Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch was launched in 1988

The following people reported to Hallmark on behalf of the Neighbourhood Watch :- George Munro 3, Peter Trotter 1 Marion Stanworth 1, Denis Croucher 12, Sheryl Burroughs 12 (local co-ordinator). click George & Jean Munro, Peter & Lilian Trotter, Denis & Gwen Croucher and Sheryl Burroughs for more about George, Peter, Denis, and Sheryl.

Hallmark December 1987. report by George Munro. click George & Jean Munro for more about George.

Neighbourhood Watch continues to grow in both our vllages. It is so simple to join, it doesn't cost you any money to do so and you and your family can play such a vital part in helping to prevent crime in your own immediate home area.

At the invitation of the 81st Club we were priviledged to give a premier showing of the Thames Valley Police video 'On the safe side', featuring TV actress Irene Handl and that clever and amusing dog Pippen. Between 60 and 70 members viewed the film and this had the result of a number of members joining Neighbourhood Watch and the starting of a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme for the village of Great Hampden.

Hallmark August 1988. Report by Peter Trotter click Peter & Lilian Trotter for more about Peter

What can you do about crime? Join Neighbourhood Watch, but remember it needs a commitment from you.

Neighbourhood Watch is a collective responsibility assisting the police to prevent crime. It is not, as some people think, a private security group, it does not guard or patrol. It is an awareness to prevent the opportunist thief.

Your commitment should include ensuring doors and windows have good security locks fitted and that all ladders, etc., are locked away. Tell you neighbours when you are away, leave them a key. Mark your valuables (your group can hire the equipment) and keep a list of them in a safe place. Consider fitting an alarm system.

Collective responsibility with your neighbours. What if all the houses in your Street took these precautions - and what if everyone kept a lookout for anything suspicious?? That's the idea behind Neighbourhood Watch. With the whole neighbourhood on its guard, how can a burglar sneak in without being spotted? It is for you all to look, listen and report signs of trouble the moment you see them. Don't wait - act. The more people who do something about crime, the less of it there'll be.

Come on, join your local group now and do something about crime.

To be effective you should display your door sticker showing that you are in Neighbourhood Watch and that your property is post coded. As an additional deterrent, Neighbourhood Watch signs will shortly be erected on all the roads into our two villages.

Hallmark October 1988. Report by Marion Stanworth. We are now an independent group and the following officers have been elected:-

Acting Chairman - Mr George Munro; Secretary - Marion Stanworth; Treasurer - Mrs Lilian Trotter. Committee - Mr Mike Harris; Mr Stephen James; Mr Peter Perrira; Mr Elton Latter.

The scheme is working! One of our observant villagers recently contacted the police following a visit from a door-to-doot salesman who proved to have no licence and this resulted in an arrest.

Hallmark January 1993. Report by Denis Croucher

Serious crime has hit us with a vengeance during recent weeks with, at the time of going to press, an armed robbery which, fortunately, was frustrated and three bestial attacks on defenceless horses which were not. Added to these have been a burglary and several cases of theft from and criminal damage to vehicles.

An article in a recent national newspaper questioned the effectiveness of Neighbourhood Watch schemes. Our own experiences could be seen as justification for this point of view, but who is to say that things might not be worse if such schemes did not exists? Watch schemes are not going to put off determined criminals, nor will they entirely defeat the opportunists, but they can deter or contain them.

A crime against any person or property is a crime against us all. But do we do enough to safeguard ourselves and our property? Why do we leave our cars parked on roads or in drives when we have garages in which they would be much more secure? Why are we careless in leaving windows open or doors unlocked when we leave the house? Why when we go away do we not do as much as possible to make the house look ' lived in'? Why, when we see something odd or suspicious do we so often dismiss it as. "none of our business'? Why, in other words aren't we more security conscious and public spirited?

It just isn't realistic to leave it all to the police. They can only hope to maintain a measure of law and order if we cooperate and do all we can to help. So, in between saying how terrible it all is and asking what 'they' are doing about it, make sure that you don't contribute to the problems by being slipshod about your own security and do help by being alert and acting responsibly if you notice anything suspicious.

Hallmark April 1993. A notice was put in Hallmark as follows - "One large increase in theft is with horse saddles and other tack equipmeent. In order to assist the Police identiffying stolen gear, and perhaps lower the theft rate a free personal marking service will be held on May 1st. 10am - 4 pm at Widmer Feeds, Pink Road.

Hallmark December 1993. Report by George Munro

It is really hard to believe that there is still a number of residents who have not, as yet, completed the simple application form which would ensure their membership of Neighbourhood Watch. There is no fee to join and membership includes: free use of Security Marking Tools: Free Window and Door Stickers: Free Security Survey of your property by a Police Liaison Officer and also, should your Insurance Company apply such discounts, you can save at least 5% on your premiums – however you must be a registered member of Neighbourhood Watch.

What is asked of you? Be aware; make sure your home is secure; be a communicator by telling either the Co-ordinator or, in emergency, the Police, whenever you observe the suspicious actions of strangers that could be endangering your family or your property, or that of your neighbour.

Burglary and theft are vicious crimes; they inflict upon the victim shock, emotional stress, a sense of insecurity, fear, loss. You can, by being aware help to minimise the risk to yourself and others and so defeat the intentions of vile and evil people.

Please, act today – complete the simple form (printed on page 14) and give it to your Co-ordinator. (A list of Co-ordinators is at the Shop and Post Office). Let us be 100%. We need each other.

I am glad to report that in response to Denis Croucher's last report we now have Co-ordinators for Kiln Lane – John Mortham at "Pondside", and for Lower Road – Sally Audhlan-Gardiner at "Tiddlers Bank". A sincere welcome to both. We still have vacancies at Greenlands; Violet Close; Pink Road; Woodway/Wardrobes Lane. Should you wish to share co-ordination of the work with a neighbour please do so, but do Volunteer. (click John & Rosemary Mortham and Bryan & Sally Audhlam-Gardiner for more about John and Sally.)

We have just heard from the Police that there have been several incidents in Lacey Green of thefts from cars; also there have been two burglaries in the area. To the victims we express our sorrow that this has happened to them – can we help?

Hallmark January 1995. Report by Denis Croucher (retiring Area Co-ordinator of Neighbourhood Watch). click Denis & Gwen Croucher for more about Denis.

Christmas is traditionally the season of good will, but like so many elsewhere, several of our residents had very good reasons to feel anything but that towards those who broke into their homes, stole their belongings and desecrated their privacy. On these occasions, apparently, no one noticed anything or anyone suspicious. This is unfortunate, to say the least, but never-the-less vigilance and alertness must be preferable’ to indifference and, as has so often been written, the police are interested in hearing at any time from anyone when they notice anything untoward.

There have been several changes in our local organisation in the past few weeks. George Munro has passed on his responsibilities as coordinator in Goodacres Lane to Jenny Stothard and, in Roundlands, John Balchin has taken over from Miki Latton. Lilian Trotter and Jean Phillips have resigned and, to date, no one has come forward to replace them. Click Vince & Jenny Stothard, John & Carol Balchin, Peter & Lilian Trotter and for more about Jenny, John and Lillian.

Sheryl Burroughs, Westland Road no 7,has taken over from me the role of Area Coordinator and any nominations of coordinators, queries about the scheme, etc, should be addressed to her.

Thanks have been expressed to the outgoing coordinators, but it is appropriate to say a public ‘thank you’ to George Munro. George initiated our local scheme back in 1986/7 and ran it for several years. His enthusiasm and hard work set firm foundations and, in fact, provided the pattern for the organisation which is now being established throughout the Aylesbury area – an Area Coordinator for villages/districts as opposed to a mass of individual coordinators for individual streets. For the past few years George has restricted his efforts to overseeing security in Goodacres Lane but it is fair to say that he has kept a fatherly eye (sometimes somewhat disapproving!) on the rest of our area. Thank you for your efforts and I hope the laurels aren't too prickly! Click George & Jean Munro for more about George.

Hallmark March 1995. Report by Sheryl Burroughs – Area Co-ordinator

I would like to introduce you to your local Neighbourhood Watch scheme and explain what has been happening in our area. Every month I am sent details of crimes which have occurred in our area, this information can then help our co-ordinators help you. I'm sure you would appreciate knowing if burglaries or car break-ins were being carried out in a specific area. Probably not many of you will have the occasion to meet with our Area Beat Officer, PC Brian Price. He is based at Princes Risborough but his patch covers Bledlow Ridge, Saunderton, Speen etc, as well as Lacey Green and Loosley Row. He is very approachable and caring. He has very kindly arranged for the Neighbourhood Watch to borrow the Crime Prevention caravan for the. Village Day. Please look out for us.

In January the Community/Police Consultative Group held a very interesting meeting in Princes Risborough. One of the subjects was the role of the Crown Prosecution Service. I found it very helpful to have our legal system explained and then listen to the question time. Superintendent Palmer, who is a marvellous speaker, was present. He obviously cares about the role of the Police and how they can help us. I was very sad to hear how so much more is needed and yet funds are being drastically cut.

Recently I was introduced to The Residents Association and would like to tell you how guilty I felt for not bothering to be more involved in things that are happening in our Village. This group of people are concerned on our behalf about the general wellbeing of our Village and any changes that may affect it. This made me think that maybe this is how everyone thinks of the Neighbourhood Watch, we are not a lot of busy bodies but again people who want to show neighbourly concern. In fact, you gain financially if you join the Neighbourhood Watch as many household insurances give discounts. They appreciate that an active N.W. acts as a deterrent. In various locations in the village, you will see charts which show who your local co-ordinator is. As mentioned before, I pass on to my colleagues any police information and this can then be passed to you. I need to appeal for help in the following areas; Pink Road, Greenlands, Eastlands, Foundry Lane and Main Road (from Stocken Farm towards the school). I would like to bring to your attention the fact that I have received complaints regarding ‘kids’ who are ringing doorbells and running away, and the amount of cans, crisp packets cigarettes being thrown in people's gardens. Do they have to disturb people like this?

Finally, I would like to say a big ‘thank you' to Denis Croucher for all his work in the past for our Neighbourhood Watch. I'm sure he's looking forward to taking a break from the overall responsibility but thankfully he will still be around as co-ordinator for his area. Sadly, we are saying goodbye to George Munro who has been a pillar of our Neighbourhood Watch, very dedicated. Also, many thanks to Mike Lattan, Lillian Trotter and Jean Phillips.

Hallmark August 1997. Report by Sheryl Burroughs, Area Co-ordinator

Things have been very quiet recently, unless you are the owner of the cars that have been stolen or broken into. Car crime seems to be our main problem area, with Pink Road and Loosley Row having more than their fair share. Please, if you can, garage your vehicles.

Unlocked garages are also being targeted. Garden furniture and tools are the items being taken. Please keep your garages locked.

I would like to keep you updated with the Ringmaster messages. Do you know who has access to the notice boards which are on the corner of Westlands Road, near the Village Hall and in Loosley Row? Could you please phone me and tell me.

Recently we were phoned and asked to keep an eye out for a certain vehicle that had been used in a robbery in Princes Risborough, I would like to be able to keep you informed of these events.

PC Price was available for security marking on Village Day, I hope lots of you took your bikes etc. to see him.

As there is nothing else to tell you, I should suppose that no news is good news.

Hallmark August 1998. Report by Sheryl Burroughs. Warnings have been going out regularly about crime in the area, and it might be aswell to remind everyone that it is too easy to leave doors and windows open in warm weather and perhaps sit in the garden or mow the lawn etc., so that a prowler could gain access easily, and very quickly take handbags or other easily accessible items. This applies to cars, portable garden equipment and ornaments.

So-called "builders" are still conning old people out of their savings by telling them they have builing work which needs to be done, demanding a deposit, and then either disappearing or pretending to do work. Police ask that everyone, particurly the elderly, is warned not to let strangers into their homes, not to part with money, and to telephone the police if they have difficulty getting rid of such callers.

Editors note. Since this article was received, we had a plague of car break-ins in the village; these take place when out 'Neighbourhod Watchers' are tucked up in bed, which leads us to the thought that some active recruitment or awareness raising might not com amiss among our younger population, who are more likely to be up and about in the small hours. After all, it could well be their car which gets hit.