The following is a local policing update for the Rural Flegg Villages neighbourhood
Weekly crime summary 13 September 2016
Police in Great Yarmouth are urging cyclists to be vigilant and ‘proper lock’ bikes to prevent bike thefts.
Officers are urging cyclists to use good quality locks and report any incidents of suspicious activity to police.
It can take just a few seconds for a thief to steal a bike, demonstrated in a crime prevention video by Norfolk Constabulary called #ProperLockIt.
The YouTube video aims to encourage cyclists to think more about security by showing the speed and ease at which cycles can be stolen.
Other top tips for cycle security include:
- Use a heavy-duty bike lock, similar to a D-lock and certified by Sold Secure.
- Avoid isolated or dimly lit places – leave your bike where a potential thief will be clearly visible.
- If yours is a very expensive bike, don’t lock it in the same place on a regular basis – so it won’t be noticed and stolen to order.
- Lock your bike through an immovable object – use a proper bike rack, ground anchor or robust street furniture.
- Make the lock or chain hard to manoeuvre when parked.
- Keep the gap between the bike and lock small.
To see #ProperLockIt visit www.norfolk.police.uk/news/campaigns/proper-lock-it
47,000 safety booklets issued to school children across Norfolk
47,000 safety booklets have been issued to high school children across the county giving vital information about exploitation, sexting and internet safety.
Members of the Safer Schools Partnership (SSP) worked to collate information relevant to children of a school age.
Inspector Bex Brown from the SSP said: “We have produced this booklet as another way to get the message to children about personal safety. Danger and the potential for harm is no longer just a physical threat. Online, children face an increasing risk of being a victim of crime, bullying or exploitation. This booklet aims to educate children, and their parents, about the hazards of entering an online environment and will give them the tools they need to stay safe.
If you would like to see the booklet entitled “Exploit this” so that you can have further discussions with your children about this topic please visit our website at http://www.norfolk.police.uk/
If you are concerned that someone may be being sexually exploited you can also contact the Rose Project on 0808 8001037 or visit the Child Exploitation Online Protection Centre’s website at http://www.ceop.police.uk/
Yarmouth man given Criminal Behaviour Order for five years
Following his conviction for committing offences under the Communications Act 2003 a man has been given a Criminal Behaviour Order which will last for five years.
Richard Bean-Woods, 44, from Southtown Road, Great Yarmouth pleaded guilty on Wednesday 27 July 2016 to, “persistently making use of a public electronic, communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another”. He was sentenced on Monday 5 September and given a suspended sentence and the Criminal Behaviour Order.
The order comes after Bean-Woods called the police more than 60 times during an 18 month period. A large amount of these calls were found to be false allegations or where fictional situations had been created. The provisions set out in the CBO stated Bean-Woods must not:
- Act in a way that causes or is likely to cause nuisance, annoyance, alarm or distress to anyone not of the same household; including the use of foul, offensive, abusive or threatening language or behaviours against anyone, anywhere in a public place or to incite any other person to do this on your behalf.
- Contact the emergency services via 999, 101 or 111 telephone numbers, or ask or expect anyone else to do so on your behalf, unless in a genuine emergency.
- Make allegations or accusations to emergency services or other agencies against anyone that are false or exaggerated, or ask anyone else to do so on your behalf.
Sergeant Caroline Adams, from Great Yarmouth OPT, said: “When someone contacts the police with false claims it can cause an extensive drain on resources. Whilst answering these calls officers cannot be deployed to real emergencies. The use of CBOs will reduce unwanted calls and allow us to respond more effectively to genuine incidents. This particular CBO will last 5 years and if breached will mean a criminal offence is committed and Bean-Woods will be liable to further action.”
If you would like to raise concerns of anti-social behaviour the Great Yarmouth Operational Partnership Team can be contacted by calling Norfolk Police on 101.
Further news, appeals and information can also be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at www.norfolk.police.uk