General crime warning for the Stafford area - Feb 2012

[darben]

Please find copy and paste of an email I received today:

Dear Watch Member,

During the past few days, three motorbikes have been stolen from outside addresses in Moss Pitt, Merrivale Road and Carisbrooke Drive and two bicycles have been stolen from rear gardens in Oxford Gardens and Exeter Street, There have been shed burglaries in Blakiston Street, Marston Road and Tixall Road where bicycles, golf clubs and aluminium ladders were amongst the property stolen, and a substantial amount of lead flashing has been stolen from a commercial building in Milford Road, Walton.

Please warn your neighbours to be on their guard, to consider the security of valuable property kept outside the house or in outbuildings and to report anything suspicious to the police immediately.

 

[My Name is URL]

Thanks for the heads up mate, will pass it on.

 

[gdavies]

thanks will keep this in mind

 

[Trapnest]

Cheers for the heads up! Will keep an eye out! Scary hearing this stuff in your own back yard!

 

[Mrmat]

Half term aswell, st leonards primary has been hit a fair few times over holiday periods recently.

 

[Vicky]

Thank you, I have just got a padlock for my outbuilding and I stood in the shop deliberating for ages thinking that ultimately, if they bring tools to cut through a padlock, it doesnt really matter how big it is they will be able to cut it.
I think you used to be able to get the police to stamp a code on to your bike so if it was stolen then found it could be identified - does anyone know if they still do this?

 

[shoes]

Cheers for the heads up......

/cocks shotgun

 

[Withnail]

I think you used to be able to get the police to stamp a code on to your bike so if it was stolen then found it could be identified - does anyone know if they still do this?

They do - they tend to be done at bike-marking 'events' that are periodically advertised (eg this one ) , i don't know whether you could go and have it done at the police station outside of these but it might be worth finding out?

 

[staffordjas]

I think you used to be able to get the police to stamp a code on to your bike so if it was stolen then found it could be identified - does anyone know if they still do this?

They do - they tend to be done at bike-marking 'events' that are periodically advertised (eg this one ) , i don't know whether you could go and have it done at the police station outside of these but it might be worth finding out?

I rang the police,who put me through to my local beat copper. He told me when the next bike marking session was nearby. I can't remember what it cost but it wasn't much- only something around a couple of quid (apart from just HAVING to buy some (lots of ) cakes that the local church group had put on in their grounds whilst the event was taking place!)

They were even selling bike locks at a decent price which I stupidly bought for sons bike.......... Still in the wrapper!

 

[Wormella]

Thank you, I have just got a padlock for my outbuilding and I stood in the shop deliberating for ages thinking that ultimately, if they bring tools to cut through a padlock, it doesnt really matter how big it is they will be able to cut it.

No, last time our shed was burgeled they ripped the lock from the wood, there's not a lot you can do about that...

 

[shoes]

Our poor town I am kinda glad to be moving out of Stafford soon as I am fearful for my home/property. A real shame though, it's a lovely town with great people, and I won't be too far away - hopefully far enough away to escape the shit described in the OP.

 

[henryscat]

Our poor town I am kinda glad to be moving out of Stafford soon as I am fearful for my home/property. A real shame though, it's a lovely town with great people, and I won't be too far away - hopefully far enough away to escape the shit described in the OP.

I think the fear of crime / perception of being at risk from crime is far greater than the actual risk. Whilst crime clearly exists, Stafford isn't exactly a hot bed of crime compared to some places.

 

[Stafford Dunc]

Our poor town I am kinda glad to be moving out of Stafford soon as I am fearful for my home/property. A real shame though, it's a lovely town with great people, and I won't be too far away - hopefully far enough away to escape the shit described in the OP.

I think the fear of crime / perception of being at risk from crime is far greater than the actual risk. Whilst crime clearly exists, Stafford isn't exactly a hot bed of crime compared to some places.

So true , crime figures are reducing, but regardless the fear of crime remains high. You have to ask yourself why ?. When the Police put together their crime mapping system , did this make people realise that they are closer to the crime hotspots than they ever realised . Does the Neighbourhood Watch System with its regular updates and alerts on 'crime in your area' keep people reassured or does it make them paranoid about the risk of being a victim. In fact does this forum add to the general perception that crime is all around.
I dont wish to appear negative , Im simply questioning why?

 

[darben]

Our poor town I am kinda glad to be moving out of Stafford soon as I am fearful for my home/property. A real shame though, it's a lovely town with great people, and I won't be too far away - hopefully far enough away to escape the shit described in the OP.

I think the fear of crime / perception of being at risk from crime is far greater than the actual risk. Whilst crime clearly exists, Stafford isn't exactly a hot bed of crime compared to some places.

So true , crime figures are reducing, but regardless the fear of crime remains high. You have to ask yourself why ?. When the Police put together their crime mapping system , did this make people realise that they are closer to the crime hotspots than they ever realised . Does the Neighbourhood Watch System with its regular updates and alerts on 'crime in your area' keep people reassured or does it make them paranoid about the risk of being a victim. In fact does this forum add to the general perception that crime is all around.
I dont wish to appear negative , Im simply questioning why?

I so agree Henry & Dunc, but it is always wise to be cautious too! Forewarned is forearmed so to speak.

I do fear that once they tighten up on the scrapyards, what kind of theft will become the latest fad with the quick buck thieves and where they will turn their attention to next.

 

[Miss Red]

Our poor town I am kinda glad to be moving out of Stafford soon as I am fearful for my home/property. A real shame though, it's a lovely town with great people, and I won't be too far away - hopefully far enough away to escape the shit described in the OP.

Lucky you, I would dearly love to move out of stafford but unfortunatley i have a teen to consider, It not easy moving location when theres someone else to consider, especially when shes just started to settle in.

 

[My Name is URL]

crime figures are reducing

"Recorded crime figures are reducing".... doesn't necessarily mean crime is reducing.

 

[Trumpet]

Our poor town I am kinda glad to be moving out of Stafford soon as I am fearful for my home/property. A real shame though, it's a lovely town with great people, and I won't be too far away - hopefully far enough away to escape the shit described in the OP.

Where are you off to ?
Eccy by any chance?

 

[shoes]

Cotes Heath - just north of Eccy!

 

[Zylo]

Hmm why are people here making out that stafford is Crime Central- Never had a problem myself, neither has my parents who've been here 40 years- or noone i know has.

We're lucky compared to some places around stafford

I feel safe here at least. maybe you've had some bad experiences though.

 

[Lancer165]

Talking about the motorbike thefts, I awoke Sunday morning to find a fairly new motobike abandoned on the pavement across the road from my house. Laying on its side, some kids picked it up but the handlebar lock must have kicked as they put it on the stand and buggered off. I called the 0300 number and reported it, 2 hours later it's still there, so I ambled over, took the reg, noted that the handlebar had been proper bent in, and called again. It was collected just after 5pm after I initially reported it at 9am. I do hope it got back to the owner ok. Thieving bastardos.