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:

28th January
This is a warning for all scheme mebers on behalf of the Director of the 2011 Census. Please can I ask that this information is disemminated to neighbours, scheme memebrs or staff.
We are aware that an email entitled 'Population Census: a message to everyone - act now' is being circulated, allegedly in the name of National Statistician, Jil Matheson. This email demands individuals provide further personal information, supposedly for the Census and threatens fines for non-compliance.
This email is a scam and a hoax. It has no connection whatsoever with the National Statistician, the 2011 Census or the Office for National Statistics.
We believe the links in the email could download malware to any computer where the user clicks on the links. This could put your personal data, including financial information, at risk.
Anyone receiving this, or similar emails, should delete them, not open any links and certainly not provide any information.
For more information on how to protect yourself from this type of threat, please see www.getsafeonline.org
If you wish to, please report receipt of any such suspicious emails to www.actionfraud.org.uk
ONS takes the protection of personal census information extremely seriously. Collection of census data was completed last year and no further requests will be forthcoming from the Office for National Statistics relating to the 2011 Census.

19th January
Firstly, on the 15th January two distraction burglaries occurred in West Berkshire in Thatcham and Theale respectively. The incident in Thatcham took place at Gilbert Court, Bath Road. In this instance, two offenders gained entry by stating that they had come to check on the pressure of the water supply. After the males had left the victim discovered money had been stolen from her purse (FA3979669/12). We believe that there may have also been an attempt at Conniston Court, Newbury although this is yet to be confirmed.
The second incident took place at around 18.32 hours in Playplatt, Theale. Two offenders knocked on the door claiming that they were investigating 'electrical burnout'. After they had left the victim discovered cash was missing from her handbag. A witnessed stated that they had seen a light coloured, possibly silver, Vauxhall Vectra Estate driving away from the scene (FP3979412/12).
Please can I ask all members to watch out for any vulnerable or elderly residents and warn them to be aware of any cold callers claiming to be contractors. They should always keep the door chain or bar on when talking to unknown callers and ask to see ID and check it carefully. If they are concerned the caller may have been up to no good call 999 immediately.

Secondly, we have had a spate of theft from vans. These occurred in the Calcot area on the 17th January and four occurred overnight the 18/19th January in Hungerford, two in Priory Road, one in Clarks Gardens and one in Atherton Crescent. The offender(s) gained entry by forcing the locks or breaking a window. Tools were stolen. Again, please can we ask that you make aware any residents in your area who own vans that this is happening and where possible they should remove tools from the vehicles? Never leave any item of value on display. If anyone has any information about these thefts please contact the Police Enquiry Centre on 101 and state you are responding to a Ringmaster message.
Lastly, we have also had a spate of vehicle number plates being stolen from vehicles across West Berkshire. In order to protect your property you may wish to consider fixing your licence plates with anti-tamper screws that can be purchased from DIY stores. Again if you do spot anyone tampering with vehicles please call the police immediately on 999.

2nd November
Police would like to update you with information about a recent burglary;
At around 1am on the 2nd November an offender(s) broke into a workshop of a farm in Bothampstead, Hampstead Norreys, by ramming the shutters. The keys to a Mitsubishi were stolen but the offenders left without the vehicle as they were disturbed by a farm worker (URN 64 of 02/11)
If you have any information about this incident please contact the police on 0845 8 505 505 and quote the URN number and date.