Elmbridge Police Local News Feed

Traders in Hersham declare Alertbox warning system a success
15/01/2010

TRADERS and local businesses in Hersham have declared a network of electronic warnings devices, installed by Surrey Police, a success.

The Alertbox, which is a network of linked electronic warning devices, allows shop vendors and traders to instantly communicate with each other to reduce incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour.
When one member of the network issues a warning about a particular issue the message is instantly sent to all the other businesses on the local network, giving owners and staff the opportunity to take appropriate action to prevent further offences.

Alertbox networks were introduced in two pilot schemes at parades of shops in The Halfway in Hersham and Sunbury Cross in Sunbury-on-Thames in March 2009. A total of 51 independent businesses across the two locations agreed to take part in the scheme.

A recent survey of the businesses involved found that almost a quarter of traders had used the Alertbox system to make neighbouring businesses aware of a situation or incident.
Of the businesses involved 100 per cent received a response from other traders when sending an Alertbox message and 73 per cent said they believed the Alertbox had reduced fear of isolation amongst businesses.
Sixty per cent of traders also felt the Alertbox had reduced the fear of anti-social behaviour in the pilot scheme areas.

The number of calls from members of the public to Surrey Police relating to both areas also reduced in the six months after the introduction of the Alertbox network.
Elmbridge Neighbourhood Inspector Richard Haycock, said: “The results of the latest survey are very encouraging and Alertbox is clearly having a positive impact for traders in Hersham.

“Alertbox was put in place to help reduce problems such as anti-social behaviour and low level crime and I’m pleased the community in Hersham are noticing the benefits of the system.  “The network is also helping to build up relationships and trust between the different businesses and the whole community in Hersham which I very much welcome.

“While the results of the survey represent a step in the right direction this does not mean we will be in any way complacent and the Elmbridge Safer Neighbourhood Teams will continue to work with residents and our partners across the borough to reduce crime further.”  Story
 

Surrey Police Authority to Support Radical Change Plan - 16 December 2009
an email message to Cllr Ian Donaldson - Hersham North

Message from Chief Constable Mark Rowley and SPA Chairman Peter Williams:

At its meeting in Guildford on Friday (11 December) Surrey Police Authority gave its support to the radical plans for change to Surrey Police put forward by Chief Constable Mark Rowley.

By reducing the number of senior officers, simplifying the structure of the force and replacing a number of older and underused police stations, Surrey Police will be able to recruit up to 200 more constables, offer more and better ways to visit local police and reduce the budget gap facing the force. The Chief Constable hopes to complete the majority of these changes within three years.
The decision means that further detailed planning and the first stages of implementation will now begin. The Authority will also begin the process of consulting with the public on the plans for changes to the police estate. The Authority’s 17 Members agreed that no police station should close unless better alternatives can be provided. They also agreed that a comprehensive process of briefing and consultation should take place with the public and our partner organisations in Boroughs and Districts before any police station can be replaced.

Commenting on the decision, Peter Williams, Chairman of Surrey Police Authority, said:
"This is a complex plan arising from a simple reality our budget will be cut in the future. The Authority believes that the best and most sensible course of action is to act now to protect frontline policing as far as possible from the impact of those cuts. Having had the opportunity to question the Chief Constable about his proposals, we are satisfied that they represent the right way to keep officers on the beat in Surrey.

"The Authority has therefore agreed to support the Chief Constable’s proposals for change. These changes will help to improve the force’s ability to do its job cracking down on crime and protecting the public as well as reducing costs.
"However, we are clear that we must go hand-in-hand with the public on any changes to the ways in which they can access police services in their local area. We are in the earliest stage of a process that will develop over several years. By taking into account the views of local people throughout that process, we hope to be able to deliver a service that is more accessible, more effective and fit for tougher financial times ahead."

Mark Rowley, Chief Constable of Surrey Police said:
"I am excited that Surrey Police Authority has given its support to the package of changes. Although we are facing significant financial pressures it is essential that we do everything that we can to provide the services people are asking for.
"We are planning to recruit up to 200 police constables by April 2012 to tackle anti-social behaviour and serious and organised crime, including criminals travelling into Surrey.

"By locating neighbourhood policing teams within borough and district council offices we can provide a better service to the public in jointly tackling local problems. The Force and the Authority will be talking with communities to see how we can provide a better range of more accessible places for the public to meet with their neighbourhood police officers.

"We will make savings by introducing a simpler policing model, removing around 50 senior police officers and replacing a number of outdated, expensive and little-used police buildings with better locations for the public to meet us."
Yours sincerely

Mark Rowley
Chief Constable
Surrey Police

and
 
Peter Williams
Chairman
Surrey Police Authority
 
(Surrey Police Authority is an independent body made up of local people. Its job is to make sure that Surrey has an efficient and effective local police force that meets the needs of the community by consulting with the public, setting the budget and strategic direction for the force and holding the Chief Constable to account on behalf of local people. The 17 members of the Authority meet in public seven times a year.)
 

Surrey Police want to create up to 200 new police constable posts - November 2009
Message from Surrey Police Chief Constable, Mark Rowley

‘Surrey Police is developing plans to put large numbers of frontline police officers on the streets of Surrey, focused on tackling vital issues which mean the most to the public, such as anti-social behaviour and organised crime gangs. Our planning is at a very early stage, and Surrey Police Authority will be asked to agree interim plans on December 10 before more detailed work takes place.

We are very keen that as many local people as possible are made aware of our plans. In summary, we want to:

• Create up to 200 new police constable posts to improve the service we deliver. There will be more officers working in neighbourhood policing teams tackling anti-social behaviour, and more officers tackling cross border criminality and organised crime groups.
• There will be a greater range of places to meet neighbourhood policing teams (e.g. from libraries, shopping centres, council offices).
• We want to locate some of our neighbourhood policing teams within borough and district council offices to ensure a better overall service to the public in tackling local problems.
• We will be exploring replacing a number of police stations with better ways to access our services. Many of our police stations are old, costly to maintain and not particularly accessible to the vast majority of local communities - borne out by very low numbers of people visiting them. Instead we will provide a range of more accessible ways to meet your neighbourhood policing team.
• In order to invest in 200 additional constables we will be reducing the number of senior managers within Surrey Police and replace costly old police buildings with a range of better ways to access our services. It also ensures we are a financially sustainable force essential to ensure the best possible use of public money.

It will take a number of months to make the changes, and we want to work with communities to review the best way of meeting and engaging with neighbourhood policing teams. This is about providing people with an easy way to access policing services; whether it is over the phone, online or within their local community.

I have attached our press release, so you can see the facts from the Force directly.’

Yours sincerely

Mark Rowley
Chief Constable
Surrey Police

.........more
 

BLUETOOTH CRIME WARNING - October 2009

Police issue bluetooth crime warning to North Surrey residents
          
POLICE in North Surrey are warning residents to take simple security steps to reduce their chances of being targeted by criminals using bluetooth technology.
 
Police Constable Mark Howells, the North Surrey Crime Reduction Advisor, is reminding members of the public that mobile phones and laptops have this technology already fitted and active when you buy the product.
 
This type of equipment is designed to search for other compatible systems so they can talk to each other.
 
PC Howells said: ‘We are aware that criminals could be using this technology to track down bluetooth signals and then identify electrical equipment to steal, particularly devices in the boot or glove compartment of vehicles.
 
If the equipment has been left on or even on standby the bluetooth technology will still be live and actively looking for other systems.
 
To prevent your own equipment giving itself away you must turn off the bluetooth technology in your device.
 
If people carry out basic safety steps when securing their vehicle they will greatly reduce their chances of becoming a victim of crime.’
 
Surrey Police has issued the following security advice

• Make sure unattended vehicles are left locked even when on your driveway
• Ensure the vehicle security alarm is active
• Remove all items of value from public view when the vehicle is unattended
• Do not store valuable items in your vehicle - even in the boot

If you would like further information on this or any other crime prevention issues please contact the North Surrey Crime Reduction Advisor on 0845 125 2222.
 
Fran May,
Neighbourhood team Co-ordinator ,West Elmbridge.

No cold calling zones - Surrey County Council Trading Standards

Elmbridge No Cold Calling Zones

• Claygate No Cold Calling Zone.
• Cobham No Cold Calling Zone.
• Hersham No Cold Calling Zone

(click on the above links to view roads)

A No Cold Calling Zone is an area in which residents have stated they do not wish to receive unsolicited visits to their homes (cold calls) from businesses. The zones are set up by Surrey Trading Standards working with the local Police and usually Neighbourhood Watch and the local borough or district councils.

The main aim of the zones is to reduce the number of unwanted and uninvited callers to households soliciting services or goods, which in turn reduces the number of criminal or civil law offences committed against Surrey residents

Q1. What is a No Cold Calling Zone?
A1. A No Cold Calling Zone is an area in which residents have stated they do not wish to receive unsolicited visits to their homes (cold calls) from businesses. The zones are set up by Surrey Trading Standards working with the local Police and usually Neighbourhood Watch and the local borough or district councils.
Zones are selected on the basis of risk and local resident demand/enthusiasm. Also Police and Trading Standards crime statistics are examined and the demographics of proposed areas are sought. Before any zone is launched local residents and businesses are fully consulted to ascertain their views.

Q2. What sort of people is the zone designed to prevent calling?
A2. The zone is primarily designed to reduce instances of doorstep crime and distraction burglary and therefore the primary purpose is to prevent rogue traders. However, the zone is there to stop any unwanted cold callers and to empower residents to have confidence to deter callers away who they do not wish to deal with.
The zone is not designed to prevent people from distributing leaflets or catalogues such as Betterware or the “Avon Lady”. It is also not designed to stop people on legitimate business such as gas, electricity and water meter readers.

Q3. Why are you setting up No Cold Calling Zones?
A3. No Cold Calling Zones are being established to protect residents from unwanted doorstep callers. They are designed to act as a deterrent to stop businesses cold calling in areas that are clearly marked as No Cold Calling Zones. The zones empower local residents to feel confident about sending unwanted callers away.
The outcome is then a reduction in doorstep crime and distraction burglary.

Q4. How do businesses know they are operating in a No Cold Calling Zones?
A4. Street signs are erected at all access points to the zone to alert potential callers that they are in a no cold calling zone. Residents are all provided with stickers to display on their front doors to make callers aware that the area is a No Cold Calling Zone and that the resident will not deal with them.

Q5. Do I Live in a No Cold Calling Zone?
A5. You can check the locations of our No Cold Calling Zones.

Q6. What is cold calling?
A6. Cold calling is the act of making unrequested and uninvited visits to consumers homes with the intention of selling goods or services.

Q7. Is cold calling illegal?
A7. Cold calling is not illegal, however, anyone who does cold call and offers to sell you goods or services that cost more than £35 is required to provide you with a written notice giving you 7 days in which to cancel. If this notice is not provided the contract for the goods or services will not be enforceable meaning you will not have to pay even if goods have been provided or work has been carried out. Anyone who fails to give this notice will also be committing a criminal offence, which Trading Standards will investigate.

Q8. Can I refuse someone entry to my home?
A8. Yes, absolutely. You are under no obligation to allow anyone to enter your home and can refuse access. You should never allow anyone access to your home unless you are able to verify their authenticity and confirm that they have a valid reason for being their. Legitimate callers will not mind being challenged and will expect you to ask them for identification and want to check that it is genuine.

Q9. How can I check whether a caller is genuine and has a legitimate reason for calling at my property?
A9. Very few people will actually have a legitimate reason for turning up at your home unannounced and without an appointment. However, on rare occasions some legitimate callers may call at your home.
The most likely people to visit your home unannounced are utility companies attending your property to read a meter. Most of these companies operate a password scheme allowing you to register a password. Once you have registered your password, any caller from the company should be asked to provide the password before being given access to your property. If they cannot provide the password they are not from the utility company and should be told to leave. You should be able to find the details for registering a password on utility bills, if you cannot find the details call the customer service number and ask about their password scheme.

Q10. Do you require a licence to cold call?
A10. You do not require a licence to cold call, however, if you are selling goods door to door you will require a pedlar's licence. Pedlar's licences have to be obtained through the Police. Each individual caller is required to hold a pedlar's licence and not just the employer.
Anyone who cold calls offering services is not required to hold a pedlar's licence.

N.B. A Pedlar's licence is not a guarantee of authenticity or legitimacy.

Q11. As a business, how can I find out where the No Cold Calling Zones are in Surrey?
A11. The SCC website contains a list of all the roads within our No Cold Calling Zones so you can find out exactly which areas you should be avoiding. We regularly set up new zones so we would advise you to visit our here regularly for updates.

Q12. Can politicians call when canvassing? (All Conservative Councillors will show you their identity card)
A12. The zones are not designed to prevent politicians from canvassing for elections, however, residents are under no obligation to speak to anyone at the door and canvassers are encouraged to respect residents wishes.

Q13. Can religious groups call?
A13. As with politicians the zone are not designed to stop religious groups from calling. However, residents are under no obligation to speak to anyone at the door and religious groups are encouraged to respect residents wishes.

Q14. Can Market researchers call?
A14.The zones are not designed to prevent market research from being undertaken. However, this should not be market research that includes the selling or promotion of goods or services. Where possible we would always encourage market researchers to make appointments before calling.
Residents are under no obligation to speak to anyone at the door and canvassers are encouraged to respect residents wishes.

Q15. Can charity collectors call?
A15. The zones do not seek to prevent legitimate charity collections, however, we would expect charity collectors be able to satisfactorily identify themselves.
Some charities ask for donations to be left for collection, usually they will leave a bag or a leaflet and then return to collect items. If you get requests like this you should always read the details provided as not all collectors that collect in this way are acting for charitable purposes, often you will find that the collector is a business collecting items to sell for profit and they will include a company registration number on their paperwork as opposed to a charity registration number.

Q16. How can I find out if the charity calling is genuine?
A16. All charities are required to be registered with the Charity Commission. You cannot claim to be a charity if you are not registered. Some organisations that carry out collections are not charities but businesses collecting clothing or other goods to sell for profit. To check whether an organisation is a registered charity you should contact the Charity Commission on 0845 3000 218 or visit the Charity Commission website.
Any charity carrying out collections for money has to get a permit from the local borough or district council giving permission for this. If you want to confirm that the charity collection is authorised you can contact your local borough or district council who should be able to tell you.

There is no requirement for a permit if you are not collecting money.

Q17. What can be done if someone does cold call in a No Cold Calling Zone?
A17. It is not illegal to cold call, even in a No Cold Calling Zone. However, in a No Cold Calling Zone the residents have made a decision that they do not want cold callers.
If Trading Standards receive reports of businesses cold calling in a zone we will contact them making them aware that the area is a No Cold Calling Zone and asking them to refrain from cold calling on residents in that area again.

Q18. What should I do if I receive a cold call?
A18. Trading Standards advice is always to say no to cold callers. We would advise against dealing with anyone who makes a cold call to your home to try to sell goods or services.
Trading Standards are always keen to be contacted by anyone who receives a cold call. We have Trading Standards Officers on duty every week day between 9am and 5pm who can respond to incidents of cold calling by rogue traders to intervene and assist the victim and disrupt and take action against the cold caller. Even if the cold caller has gone away we are always keen to have information about what happened as this can form vital intelligence for us.

To report incidents of cold calling you should telephone Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or visit the Consumer Direct Website.

Information and forms available for those who are interested in applying for a new cold calling zone.