Park Barn & Westborough - My Neighbourhood - Surrey Police

Three men arrested for theft
Three men were arrested on suspicion of going equipped for theft and theft of a motor vehicle on Friday, May 28. They were stopped around 6.20am while travelling along the A3 towards Guildford in a Ford Transit van that was towing a Land Rover Discovery.

On closer examination, the Land Rover appeared to have been hot-wired and damage had been caused to the driver’s side door lock. A police search of the van also revealed five sawn-off catalytic converters and cutting equipment.

Both vehicles were duly seized and all three men, including two 17-year-olds and a 38-year-old from Guildford, were arrested and taken to Guildford police station. They have since been released on bail until July 23 pending further investigation.


Ashenden Estate
The Ashenden Estate is continually patrolled by the Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team. In addition, the Roads Policing Unit deals with any vehicles causing an obstruction.


Anti-social behaviour and drugs
If you know of any anti-social behaviour and/or drugs issues in our area, please let us know by calling Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222. This problem affects our community and we can all help to stop it. If you prefer, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111


Number plate thefts
A spate of number plate thefts across west Surrey has prompted Surrey Police to once again warn motorists to be alert to the offence and offer help in protecting their cars.

Anti-tamper screws, a simple anti-theft device, are available free of charge from local Crime Reduction Advisors and can be easily fitted with a screwdriver in place of existing screws but cannot be removed using standard tools.

“Number plate theft is a nationwide issue and while motorists in Surrey are not at especially high risk it is always a good idea to take steps to protect your vehicle,” says Crime Reduction Advisor PC Tracy Spencer. “If your number plates are stolen it is imperative that you report the theft to police immediately. Stolen plates can be fitted to vehicles involved in crime, so by not reporting your plates as stolen you could run the risk of becoming falsely implicated in criminal activity."

To get your anti-tamper screws or for further crime prevention advice, please contact Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 and ask for your local Crime Reduction Advisor.


Neighbourhood Panel Meeting report
At our May Neighbourhood Panel meeting, the following priorities were raised by residents:

1. Traffic related dangers near the schools in Aldershot Road
2. Parking in the Beckingham Road, Weston Road area - and on the cycle lanes in Aldershot Road, Westborough

If there are any issues or concerns in your area, we look forward to hearing about them at our next Neighbourhood Panel Meeting. For details, please see the Meeting Point section on the right.


Motorists urged to be extra vigilant following further catalytic converter thefts
Following thefts of catalytic converters across the borough, the Guildford Safer Neighbourhood Teams is urging motorists to be extra vigilant and perform regular safety checks on their vehicles.

The majority of the thefts have been from 4x4 and commercial vehicles with a high road clearance which allows an offender easy access to the underside of the vehicle.

The most recent offences include the theft of catalytic converters, each valued at £260, from two Ford Transit minibuses parked in London Road, Guildford sometime between 5.00pm on 1 May and 6.00pm on 7 May.

A silver Ford Ranger parked in Mitchells Row, Shalford, was targeted sometime overnight on Sunday, 9 May. This resulted in thieves making off with the catalytic converter valued at £1,500.

Guildford’s Crime Reduction Advisor PC Steve Cake urges 4X4 and commercial vehicles owners to try and ensure they park in a well-lit area with frequent passers-by to reduce the opportunities for thieves to strike. He said: “Should you be unfortunate enough to suffer the theft of your catalytic converter, I advise that when you are getting it replaced to ask the garage to allow you to retain the cut area of the exhaust as we may then be able to make a mechanical match on any recovered converters and bring any offenders to justice.”

PC Cake also has this advice for marking catalytic converters: “Retainagroup offer a kit consisting of a virtually indestructible sticker, metal marking fluid and a window sticker (to warn thieves that the catalytic converter carries an identification mark). Each mark contains a seven digit code and a 24-hour telephone number for the International Security Register who store the code against vehicle details.”

A catalyst marking kit can be ordered from http://www.TheISR.org/ or by phoning 01233 333000


Don’t become a summer statistic
Surrey Police is keen to encourage residents enjoying the outdoors to be mindful of car security this summer.

With the good weather the area has been enjoying recently there are many people stepping out to visit local beauty spots and officers want motorists to be aware of crime prevention in order that they do not fall victim to auto crime.

Neighbourhood Superintendent Rachel Tills said: “Residents and visitors who are out and about enjoying west Surrey’s countryside need to be aware that opportunist thieves are working in our neighbourhoods – particularly at local beauty spots. Every year we urge motorists to be mindful of security and encourage people to think sensibly about how to prevent themselves becoming a target.

“Simple measures to help keep property safe include not leaving anything on view in the car, not taking valuables if at all possible out in a vehicle and using alarms systems where fitted. People should be aware of their surroundings and park in suitable spots – preferably where a car is visible to passers by and where there are other cars alongside. Surrey Police continues to tackle vehicle crime hot spots but motorists should heed basic security advice.”

Surrey Police offers the following advice to motorists:
• Always leave handbags and wallets at home if you can. Even if your bag does not contain anything valuable, a thief will not know that and might still break a window or force a lock to get at it
• Make sure the doors of your vehicle are locked and the windows and sunroof are shut, no matter how hot the weather, or even if you are only going to be gone for a couple of minutes
• Make sure your car is parked in a location where it is in clear view of other people, not obscured from sight by trees or shrubs, therefore making it more vulnerable
• Do not leave anything in your vehicle. The most commonly stolen items from cars include laptops, handbags and mobile phones. They are easy to remove quickly, are easily concealed and do not look out of place if a thief is seen walking away from a car
• Make sure you do not leave a coat or jacket behind in the car. A thief may think that it is hiding a laptop or handbag and break into your car to find out
• Always remove your in-car radio/CD player if you can
• Should anything untoward happen, descriptions and car registrations should be noted and given to the police at the time of suspicious incidents

Written by FIN: 12106

Ashenden Estate
The Ashenden Estate is continually patrolled by the Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team. In addition, the Roads Policing Unit deals with any vehicles causing an obstruction.


Anti-social behaviour and drugs
If you know of any anti-social behaviour and/or drugs issues in our area, please let us know by calling Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 This problem affects our community and we can all help to stop it. If you prefer, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111


Number plate thefts
A spate of number plate thefts across west Surrey has prompted Surrey Police to once again warn motorists to be alert to the offence and offer help in protecting their cars.

Anti-tamper screws, a simple anti-theft device, are available free of charge from local Crime Reduction Advisors and can be easily fitted with a screwdriver in place of existing screws but cannot be removed using standard tools.

“Number plate theft is a nationwide issue and while motorists in Surrey are not at especially high risk it is always a good idea to take steps to protect your vehicle,” says Crime Reduction Advisor PC Tracy Spencer. “If your number plates are stolen it is imperative that you report the theft to police immediately. Stolen plates can be fitted to vehicles involved in crime, so by not reporting your plates as stolen you could run the risk of becoming falsely implicated in criminal activity."

To get your anti-tamper screws or for further crime prevention advice, please contact Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 and ask for your local Crime Reduction Advisor.


Neighbourhood Panel Meeting report
At our May Neighbourhood Panel meeting, the following priorities were raised by residents:

1. Traffic related dangers near the schools in Aldershot Road
2. Parking in the Beckingham Road, Weston Road area - and on the cycle lanes in Aldershot Road, Westborough.

If there are any issues or concerns in your area, we look forward to hearing about them at our next Neighbourhood Panel Meeting. For details, please see the Meeting Point section on the right.


Motorists urged to be extra vigilant following a further catalytic converter thefts
Following thefts of catalytic converters across the borough, the Guildford Safer Neighbourhood Teams is urging motorists to be extra vigilant and perform regular safety checks on their vehicles.

The majority of the thefts have been from 4x4 and commercial vehicles with a high road clearance which allows an offender easy access to the underside of the vehicle.

The most recent offences include the theft of catalytic converters, each valued at £260, from two Ford Transit minibuses parked in London Road, Guildford sometime between 5.00pm on 1 May and 6.00pm on 7 May.

A silver Ford Ranger parked in Mitchells Row, Shalford, was targeted sometime overnight on Sunday, 9 May. This resulted in thieves making off with the catalytic converter valued at £1,500.

Guildford’s Crime Reduction Advisor PC Steve Cake urges 4X4 and commercial vehicles owners to try and ensure they park in a well-lit area with frequent passers-by to reduce the opportunities for thieves to strike. He said: “Should you be unfortunate enough to suffer the theft of your catalytic converter, I advise that when you are getting it replaced to ask the garage to allow you to retain the cut area of the exhaust as we may then be able to make a mechanical match on any recovered converters and bring any offenders to justice.”

PC Cake also has this advice for marking catalytic converters: “Retainagroup offer a kit consisting of a virtually indestructible sticker, metal marking fluid and a window sticker (to warn thieves that the catalytic converter carries an identification mark). Each mark contains a seven digit code and a 24-hour telephone number for the International Security Register who store the code against vehicle details.”

A catalyst marking kit can be ordered from http://www.TheISR.org/ or by phoning 01233 333000


Don’t become a summer statistic
As summertime approaches, Surrey Police is keen to encourage residents enjoying the outdoors to be mindful of car security particularly .

With the good weather the area has been enjoying recently there are many people stepping out to visit local beauty spots and officers want motorists to be aware of crime prevention in order that they do not fall victim to auto crime.

Neighbourhood Superintendent Rachel Tills said: “Residents and visitors who are out and about enjoying west Surrey’s countryside need to be aware that opportunist thieves are working in our neighbourhoods – particularly at local beauty spots. Every year we urge motorists to be mindful of security and encourage people to think sensibly about how to prevent themselves becoming a target.

“Simple measures to help keep property safe include not leaving anything on view in the car, not taking valuables if at all possible out in a vehicle and using alarms systems where fitted. People should be aware of their surroundings and park in suitable spots – preferably where a car is visible to passers by and where there are other cars alongside. Surrey Police continues to tackle vehicle crime hot spots but motorists should heed basic security advice.”

Surrey Police offers the following advice to motorists:

• Always leave handbags and wallets at home if you can. Even if your bag does not contain anything valuable, a thief will not know that and might still break a window or force a lock to get at it.
• Make sure the doors of your vehicle are locked and the windows and sunroof are shut, no matter how hot the weather, or even if you are only going to be gone for a couple of minutes.
• Make sure your car is parked in a location where it is in clear view of other people, not obscured from sight by trees or shrubs, therefore making it more vulnerable
• Do not leave anything in your vehicle. The most commonly stolen items from cars include laptops, handbags and mobile phones. They are easy to remove quickly, are easily concealed and do not look out of place if a thief is seen walking away from a car.
• Make sure you do not leave a coat or jacket behind in the car. A thief may think that it is hiding a laptop or handbag and break into your car to find out.
• Always remove your in-car radio/CD player if you can.
• Should anything untoward happen, descriptions and car registrations should be noted and given to the police at the time of suspicious incidents.

Written by FIN: 12106