Semilong Neighbourhood Watch
Community Messages
[NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COMMUNITY MESSAGING - Daventry - 20.10.09 - all NHW - SMARTWATER 1015]
This is a message from Northamptonshire West Police to all NHW coordinators in the Northampton area on behalf of Inspector John McKinney, Community Policing & Partnerships.
Dear all
At a couple of recent Neighbourhood watch discussions, the question has been raised regarding our continued support for the SmartWater Forensic Marking system as part of our strategy to reduce burglary on the area. I can absolutely confirm that SmartWater is a key part of that strategy.
Any prisoner bought into our custody is checked for SmartWater before being placed in a cell. All our neighbouring Police Forces have exactly the same set-up to deal with criminals who operate cross border. All property either recovered from suspects or handed in as found property will be checked before it is booked into our property offices. Every patrol vehicle you see out on the streets and all burglary search kits have UV kit on board with an expectation of thorough use when checking persons, property or searching suspect's homes. Second Hand stores and Cash Converters in the area are being issued with UV lamps and signing agreements to checking property before they take it in.
Forensic marking is also a key part of our focused work aiming to reduce acquisitive crime on burglary hotspots. We have a sustained drop in burglary on the Thorplands are of over 55% since we rolled out SmartWater as part of a crime reduction project in April. More recently the Lumbertubs and Lings areas of Northampton have seen a 67% reduction in burglary dwelling against the same period last year. SmartWater again was one of the key measures rolled out as part of that project.
We have had calls asking why others cannot have free SmartWater and the simple answer is, we wish we could give everyone a kit and make our job of cutting crime much easier. However we have to make the best use of limited public funding and put that resource to work in high crime areas. If you live in an area suffering much less crime you can still purchase SmartWater at a greatly reduced price (£15 + packing and postage) as you are a member of NHW or a similarly recognised body. The kits can be purchased, preferably in batches of ten or more, directly from SmartWater (www.smartwater.com) quoting membership of your local scheme.
There many ways you can help us to keep your homes safer. Keep your doors locked if unattended. Nearly a third of all burglaries occur at insecure properties. Keep valuable items out of direct view. This is equally true of vehicles as well as your home. Again, most crime is opportune. The best bit you have already done. Join a NHW scheme! Christmas is not that far off. Keep in touch with your neighbours and keep an eye on each other's properties.
Best Wishes
Inspector John McKinney
Community Policing & Partnerships
Thank you
Ref: WB/CMS/1015/09
**Northamptonshire Police Contact Details**
Emergency: 999
Dedicated Watch Line: 01604 XXXXXXX
Northamptonshire Police Switchboard: 101
Alternatively Call Crime Stoppers Anonymously: 0800 555 111 |
