Semilong Neighbourhood Watch
Community Messages
[NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COMMUNITY MESSAGING - Northamptonshire West - 03.12.09 - WB/CMS/1521/09 - ALL NHW - GOOD NEWS]
This is a message from Northamptonshire West Police to all members of Neighbourhood watch.
Police officers spent Wednesday 2 December knocking on the doors of 200 people throughout Northamptonshire who they believe are possibly involved in serious acquisitive crime and telling them they will receive more visits if they commit crime.
The visits are being made as part of Operation Guardian, the force's focus on robbery, burglary and vehicle crime and follows a day of action that saw 19 people arrested across the county two weeks ago.
Each person who has had a knock at the door has been presented with a letter explaining why they have been visited and the aims behind Operation Guardian will be explained to them.
They have been told that they will be visited again, at any time of day or night if they become involved or are believed to be involved in any of these crimes.
Superintendent Peter Windridge, from Operation Guardian, said: "We are serious about getting tough on these people and today has allowed us to get that message across.
"This activity is an important part of Operation Guardian - letting those people involved in committing crime such as robbery, burglary and vehicle crime know that we are determined to tackle them.
"We have been making it very clear that we will be making regular disruption visits and arresting those people who are involved in these kind of crimes."
Officers have also been using the visits as an intelligence gathering operation.
Supt Windridge added: "As well as speaking to these people we have been checking them for SmartWater, the invisible solution that is in the process of being rolled out across the county.
"Members of the public have been marking their valuables with the solution that glows brightly under UV lights and so we have been checking the people we have been speaking to today for any traces of the substance."
As well as getting the Operation Guardian message across officers have been giving details of where these people can get help to turn away from crime.
Supt Windridge added: "We have also been offering advice on how to get away from a life of crime.
"In many cases the people we have been visiting also have alcohol or drug dependencies and so as part of these visits officers will be handing out details of those agencies and programmes that can help them, and so prevent further crimes from being committed."
Thank you
Ref: WB/CMS/1521/09
**Northamptonshire Police Contact Details**
Emergency: 999
Dedicated Watch Line: 01604 XXXXXXX
Northamptonshire Police Switchboard: 101
Alternatively Call Crime Stoppers Anonymously: 0800 555 111 |
