.uk

Have you seen this car? (9 Jan)

The police are seeking is a silver Vauxhall Corsa, registration CK51 WGA. If you have seen it recently please report it to Crimestoppers on on 0800 555 111 quoting ref WB/CM/093.

08453 700 700

Stolen Cars (6 Jan)

Two Audi cars - one quite rare - were stolen after their keys were taken during a break in at a house in Chapel Brampton in the early hours of Monday 5 January.

The cars taken were a black Audi RS4 Avant 5-door estate, registration number KK 07 FUF and a black Audi R8 two-seater sports car, registration Y 1 RAW. This car is one of only 300 in the country and is worth £92,000.

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have any knowledge of where these cars went after the break in, which happened at about 2am today, if these vehicles are seen please give direction of travel if possible.

08453 700 700

Help yourself to be safe (19 Dec)

Remember --
At home:
* Make your home look occupied when you are not there eg allow a neighbour to put their car in your driveway
* Do tell your trusted friends and neighbours should you be away for a specific length of time.
* Use an automatic timer to put the lights on when you are not at home.
* Make sure you lock all the outside doors and windows.
* Don't open doors to unidentified callers -- find out how to check a caller's identity.
* Don't make the presents under the Christmas tree visible from the outside.
* Do keep doors and windows secured.
* Don't leave large amounts of cash at home.
* Do shred all personal data before disposing of it.
* Avoid leaving packaging and boxes outside the house advertising the gifts purchased

In the car:
* If you need to make multiple trips to your vehicle when outshopping, although not advisable, do lock presents, shopping bags andvaluables in the boot of the car, out of sight
* During the hours of darkness, do park in well lit areas. Don't park in secluded or badly lit places
* Don't leave vehicles insecure or unlocked
* Don't keep cheque books, cheque or credit cards in the glove compartment
* Remove all trace of Sat Nav systems and accessories when vehicle is unattended.

Out and About:
* Do not leave shopping unattended and handbags need to be zipped up to deter pickpockets.

Don't allow a thief to gain from your misery..Don't give them an open invitation to commit burglary.

08453 700 700

Beware of distraction burglaries (16 Dec)

Please be aware of a distraction burglary which occurred in Kilsby at around 1pm today.

A male, claiming to be a volunteer from the Water Board, tricked an elderly lady into stepping outside her home to look at a nearby manhole cover. He told her there were pipe problems, the water was unclean and that he had looked at other addresses in the village. Whilst they were outside, an accomplice entered the property and stole money.

The offenders' descriptions were given as follows.
1. White male, approx 19-20yrs old, thick-set and possibly wearing a dark-coloured baseball cap.
2. White male, approx 16-17 yrs old with a thinner slight-build and long thin face, wearing dark clothing.

Anyone with information relating to this message is asked to call the police on 08453 700700 quoting ref number WB/CM/059

08453 700 700

Check Callers before letting them in

This is a message from Northamptonshire West Police to all residents in the Daventry area.

Unknown suspect attends an address purporting to be from Scottish Energy. Once inside address, suspect distracts occupant by requesting to see his previous electric bills. On return with the paperwork, suspect makes his excuses to leave. Occupant only realises after he has left that his wallet and other items have been taken.

Please alert your neighbours, encourage all householders, especially the elderly and vulnerable, to check the identification of unknown callers thoroughly, and if in any doubt, do not open the door or let anyone into their home if they are not expected. Check whether unexpected callers are genuine by phoning the company, using the number given here or in the phone book, NOT the number on any card that you are shown by the caller.

If you have any cause to suspect the caller is not genuine please phone the police immediately. Give as much information as possible about the caller and any transport they may have been using, including the registration number and direction of travel on 08453 700700 quoting reference no WB/CMS/036 giving direction of travel.

08453 700 700

Postal Scam

The Trading Standards Office are making people aware of the following scam --
A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a premium rate number). Do not call this number as it is a mail scam originating from Belize. If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message, you wll already have been billed £15 for the phone call. If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 0208 239 6655.

08453 700 700

Some good news!!!

This is a message from Northamptonshire West Police

We are pleased to inform you of the following positive outcome to recent incidents that have happened within the Castle, Daventry South and Crick areas.

1. A known offender has been arrested after taking items from a store in Northampton.
2. An arrest has been made, when during a search of a property in Daventry, numerous stolen items were recovered.
3. A known offender was stopped whilst driving a stolen car with false number plates and has subsequently been charged with handling a stolen vehicle.

Number plate thefts are an increasing problem, and can lead to you being accused of various amounts of criminal activity. To combat this, consider purchasing a theft resistant number plate such as SECUREPLATE (www.secureplate.com) or fix your number plate with non-return screws. For more information, contact 08453 700 700 and ask to speak to your local crime prevention officer.

4. A car was stolen from the owners drive with a key stolen from within the owner's property. After a police pursuit the offender was arrested.

Car key burglaries are too commonplace causing possible damage to the car and distress to the owner when items left in the car are stolen.
We urge shoppers to make sure they keep their bags safely closed and keep tight hold of them; car keys are stolen from handbags and clothing as well as from your property. Make sure that cars are securely locked, windows fully wound up and that any items of importance or value are removed from the vehicle.

sctdaventryruralsouth@northants.police.uk.

08453 700 700

Show Of Strength Launches Christmas In Daventry

Police in Daventry have teamed up with the Town Centre Partnership to launch the area's annual Christmas crime prevention operation. From Monday 1 December until Saturday January 10, Police Officers, PCSO's and Special Constables will be carrying out high profile patrols around the town centre to reassure shoppers and prevent crime during this busy shopping
time.

Staff from the Daventry Town Centre Partnership will also be patrolling in the town centre as part of the Daventry Against Business Crime scheme. They will work in partnership with the Police and keep an eye out for incidents such as criminal damage, shoplifting, littering and anti-social behaviour.

Daventry Police have secured funding to provide additional, dedicated patrols in the town on Tuesday and Friday - market days - and Saturday, which are the busiest shopping days. They will provide a high visibility presence to deter and detect offences such as shoplifting and purse thefts and help shoppers feel safe.

Police will also be working closely with shop staff and using CCTV and the Daventry Retail Radio Link, operated by stores in the town centre, to help crack down on offences. Police Sergeant Dave Gellatly of Daventry Safer Community Team said: "This will be the third consecutive year we have carried out our festive season operation. It has always received positive feedback from shoppers and retailers, who find our presence in the town centre reassuring at this very busy time.

"Our aim is to prevent crime and deter shoplifters and purse thieves who will be trying to take advantage of the fact that more people are out and about in the town. Together with our partners, we will be working to make sure that criminals get the message they will be actively targeted are not welcome in Daventry," he said.

Sgt Gellatly urged shoppers to make sure they keep their bags safely closed and keep tight hold of them whilst they are shopping, taking care not to leave them on trolleys or pushchairs, or on the floor while they browse.

Sally Halson of the Town Centre partnership said: "Having already assisted police with nine arrests since July we are confident that we can work together successfully to combat crime in the town centre. "Ladies shopping in the town centre in the run up to Christmas can claim a free bell to prevent purse snatches from any BID-team member."

Thieves don't spread Christmas cheer they steal it....don't allow them to have a better, more rewarding Christmas than you and your business.

08453 700 700

An awareness Message from your Safer Community Team

We are experiencing an increase in rural burglaries and theft. This often involves such items as Tack, Quad or other off road vehicles, 4 x 4s, trailers and horseboxes, diesel, agricultural plant and tools. Often a precursor to these types of offences will be a suspicious incident involving the potential offenders identifying their target. This can be in the form of a vehicle 'finding' its way onto a farm premises.
When challenged the occupants will often use an excuse or distraction such as -

. Looking for somewhere to exercise their dog
. Looking for grazing land
. Wanting to purchase hay
. Wanting directions to another location

A burglary or theft often follows and this can happen anywhere between 2 weeks and 6 months.

We do get many calls in relation to suspicious persons or vehicles, however we would like to encourage you to always have our number to hand, even under a 'hotkey' on your mobile phone so that you can report a circumstance immediately. Police officers often respond to 'gut instinct'. If you feel something is wrong with a person or vehicle then you are probably right. Tell us about it. We need as much detail as possible about the vehicle registration and description of the occupants.

This gives us the opportunity to collate information on those persons that target our rural locations and in turn we can feed back information to you to increase your awareness.

08453 700 700

Keep your garden shed secure

Sometime between the 5th and the 8th of September, a garden shed was forced open in Litchborough. A spade was then taken from inside and used to force open a ground floor window of the dwelling and items were stolen from within.

Thieves will use tools and ladders from sheds to gain access into property. Please ensure that sheds are fitted with strong, quality locks.

Click for more information on how to protect garages and sheds, or call 08453 700700 and ask to speak to your local Crime Prevention Officer.

08453 700 700

A message from PC Sarah Harris

The current fuel prices and "credit crunch" have resulted in the first theft of heating oil being reported on our beat area (Crick). So please do make regular checks of your supplies to help narrow down the time scale, should you experience the same problem. We have also received a recent report of iron theft in Byfield.

I would also like to remind you, that very little in this world is free anymore, so please do not accept offers from people calling at your properties offering services such as replacement driveways, unless you are absolutely certain that they are from a verifiable company and have offered you a written quote and statement of works.

With the darker nights setting now, please stay vigilant and aware of suspicious callers in your area. If you are unsure, then do not open your door. Ask for identification (through the letter box) and call us immediately on 0845 3 700700 (or in an emergency dial 999).

08453 700 700

Theft from occupied car
Please be aware of the following crime that occurred in a supermarket carpark, in the West Northamptonshire region.

A few days ago, an unknown male opened the passenger door to a vehicle whilst an elderly female occupied the driver's seat. He distracted the female by covering her belongings with a map and asking for directions. Whilst the lady was giving directions, he stole her bankcards and a chequebook and later withdrew sums of money.

This message is simply intended to make you aware of how criminals can operate. Such incidents are rare.

08453 700 700

Garage Defender
There have been incidents recently in which entry into locked garages, via up-and-over doors, has either been attempted or gained.

Please be aware that there is a device available called a Garage Defender which can prevent this means of garage access.

For more information on this and many other tested security measures, please click on this link http://www.soldsecure.com/ or telephone 08453 700700 and ask to speak to your local crime prevention officer.

08453 700 700

Number Plate Theft
Please be aware that vehicle number plates are being targeted for theft in all areas. Overnight, number plates were stolen in Daventry, Dallington, Eastfields and Brackmills. Both private and business vehicles are involved.

Please consider using anti theft number plate screws that can be purchased from DIY stores or with a little research on the internet- click the link below.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=anti+theft+screws&spell=1

There is no way your number plate can be 100% secure as thieves can rip them off, however by fitting number plate screws you are seriously reducing the risk of your car being targeted. The chances are the thief will just choose another vehicle with a number plate that's less secure.

For further information on purchasing tamper-proof plates, approved by the DVLA and the "Sold Secure" organisation, please click on this link.... http://www.secureplate.com/

08453 700 700

Mobile Phone Warning. 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.

08453 700 700

This is a message from Northamptonshire West Police to all Neighbourhood Watch members.

We are informed that residents in the county are receiving communications from various countries, informing them that they have won a monetary prize in a lottery or draw that they know nothing about. In order to receive this prize, they are required to either send a cheque to cover postage or give their bank details so that the prize may be deposited into their account. Should you receive a letter such as this, you are advised by Trading Standards to simply put it in the bin and ignore it. In short, these are scams... you cannot win a prize in a lottery or draw that you have not entered.

Please be aware also of a damp proofing company calling themselves the 'Damp Advisory Service' who are claiming to offer a 'free' service and seem to be using the usual tactics to make you sign up with them. We are advised that they have recently been phoning residents in the county.

Trading Standards have already been notified of this company.

Please remember, nothing is for free in this world. If it sounds too good to be true, then it usually is!!

08453 700 700

Doorstep Crime
Older and more vulnerable adults are more at risk from becoming victims of bogus cold calling or rogue doorstep sellers.
Although some businesses who sell at the door are genuine, a proportion of these are rogue doorstep sellers selling services such as home improvements and repairs, security systems, mobility aids, gardening services etc.

These doorstep sellers appear to be trustworthy and genuine but once you have let a doorstep seller into your home, they will be expecting a sale - and they won't give up easily. Rogue doorstep sellers will usually insist on starting the work the same day and will often ask for cash upfront. They may offer to take you to the bank or building society so you can get the money out. These are some of the phrases they may use:
"We are only in the area today"
"We were doing a job in the area and we have some materials left over"
"I noticed you've got a few loose tiles on your roof..."
"There have been a lot of burglaries in the area recently......"
"This cut-price special offer is only available if you sign today...."
"If you pay by cash we will give you a discount".
If you are in any doubt just say... "No, sorry I don't buy at the door"! ... and close the door.

The police advice is to never ever buy from a cold caller, either at the door or by phone.

Please see useful links for more information:
http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/
http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/watch_out/scams/doorstep-selling
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consumeradvice/landline/changing/exdirectory/

08453 700 700