Distraction Burglaries

Detectives are appealing for information after two elderly women became the victims of distraction burglaries in Farnborough. The first incident occurred at around midday on Tuesday, July 24 when the 85-year-old victim was home at an address on Cody Road, Farnborough. A man called at the address and asked if he could come inside to check her water pressure. After the man had left the victim noticed that around £70 in cash was missing. The man police want to speak to is described as:

White - Aged 18 to 19
Slim build - Dark hair
He spoke with a local accent

The man was also seen by witnesses to be in the company of a second man who is described as:

White - Aged 18 to 19
Short ginger hair - Around 5ft 9ins
Slim but muscular build

The second incident occurred at some time between midday and 12.30pm on Wednesday, July 25 when the 80-year-old victim was at home at an address on Winchester Street, Farnborough, A man called at the address and asked to check her water pressure. The following day the victim noticed that around £50 in cash was missing. The man police want to speak to is described as:

White - Aged around 18
5ft 10ins - Medium build
Black hair - Spoke with a local accent
He was of a smart appearance

Detective Constable Andy Grieve said: “These were despicable offences where vulnerable people were deliberately targeted. The amount of money which was stolen may not appear to be much to some people but for elderly people living on a pension, these are significant sums. “We are currently looking into the circumstances surrounding these incidents and I am keeping an open mind about whether the two incidents are linked. “I am appealing to any witnesses who may have seen anyone fitting the descriptions of these men in the area or anyone who knows anything else about the incidents to get in touch with the police immediately.” Officers are offering the following advice to avoid becoming a victim of this sort of crime: Burglars can fool you into thinking they are genuine callers. Don't be the one who invites them in. If in doubt, keep them out!
• Stop – are you expecting anyone to call on you? Do you know the person at the door? Don’t be misled by what appear to be genuine reasons for calling on you.
• Check – A genuine caller will carry identification and will be happy to wait outside while you check it. Remember to source your own number for the company they are claiming to be from, don’t accept a number from the caller.
• Chain – fit a door chain or spy hole so that you can speak to callers or check who they are without opening the door fully.
If you turn anyone away from your home because they could not provide you with a genuine reason for being there, or you are suspicious of callers in your area, contact the police.
You can contact your local police station on 0845 045 45 45. In an emergency always dial 999.
Anyone with any information regarding these incidents should contact Det Con Grieve in the Priority Crime Team at Aldershot police station on 0845 045 45 45 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Robbery in Farnborough / Crack House Closure

1. ROBBERY: Police are appealing for information following a robbery in Farnborough on Thursday, July 19th
between 2am and 3am the 21-year-old victim was walking up to the door of a house on Fleet Road, Cove, Farnborough after being dropped off in a taxi. As she approached the doorway she was grabbed from behind. She turned around to face the offender and he demanded that she hand over her handbag. He then grabbed her by the shoulder and took her handbag from her. He then ran away towards Fernhill Road.
The man police want to speak to is described as:
White 5ft 9ins to 5ft 10ins Broad build In his early 30s Wearing a blue zip up fleece, light blue jeans and trainers
PC Simon Monga said: “I am appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time or anyone who saw the man running away from Fleet Road to get in touch with the police.” Anyone with any information should contact PC Monga on 0845 045 45 45 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

2. CRACK HOUSE CLOSURE: Police have officially closed a house in Caswell Close, after a Crack House Closure Order was granted by magistrates under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 on Wednesday, July 18. The order means that no-one can use the property for three months and during this time, it is a criminal offence for anyone to enter the house unless authorised by police. The closure follows a series of early morning raids at addresses in Farnborough in May, as part of an operation to target perpetrators of anti-social behaviour and drug abuse. Inspector, Paul Pressley, said: “We are committed to making neighbourhoods safer and more pleasant places to live. The supply of drugs affects the quality of life for everyone, particularly those living close by to where the activity is taking place.
“This latest premises which has been subjected to a Crack House Closure is the result of close working with police, residents and the local authority to ensure a quality of life for those living not only in Caswell Close, but the whole of Farnborough.”

Criminal Record Checks

I believe all Councillors should have a Criminal record check before they stand for office. We currently do not need one, which may come as a shock to some of you. We are often in a position of trust with the elderly or vulnerable, and I think it makes good sense to require prospective councillors to agree to a check. I enclose a copy of mine, which proves nothing more than the fact I have not been caught for anything bad! But it at least filters out people with a record of bad behaviour.

Smoking Ban confusion!

For two weeks now I have been trying to establish if our authority has followed the correct procedures for taking action against those who break the Governments smoking ban. We have given authority via the Rushmoor cabinet or executive as it is sometimes called (Council Leader and 6 selected members - not the Mayor many will be surprised to know). As I understand it, it was agreed here (unchallenged) that the portfolio holder give the authorisation.

I now read that Fareham Council believed that the executive would be authorised to approve the ban. But it was informed by the Chartered Institute of Health that agreement by the full council was required - notification of which they received a day after their last meeting.

The spokeswoman said a decision was made not to hold an emergency full council meeting and the ban was put on hold until the next full council meeting on July 26. It will come into force the next day.

At the end of the day - the ban is not going away, and this is more an administrative issue. That having been said, I do feel that issues of significance should have the benefit of receiving a full and open debate in a full Council Meeting with all members given the opportunity to express their views. That is a small price to pay for democracy.

I learn that the alternate week collection issue will be decided on by the Cabinet/Executive rather than decided by a meeting of the full council

Alternate week waste collection survey

I have to say I was very disappointed at the survey form sent out by Rushmoor to the residents in the trial area. I was keen to see a very "plain English" transparent, clear survey of how people in the trial area got on with it along with a very clear golden question: Do you want the Borough to adopt alternate week collection - yes or no. I was disappointed - instead we have a very "loaded" weasel worded survey. I hope these residents make sure they complete it however, and not just take the view that the Borough is intent on introducing alternate week collection (AWC) and their views are worthless.

It was also alarming to learn that some residents in the trial area did not receive the survey form at all - and only learned about it via an article in the local press. I would have thought those in the trial area would have been clearly informed about the process of the trial and would have been well aware of the importance of their feedback via the survey. Or am I just expecting too much?

I also learn from an email I have been copied in that there may even be different versions of the survey!! With a resident having an allegedly different survey form from the form copied to Councillors.

Waste collection is the key service provided by the Borough, and we mess with it at our peril. We should be improving cleanliness in the Borough not compromising it.

I want to live, first and formost, in a clean environment.

Off flying this weekend

Getting away again this weekend and taking to the skies. One gets such a better perspective of things when elevated. It's a beautiful world, and we live in a very beautiful part of that world. And despite all our moaning about politicians, weather, work and other people. We do have it pretty good here. We can pretty much work, play and live in peace.

Bookeeper needed desperately!

I can't breath!!

Back to Brecon for the weekend

It has been a long time since I have been in Brecon. last time I was young and fit, not old and thick. The local people as always were very friendly, and Jo and I had a great time up and down the mountains and in and out the beautiful waterfalls that are often missed by many.

Just after walking behind Sgwd yr Eira Falls - don't believe them when they say you won't get wet.

The Sgwd Clun-gwyn falls - it doesn't look high - but believe me it is.

Making best use of space - the local police station at the post office - no "hold ups" here. I wonder how many police have been posted here? They seem to have stamped out crime in the area.

Concept House Building Schedule

A build phasing plan is attached to this report it is proposed that the site is constructed on two fronts with blocks A and G,H,J containing the under croft car parking to be commenced the same time as Blocks B-F. This will allow for the works to podium slab to be completed as the super structures to B-F are completed thus giving us an even flow of construction enabling us to procure and order efficiently.
This gives completion dates as follows:
Blocks B-D November 08 to March 09
Blocks E-F February 09 to April 09
Block A February 09 to July 09
Block GHJ May 09 to January 10

Construction method statement
Before works commence tree protection fencing will be erected in accordance with the Tree Protection Plan, Phase 2: Primary Construction and Arboricultural Method
Statement prepared by Forbes Laird Arboricultural Consultancy. No construction work will take place within these areas until such time as the works are completed entirely. When work does take place within these areas it will be under the supervision of the Arboricultural Consultant and in accordance with the Arboricultural Method Statement.
The site working hours will be between 0800-1800 on Monday to Friday and 0800-1300 on Saturdays.
Service vehicle movements associated with site preparation, site clearance, pile driving and construction work will be restricted to the hours of 0700-1900 Monday to Saturdays, and 1000-1600 Sundays and Bank Holidays.
The Site is piled throughout with an element of under croft parking to Blocks A,G,H, and J which will be constructed of reinforced concrete. The blocks will be traditionally built with brick and block and hollow plank floors, with the exception of block J which will be constructed of reinforced concrete because it rises to six storeys. The site access will be from Rectory Road, there is sufficient room on site to allow lorries to turn round. Traffic movements of large plant will be coordinated to ensure minimal disruption to local residents.

Wheel washing Facilities
Manual jet washing of plant/lorry wheels will take place using a jet wash at the delivery access point from Rectory Road. Every effort will be made to construct all roads and hard standings to base course level to improve road cleaning and to ensure that muck and dust are restricted to within the site boundary.

Parking Strategy
There will be no allocation of on site parking for contractors they will utilise the public car parks within the area. After consultation signage will be erected in adjoining roads indicating no parking for site operatives, and a condition that public car parks must be used will be written into each order placed so that the contractor can allow for the extra cost in his price submission. Trades will be encouraged to car share to reduce the required amount of parking.

Farnborough "purse snatchers" warning

On 02/06/07 two handbags were stolen from elderly females in Farnborough Town Centre. On reviewing CCTV these two females were observed going into the toilets at Princesmead prior to using the stolen cards to withdraw cash from a nearby ATM..
Do you recognise them?

If you can help identify the above females please email our beat officer on:
beverley.woodhead@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

PS. Please be aware of Romanian Travellers selling "gold" ...