The December and final Kenilworth Update for 2013 is published and available here.
Get all the latest news related to Neighbourhood Watch and Kenilworth here.
Christmas Visits by Burglars to Kenilworth
Unfortunately, in the last few days further crimes have taken place in Kenilworth. These have largely been traditional burglaries. Doors and/or windows forced or smashed, properties entered and in some cases numerous items stolen. The late notification of the first two events is due to further problems with the police crime alert notification system.
Here are the details:
Please be aware of the following incidents, which have occurred at homes in your area over recent days:
Incident 122 of 8 December
At some point before 10am on 8 December, offenders forced open a window at the rear of a home in Clinton lane, Kenilworth and entered the premises to steal several items.
Incident 323 of 7 December
Before 7pm on 7 December, offenders entered a home in Rouncil Lane, Kenilworth through a rear door and stole many items.
Incident 150 of 17 December
Between 11am and 2.10pm on 17 December, offenders smashed the rear patio doors at a home in Red Lane, Burton Green and entered the premises to steal several items.
Incident 184 of 17 December
Between 1 and 3.30pm on 17 December, offenders smashed the glass in the patio door of a home in Crackley Lane, Kenilworth and entered the house. Once inside, the offenders carried out a search of the house before making off with items of jewellery and electrical goods.
Incident 319 of 16 December
At just before 10am on 16 December, offenders attempted to steal a vehicle from outside a home in Clarendon Road, Kenilworth. An off duty Police Officer saw what was happening and apprehended the offenders until Warwickshire Officers arrived and arrested them.
Please be vigilant and report anything you see that is suspicious immediately. Crown Watch would like to commend the actions of the off duty police officer, who through his actions whilst off duty successfully apprehended two offenders leading to their subsequent arrest.
Police Helicopter assists with latest Incidents in Kenilworth 28.11.2013
Incident 142 of 28 November
At just before 12.30pm today, 28 November, the resident of a home in Denewood Way, Kenilworth disturbed a male offender in their home. The offender quickly ran off, out of the house and made his escape. Nothing was stolen. The Police Helicopter was deployed to asset in locating the offender
Incident 317 of 27 November 2013
During yesterday afternoon, 27 November, a male called at the home of an elderly person in Amherst Road, Kenilworth and stated that he had come to collect money for a mattress that had been ordered.
The Police Helicopter seen over Knights Meadow estate responding to Incident 142 that took place earlier today (28 November) and mentioned above.
3, 11,13,16,18, 50, – Criminals winning lottery numbers in Kenilworth
Criminals have won the lottery in Kenilworth, or at least they must think they have with the help being given to them to commit crime by over 50% of the town’s residents. In less than a month the town has become a magnet for thieves who have quickly realised there are rich pickings to had by just visiting peoples drives because so many people are leaving items such a seat navs and laptops in vehicles.
3 Types of items are attracting thieves Sat Navs, Laptops and “other valuables” – 1 thing in common is that they are all being left in vehicles by their owners.
11 All the crimes that we are referring to here this morning have taken place in the 11th month November.
13 The year in the 21st century, 2013 has seen Neighbourhood Watch and Kenilworth’s Safer Neighbourhood Team stress time and time again not to leave garage doors open with property on show or leave valuable items in vehicles. To the criminals delight the message is not getting through.
16 Is the number of thefts that have taken place in November involving the taking of property from motor vehicles with also a couple of opportunist burglaries thrown in.
18 The number of days in November that the 16 crimes have taken place. Kenilworth is now being targeted nearly daily by criminals and its little wonder when past success encourages them that a repeat visit is unlikely to mean them leaving empty handed.
50 Over 50% of the crimes reported involving the taking of property from motor vehicles are either from insecure (unlocked) vehicles or where there are obvious signs of valuable property inside.
Crown Watch is appealing to all residents of the town to wake up to what is going on in their neighbourhood and to stop, think and act.
STOP – Just because it has not happened to you does not mean it can’t or won’t.
THINK – Go through your current routine and what you do, Is there something that you do that could or does make it easy for a criminal. Leaving the sat nav or laptop in your vehicle? Leaving your garage doors open displaying your property?
ACT – When you have stopped and thought then ACT. Change that routine, don’t leave valuables in your vehicles, anywhere – and that most definitely means your drive at home. too! Keep doors shut and check you have sensible precautions such as burglar alarms and security lighting that comes on when someone approaches your property.
If we all make it difficult for criminals then they will soon get the message. At the moment too many are making it easy for them and that’s why they keep coming back for more!
If you have any information about any of the crimes that have taken place over November, perhaps you may have seen something, someone or a vehicle acting suspiciously please contact Warwickshire Police on 101 or anonymously using Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Timely Crime Alerts helping Kenilworth
Last week Crown Watch raised the receipt of crime alerts that were, in some case, weeks old. In a letter to Warwickshire Chief Constable, Andy Parker, the editor set out the frustration felt by some Neighbourhood Watch volunteers thata notification of crimes were not coming through on a timely basis. Chief Constable Parker has responded very promptly and openly admitting there have and are some problems and he has requested an investigation be carried out. In the meantime Crown Watch would like to thank the Chief Constable for his prompt action and reply. Further since raising the issue more crime alerts have come through and these have been very much more up to date and consequently more usual and credible.
Here is what Chief Constable Parker said on Monday 25 November in respect of the concerns raised last week:
Thank you for your open letter regarding the timeliness of the ‘Watch’ scheme notifications you have been receiving. This issues you raise are very important, as the timely distribution of information about crimes is essential in preventing further offences taking place, and also in appealing for potential witnesses or other essential information.
A 12 day delay is clearly not acceptable for all the reasons you describe. I very much appreciate all the work that is done by Neighbourhood Watch volunteers in Kenilworth and across the county, and we should be doing everything we can to support you in these efforts.
In order to resolve these problems, I have asked for an immediate review of the processes involved, and for any improvements to be made as soon as possible. This should significantly improve the timeliness of the notifications to all our users, and I will ensure that you are updated with the changes that are made.
Warwickshire Police also use a number of other channels, including Twitter to communicate with our local communities. The twitter account @kenilworth_cops is operated by the Kenilworth and Warwick Rural East Safer Neighbourhood Teams and contains lots of local information and news that you may find helpful.
I would like to thank you again for bring this issue to my attention, and I hope that you will soon start to see improvements in the timeliness of our messages.kind regards
Andy Parker
Chief Constable
Warwickshire Police
Kenilworth Watch 