Michael Binns, who lives in Water Street,has volunteered to assist with the Neighbourhood Watch in our area with an aim to blow the dust off, get the watch working better and try reduce the chance of unwanted visitors helping themselves to your's or your neighbours' property. He has spoken to the Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator at Newbury (Deborah Morton) who explained he could share the info he receives as a co-ordinator with you all or you could become a volunteer if you so wished. If you want to become directly involved then let him know and he will assist you.

Michael has some information packs available on Neighbourhood Watch containing certain security aide memoire stickers / neighbour hood watch stickers, and discounts for security products. Also included is a small first aid capsule containing details on a persons medical problems / location of medicine / next of kin which could assist you, a neighbour or the emergency services in case of a medical emergency.

As Michael receives updates from the Neighbourhood Watch coordinator they will be posted on this page.

Recent Messages:

July

22nd July
This is a message for all NHW and community members. Some of you may remember back in September 2009 I put out a warning about scam telephone calls being received from people claiming to work for a telephone company. Victims of the scam are told that they are in arrears with their payments and will be cut off immediately if they do not pay. The victims are then asked for their credit card details in order to pay the bill.

There have been reports across the country that this scam may have started again. Please warn your neighbours; especially the elderly and vulnerable that should they receive such a call do not give out any personal details. Terminate the conversation and if they are worried call their telephone provider directly using the number on a bill or by looking it up in the phone book.

Secondly Thames Valley Police is urging residents to make sure they have locked their vehicles securely when not in use or risk becoming a victim of an opportunist thief. This follows after an offender(s) gained access to a Honda Accord parked in Chesterfield Road and stole a briefcase (URN 247 of 20.07.10). A handbag was stolen from an insecure vehicle in Stable Close, Burghfield Common (URN 1046 of 20.07.10) and clothes and sports bags were stolen from an unlocked Renault Clio parked in Clifton Road, Newbury. Never leave anything of value on display in a vehicle. Lock valuable items in the boot or preferably take them with you. Where possible remove all in-car electronic systems such as satellite navigation devices and wipe down suction-cup marks.

19th July
This is a message for NHW and community members. There have been a few incidents of garage and shed breaks in the area. The most recent include a shed break in Red Shute Hill, Hermitage, and two garages in Hatch Lane and Pease Hill, Bucklebury. In both garage breaks the offender(s) gained entry by forcing the door. Garden tools were stolen from both.

Please remain vigilant and report any persons or vehicles seen acting suspiciously in the area to the police on 0845 8 505 505 or if a crime is in progress dial 999. Postcode marking your gardening tools with household paint may help to deter thieves from stealing them.

19th July
This is a Ringmaster message to inform watch members about a couple of scams that have been highlighted recently involving cold calling via the telephone.

The first involves a company claiming to represent 'Neighbourhood Watch Support' who are trying to get people to advertise in a Neighbourhood Watch brochure they claim is going out to all local residents. There is no such organisation as 'neighbourhood Watch Support' If you have any concerns, questions or issues that you would like to raise relating to this please call the following number 0116 229 3118 or e-mail

Information about the second incident has come from a NHW co-ordinator who was contacted by a male on the phone claiming to work for a company who fix computers. He stated that a lot of the computers in the area had been infected with a virus and he could help fix the problem by getting you to download his software (which would then infect your computer!)

Telephone calls such as the above two incidents should be treated the same as you would for anyone cold calling at your door. Do not agree to anything over the phone. Be polite just say 'no thank you' and put the phone down.

Message - 9th July
This is a Ringmaster message to inform watch members about a couple of scams that have been highlighted recently involving cold calling via the telephone.

The first involves a company claiming to represent 'Neighbourhood Watch Support' who are trying to get people to advertise in a Neighbourhood Watch brochure they claim is going out to all local residents. There is no such organisation as 'neighbourhood Watch Support' If you have any concerns, questions or issues that you would like to raise relating to this please call the following number 0116 229 3118 or e-mail enquiries@nationalnhw.org

Information about the second incident has come from a NHW co-ordinator who was contacted by a male on the phone claiming to work for a company who fix computers. He stated that a lot of the computers in the area had been infected with a virus and he could help fix the problem by getting you to download his software (which would then infect your computer!)

Telephone calls such as the above two incidents should be treated the same as you would for anyone cold calling at your door. Do not agree to anything over the phone. Be polite just say 'no thank you' and put the phone down.

June

Message - 7th June
[Reference: F0621]
Police would like to update you with information about a recent burglary; A distraction burglary occurred at around 11.30am on Friday 4th June in Beech Close, Wyld Court Hill, Hampstead Norreys. A male claiming to be from the electric company was allowed into the hallway of the property and told the victim that the electricity company owed them money and offered them £50 cash The victim declined the money and the offender left the property by walking through the house and out of rear door. After the offender had left the victim noticed her purse was missing.(URN 608 OF 04.06.10). The offender was using an old style green bicycle which he put in the back of a vehicle. He is described as white, around 50 years of age with grey hair and was wearing a white shirt, black tie and trousers.

Please remain vigilant and look out for any elderly or vulnerable neighbours. Remind them to always look to see who is at the door before they open it. If they need to open the door to make further checks use a door chain or similar device. Ask to see the persons identit card and check their identity by using the phone book. Never use the phone number on the ID card. If still in doubt do not let them into your home.

If you have any information about this incisent please call the Police on 0845 8 505 505 and quote the URN number and date.