Safer Melbourn

cambridgeshire

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk/safermelbourn/

Spate of burglaries in South Cambs

PEOPLE in and around South Cambridgeshire are being urged to report suspicious activity following a spate of burglaries.

Since the beginning of September there have been 44 burglaries in the district, with the majority of offences happening during the day. Villages affected are Barton, Comberton, Melbourn, West Wratting and Caldecote.

Detective Inspector Ian Simmons said: ‘In the past month we have seen a rise in burglaries in South Cambridgeshire, some of which we believe are part of a single series. • The majority of offences are happening during the day with offenders targeting homes while people are working. • We’ve also noticed sheds and outbuildings have been targeted, with tools and equipment being stolen. • Local officers are working with the force’s tactical team and traffic officers to increase patrols in the targeted areas and work is ongoing to trace those responsible. • The public also play an important role and I would urge people to be our eyes and ears in their street, look out for one another and report anything out of the ordinary or suspicious to police.

To reduce the risk of becoming a victim

•It’s important to make your home look lived in and ask neighbours to keep an eye on it when you are not in.

Consider installing light timers. Burglars will target homes in darkness as there is less risk of being spotted. If the bins are due to be collected, ask your neighbours to move them on and off your drive for you. • Report unusual activity such as people knocking at your door. If you believe someone knocking at your door could be a burglar then contact police immediately. This type of information can be used to gain a better understanding of how criminals are operating in your area. • Keep a note of any unusual vehicles parking in your area and pass information to the police. • Use a safe or secure storage unit to store valuable items such as jewellery and passports.

Deterrents

Alarms: Install an alarm – even an empty box on the side of your home can be enough to put off a burglar. Dogs: A ‘beware of the dog’ sign can be enough to put off an intruder, regardless of whether a dog is present. Lock up your shed: Ensure your shed and outbuildings are secured with strong locks. Offenders do not like carrying break-in tools as they may be searched en-route to a burglary. They often raid sheds to get their hands on tools to burgle. Strong communities are also a deterrent for burglars: Make friends with your neighbours or join your local Neighbourhood Watch scheme. Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. Catalytic Converter thefts

Following a number of thefts of catalytic converters in South Cambs please find attached details of a catalytic converter security device from www.catsafe.org.uk.

The vehicles that have been targeted recently are Mercedes Sprinter Vans, Ford Rangers, and Land Rover Discovery models.

The locations within your community that this crime has happened are Melbourn, Meldreth, Barrington and Odsey. Melbourn Policing Team

You can ring your neighbourhood team on 101 In an emergency, when a life is in danger or there is a risk of violence or serious injury or when a serious crime is being committed please call 999. For all non-emergencies, general enquiries and to report crimes, please call 101. To give information anonymously about crime, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

To visit Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s website please follow this link: www.cambs-police.co.uk/index.asp.

NON EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER 101

MINICOM helpline for the deaf and hard of hearing, anywhere in the force area: 01480 422493 RNID TypeTalk is a national telephone relay service which enables, deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing and speech impaired people to communicate, to access the service dial: 0800 515152 Emergency 999