CRIME REDUCTION

If you see a crime actually being carried out or life is in danger you should dial 999 immediately. To report anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood issues call 101.  Otherwise you should ring 0845 045 45 45 for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police, contact our Neighbourhood Watch coordinator (Sue Cole tel 8081 3391), or call Crimestoppers, the charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.  Any information about suspicious persons or vehicles, or something that is odd or unusual can be very helpful either in preventing a crime taking place or in providing a key part of a bigger picture.

If you wish to discuss any issues or concern with our local Safer Neighbourhoods Team they will be outside the Village Shop from 11 am to midday on the first Wednesday of every month and in the Trusty Servant between 6 and 7 pm on the first Friday of every month.

Although burglary remains at an all time low in the New Forest it could be reduced by a further 20 per cent if homeowners took simple crime prevention steps by locking their doors and windows.  For further advice visit the New Forest Community Safety Partnership website or contact your local Crime Reduction Officer, Ron Smith, at Lyndhurst police station on 0845 045 45 45.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

This is a good time to remind people about Neighbourhood Watch with many of us planning to be away at some stage. Please let your neighbours know and tell them if you are expecting anyone to visit the house while you are absent and if possible leave a contact number. Keep watchful for anything you might think suspicious and make a note of any car reg no's. You should report anything suspicious to the Police immediately on 999 in an emergency; 101 for non-emergency anti-social behaviour, community safety advice (see below), information and action; or 0845 045 45 45 for general enquiries or if you want to report a crime. Anyone wanting more info or to get more involved in our Minstead scheme please contact Sue Cole, preferably by email or on 8081 3391 and for regular updates fill in the form in the Village Shop with you name and email address.  A recent report of a further shed break-in is a reminder that thefts from outbuildings are an all too frequent occurrence in this area.

101 CALL SERVICE

101 is a new 24-hour number provided by your police and local council to deal with community safety issues, including certain non-emergency crime, policing and anti-social behaviour. 101 is live in 3 areas across England and Wales: Hampshire & the Isle of Wight, Cardiff and Sheffield. 101 is for: vandalism and graffiti; noise nuisance; threatening and abusive behaviour; abandoned vehicles; dumping and fly tipping; drunk and rowdy groups; drug related anti-social behaviour; and broken street lighting. Calls to the service cost 10p from landlines and mobiles and will be recorded for training, quality monitoring and public safety purposes. You should still dial 999 when there is immediate danger or you witness a crime taking place.

PEOPLE BEING SCAMMED

The New Forest District Council has joined the battle to stop elderly and vulnerable people from falling victim to scams which can cost thousands of pounds. Some tricksters promise fake lottery and prize draw wins, while others offer bogus psychic predictions, get rich quick investment cons and miracle health cures. Every day, people throughout the UK are falling victim to scams of one kind or another. It could be an unexpected prize draw or lottery win, or a chance to invest in an exciting new money-making or investment programme. But remember - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you are being pestered seek help from Neighbourhood Watch, friends, relatives, social workers, trading standards officers or the Police.