NHW news & crime report

Dealing with Debt

The current cost-of-living crisis is affecting most of us. and the level of anxiety about debt has risen significantly. Understandable extra spending over the Christmas period is now resulting in larger than usual credit card bills. While there is a lot of reputable help and advice available, there are those who see this as an opportunity to line their own pockets at the expense of others.

Debt can be a serious problem, and a short-term solution adopted by many of those affected is to borrow even more. This is obviously not a good idea, but the ease with which we can spend using a credit card makes it very tempting. Repaying that bill then becomes the problem, and the temptation is then to borrow from other sources. Because of this, action has been taken to protect vulnerable people by limiting the availability of legal but expensive payday and similar loans.

Unlicenced money lenders, or loan sharks as they are commonly known, operate in local communities illegally and with no such restrictions. Their interest rates are exorbitant, and a small loan quickly turns into a much larger one as extra ‘interest charges’ are added on a regular basis. Long after the original sum has been repaid, regular payments continue to be demanded with no end in sight. It is not uncommon for threats and actual violence to be used to enforce the debt. The long-term consequences for the victim can be disastrous.

Free help and advice on debt and financial management is available from reputable charitable groups, but it is easy to be misled by firms out to make money for themselves. An internet search for ‘debt advice’ will produce a list of websites that have paid the search engine to put them at the top. Look out for the entry being marked ‘Ad’ or ‘Advert’, although they are not always marked. They will charge you for their services, the quality of which may vary. Signing up to them involves paying fees that will only add to the problem.

Genuine websites will appear further down the list but before committing yourself, read the details very carefully to make sure that it is a free service.

Some of the organisations that offer genuinely free and impartial help and advice are: www.citizensadvice.org.uk www.nationaldebtline.org www.stepchange.org www.capuk.org

There are money management tips and a lot of good advice from Martin Lewis on: www.moneysavingexpert.com

Please take care and stay safe from all scammers and tricksters.

Ed Chambers, Chairman, Birstall & Wanlip NHW

Current Priorities

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) - Including associated crime — We have identified an ASB hotspot within the area of the A6/Birstall services. Youths are gathering after school and into the evening, while at the location they are acting in a manner that is unacceptable, showing complete disregard and lack of respect. Examples include throwing tables and chairs around, kicking doors causing damage, playing loud music, and being verbally abusive, which can be extremely intimidating to the staff and visitors.

We have developed a plan to combat the issues at the location, in order to hold those involved accountable for their actions, via working with our partner agencies (including local schools, to assist with the identification and safeguarding of those involved). At the location assessments are to be made, to enable recommendations to be offered regarding necessary changes to the location to make it less attractive to youths gathering, therefore preventing further issues in order to make the location a safer, more pleasant location to visit.

Drugs - Use of cannabis within the park - It has been reported that various/frequent visitors are parking up within the car park on School Lane park and being involved in the use of cannabis. This has been made a priority, due to the way it leaves genuine users of the park feeling.

In addition to this, it is reported that the users of cannabis are then driving away in their vehicle, therefore driving while under the influence of drugs, placing themselves and other road users/pedestrians at significant risk of harm.

A plan has been developed to address this matter, which will predominately involve both high-visibility policing alongside some convert patrols.

Road Safety - Excess Speed -

Speeding vehicles is an ongoing issue on our roads, that is very well established. As a policing team, we will be out on the roads at locations highlighted by local residents on a sporadic basis. Please watch your speed.

If you are concerned about road safety in Birstall & Wanlip —Request enforcement and make a difference. Find out more by visiting the Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland Road Safety Partnership website: www.speedorsafety.com where you can complete a short Community Concern Site Request.

A message from PC 1365 Stu Venables

Back in Birstall & Wanlip after over a decade away.

It is a pleasure to be designated back to Birstall & Wanlip and I am very much looking forward to the challenges ahead.

I am currently getting familiar with the area again, as well as gathering information in regard to the current issues being reported and those that cause the most harm.

I seem to have arrived at a time when there are a few neighbours not getting along and as a result, some of my time is being used in trying to offer advice to those involved and working with partner agencies (local council and other housing providers) to identify some resolution in order to prevent escalation.

Alongside this, I have also been made aware of an ASB hotspot within Birstall services station which I am also trying to resolve and will be working with the local schools, businesses and council to identify those involved. I will then conduct police visits where I will offer suitable advice and take any necessary action in order to hold those responsible to account and prevent further ASB/Crime. On that note, parents/guardians do you know where and what your children are doing when they are out? I hope not involving themselves in mischievous/criminal behaviour, could you remind them of your expectations please, sometimes even the politest/respectful children can be victims of peer pressure and engage or acquiesce in ASB/Crime.

You may have seen me already walking around, specifically on Sibson Road, introducing myself to local businesses and residents. I am hoping to be out, visible and approachable as often as possible on foot and cycle. When you see me feel free to have a chat, as your feedback, as local residents, is absolutely necessary, and allows me to identify new emerging issues/trends and develop plans to manage them effectively, in turn making Birstall and Wanlip a safer place.

I will be holding an event on Saturday February 18 in Birstall which relates to cycle marking, if you are interested please bring your cycle to us and we will get you registered and set up. If you would like more information about Bike Register ahead of the event, please visit the website: www.bikeregister.com to find out more.

Finally, I would like to highlight the new online tool, ‘StreetSafe’, which is used for reporting areas of concern where you have felt or feel unsafe. StreetSafe is part of the government’s agenda in tackling violence against women and girls and is police-supported. Please visit the Leicestershire Police website: www.leics.police.uk for more information or ask me about it at the next beat surgery.

Best regards, PC 1365 Stu Venables Crime Update

Crime Figures Birstall and Wanlip

1st of January 2023 until 17th January 2023

Burglary (0)

The last Burglary reported occurred on Fielding Road – Between 29th Nov and 14th Dec 2022 – Where the offender/s broke into a garden shed removed a crowbar and smashed a patio door to access the house.

Thefts (9)

4 x Retail Theft

3 x Theft by finding

3 x Theft of motor vehicle Criminal Damage (7)

2 x Damage to motor vehicle

4 x Damage at a commercial site (Around Birstall service – Linked to ASB)

1 x Damage caused during a domestic incident

Public Order (1)

1 x S.5 (Use threatening words/behaviour to cause harassment alarm or distress)

Drugs (1)

1 x Possession of Cannabis Assaults (6)

4 x Common Assault – Slight injury

2 x Actual Bodily Harm (ABH) –Bruising to body / Loss of hair Out of the 6 assaults reported 4 were domestic-related.

Events

Bike Register Event -

Saturday February 18, 2023 —Between 10am and 2pm outside the Robert Dickinson Building on Sibson Road (within the short-stay car park, opposite Aromaspice). Local residents can bring their cycles to the event to have them officially marked for free — Information regarding the scheme can be found on the website: www.bikeregister.com or explained on the day.

Beat Surgery

Sunday February 12, 2023 - Between 3pm and 4pm located at the Robert Dickinson Building on Sibson Road and again the following Sunday, February 19, 2023 - Between 10:30am and 11:30am, located at the Robert Dickinson Building on Sibson Road.

Please feel free to attend, meet your local officer, ask any questions or discuss any community concerns you may have.

From the Birstall Beat Team