COLCHESTER BOROUGH NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
SUMMER NEWS LETTER 2007

This year has been very busy so far and looks set to continue that way.
We have been preparing to do a massive recruitment drive through out the entire Borough of Colchester, so watch out for the posters and new information leaflets that is about to go to print. If you would like to join us and start a group in your area please phone Mrs Carole Dennis on Tel Col: 513333 or if you wish to find out if you already have a Co-ordinator or group please contact me.

Are you attending the Neighbourhood Action Panel (Nap’s) meetings for your area? Do you know what a Neighbourhood Action Panel is? If you have internet access go to the CBC Community Safety web site for a full list of Naps meeting dates times and places. The Naps are made up of a group of Agencies that are dedicated to solving problems in your area, be it Speeding, Noise, Nuisance Youths, Anti Social Behaviour, poor lighting, no where for children to play, to name but a few. On the Naps panel sits the Police, Community Safety, Neighbourhood Watch, Local Councillors, County Councillors, Colchester Borough Council, Residents Association, Youth, Crime Reduction Officer members of the general Public who live in the area and more. The Naps do work and have already enjoyed much success within the Borough. So please try and attend the Public meetings and tell us what is troubling you so that together we can work on making a difference to your community.

So what’s new for Colchester Neighbourhood Watch this year?
Well, we will be launching our new initiative for 2007 ‘NOMINATED NEIGHBOUR’. This is a scheme aimed at protecting people from Bogus, Cold Callers, and unwanted Trades men. It is very simple and easy to use,
• Obtain a Leaflet from CBNW (When available please look out for the launch in   the local press around August time)
• first find a trusted Neighbour to become your nominated Neighbour,
• get their details ie phone number name etc
• write the details on form
• display the form in the front window when someone knocks at the door point   them to the leaflet
• This will tell them to go to the Nominated neighbour who will then return to   your address with the caller.

Now the weather is warmer please take time to check that you are not open to being a possible victim of crime. By following these few steps you can enjoy a safe crime free summer
• Never leave doors or windows open when you are out
• Always close and lock doors and windows in the front of the house if you are   in the garden
• Always close and lock doors and windows in the rear of the house if you are   in the front of the house
• Don’t leave keys or valuables in view of the windows or door and don’t leave a   key in the front or back door at anytime
• Don’t leave curtains closed all day and night when you are away
• Invest in a Timer for a radio and lights to give the impression someone is   home
• Don’t leave keys in your car or the car windows open
• Always lock the garage and shed doors
• Lock your garden gate
• Lock all tools and garden equipment out of sight
• Fit a security light
• Put pedal cycle away under lock and key
• Don’t leave a note on the front door this is a give away that you are out
• Cancel milk and papers
• Ask a neighbour to take in parcels and Packages
• When out shopping take few extra minutes to make sure you put your purse   away properly
• Look out for us on our ‘Awareness Days’ and get a purse bell free of charge
• Always zip and close your bags
• Keep a personal attack alarm on you
• Don’t walk in dark unlit areas
• Always let someone know where you are and what time you expect to be   back
• If you are travelling with young children, babies and/or pets, please think of   them in the hot weather and don’t leave them locked in a car even with a   window open, it can be fatal
• If you have an allotment please secure your tools and use the many security   measures available ie alarms, locks etc
• Most important if you are a victim of crime REPORT IT. If the Police are not   aware of it they are unable to help
• Always request an incident number when reporting a crime.
If you see something suspicious please remember to ring one of the following numbers:
Crime in progress - call 999
Crime committed - call Colchester Police Tel:01206- 762212
Crime Stoppers - 0800 555 111

Speed Watch you may not have heard about this initiative. The Pilot for this scheme ran in Dedham some time ago and has been rolled out into more communities across the Borough. This scheme gives you, the local people of the community, a chance to do something positive about the problems of speeding in your area. It requires a minimum of 6 people to come forward and train to use the equipment. All training and equipment is given free by Essex Police however it might be that you share the equipment with another group close to your locality. You will be required to work in pairs and advised on every aspect of Speed Watch. This involves standing with the speed gun and taking down registration numbers of those vehicles travelling above the speed limit and also vehicles where the driver is using a Mobile phone whilst driving. These vehicle registration numbers are then forwarded to the Police for action. The importance of Speed Watch is that you are the people who determine the safety on your local area roads where speeding occurs and at what time of day it occurs. If you wish to find out more about this please contact us.

CBNW Co-ordinator Award. Do you know someone who deserves to receive the Colchester Borough Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator of the Year Award, if you do we want to hear from you. Application Forms will be available on request from mid July. We are looking for the unsung member who works at grass roots and rarely gets a mention. Please note this is not open to Area Co-ordinators sitting on the Executive Committee so it is over to you, who do you know who you think is worthy of this award? Who in your area goes that extra mile for the local NHW community? If you do know, please contact Mrs Carole Dennis Tel: 513333 for further information or watch the local press for the date and where to get the Nomination Forms. The last time we held this event it was unanimously awarded to Mr and Mrs Moffatt of West Mersea

Christmas Cracker will be held on the 8th of December 2007 at the Charter Hall, Colchester. Tickets will be available to NHW members on a first come first served basis at a cost of £2:50 a ticket. Any tickets left over will be available to the general public for £3.50 ( prices maybe subject to change but correct at time of going to print). Letters will be sent out to all Co-ords on the current Data base in mid August and replies needed by November 1st 2007.

What matters to you?
• What would you like to see CBNW doing in the future?
• What are your ideas?
• How do we move forward together?
Your views really matter to us and we would like to hear them from you. Our contact details are as follows:

Tel: 01206 513333
E-mail: colchesternw@hotmail.com
Web site: www.cnhw.co.uk

PCSO’s do you know your local Police Community Support Officers? If not try and get to know them, they are a great asset to the Police force. They are there for the Community and work very hard to help reduce crime, gather information and reassure the public in times of stress. Look out for them the next time you are out and about and get to know them; they really do make a difference

If you are suffering from anti social behaviour or are a victim of crime or maybe you have something to report, the following numbers may be useful

USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS
Colchester Police Tel: 01206 762212
Colchester Borough Council Tel: 01206 282222
Victim Support Tel: 0845 3030 900
Community Safety Tel: 01206 717816
Crime Reduction Officer Tel: 01206 717624
Crime Stoppers Tel: 0800 555 111
Anti Social Behaviour Team Tel: 0845 456 4454
Age Concern Tel: 01206 368420
Domestic Violence Tel: 0808 20000 247

We wish you a safe crime free summer from all at CBNW and thank-you for your continued support.