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June 3, 2009
Local Police Update
Hello from your local Police
It is hard to believe that it is Summer again already.
Many residents may have heard about a series of house-burglaries which took place in April this year. The offender - a male working alone, was travelling from Lincoln, doing a burglary, and disappearing again. I want to assure all residents that he was apprehended, admitted all, and was charged to court.
There have been no burglaries since.
Please do not be complacent, however.
This year, we have been promised a hot summer. This gives the 'sneak-in burglar' his opportunity. We all like to relax at home; but if you are all down the bottom of the garden, think about how easy it is for somebody to sneak into your house and take a wallet or handbag. Lock your front door.
Please be aware of 'bogus' traders. Although we have not suffered particularly in the Metheringham area, this sort of thing seems to be on the increase generally in Lincolnshire. These people tend to target the elderly and vulnerable, who always tend to be more trusting than most.
Do not accept the word of somebody who arrives at your door to tell you your roof or guttering needs fixing. They may quote you £40 for the job. They will be very persuasive. They will then do the 'work'on your house, and invariably tell you they quoted £400, or some other ridiculous price. If you argue, they can get nasty.
Never let these people take you to a 'cash-point'.
One elderly gentleman in Billinghay was recently targeted by these people, and handed over something in the region of £3,000!
Some of these criminals may state they work for the water-board, or the gas-board, and may even have some type of uniform on. Always ask for some identification. Don't just glance at it. If there is a contact 'phone number on the I/D, you can always 'phone the company. Do not let anybody into your property unless you are 100% happy.
We run a 'nominated neighbour' scheme. You need to ask a trusted neighbour, or a member of your family who lives nearby, to be your nominated neighbour.
Ask them if they will be prepared to help you check out the identity of any person who calls at your door, and accompany them into your home while they speak to you.
We will provide you with a proper card which you can display, which will ask them to go to the address of your nominated neighbour. You do not let them in unaccompanied.
If anybody would like one of these cards, please contact your neighbourhood beat team.
Having said all of the above, the crime-rate in the Metheringham area is gratifyingly-low.
Most of our youngsters are okay. The minority who behave in an anti-social manner will always be with us, I fear. But apart from a few minor incidents, we are having very few problems. Some of our youths are being 'diverted' by local youth-workers, who are taking them to Caythorpe during the summer months, where they can let off steam doing all sorts of activities such as tackling climbing-walls, 'quad-biking'etc.
Every year, there are tragedies involving children or teenagers during the long summer holidays. I think it's great that the kids can all go out and enjoy themselves. Just make sure they don't play on building-sites, railway-lines, motorways. Remember the dangers associated with lakes and gravel-pits.
Remember, you are living in a very safe village, in a very safe county.
Let's hope we get that great summer. See you around the village.
PC 638 SIMON GORDON - COMMUNITY BEAT MANAGER
Simon.Gordon@lincs.pnn.police.uk
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