There have been several incidents of crime over the past couple of weeks, which on the face of things to those not personally affected, may be considered minor. In reality, this is not the case, consider if you were the victim of: your car number plates being stolen or some aspect of your home targeted. In the past couple of weeks some people have experienced their car number plates being stolen or lead flashing being removed from their roofs.

There has also been an increase in scrap metal dealers touring the town looking to take away any metal items. Whilst its not suggested this is in anyway a crime, there have been incidents where metal items within sight of the road that have not been put out for scrap collection have been taken.

So the advice is clear, keep and maintain a sharp outlook at all times. Many crimes like these take place because we are not paying attention to what is going on in our surroundings, they are opportunist.

VEHICLE NUMBER PLATES

If you park in the street or even on your own drive check everytime you go to your vehicle that the number plates are on it. If the plates have gone then REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY! – This is critical because in most cases number plates are stolen to place on another vehicle that is going to commit crime. If you report it then the national Automatic Number Plate Recognition system used by the police and at many fuel garages can be updated.

PROPERTY THEFT

Keep a keen eye out for people loitering around or acting suspiciously and if you see such behaviour don’t be afraid to report it to the police whilst it is taking place. Make sure anything of any value is out of sight if possible or locked down to make stealing it difficult.

SCRAP METAL

Don’t leave metal items lying around and within sight of the road, it only takes one unscrupulous operator to make their move and your property will be gone forever.

THINK OF YOUR NEIGHBOURS

You may have an elderly neighbour who is less physically able than others. Please think of them and see if they need any help to follow this advice. They will be reassured to know you are looking out for them just by you asking and it only takes a short time.

If you have any concerns or want further advice then please contact Kenilworth’s Safer Neighbourhood Team on 01926 684404

Residents are warned and asked to keep a real close eye on things taking place outside their homes and that of their neighbours. The following burglaries occurred at homes in Kenilworth during the morning of Thursday 20 January 2011

Between 8.50am and 1pm on 20 January offenders smashed the glass in the rear door of a home in Lindisfarne Drive, Kenilworth and entered the house.  Once inside, the offenders stole four laptop computers and items of jewellery.

Between 8.30am and 2pm on the same date offenders forced open the front door of a home in Bodnant Way, Kenilworth and entered the premises.  Once inside, the offenders stole the keys to a Subaru vehicle which was parked outside.  The offenders then used the keys to steal the vehicle which was later recovered in Coventry.

Any information that you believe may be connected to either of these incidents please contact Kenilworth Police quoting incident number 138 of 20 January.

Further burglaries have taken place at homes in Littleton Close, Kenilworth & Hob Lane, Burton Green, Kenilworth

At 11.30pm on 8 January 2011 three male offenders forced open the door of a home in Littleton Close and activated the intruder alarm. Neighbours witnessed the offenders running from the scene and get into a waiting car before making off.

At 1pm on11 January 2011 offenders used a length of copper pipe to smash a window at the rear of a home in Hob Lane, Burton Green.  This activated the intruder alarm.  A neighbour checked the premises out a short while later but the offenders had made off.

If you have information that you believe might help with either of these incidents please contact Kenilworth Police quoting incident number 167 of 11 January 2011.

Clearly Kenilworth is currently being targeted by opportunist criminals. Please remain alert, on the lookout for suspicious persons or activity in your area and if you see anything report it to police immediately.  Try, if possible and without putting yourself in any danger, to get any vehicle registrations associated with any suspicious activity. Thank you and keep safe.