Residents Urged To Keep Their Homes Secure

/ northhorshampc

Keep Homes Secure PosterWith summer just around the corner, residents in the Horsham District are being urged by the Horsham District Community Safety Partnership to keep their homes safe from burglars.  Despite being one of the safest districts in the country, with extremely low rates of burglary, some residents are occasionally victims, which can be a very distressing experience.

The vulnerability of houses to burglary varies depending upon the actions of the occupants and residents can make their homes significantly more secure by following some simple advice.

Tips from the Horsham District Community Safety Partnership include the following:

  • Ensuring that the property is lit, inside and out.  Burglars prefer to operate in the dark so an outside automated light can act as a deterrent.
  • Leaving lights and a radio on a timer in the house can give the illusion that someone is home so burglars are less likely to try and break in.
  • Doors and windows should be kept secure with a good quality lock to stop it being easily broken.
  • Sheds and garages should also be kept secure so thieves aren’t able to access tools or ladders to assist with a break in.
  • Make sure all keys, including car keys, are hidden out of sight and that keys to the property aren’t left outside, such as under a plant pot.  Valuables such as passports, bank statements and wallets should also be hidden away.
  • To help keep the whole of their street safe, residents can get involved with their local Neighbourhood Watch team.  Looking out for others’ properties mean burglars will have to work much harder.  More information about Neighbourhood Watch can be found at http://www.nhwhorsham.org.uk

If anyone notices someone acting suspiciously or experiences any suspicious callers, they should report it to Sussex Police – call the non emergency number 101 or call 999 in an emergency.

The Horsham District Community Safety Partnership advises residents to make a note of the person’s description or car registration as this may provide the police with useful information.

More Vandalism In The Parish

/ northhorshampc

Most unfortunately there has been an instance of some rather offensive graffiti on the brand new safety surfacing at Amberley Close Play Area.  We are looking at how best to remove this without causing damage to the surface, which is made primarily of rubber.

Our staff check the Play Areas owned by the Parish Council three times a week – Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays – but in the meantime if you see anything that needs attending to, please do get in touch with us.  You can either call into the Parish Office at Roffey Millennium Hall; telephone us on 01403 750786; or use the online form which can be found under current consultations or by clicking here.

North Horsham Parish Plan

/ northhorshampc

The North Horsham Parish Plan was devised in 2007, and the time has come for a complete review of the Plan, to see which issues have been resolved as well as identifying any new issues.

The Parish Plan is led by the residents of the Parish, and is your opportunity to become involved and help develop the local community for the future.  It can cover anything that is relevant to the people who live and work in the Parish and will be used to inform other decision making bodies of the needs and concerns of the community and can also be used to support funding applications.  The Parish Council itself will use the Parish Plan as a focus for their ongoing work.

If you would like to be a part of this important process and join the Steering Group, please fill in our online contact form which can be found on the North Horsham Parish Plan page of this site.

Keep On Your Mettle!

/ northhorshampc

Sussex Police are warning that metal theft is a growing problem with railways, utilities substations, businesses, houses and even manhole covers being targeted by criminals.  There were over 100 reports of metal theft last year on West Sussex Division alone.

The thefts have been fuelled by spiraling metal prices on the world markets.  Police forces are exploring new methods of tackling the problem together with colleagues other industries.  Some may think that it is a victimless crime but it has far-ranging ripple effects to infrastructure and people’s lives – whether it is a delayed train or no electricity for hours at a time.

Sussex Police are committed to tackling metal thefts.  Officers carry out action days and have good relationships with BT, the British Transport Police and community groups.

Consider this crime prevention advice to protect your property against metal theft:

  • Remove any easy access on to building roofs, such as water butts and waste bins located near to the building.
  • Cut back tall trees which could provide a screen for intruders to hide behind, or help them clamber into your property.  Remember to get any necessary approval from your local authority for tree cutting before work starts.
  • Where possible, keep any gates locked and restrict vehicle access to the site.
  • Make it difficult for thieves to move stolen goods by putting wheelbarrows and wheelie bins in a secure place.
  • Regularly check your roofs so that any theft of roofing materials is found before it rains and water enters the building, causing further damage.
  • Watch out for workmen arriving unexpectedly at a building.

There is more advice at www.sussex.police.uk

Anyone with information about people involved in metal theft or dealing in stolen metal is asked to contact Sussex Police on 101 or call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.  If you see a crime in progress, call 999.

Crime And Community Safety Survey

/ northhorshampc

West Sussex County Council have launched the Crime & Community Safety Survey, which has been designed in consultation with partner organisations, and responses gathered will be used to improve customer satisfaction with West Sussex services and assist the West Sussex Strategic Community Safety Partnership in identifying priorities.

To help shape these priorities and keep West Sussex a safe place to live, anyone who is resident in West Sussex is being urged to complete the survey, which will take about 10 to 15 minutes and is available from 30th April to the 31st July.  To fill out the survey online, click here.