|
|
Briefings from your Local Policing TeamJune 30th, 2011Crime Trends On Saturday afternoon (24th) a farm in Orcop was again the subject of animal feed thieves - this farm was targeted last week as reported in the briefing. It is believed to be the same persons responsible, as they left empty bags behind that they had stolen before - it is thought they were about to refill them but may have been disturbed. An attempt was made to enter an unoccupied cottage in Pencoyd over the past ten days, and although substantial damage has been caused to the side door, entry was not gained. A Nissan truck parked near the property had its tailgate and both rear light clusters stolen. Red diesel was stolen from a tank on a farm near Clifford, Hay on Wye, sometime over the past week, and two windows of a tractor parked in a nearby barn were smashed, it is not clear if the two incidents are connected. Suspicious vehicles A red Ford transit panel van OV54*ME was spotted in the yard at a farm in Wormbridge last Friday 24th June at around 9.30am. There were two males in their mid 20's with the vehicle, both about 5'10" and plump. One had curly hair, the other medium length straight hair, both had Irish accents. They were challenged, and said they were after batteries. They got very abusive when the occupier started taking photos of them and their vehicle, then drove off. Also last Friday 24th June, another red Ford transit panel van LD07*LV was in Hoarwithy around 10.30am, the occupant, a young male with a strong Irish accent, was offering tarmaccing services. The same vehicle was calling at addresses in the Rotherwas area that afternoon, and we had a report of the same vehicle in the Pontrilas area the following afternoon. It also called at a farm in Wormbridge but this time asking for tractor batteries! If you have any such callers please call us on 0300 333 3000 at the time as we, and Trading Standards, are keen to catch up with them! A blue Ford transit panel van CE56*ZD was in the Vowchurch area yesterday morning (Weds 29th), the occupants were asking for scrap. From Ringmaster Reference - Bogus Charity Collector You may remember we put out an appeal in April about a man who was suspected of being a bogus charity collector conning dozens of people in Herefordshire. Since then, a man was arrested, but has since failed to answer police bail and we are putting out a public appeal to find him; please see below. As his offences were first reported in Shrops, this investigation is being managed from there, but to reiterate many if not most of his crimes were committed in Herefordshire. Below is a copy of the original appeal:- Warning over Suspected Bogus Charity Collector West Mercia Police is issuing a warning to shops and pubs across Herefordshire about an apparently bogus charity collector, who claims to be collecting for a leukaemia charity. The man is believed to have visited many shops in Leominster over the past few weeks and intelligence suggests he may also be active in Hereford. He is also suspected of similar incidents in Shropshire, Gwent and Cheshire. He claims that his child died from leukaemia recently and that he is either collecting for a charity such as Leukaemia Research or looking to be sponsored for a run on behalf of the charity. He often claims that by giving money, the premises will get a mention or advert in the local newspaper, sometimes saying it's because he works for the local paper and as such the adverts will be free. The same man is also believed to be targeting local pubs with a different tactic. He is thought to loosen the connections of water pipes, causing a leak, and then and claims that he has slipped in the water and broken a SatNav or a new watch, or ripped his clothes, in the hope that the management will hand over some cash as compensation. PC Angie Hull, from Leominster Local Policing Team Station, said: "This man was first reported to us earlier this month and my investigations have uncovered at least 24 reports about his activities in and around Leominster. "But he has potentially targeted many more businesses who have not realised they may have been conned, especially as some of the amounts he 'collects' are pretty small. "I am aware that he has been seen operating in Hereford, but we have yet to hear of any confirmed reports. West Mercia Police colleagues in Shropshire are investigating eight further incidents in Shropshire and his offences being investigated as far apart as Gwent and Cheshire. "He is described as smartly dressed and extremely plausible, often changing his story depending on which business he is talking to. "He is described as white, in his 20s or 30s and of average build, with brown or light brown hair. "Our advice to anyone, whether in a shop, pub or other business is never to hand over any money unless you can verify that the person is legitimately collecting for a specific charity. Have a Safe & Secure Summer! West Mercia is a safe place to live and burglary figures remain low. In fact, less than one per cent of homes are burgled each year and your local policing team is working hard to reduce this figure even further. With the summer holiday season now upon us, West Mercia Police is reminding residents to be vigilant and follow a few simple steps to help keep your home safe and secure while you're away on holiday: . Let a neighbour or friend know that you're going away.
For more information about home and garden security, or to contact your local policing team, visit the force website www.westmercia.police.uk Finally, I have had a request to produce the briefings in black rather than green, as it is easier to read - I would welcome any feedback and am happy to change if that is what people prefer. Thanks
Golden Valley & Hereford Rural South Local Policing Teams
Non - emergency number 0300 333 3000 - please use this number to report incidents |