Neighbouthood Watch Newsletter - Edition 16 - Winter 2022

Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter

Edition 16 – Winter 2022

FOREWORD from Mid and East Antrim Policing and Community Safety Partnership

Chairperson, Councillor Timothy Gaston

Welcome to our 13th edition of the Mid and East Antrim Neighbourhood Watch newsletter. I like most of you, entered into 2022 facing the many challenges that the Covid 19 pandemic brought, impacting on many aspects of our lives. As we are entering into what is traditionally the season of goodwill and hope, we are now facing the cost of living crisis exacerbated by the War in Ukraine. The resilience of the Mid and East Antrim community has been immense throughout the past year. I continue to see and hear about everyday acts of kindness from both friends and strangers which really foster a positive community spirit helping each other through difficult times. Schemes such as neighbourhood watch have been instrumental in helping to prevent further isolation whilst also providing support and advice to help prevent crime and for that I am

thankful. Unfortunately, I have heard of many scams this year where unscrupulous individuals have used the times of crisis as an opportunity to steal money and identities where they can however, I am in no doubt that by sharing crime prevention advice and making others aware of such scams, many criminals have been prevented from prospering. I would encourage everyone to help reduce crimes like these by familiarising themselves with crime prevention advice via the PCSP facebook page, by talking to our local crime prevention officer and by taking the advice of organisations such as the ScamwiseNI partnership.

PCSP already has several initiatives planned to take forward in 2023. These include initiatives to help make young people safer, support for older and vulnerable individuals as well as community groups to

address fear of crime, working with Women’s Aid to help address domestic abuse and also to help support vulnerable people through the use of multiagency support hub. These are just a few ways that the Partnership are working to make the Mid and East Antrim Borough safer. This action plan will build on previous good work as well focusing on the development of new projects.

You will see at the back of this edition a list of useful contacts including how to contact the PCSP. Please do not hesitate to make contact if you wish to find out more about the work of the Partnership or if you have any concerns you wish to raise.

Best Wishes and Stay Safe!

Cllr Timothy Gaston Mid and East Antrim PCSP Chair

Help for local people at Winter Wellness Event

Carrickfergus and Greenisland Community Clusters are hosting a Winter Wellness Event in Carrickfergus Town Hall on Friday 9th December between 11am –1pm. The aim of the event is to help local people with increasing cost of living including; budgeting and debt, benefit payments, advice on energy bills, places to stay warm, help with essential items like food and cooking, metal heath advice and what to do if you’re finding things difficult. Keynote speakers included representatives of Mid and East Antrim Community Advice Services, Mid and East Antrim Borough Councils Health and Wellness Team and Carrickfergus Hub Improving Lives Locally (CHILL).

The Cluster Programme is the Council’s Community Development initiative, which promotes collaboration across community groups to deliver benefits, not only for the participating groups, but also for the wider community. The overarching aim of Council’s strategic approach to community development is that: “The Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

area is recognised as a place where the community and partner organisations work together cohesively and effectively to improve the quality of life of residents”. Groups in the District Electoral Areas of Carrickfergus Castle and Knockagh, have been meeting together on a bi-monthly basis since December 2021 to develop an agreed approach to how they will work together and which initiatives they may deliver in the coming months.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, who facilitate the meetings, are keen to hear from other community groups in the area who are interested in hearing more about this collaborative approach and the potential benefits it can bring to them and the wider community.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Noel Williams, said, “We are all facing rising cost of commodity, goods and energy prices, together with rampant inflation and other cost of living pressures this winter. We are aware that local people are worried so this event offered support

to households on major issues including benefits, managing energy costs, healthy eating and mental health advice. Help is available and it’s vital to remember you are not alone. This winter if we all try and help each other to

keep active, stay warm, eat well, participate in our local community and connect with others in similar situations, we can change our outlook on life and build stronger, resilient communities.”

Rural crime prevention

PSNI and PCSP want to work with you to help prevent crime in rural areas. Follow our tips below to protect your property and stay safe.

1.

Rural burglary

Remember to close and lock all windows and doors even if you are only going out for a few minutes.

Most callers to your home will be genuine, however if you are in any doubt simply ask for their ID and check the caller out.

Remember, technology only adds to good security and vigilance. It does not replace it.

3. Boundaries and lighting

Quick Check is a free telephone service, which is available 24 hours a day all year round in Northern Ireland. Just call 101 and ask for Quick Check.

Nature provides one of the best solutions to many garden crimes. With careful thought and planning you can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of garden crime, while at the same time creating an attractive garden.

2. Alarms and CCTV

Fit alarms to storage and other sheds. Always display appropriate signage to deter criminals.

Fencing, hedges and walls should be robust, well maintained and regularly checked. Find out about alarms and the latest technology, such as point-to-point electronic beams, to protect the perimeter of your property.

4. Plant and vehicle crime

Secure or immobilise vehicles, plant, trailers and equipment when not in use. Remove valuable machinery from fields overnight and keep items of value such as quads and cattle trailers in a securely locked shed, out of sight.

5. Sheds and outbuildings

Don’t make it easy for the thief, secure and alarm all sheds and outbuildings where possible.

Rural crime prevention

6. Livestock theft

Know your stock and maintain accurate records. Keep all stock secure within our boundary. Regularly check the fields where the stock are grazing; keep the hedges, fences and gates in good repair. Keep all sheds and stockyard gates closed and locked. Livestock identification is essential for proof of ownership. It can also serve as a deterrent to thieves. Take photographs or videos of valuable animals with the brand and/or ear tags clearly visible. Maintain accurate livestock records.

7. Metal and cable theft

Scrap metal and goods can be valuable to sell on and are therefore vulnerable to theft. This can result in the targeting of metal such as gates, tools, machine parts, cable, etc. from fields and farm sheds and yards. Consider restricting access to your driveway to prevent unwelcome vehicles entering.

8. Property and tool marking

Consider making valuable equipment and tools. Keep a record of all relevant serial numbers.

9. Be vigilant

Good neighbours and vigilance are the most effective deterrent against crime. Remember that rural crime exists in many forms.

In all aspects of rural security, good neighbours and vigilance are the most effective deterrent against crime.

10. Farm Watch Scheme

The key aim of farm watch is to promote vigilance and improve communication, within rural and farming communities and between rural communities and the police service.

More advice and information

If you would like more advice on preventing rural crime, please contact your local PSNI Crime Prevention Officer on 101.

Help Prevent Oil Theft

Police are urging homeowners to ensure their oil tanks are secured correctly as we approach the colder months in the run up to Christmas.

You can help protect your oil by following some simple precautions:

1. LOCK YOUR GATES. The simple act of keeping your garden or drive gates closed and securely locked, can help deter theft. Ensure that all your gates and fences are in good repair and access can’t be easily made.

2. CONSIDER DISGUISING YOUR TANK with fencing, trellis and defensive planting. The planting of hostile, thorny shrubs around your tank and boundaries can provide extra protection. Good examples of defensive plants are Pyracantha, Berberis, Climbing Rose, Hawthorn and even Gooseberry.

3. CREATE OBSTACLES WHERE POSSIBLE. Plant pots and general garden equipment can be placed in the path of any potential intruders. Obstacles will make noise and waste the time of thieves targeting a tank, as moving the items or navigating around them will slow them down. However, remove and secure any tools or ladders which could be used as an aide to commit crime.

4. LIMIT THE QUANTITY OF FUEL IN YOUR TANK. Full tanks are a popular target, so consider limiting the amount of oil that you have in your tank at any one time.

5. LOCK YOUR TANK. Use a good quality, alarmed padlock or install lockable caps with crop-proof

fittings. Where possible fit hardened flexible casings to any vulnerable fuel hoses so that they are harder to cut.

6. FIT A ‘LEVEL GAUGE’ WITH AUDIBLE ALARM. The alarm should sound if the oil level in the tank suddenly drops, or falls below a certain point.

7. CONSIDER INSTALLING SECURITY LIGHTING AND CCTV. Lights can not only warn you of an intruder but also alert neighbours and passing patrols

8. INSTALL A ‘TANK CAGE OR GUARD’. This is particularly important if you have already suffered a fuel theft. These welded cages offer the best protection while still allowing tanker access. Although this solution may seem expensive, when weighted up against the cost of lost fuel and/or a new tank that may be damaged during fuel theft, it can prove more cost effective in the long term. Such cages can also be alarmed as an additional layer of security.

9. SITE YOUR TANK CLEVERLY. If you have cause to re-site your tank or are installing a fuel tank for the first time, ensure that it is placed in a secure location - visible from your home and surrounding properties but not from the road.

A report can also be made online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/ makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http:// crimestoppers-uk.org/.

Mid and East Antrim announces plans for a ‘Warm Spaces’ network

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council will be working with constituted groups and organisations throughout the area to support a network of ‘Warm Spaces’ this winter. The scheme is designed to help people as they continue to recover from the impact of Covid and are now dealing with a cost of living crisis.

The Council is offering grants of up to £500 to organisations hosting Warm Spaces for the local community and has appealed to those interested in providing this much needed support to contact them.

Warm Spaces are free to use, warm, safe places where residents can expect a friendly and inclusive welcome.

People can attend on their own, or with a friend, and talk to others over a hot drink or maybe a hot meal and be encouraged to stay as long as they like.

Council funding can be used for a variety of warm space-related facilities to benefit the local community, including venue hire costs, cooking equipment such as slow cookers or help towards tea/coffee/biscuit supplies. It can also be used to organise

activities that will help to bring the most vulnerable residents together and boost their mental and emotional health & wellbeing.

For those attending warm space venues, Council will provide information packs with practical advice on keeping safe and warm this winter and there can be further help to find out about more specialist advice and support for any particular issues or challenges they are facing.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Noel Williams, said: “Within our Borough, we have a strong and proud community, with a tradition of helping and supporting each other.

“Many within our community face a hugely challenging few months ahead and we want to do all we can to help our residents during the winter months.

“We’re keen to work closely with our local partners, building on the work we did during the pandemic, to create a network of Warm Spaces where people

can come together, get warm, stay warm and enjoy some company and hot refreshments.

“We’re looking for local organisations and constituted groups to join our programme and will be offering a small grant to help them make a positive difference to our local communities and help residents during this crisis.”

For more information about the scheme and how to get involved visit: www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/ WarmSpaces

Ending The Harm

Christmas can be a magical time for many but for some families, the pressures of buying gifts for their loved-ones can see them turning to loan sharks.

The thought of a loan shark may be tempting but you must remember, these lenders are not your friends, they prey on vulnerable people and are doing untold damage to many communities.

Illegal money lenders don’t want people to be able to pay back their debt. They want them permanently indebted. Before you turn to illegal money lenders, make yourself aware of the finance support available, and do not suffer in silence, there’s always a way out!

For more information, visit www.endingtheharm.com

Download the Here 2 Help app for access to free, confidential support.

Cllr Gregg McKeen Mary Watson Northern Ireland Housing Executive

Ald John Carson Marjorie Hawkins Police Service of Northern Ireland

Cllr Andrew Wilson Brenda Leslie Probation Board

Cllr Lauren Gray Wendy Kerr Youth Justice Agency

Cllr Timothy Gaston (Chair) Thomas (Lexie) Scott Northern Health and Social Care Trust

Cllr Thomas Gordon Norman Hamilton Education Authority

Cllr Cheryl Brownlee Sharon Maxwell Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service

Cllr John McDermott Gillian Gordon

Cllr Danny Donnelly Charlene Thompson

Cllr Marc Collins

PSNI

Name

Beverlie

Colin Ash Inspector Neighbourhood Police Team Larne and Carrick Carrick 07557261796 colin.ash@psni.pnn.police.uk

Simon Coupland Sergeant Neighbourhood Policing Team Carrick/ Larne

Carrick 07917390438 simon.coupland@psni.pnn. police.uk

Chris Mcllroy Sergeant Neighbourhood Policing Team Carrick/ Larne

Tony McClelland Sergeant Neighbourhood Policing Team Carrick/ Larne

Michelle McKillop Sergeant Neighbourhood Policing Team Ballymena

Carrick 07787224732 Chris.Mcllroy@psni.pnn.police.uk

Carrick 07827925770 Daniel.mcclelland@psni.pnn. police.uk

Ballymena 07585703099 Michelle.adams@psni.pnn. police.uk

Stephen Rainey Sergeant Community Planning Sergeant Ballymena 02825667277 stephen.rainey2@psni.pnn. police.uk

Mid and East Antrim

PCSP contact details

Contact the PCSP staff by phone, email, or call into the office: 80 Galgorm Road Ballymena County Antrim BT42 1AB Tel: 028 93 358311 Email: pcsp@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

In an emergency call 999 PSNI non-emergency number 101

• Victim Support: 028 2563 0784

• Crime Stoppers: 0800 555 111

• 24 hour Domestic and Sexual Violence helpline: 0808 802 1414

• Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey (ABCLN) Women’s Aid: 028 2563 2136

• Crime Prevention Officer Stuart Willkie: 07500036996 / Ext 86008 / phone 101

This newsletter is supported by the Northern Ireland Policing Board and the Department of Justice.

With thanks to PSNI, Crimestoppers and Neighbourhood Watch for providing information for this leaflet.