Police
http://www.northants.police.uk/
Our village is policed by PCSO Craig Edgell. craig.egdell@northants.police.uk Tel 0755 777 8055
The Police request that every incident, however trivial, be reported to them in order that the situation can be managed effectively. Tel 101 (or 999 for a crime in progress/emergency).
Annual Report on Neighbourhood Policing in Daventry District (May 2018) by Sgt Sam Dobbs
Review of policing highlights and lowlights on the town and rural beats – May 2018
For further information on Neighbourhood Watch click here.
Other Information
Contact your local Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator Dominic Fisher on 07855 821432 or email him at barbynhw@btinternet.com.
For the National Crime Mapping website click here.
National Neighbourhood Watch website
When the longer winter nights arrive, take a fresh look at your home security and remind yourself of how to stay as safe as possible when out and about.
At home
- Keep front and back doors locked at all times and keep keys and valuables out of sight and reach from cat flaps, letterboxes, and downstairs doors and windows
- If you’re out in the evening make sure you leave a light on and draw the curtains. If it’s dark before you get home, use timer switches to turn on energy-saving lights
- Light up your front door with dusk to dawn lighting – make sure it’s visible from the street
- Make sure your home is visible from the street by keeping bushes and fences less than one metre high at the front of your property
- Don’t forget about garages, sheds and outbuildings – make sure they’re locked and secure too
- Try not to leave your house in silent darkness. Just leaving a radio on could make a potential burglar think twice
- Never leave a spare key outside your house, burglars know all the usual hiding spots
- Keep bins away from windows when they’re not being used as they can be used as a climbing aid for burglars
- Consider joining or setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. Find out more about Neighbourhood Watch in Northamptonshire at www.northantsnhw.co.uk or call the Neighbourhood Watch Chair on 01933 664146 for more information
Out and about
- Plan ahead before you go out. Know where you’re going, how you’ll get there, and how you’ll get back. Let someone know where you’re going, and be prepared for a change of plan
- Keep your purse or wallet and keys close and secure. Only take out essential items, and if you can leave valuables at home, do
- When you’re out, always walk with confidence, and stick to well-lit, busy areas, using the route you know best
- Avoid quiet or badly-let alleyways, subways or isolated car parks. Walk down the middle of the pavement if the street is deserted
- Remain aware of your surroundings – don’t walk along texting, making a phone call or listening to music. As well as being distracting, this advertises your valuable to criminals
- Trust your instincts – if you don’t feel safe then change your route, remembering to stay in well-lit and busy areas. Don’t be tempted to take short cuts
- Be a good friend and stay safe by sticking together. Always avoid walking alone at night
- If you regularly walk home in the dark, get a personal attack alarm – they are widely available and inexpensive
- If you regularly jog or cycle, vary your route and times you go out, particularly if you go alone. Try to avoid wooded or remote areas and stick to well-lit roads, or main paths and open spaces. Stay fully alert of your surroundings and don’t use headphones
- speak to our crime prevention team about darker nights crime prevention email crimeprevention@northants.pnn.police
Advice from our Police Community Support Officer
- Do not leave any items on show in vehicle – bags, presents etc.
- Check your vehicle is locked and secure.
- If you have tools in your van/cars remove at end of work day.
- Check garage, outhouse, shed are locked – and if possible use a shed alarm.
Please report any suspicious activity to the police.
Phone Scams
How to spot Phone Scams
Residents in Daventry District are urged to be on their guard from a Council Tax rebate phone fraud.
Fraudsters have been phoning victims telling them that they have been placed in the wrong council tax bracket for a number of years and are entitled to a rebate.
They normally say that this rebate should be worth about £7,000. Once the victim is convinced, the fraudster tells them that in order to receive the rebate they will need to pay an administration fee in advance.
The payment they ask for varies between £60–£350. The victim provides the details and makes the payment, but then is no longer able to make contact with the person they spoke to on the phone.
When they phone their council about the rebate and the fact that they are in the wrong tax bracket, the council will confirm that they know nothing about it and that they have been contacted by fraudsters.
The fraudsters have mainly been targeting both male and female victims who are aged 60 and over.
Protect Yourself:
- Never respond to unsolicited phone calls.
- Your local council won’t ever phone out-of-the-blue to discuss a council tax rebate. If you receive a call of this nature, put the phone down straight away.
- No legitimate organisation will ask you to pay an advanced fee in order to receive money, so never give them your card details.
- If you think you have been a victim of fraud, hang up the phone and wait five minutes to clear the line as fraudsters sometimes keep the line open. Then call your bank or card issuer to report the fraud. Where it is possible use a different phone line to make the phone call.
- If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or by telephone 0300 123 2040.
Phone calls from Daventry District Council will be displayed as 01327 871100.
If you are unsure about a caller claiming to be from DDC, please contact the Council to verify the identity of a Council Official by phoning the main number on 01327 871100.
Crime Statistics
Crime Statistics
Neighbourhood Police Daventry Rural Area
A Crime Map and Statistics doe the Daventry Rural Area is available at https://www.police.uk/pu/your-area/northamptonshire-police/daventry-rural/?tab=overview
Crime Prevention Tips
Here are some useful crime prevention tips to help you protect you and your property, both at home and when out and about:
At home:
- Keep front and back doors locked at all times and keep keys and valuables out of sight and reach from cat flaps, letterboxes, and downstairs doors and windows
- If you’re out in the evening make sure you leave a light on and draw the curtains. If it’s dark before you get home, use timer switches to turn on the lights
- Light up your front door with dusk to dawn lighting – make sure it’s visible from the street
When out and about:
- When out in your car, look out for Park Mark car parks and make sure you remove all items from your vehicle when you leave it – including the sat nav cradle and suction pads
- De-clutter your bag – take out only what you need and avoid carrying large amounts of cash
- When you’re out shopping, keep your bag firmly closed and on your person at all times
- Carry wallets in inside pockets of jackets or coats, not in the back pockets of trousers
- When using your card, shield your PIN and take the time to make sure you safely put away your purse or wallet
- Never leave your bag unattended on the back of trolleys or pushchairs
- Don’t be tempted to return to your car and drop off your shopping bags – keep them with you or take them home
For more information visit the crime prevention page at www.northants.police.uk/
If you have any information about crime or criminals, call the police on 101. Or call CrimeStoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.