Nottingham Local News » crime

CAN YOU HELP POLICE AFTER BRIDGFORD ROBBERIES?

admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:00:21 +0000

Parts of West Bridgford were flooded with officers last month as Nottingham Police ask for the public’s help to trace a suspected robber. Three shops in the town were targeted by
a man armed with a knife, and officers are now linking two suspicious incidents at nursing homes. As part of the enquiries, up to 30 Police Community Support Officers have been conducting house-to-house enquiries in Edwalton, with officers also stationed at supermarkets in Gamston and West Bridgford. They have been showing CCTV images from one the incidents to members of the public.
Inspector Philip Hallam, neighbourhood policing inspector for Rushcliffe, said: “I believe vital information about this man’s identify lies within the community and would urge anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV to call police immediately. Officers have carried out extensive enquiries in the area and we are committed to finding this man and bringing him to justice.”
The first incident happened at Edwalton Post Office in Earlswood Drive, when a man carrying a firearm, which may have been an imitation, entered the premises and demanded cash. It happened at about 5.10pm on Tuesday 10th January and the offender made off empty handed. This was followed by a robbery at Edwalton News Bar, also in Earlswood Drive, at 6.30am the next morning (Wednesday 11th January) when an offender threatened a female staff member with a knife before making off with cash from the till. There was
a third robbery at the Londis shop in Boundary Road, which happened at about 9pm on Thursday 12 January. The female shop assistant was threatened by a man carrying a knife who left with a quantity of cash. A man matching the robber’s description was seen at a nursing home in Melton Road at about 11.30pm on Saturday 14th January. The offender, who was carrying a knife, was disturbed by staff and left the building on foot. A similar incident then happened at another nursing home in Adbolton Lane at about 1am on Sunday 15th January. In both incidents no attempts were made by the man to access any rooms, nothing was stolen and no one was injured. The offender is described as white, of slim build, between 5ft 9ins and 6ft tall, and was wearing a hooded top with his face covered.
Inspector Hallam added: “We have a large team of detectives working on this case and high visibility patrols are being carried out in the area.”
Call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 if you have any information, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

BURGLARY VICTIMS URGE OTHERS TO PROTECT HOMES

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:46:05 +0000

A number of burglary victims are joining police to urge others to do whatever they can to protect their homes. For the past few years the number of burglaries across Nottinghamshire has reduced, but figures recently show reports are beginning to climb. With manufacturers using increased security measures such as trackers and immobilisers to protect vehicles, thieves may look to break-in to properties to steal
car keys.
Inspector Simon Firth, who is leading the burglary reduction initiative, said: “We have seen an increasing number of break-ins at homes where car keys seem to be the main target. What we also find is a lot of people leave their keys on the side, just inside the front door – a seemingly convenient place to put them as you return home.
“It is also an extremely convenient place for a thief, who can smash a window and grab them or walk in through an unlocked door, pick them up and drive away with the vehicle.
“Hiding keys away in a drawer or a cupboard that is easily accessible but away from prying eyes is the safest option.”
Jacqui Radford of West Bridgford had her car stolen after thieves forced the patio door, taking keys from an unlocked key cupboard in the hall, while they were asleep upstairs. They drove away in her vehicle, stealing other items such as a phone and a purse as well.
She said: “I never thought this would happen when we are actually in the house. You don’t think about the impact that something like this has until it happens to you. My life was hijacked for several days while I had to sort out the insurance and cancel bank cards. Normal life was put on hold. I would urge everyone to look at their own security and do all they can to protect their home.”

CAN YOU HELP POLICE REGARDING BURGLARY?

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:29:37 +0000

A large quantity of cigarettes were stolen during a burglary in the early hours of the 9th December 2011 in Cotgrave, and so will undoubtedly come into the open market. If you have any knowledge of who is responsible for this burglary, please contact the Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If you are offered cigarettes or a quantity of cheap cigarettes for sale, or you become aware of someone selling cigarettes, please report this matter with any details of who was offering those items for sale to the Police on the numbers above.

COTGRAVE SHED BREAK INS

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:27:47 +0000

Over the past few weeks there has been an increase in thefts from sheds, out buildings and garages in the Cotgrave area. Nottinghamshire Police are offering the following advice…
Secure the access to your shed by locking gates and using thorny bushes next to walls and fences.
Have you visibly marked the contents of your shed? Make a note of serial numbers and photograph valuable tools, plants and ornaments.
External security lights which are activated by movement are a useful deterrent.
Doors and windows of sheds need securing. Metal grills and locks will help make doors and windows look less vulnerable.
Use coach bolts or non-return screws to secure door hinges and locks.
Chain cycles, movers, ladders and tools to a ground anchor or similar device.
Alarms for sheds are inexpensive.
Think like a burglar. Would you be able to break into your shed with ease? Have you done all you can to prevent you being a victim of crime?
Examine your insurance policies. Check that out buildings are covered in your policy.

POLICE ISSUE BRIDGFORD SAFETY REMINDER

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:06:49 +0000

There have been two reports of house burglaries in the area of Boxley Drive and Mickleborough Way recently, one whilst the occupants were away on holiday. There are also expensive cars being taken from driveways of houses throughout the county, including the Compton Acres area. Offenders usually look for an easy way to access an address, often entering through insecure doors or windows.
Nottinghamshire Police are reminding residents to take simple steps to prevent you being a victim of crime…
- Ensure that doors and windows are locked even when you are at home.
- Use time switches to come on at your property at different times, especially now that the nights are drawing in.
- Keep valuables such as wallets, car keys, purses, mobile phones and handbags out of sight and take them to the bedroom with you at bedtime.
- Close curtains at dusk to prevent others seeing valuables.
- If you have an alarm make sure you use it. If you don’t have one consider getting one. If you find that they are costly, consider buying a dummy box as a cheaper alternative.
If you see anything suspicious dial 999 in emergency or telephone 0300 300 99 99.

CLIFTON RESIDENTS WARNED ABOUT LOCAL AIR AMBULANCE SCAM

admin — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 09:40:02 +0000

A company which has sent leaflets to people in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire asking for clothing to raise money for a mystery air ambulance service, is upsetting supporters of the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance Charitable Trust (LNAACT).
The leaflets, branded ‘Air Ambulance Service’, ask people to leave good quality clothing in bags. They claim that the clothes will be sold to raise money for the service and give the impression that this is a charity supporting air ambulances on a national basis – but no such charity exists. Nottinghamshire Police are currently investigating to try and find out who is behind the campaign.
Peter Aldrick, chief executive of the LNAACT, said: “Despite first impressions, these people are not from a registered charity and they have no connection with any air ambulance service operating within the UK. It appears to be a profit making company trading on the good name of the air ambulance network and diverting the generous support provided by the public.”
A Clifton resident who received the leaflet was Iris Smedley, aged 82. She said: “A piece of paper was pushed through my door, which said that clothing was being collected to raise money for the air ambulance service. I left some clothing in a bag on my doorstep, as did another lady who lives up the road. I was a bit suspicious because they hadn’t even left any bags for us to put the clothes in, so I decided to phone the local air ambulance.
“They said that they hadn’t sent any leaflets out, so I brought the bag back in. I think it’s terrible, what are these people doing with the clothes? They aren’t using them to make money for the air ambulance.”
Anyone who is concerned about the validity of leaflets, clothing bags or letters they have received asking for donations, should contact 01522 548 469.

MAJOR CONCERN OVER THEFT OF ROAD GULLY GRATES

admin — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 09:38:18 +0000

Clifton and Silverdale residents have been asked to be on the watch for thieves removing drainage gully grates from city roads. More than 180 have been stolen across the city over the past month, with more than 80 thefts in one week alone.
Deep rainwater drain holes are being left uncovered, endangering cyclists and pedestrians and with the potential to cause damage to cars.
Officers at Nottingham City Council think the gully grates are being stolen to be weighed in as scrap metal. As well as putting the safety of road users at risk, the thefts will cost the Council more than £30,000 to replace the stolen gully grates. Whilst these emergency gully replacements are being carried out, other road maintenance works are being delayed
Cllr Jane Urquhart, Nottingham City Council’s portfolio holder for planning and transport, said: “Once again Nottingham has become a victim of these thefts. The thieves are putting people at risk, as well as causing extra expense for taxpayers as the City Council replaces the gully grates.
“As soon as we are told about missing grates we make every effort to replace them immediately, but with so many being stolen it is very difficult to do the work as quickly as we would like. We would ask the public to be observant and report any incidents immediately to the Police.”
Nottinghamshire Police said that metal theft is a priority for the police. A spokesperson said: “We are taking all possible steps to identify and prosecute thieves. We are also targeting scrap yards but believe the metal is being taken out of the county. If anyone has any information, they can contact the police directly or report any incidents anonymously by using the crimestoppers contact number 0800 555 111.”

CAN YOU FIND GOOD SAMARITAN?

admin — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 07:45:02 +0000

Nottinghamshire Police are hoping to trace a good Samaritan who intervened in a robbery in West Bridgford last month. A 13-year-old boy was robbed of his phone and bike while on a pathway linking Edward Road and Bridgford Road at around 6.30pm on Saturday 11th June. However, a man intervened and verbally challenged the offender who then returned the items to the victim.
A 14-year-old boy was later arrested and charged with robbery. Police would like to speak to the man to obtain his account of the incident. The man, or anyone who knows him, is urged to telephone West Bridgford CID on 0300 300 99 99 ext 810 6133 and ask to speak to DC Frank Hampson.

POLICE APPEAL FOR STATUE HELP

admin — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:30:36 +0000

A £30,000 bronze statue has been stolen from a garden in Cropwell Butler. Thieves sawed the five-foot high water goddess, which was situated in the middle of a pond, from a metal support post sometime between 5pm on Thursday 20th January and 9am on Friday 21st January.
The sculpture bears Mr Broderick’s name in the goddess’s hair. Police would like information about anyone seen acting suspiciously in and around Cropwell Butler during that week. Officers are also appealing for anyone who has either been offered the statue for sale or for scrap to contact them on 0300 300 9999 and quoting the incident number 000158-21012011. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

RADCLIFFE CRIME PREVENTION & SAFETY EVENT

admin — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:23:57 +0000

Following the increase of dwelling house burglaries in Radcliffe-on-Trent and neighbouring villages leading up to, and over the Christmas period last year, the Local Neighbourhood Policing Team have decided to run a crime prevention and safety event.
PC Steve Mathias said: “It is clear that different seasons and times of the year impact on the amount and type of crimes being committed within our area. With this in mind, it is our intention to offer advice and guidance to residents, in order for them not to fall victims of summer-related crimes. As well as focussing on general crime prevention, we will target particular methods of operating, common to this time of year.”
The event will be held at Grange Hall on Thursday 7th April from 6-8pm and will be attended by representatives from various organisations including Rushcliffe Borough Council, Spirita, Neighbourhood Watch and Nottinghamshire Police.