Author: Fraser Pithie

You may have wondered, like us, why there have been no crime alerts for the Kenilworth area since the 5 May, is that there has been no crime or is it that there has been crime but no crime alerts? We wondered too, so we tweeted Warwickshire Police and failed for several days to get any real engagement or response, indeed we felt we needed to escalate our tweets to get heard. This was disappointing.

It’s essential to Kenilworth Watch because we have over 500 people, businesses and organisations following us and receiving our automatic crime alerts and have nearly 400 followers on Twitter. We have, over several years, worked hard to build up this level of engagement with the local community and we know how important it is to many of you to receive our alerts which you let you know what is going in and what steps it may be sensible to take in response to things that occur in our neighbourhood.

We are pleased to report this morning that Warwickshire Police have now been in contact with us and have confirmed that through our tweets and escalation we have effectively alerted them to the fact that the crime alert system has not been working since early May. Consequently, they are working on getting things sorted. We have offered to help in any way we can so we can get back to normal as soon as possible and keep you informed on a timely and effective basis.

While speaking with Warwickshire Police, it has become clear that there has been more crime in May but also there have been some successes in catching offenders involved in committing crime in Kenilworth too. Once things are sorted, which hopefully should be within the next few days, we will seek to bring you up to date with what has been going on. We will also provide more details on the recent successes concerning the apprehending of offenders and most importantly get back to normal by issuing timely alerts and advice to you. Many thanks for your understanding.

As the weekend approached and commenced more criminal activity has taken place in Kenilworth with an attempted burglary and another burglary where a car has been stolen from the drive of the property.

These latest events reinforce the need for residents to remain vigiliant at all times and take all reasonable steps to deter criminals. The details of the latest events are as follows:

Penryn Close, Kenilworth

Attempt Burglary – Crime Reference: 23/17500/18

Overnight 04-MAY-2018 into 05-MAY-2018 unknown offender(s) attempted to force entry into a residential property in Penryhn Close, Kenilworth. Offender(s) attempted to gain entry by forcing open the rear patio doors. Thankfully the offenders were unsuccessful.

Southfield Drive, Kenilworth

Residential Burglary – Crime Reference: 23/17477/18

Between 0300hrs and 0930hrs Saturday 05-MAY-2018 unknown offender(s) forced entry into a residential property on Southfield Drive, Kenilworth. Offender(s) stole vehicle keys from within the property. Offender(s) then proceeded to steal a black BMW M240I convertible from the front of the property.

If you have information relating to the above offence(s), please call Warwickshire Police on 101 and quote the relevant crime reference. Alternatively call CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111.

Many residents on the eastern side of Kenilworth were awoken in the early hours of Thursday 3 May by the Police Helicopter which had been deployed following a burglary in Windy Arbour, Kenilworth at around 0300hrs.

A spokesperson for Kenilworth Watch News said the Windy Arbour burglary had demonstrated how installing a deterrent can help protect people’s homes and properties. The home affected had an intruder alarm that the burglars set off. As a result people were alerted and some were vigilant and able to tell police that a number of offenders had been witnessed making off along Windy Arbour and into Leyes Lane.

A burglary was also committed on 30 April involving a property along Glasshouse Lane and a van outside a property in Hyde Road was stolen on 1 May.

Kenilworth Watch News said these latest events are worrying and demonstrate that criminals are prowling around Kenilworth looking for opportunities. The more that each householder can do to protect their property with clear deterrent measures the less risk of burglary there is. A monitored intruder alarm costs less than £1 a day but crucially it puts off most intruders. These latest events have prompted Kenilworth Watch News to renew its calls for a greater police officer presence to be seen in and around Kenilworth as this is the missing piece of deterrence that can really dissuade criminals because it raises the potential for them to be caught and prosecuted.

Here are the events:

Hyde Road, Kenilworth

Incident 145 of 1 May – At just after 11.15am on 1 May, offenders stole a Ford Transit van, with the keys in the ignition, from outside a home in Hyde Road, Kenilworth and made off in the direction of Kenilworth old town. Incident 145 of 1 May 2018

Glasshouse Lane, Kenilworth

Between 9am on 26 and 5pm on 30 April, offenders broke into a home in Glasshouse Lane, Kenilworth through the rear door.  It is not clear exactly what was stolen. Incident 325 of  30 April 2018

Windy Arbour, Kenilworth

At just before 3am on 3 May, offenders broke into a home in Windy Arbour, Kenilworth and activated the intruder alarm.  Witnesses then saw several offenders running off towards Leyes Lane.  It is not clear if anything was stolen. Incident 20 of 3 May

If you have information into any of these events or may have seen or heard .something that might relate to them please contact Warwickshire Police on 101.

 

KENILWORTH WATCH NEWS is once again seeking to heighten local residents awareness and vigilance with the news that there has been a fresh spate of criminal activity across town and area. We also want to highlight how increased vigilance by householders and local people is positively affecting and deterring crime with two of these latest events demonstrating that by considered and safe intervention residents and members of the public can prevent crime actually being committed.

There have been three burglaries with two involving homes that were entered to gain access to car keys with motor vehicles then being stolen off the drives of those homes. Two potential criminal events were prevented from developing further by intervention through increased vigilance.

Westwood Heath, Kenilworth

At around 7am on 23 April, offenders broke into a residential home in Westwood Heath, through a side door into an office, and stole a set of keys to a staff members car.  The offenders then used the keys to steal the vehicle from outside. This is Incident 77 of 23 April 2018.

The Square, Kenilworth

Between 20 and 23 April 2018, offenders broke into a shed at the rear of a charity shop in The Square, Kenilworth.  Nothing was stolen. This is Incident 123 of 23 April 2018.

Woodland Road, Kenilworth

At just before 10.30pm on 22 April, an offender broke into a home in Woodland Road, Kenilworth and was challenged and chased off by the resident.  It is not clear if anything was stolen. This is Incident 412 of 22 April 2018.

Woodland Road, Kenilworth

At around 2am on 23 April, offenders attempted to break into another home in Woodland Road.  The resident of the house saw someone ride a bike onto the driveway and then rang the doorbell.  The resident looked out of a window and the offenders made off. This is Incident 86 of 23 April 2018.

Red Lane, Kenilworth

At some point before 3.20pm on 26 April, offenders broke into a home in Red Lane, Burton Green after forcing open a rear window.  Once inside, the offenders stole the keys to an Audi vehicle.. The offenders then used the keys to steal the vehicle from the driveway. This is Incident 269 of 26 April 2018.

If you think you may have seen or heard anything that might relate to any of these incidents please contact Warwickshire Police on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

If you see anyone acting suspiciously or on or around property etc that they have no business on then contact the Police immediately using 999. If possible, and WITHOUT putting yourself in danger trying to get the registration number and the make and colour of any vehicle they may be using together with making a note of what you see and the offenders’ description. If you don’t feel safe doing any of this then DON’T do it, your personal safety must come first.

 

 

Crime continues to take place across Kenilworth with news that 4 homes have been burgled in the past 4 days. Most of the activity seems to have involved searching homes and taking valuable items such as jewellery.

Residents are advised to be vigilant and report anything or anyone acting suspiciously. Kenilworth Watch continues to express concern at the lack of visible policing across the town.

Berekley Road, Kenilworth

At some point before 5pm on 12 April, offenders broke into a home in Berkeley Road, Kenilworth through the rear patio door.  Once inside the house, the offenders carried out a very messy search before making off with numerous items of jewellery.

Villiers Road, Kenilworth

Between 12noon on 13 April and 9am on 14 April, offenders broke into a home in Villiers Road, Kenilworth through the rear kitchen window and carried out a messy search.  Several items were stolen.

Villiers Road, Kenilworth

At some point before 6pm on 14 April, offenders broke into another home in Villiers Road, Kenilworth, again through the rear kitchen window, and carried out a tidy search before making off with items of jewellery.

Villiers Road, Kenilworth

At some point before 8.45pm on 15 April, offenders broke into another home in Villiers Road and stole a box containing 7 watches and several pairs of cufflinks.

If you have any information about any of these incidents please contact Warwickshire Police on 101.