Westminster Park Residents Association

• Start : 01 Jun 2011 10:30am
• Finish : 01 Jun 2011 11:30am
• Location : Westminster Park Golf Club House / Café (Opposite Hough Green entrance)

See website here

Chester Outer South – Lache / Westminster Park / Curzon Park / Handbridge / Saltney

• Courtney Road  – Theft from motor vehicle. Overnight period. Offender(s) steal registration plates from parked vehicle. (This occurred the same day as an attempted theft of vehicleplates from Hough Green).
• Boundary Lane – Theft from motor vehicle. Over weekend period. Offender(s) steal ladders from roof of parked Ford Transit.
• Forge Way – Theft of pedal cycle. Afternoon period. Offender(s) steal insecure ladies pedal cycle left behind insecure gate to side of house.
• Curzon Park North – Burglary (dwelling). Mid-morning period. Offender(s) smash rear window to dwelling before making full search and stealing sat. nav. device. (There was also a further burglary offence nearby the following day whereby an insecure utility room was entered and meat, wine & cider stolen).
• Lache Lane – Theft from motor vehicle. Overnight period. Offender(s) enter insecure motor vehicle and steal 2 x sat. nav. devices.

Full Report Here

Many people take great care when securing their homes but pay little attention to the security of their sheds, garages or outbuildings that are often used to store valuable property.

Make sure your shed is in good condition and would stand up to a security test. If not, take steps to improve it or don’t leave valuable items such as lawn mowers, golf clubs and bicycles inside.

Secure your shed

• Use a closed shackle padlock not less than 2.5 inches in width, made of hardened steel with no less that five pins. A standard small padlock with hasp can easily be forced or cut by bolt cutters.
• The fittings should be bolted through the door of the shed and reinforced at the back with a steel plate.
• The hasp should have concealed screws or coach bolts fitted.
• Use the lock at all times.
• Protect glass by fitting a grille or strong wire mesh to the inside of the window and fit locks to any window that can be opened.
• Prevent anyone seeing into your shed by placing curtains or other coverings over the window or blacken out with paint.
• Make sure that you can see your shed from the house. If it is obstructed from view a thief has a better chance of breaking in without being seen.
• Mark valuable items with Smart Water.

Garages

Much of the advice for garden sheds also applies to garages. In addition you should consider fitting:

• A drive post on the outside of an up-and-over door. It will stop the door being opened and is a visible deterrent.
• Good quality closed shackle padlocks with hasp and staple on either side of the door.
• Five lever mortise locks to connecting doors if the garage is attached to the main building. Make sure the lock comply with British Standard 3621.
• Fitting a simple, low cost, battery operated shed alarm to the door of your shed or garage will warn of any attempted break into your property and act as a deterrent.
• Mark valuable items with Smart Water.

Deterring burglars

As well as making your property secure as you can also make it difficult for a thief to get it. Here are some simple steps:

• Install security lights to illuminate the front porch and/or the garden. There are two types; lights that come on automatically, when it is dark and turn themselves off when its light or lights operated by sensors that come on when movement is detected.
• Keep shrubs, hedges and large plants cut back. They can provide a screen for thieves to work behind.
• Keep your boundary fences, walls and gates in good condition as they provide a barrier to the would be thief. It is recommended that fences are maintained at a height of 1.8m at the sides and rear of the house with gates that are lockable at the same height.
• Keep an eye out on your neighbour’s property and encourage them to do the same for you. Report anything suspicious to the police.
• Consider setting up, or becoming members of a neighbourhood watch scheme.

• Start : 14 May 2011 10:30am
• Finish : 14 May 2011 11:30am
• Location : Westminster Park Golf Café, Westminster Park

http://www.cheshire.police.uk/get-involved/meetings-and-events/2011/05/14-cwp-police-surgery.aspx?lang=en-gb

BURGLARIES

This time of the year usually sees a rise in the number of burglaries and many of them are “sneak-ins” when the criminal just walks through an unlocked door. Some of these happen at night, which means people have even gone to bed without locking up.

Everybody enjoys the warmer weather the Spring and Summer brings. People are in and out of their homes more often and become more relaxed about locking up. That’s why criminals also look forward to the warmer weather. Police are trying to get across the message that you need to keep doors locked, even if you are in your house or flat, and downstairs windows should be kept shut.”

Tips to keep your home safe from burglars:

• Make sure that you lock all windows and doors.
• Never leave door keys outside under a doormat or plant pot.
• Don’t leave valuables in sight through windows where people can see them.
• Use time switches to give the impression that someone is at home.
• Make sure your house does not look deserted when you are away and if leaving the house ensure some curtains are closed.
• Security lights alert homeowners to any trespassers. Fit these at the front and rear of your property.
• Never leave an out going answering machine message indicating you are away from home.
• Ensure that your garden fence is well maintained and there are no gaps in it.
• Keep the garden gate to your garden locked easy access is what opportunists look for.
• Keep trees, hedges and shrubbery pruned this will allow neighbours and passers by to clearly see potential intruders near the house.
• Never leave garden sheds unlocked and always lock away garden tools.

Cheshire Constabulary Western Watch Office supports Home Watch Schemes across Chester, Ellesmere Port, Neston and Vale Royal, and is based in the Western Partnership Office, Northwich Police Station.

TO CONTACT THE POLICE CALL 0845 458 0000