Hello NHW'ers,

Here is the latest Update for your information. 

1st March

• A farmer in Castle Frome reported that the front iron gates at the end of their driveway had been demolished by a vehicle which took out the gate and a telegraph pole.  It is clear an accident happened at the site but we have not received any reports.  If anyone has  noticed anything relevant i.e. vehicle, reg no etc.

• A resident in Oatleys Crescent, Ledbury was the victim of a burglary while the property was vacant.  The incident was revealed when the resident returned home to find their back door had been jemmied open.  Once offender had gained entry a tidy search was made of the house and a sum of money removed.  Enquiries are ongoing.

2nd March

• A resident in Blenheim Drive, Ledbury reported that his vehicle, which had been parked in the driveway unattended for two hours had been sprayed with grey aerosol paint by persons unknown.

• A resident in Belle Orchard. Ledbury reported damage to his vehicle while it was parked and unattended on their drive.  The vehicle sustained a scratch along the entire length of the passenger side.

3rd March

• A Silver Astra Club CDTi - Reg BK06VZP - was stolen from Coddington Court School, Coddington sometime between Saturday evening and Monday morning. Nothing was seen or heard.

• Ledbury Primary School was broken into over the weekend.  Footballs were removed from the insecure PE shed, and thrown around.  Enquiries are ongoing.

• A female was approached by a strange male in a small dark blue car while she was walking in Lower Road, Ledbury.  The male asked directions to the nearest garage and then asked her to get into the car to show him, and was very persistent despite the woman's attempts to deflect his attentions.  Although  this may have no more sinister implications apart from his unwanted attention, there has been a recent increase in this sort of incident and we would urge any female who has been approached in this manner to inform the Police.

4th March

• A large number of tyres have been dumped on a property at Station Drive, Colwall Green on the land of a vacant property.  In addition in order to gain access,  offenders have also removed an 8 ft wide wooden bar gate, with the hinges.  It is illegal to dump/fly tip tyres on private land without the permission of the landowner.  If you should see this happening please take the Reg No of the vehicle, making a note of the make/model and any identifying marks, and report to the Environmental Health Agency via the Hereford Council.

• A business on The Lower Road Trading Estate, Ledbury had two company mobile phones taken by persons unknown between Sunday night and the early hours of Monday.  Nothing else was taken.  Enquiries are ongoing.

• Residents in Yarkhill have expressed some concern as to the small caravan which has been left in the lay-by on the A4103.  Police have investigated this and have been unable to trace the owners.  A crimes checks shows no indication that it has been stolen but we will keep an eye on it for possible removal by the Council. If you have any information as to the owners we would like to hear from you.

• A resident in Falcon Lane, Ledbury expressed some concern regarding a suspicious van outside their property with one male occupant.  Suspicions were aroused as the driver took pains not to be seen by the neighbour who informed the resident as they were not at home at the time.  The neighbour stated that the vehicle had been in situ for the past half hour.  The van is described as a blue transit 120 SWB - Reg T975.TP.  Police investigated but the van had gone on their arrival.

• A group of youths were reported as acting in a disorderly manner in Walwyn Road, Colwall.  The youths aged between 14 - 16 yrs, all wearing hoodies, appeared to be inebriated from their manner and were reported to the Police as they were wandering about behind a block of flats occupied by elderly residents.  Police carried out an area search but no youths wee seen.

• An attempt was made to rob the HSBC Bank in the High Street, Ledbury, by a male described as approximately 6ft, in his early 20's, wearing a painted on goatee beard, a mousy blond wig, and a 3/4 length wax type motor cycle jacket carried  a black handgun and a distinctive black rucksack with silver panels on the sides over his shoulders.  The offender entered the bank, tapped on the counter and asked the teller for some money.  With great calm and presence she walked away and the male left the bank premises empty handed.  A large Police presence and area search was carried out to no avail.

5th March

• Six apple trees approx 4 ft in height, were stolen from out of the ground from an orchard adjacent to the A4103 at Bishops Frome.  The farmer reports that they had only been planted for 4 days.  Offender appeared to have entered the orchard via an open gate, undid the rubber ties removing the trees and the cane supports.  Nothing was seen or heard.

6th March

• A vehicle was broken into whilst it was parked outside an address in Martins Way, Ledbury.  Offenders smashed a window to gain access and once inside removed two chainsaws. Nothing was seen or heard.

• An elderly resident in The Homend, Ledbury reported that two men knocked on his door and pushed their way in whilst he was on his own in the property.  Once inside he stated they 'roughed him up' and took his wallet containing a sum of cash.  He reports that they searched the pockets of his coat and removed the wallet before making a quick departure.  House to house enquiries have been carried and the investigation is ongoing.

• A female was stopped in Little Marcle Road, Ledbury by a group of men in a white van and was shown a magazine with indecent photos in it, causing considerable alarm and distress.  There have been other incidents of a similar nature recently and Police are keen to speak to the keeper of the vehicle.  Enquiries are ongoing.

7th March

• The receptionist of a business in The Southend, Ledbury had her handbag snatched whilst she was away from her desk.  The bag is described as a black Ted Baker handbag 30 cm in size containing a white purse with various bank cards, keys and driving licence.  A male was seen by witnesses to be running away from the premises with a what looked like a bag under his jumper and the investigation is ongoing.

• A painting was stolen by persons unknown from a property in Worcester Road, Ledbury.  The painting is described as an 1870's oil painting with a woman holding a baby, looking at some sunflowers, approx  7ins x 12ins.  Thieves removed the painting from where it was hanging in a gallery, but nothing was seen or heard.

A message from West Mercia Crime Intelligence analysts

SHED BURGLARIES - INCREASING TREND
As we approach the start of the gardening season, it is becoming evident that the number of shed/garage burglaries in the division are increasing.

Since early February, there have been 22 shed/garage burglaries across Herefordshire division.

• The offences in the South section have predominantly cantered around the border with the Forest of Dean, in the Goodrich, Welsh Bicknor, Broadoak/Llanrothal area.  There has also been a few offences in the North of the Golden Valley, especially in, or near to, Clehonger. These offences are potentially more likely to be linked to cross-border/rural criminals.
• The offences in the City & Rural area have occurred in the South Hereford area and may be associated with either local youths/local acquisitive crime targets.
• The offences in the North area are spread across the section, however there is evidence of a few of the offences being concentrated on the west side of North section, particularly towards Bromyard and the border with Worcestershire. 

The most common property being stolen from the majority of these offences are power tools, and Stihl strimmers and offences are predominantly occurring on Monday & Tuesday, overnight.

Whilst figures are not exceptionally high, as we continue into the summer season these offences will undoubtedly continue to increase.

Smartwater Property Marking
Don't forget that we have a supply of Smartwater kits available at Ledbury Police Station.  For those of you who aren't aware, Smartwater is a Forensic Coding System for property marking which is easy to use.  It has been tested and guaranteed by the Tate Gallery to last up to 120 years.

Although the normal price of this system is approx. £50,  if you buy it through the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, you can purchase a kit with enough to mark 100 different items, at a discounted price.

If you are interested in buying a kit, please send a cheque for £20.00 made payable to the Herefordshire Crime Prevention Panel.  Complete the form below and return both to Ledbury Police Station for the attention of CSO Alison Dore.

Smartwater Property Marking

Name:…………………………………………………………………………………………..

Address:………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Post Code:……………………………………………

Tel: No:………………………………………………..

Email Address: ………………………………………………………………………………

If you do not already belong, are you interested in joining your local  NHW?

Please indicate here (YES / NO) and we will contact you accordingly.

Alison Dore
Community Support Officer
Ledbury Rural
Mob: 07970 602338

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