DON READ’S CRIME COLUMN – APRIL 2010

As one door shuts another door opens, so they say. On the 1st April the door on Rushcliffe Community Watch shut firmly. The department, run by the police, became yet another victim of the economic crisis and as a result the Ringmaster email and voice mail message service terminated. Since 2003 the system had transmitted messages to some 3,000 people across the three boroughs including Rushcliffe, giving warnings of distraction burglaries, scams, rogue traders and the weekly crime figures.
This column has contained West Bridgford crime statistics for the past four months. That facility is now ended – 50% were avoidable. Henceforth, local area beat managers will liase with Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators regarding local crime statistics. This information can be passed on to the public. If you want to know what crimes aretaking place in your area, please talk to your nearest Neighbourhood
Watch co-ordinator. West Bridgford Neighbourhood Watch Group is considering other options for keeping the public informed about crime and security.
It is 10 years since I suggested a way of dealing with anti-social behaviour. Householders could band together (no more than a dozen or so) and walk round their area as a group, at night and at spots where rowdy youths congregate. No weapons, just mobile phones and a notebook to log any incidents. They should be courteous. The aim is to show youths than they do not own the streets. Why should adults be scared of children? The word vigilantes comes into play but a group of citizens have a right to walk the streets and so long as they do not display aggression what is the objection? Press reports say they are doing just this in a Hampshire village with the blessing of the police. Other police forces have sent representatives to monitor the scheme. It is all about harnessing the community potential without undermining the rule of law.
A couple driving near Radcliffe were involved in a near fatal incident when a large object hit their car. It was thrown from a bridge. The driver managed to chase three youths whilst his passenger called the police. They caught up with the yobs but could not charge them since there was no proof they committed the offence. In his age of finger printing and DNA, could not some modern technology have solved this crime?

West Bridgford Crime Figures

Avoidable are my own assessment
TFV = thefts from vehicles
Week commencing: 30/1/10 to 20/2/10
Total reported crimes 75
Avoidable 39 = 52%  (TFV 20)
Week ending: 27/2/10
Total reported crimes 25
Avoidable 14 = 56%
TFV 7
Week ending: 6/3/10
Total reported crimes 18
Avoidable 11 = 51%
TFV 6
Week ending: 13/3/10
Total reported crimes 27
Avoidable 15 = 55%
TFV 4