Crime Prevention
Neighbourhood Watch Crime Prevention Free Webinar Series
The Neighbourhood watch team are delighted to invite you to attend our free crime prevention webinars running during February.
Each webinar will be delivered by Neighbourhood Watch with an expert speaker on each of the topics of knife crime, burglary prevention and scams.
Places are free but limited so book your place soon to avoid disappointment.
Preventing Burglary with WIDENDates and times: 14th Feb 1pm – 2pm and 22nd Feb 6pm – 7pm – please attend one session only Speaker: Inspector Matt Coe, Sergeant Matt Coe, Crime Prevention, London Safety Centre
Understanding the Psychology of Scams
Dates: 15th Feb, 3.30-4.30pm and 28th Feb, 5.30-6.30pm – please attend one session onlySpeaker: Paul Maskall from the Fraud & Cyber Crime Prevention Manager, Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU)
Think WIDEN to prevent burglary
Nearly two-thirds (65%)* of us are worried about our home being broken into, yet there are simple, proven measures we can all take to halve our chances of being burgled.
Learn more at ourwatch.org.uk/thinkwiden
We have joined forces with our longstanding primary smart security partner, ERA Home Security, to bring you our Think WIDE(N) burglary prevention campaign highlighting the simple, evidence-based WIDE measures which can be taken in any home on a variety of budgets.
At Neighbourhood Watch, we also believe neighbours keeping an eye out for each other is key to reducing burglary, so we’ve extended the WIDE acronym to WIDE(N):
· W: WINDOWS: Keep your windows locked
· I: INTERIOR: Put inside lights on a timer/smart bulb
· D: DOORS: Double or deadlock your doors
· E: EXTERIOR: Put outside lights on a sensor
· (N): NEIGHBOURS: Keep an eye out for your neighbours
Leaving home? Use this free home security checklist to leave your home safe and secure.
John Hayward-Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch Network, said ‘We know that by securing your home’s windows, interior, doors, exterior and keeping an eye out for neighbours, we can all give ourselves the best chance of preventing burglary.
If you have been burgled recently, criminals are familiar with your home and may come back once you’ve had time to purchase new items. Act soon to avoid being retargeted – use the WIDE(N) advice for a combination of simple yet effective prevention measures.’Learn more at ourwatch.org.uk/thinkwiden
Easy Street Darker nights Burglary prevention Police campaign
Do you live on Easy Street? Is your house inviting for the wrong reasons?
Easy Street is Any street burglars find inviting due to poor security or maintenance.
Easy Street Burglary Prevention Campaign – WYP website
There are simple, smart, cost effective ways to make your house less appealing to burglars. As the nights are longer and it gets darker earlier, West Yorkshire Police encourage you to review the security of your home.
Did you know? West Yorkshire Police Crime Prevention Officers are happy to visit you in your property to determine security issues and offer practical advice to make your home more secure!
Get in touch to make an appointment: www.westyorkshire.police.uk/burglary
Police Information Appeal relating into Firearms discharges in Halifax
Detectives are appealing for witnesses as enquiries continue into linked firearms discharges in Halifax.
The Homicide and Major Enquiry Team has made arrests and is continuing investigate three offences in which weapons were discharged outside properties, none of which resulted in anyone being injured.
Police attended at an address at Bracewell Drive on November 4 and November 13 following reports of shots fired outside the address at about 7pm on both dates.
A report was also received of a discharge on Claremont Close at about 6.45pm on November 13.
Specialist officers carried out detailed searches at the scenes following all three reports and found evidence of firearms discharges.
Two local men aged 36 and 34 have subsequently been arrested on suspicion of firearms offences in connection with all three shootings and remain in police custody.
DI Guy Shackleton of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “We are continuing to investigate these offences which we are treating as linked, and I am appealing for anyone who witnessed these incidents or who has information to comer forward.”
“All reports of firearms crime are treated very seriously indeed by West Yorkshire Police and I can promise residents that a full investigation is ongoing into these firearms discharges.”
“Anyone who can assist our enquiries is asked to contact HMET on 101 referencing crime number 13220628097.”
“Information can also be given in complete anonymity to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.”
Mayor of West Yorkshire urges community organisations to apply for biggest funding pot yet
Groups across West Yorkshire that are helping to end the scourge of violence in the region are being urged to step forward and apply for the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund.
Application Deadline November 11
West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin, has made £350,000 available to voluntary and community groups, charities, and partners with an innovative project that will make their local area safer.This is the largest round of the Safer Communities Fund which has supported projects to the tune of £4.3 million since 2014. It will focus on ‘Safer Places and Thriving Communities’ and the Mayor is welcoming applications from projects that address anti-social behaviour, serious violence including knife crime, drug misuse, hate crime, road safety and more.The Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund is financed by money from criminal activities recovered by police and prosecutors under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Through the fund, this money is used for projects that aim to make their communities a safer and better place.Recognising the financial challenges many organisations are currently facing, the Mayor has increased the amount of funding a project can apply for, from £6,000 to £8,000. Organisations have until 11th November to get their bids in for funding.Speaking about the opening, Mayor Brabin said: “I am determined to end the scourge of violence on the streets of West Yorkshire – whether that is hate crimes, county lines gangs exploiting our children or violence against women and girls. This has no place in our society.“That’s why we are providing vital money to organisations that are helping to build a safe, just, and inclusive region.“I encourage anyone with a project that aims to make their local area safer to apply.”West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable John Robins QPM DL, said: “The Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund is an excellent way for local groups, projects and organisations to make use of cash we have seized from criminals, so it is put back into the hands of people who want to make their community a better place.“I welcome the opening of the latest grant round and would urge anyone with a community-based initiative to consider applying for this funding, so it can be used to address local issues and make our neighbourhoods safer.”This announcement comes after the Mayor and her Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe OBE, awarded funds to 61 innovative projects from across West Yorkshire.Some of the latest projects to receive this funding include drugs intervention and prevention workshops for men and boys in Bradford, weekly self-defence and fitness classes for women in Kirklees, and a programme for young offenders, combining rehabilitation with horsemanship, in Leeds.This latest grant round of the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund is open until 11th November 2022, 12pm (noon). Organisations can apply for grants of up to £8000 for projects that align with the Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan.For more information about the fund, including how to apply, visit https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/policing-and-crime/mayor-s-safer-communities-fund.
Become a member of the Key Individual Network
Key Individual Network (KIN)
A KIN is a network of people that are able to represent identified groups or communities, either through group or self-nomination. Membership is a volunteer commitment and individuals must have an interest in the safety and wellbeing of the group or community that they represent.
People on the KIN may identify as belonging to a specific ‘protected characteristic’ group, as defined in the Equality Act 2010. A protected characteristic is an aspect of a person’s identity that makes them who they are.
The ‘protected’ characteristics are:
- Age
- Religion or belief
- Race
- Disability
- Sex
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Sexual orientation
- Gender reassignments
- Marriage and civil Partnership
KIN membership
As well as representing a protected characteristic group a member of the KIN may also be involved in:
- Local Policing priority setting
- Collaborative problem-solving through Community Champions
- Advising to help support shaping local policing and in response to critical incidents
- Reassuring wider communities
This list is not exhaustive.
Who could be a KIN member?
A member of a KIN is someone or a group of people who represent a group or community in their local area. This could be anyone from a teacher or shop keeper, to a church leader, support group, chairperson of a women’s community group.
Become a member of the Key Individual Network
We are changing how we work with our KIN to ensure that regular engagement informs people on local policing issues and actively seeks feedback and support.
If you are interested in representing a group or community in your local area complete our online KIN application form here and someone will be in contact for an informal chat as soon as possible.
‘Keeping West Yorkshire Safe and Feeling Safe’
We are committed to preventing people from becoming victims of crime, especially the young and the vulnerable.
Our communities within West Yorkshire Police play in vital role in helping us to ‘Keep West Yorkshire Safe and Feeling Safe’.
We are committed to building and maintaining, strong working relationships with all of our diverse communities in West Yorkshire.
Protect Your Car – Neighbourhood Watch Campaign
Car crime is a real problem in the UK. Alarmingly, one car is stolen every ten minutes.(1) With Covid-19 and the recent lockdowns, many people aren’t driving or checking on their cars as much as they used to. At Neighbourhood Watch, we need your help to remind car owners to remain vigilant about where and how they park their cars, in order to keep them safe.
John Hayward-Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch Network, says
“Most car crimes happen because cars are left unlocked. There is a misconception that some cars are auto-locking and lock themselves if left unattended after a period of time. This isn’t always correct. Another misconception is that your car is too old and no one will bother stealing it. This is also incorrect – both new and old cars are at risk. Having a car stolen or broken into is more than simply a hassle, it can impact on people’s livelihoods. The good news is that there are simple steps everyone can take to help reduce the risk to their car. With only a 46% recovery rate we’re reminding everyone to leave your car locked, lit and empty.”
Remember – Leave your car:
- Locked (2) A simple mistake that can prove calamitous: 44% of cars are broken into via an unlocked door. Leave your car locked video.
- Lit (2) 80% of car crime occurs during the evening or at night. Parking near street lamps or in a busy area can deter thieves. Leave your car lit video.
- Empty (or with no items on show) Owners often forget that personal belongings within the car are at as much risk of being stolen as the car itself. Leave your car empty video.
John Hayward-Cripps continues
“Car thieves are opportunists. Leaving items on a car seat or forgetting to lock your car can act as an invitation for crime. We want to instill the habit of double-checking where and how you’ve parked with our three simple steps: leave it locked, lit and empty. As a local charity with a trusted voice in the community, we’re asking everyone to proactively support their neighbours and friends by sharing our three steps with three others. By spreading the word, we’re confident we can crack down on car crime which can be deeply distressing and debilitating for its victims.”
How to support our campaign:
LEARN: Visit www.ourwatch.org.uk/protectyourcar for top tips and advice on keeping your vehicle safe.
FOLLOW: Follow us on our social channels (Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn) to share our messages within your communities. Tag #ProtectYourCar
SHARE: Forward this email to your friends and family, or download this image and share it on WhatsApp with the following message ‘Car crime remains a pressing problem in the UK – alarmingly, one car is stolen every ten minutes. The vast majority of car crimes happen through unlocked cars, parked in badly lit areas and where there are visible items to steal. Remember these simple steps to keep your car safe… leave it locked, lit and empty. For more top tops visit www.ourwatch.org.uk/protectyourcar
For more information, including requests for a press release or campaign pack, please contact our Senior Communications and Digital Manager Deborah Waller on Deborah.waller@ourwatch.org.uk
Data sourced from:
(1) ITV: ITV, 2020
(2) ONS data: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/crimeinenglandandwalesappendixtables
(3) OPAL and Police National Computer: https://www.npcc.police.uk/NationalPolicing/OPALNationalIntelligenceUnitforSeriousOrganisedAcq.aspx
Neighbourhood Watch Network (the national umbrella charity for Neighbourhood Watches across England and Wales)
Protect your Car campaign
The true cost of burglary campaign
Burglars know the price of everything and the value of nothing – that is the message being highlighted by West Yorkshire Police as part of their latest burglary campaign.
The campaign aims to make people think about the true cost of burglary, as this can be both emotional and financial.
Being burgled can be devastating for victims, not only is it upsetting and inconvenient to lose the items that you have worked hard to pay for, but it can also lead to sleepless nights, feelings of anger and the loss of treasured memories and personal items.
Following crime prevention tips can help to secure your home and deter burglars. Find them at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/truecost
For more information about home security call 101 and ask to speak to your local Crime Prevention Officer or follow on Twitter using #wypburglary.
Calderdale Lower Valley blog 