PCSO 13234 Shorter
Shanklin Police Station
E-mail :- louise.shorter@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
For a visit or to consult, leave a message with our Town Clerk in the Comunity centre or by "phone" on (01983) 401770
For all other Police matters contact "Netley" 0845 045 45 45
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Neighbourhood watch, first started in America with sponsorship and support by the police, insurance companies and administrations both local and political, was and is very successful. The value of this initiative has been recognised and implemented in many areas throughout the United Kingdom. It is supported by our police, local and county councils and sponsored by "Norwich union", "Kleenex" and others (please see web site:- www.neighbourhoodwatch.net). As you can see from below, neighbourhood watch is about "neighbourlyness" and all its functions. It can be "tailored" to suit all communities and communal mixes, that is to say mixtures of businesses and private interests.
The benefits of such a scheme include:-reduced insurance costs in many cases, a sense of communal awareness and a resurgence of a degree of community care. Together with a greater feeling of safety by the vulnerable, occasioned by real crime reduction. It's corporate opinions and observations could be of great help to the local council and as a local pressure group would be also of value. There is also a scheme in place by which the medical services are able to access on site, as it were, the medical records of the sick and elderly.
Dis-benefits are few, although it must be said that in extremis, constant surveillance by one's neighbours can be tiresome. Ones friends or relations may visit when you're away and decide to check that you are indeed - out, by entering the back way only to find the police turning up in a short while (absract from communication to local Councillor). Russ Lea.
Brading Neighbourhood Watch is slooooooowly coming together . Inertia being the main problem. Tis. a very good concept though and well worth doing. Anybody interested in helping to speed up the process, contact us through townclerk@brading.gov.uk . Russ Lea
Householders & the Use of Force
Against Intruders.
Produced by the CPS. & Association of Chief Police OPfficers.
How would the police and CPS handle the investigation arid treat me?
In considering these cases Chief Constables and the Director of Public Prosecutions (Head of the CPS) are determined that they must be investigated and reviewed as swiftly and as sympathetically as possible. In some cases, for instance where the facts are very clear, or where less serious injuries are involved, the investigation will be concluded very quickly, without any need for arrest. In more complicated cases, such as where a death or serious injury occurs, more detailed enquiries will be necessary. The police may need to conduct a forensic examination and/or obtain your account of events.
To ensure such cases are dealt with as swiftly and sympathetically as possible, the police and CPS will take special measures namely:
o An experienced investigator will oversee the case; and
o If it goes as far as CPS considering the evidence, the case will be prioritised to ensure a senior lawyer makes a quick decision.
It is a fact that very few householders have ever been prosecuted for actions resulting from the use of force against intruders.
What is the purpose of this statement?
It is a rare and frightening prospect to be confronted by an intruder in your own home. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Chief Constables are responding to public concern over the support offered by the law and confusion about householders defending themselves. We want a criminal justice system that reaches fair decisions, has the confidence of law-abiding citizens and encourages them actively to support the police and prosecutors in the fight against crime.
Wherever possible you should call the police. The following summarises the position when you are faced with an intruder in your home, and provides a brief overview of how the police and CPS will deal with any such events.
Does the law protect me? What is 'reasonable force?
Anyone can use reasonable force to protect themselves or others, or to carry out a or to prevent crime. You are not expected make fine judgements over the level you use in the heat of the moment as you only do what you honestly a instinctively believe is necessary in of the moment, that would be the strongest evidence of you acting lawfully and in self defence. This is still the case if you something to hand as a weapon.
As a general rule, the more extreme. circumstances and the fear felt, the more force you can lawfully use in self-defence.
Do I have to wait to be attacked?
No, not if you are in your own home and in fear for yourself or others. In those circumstances the law does not require you to wait to be attacked before using defensive force yourself.
What if the intruder dies?
If you have acted in reasonable self-defence, as described above, and the intruder dies you will still have acted lawfully. Indeed, there are several such cases where the householder has not been prosecuted. However, if, for example:
o having knocked someone unconscious, you then decided to further hurt or kill them to punish them; or
o you knew of an intended intruder and set a trap to hurt or to kill them rather than involve the police,
you would be acting with very excessive and gratuitous force and could be prosecuted.
What if I chase them as they run off?
This situation is different as you are no longer acting in self-defence and so the same degree of force may not be reasonable. However, you are still allowed to use reasonable force to recover your property and make a citizen's arrest. You should consider your own safety and, for example, whether the police have been called. A rugby tackle or a single blow would probably be reasonable. Acting out of malice and revenge with the intent of inflicting punishment through injury or death would not.
Will you believe the intruder rather than me?
The police weigh all the facts when investigating an incident. This includes the fact that the intruder caused the situation to arise in the first place. We hope that everyone understands that the police have a duty to investigate incidents involving a death or injury. Things are not always as they seem. On occasions people pretend a burglary has taken place to cover up other crimes such as a fight between drug dealers.
Please copy this - you may need it. Russ Lea.
Annual General Meeting
IoW. Neighbourhood Watch Association. November 2006. Secretaries Report.
The Sec. reported that he had not sent out much in the way of newsletters as he had expected the beat Policemen would be reporting to their area co-ordinators. We have received £ 1000 from the I. O.W. Council for Steet Signs, thank you to them. Also Insp. Owen Kenny, I.O.W. Police, had secured a £1000. from the Safer Community Fund. This was much appreciated and had made our finances more secure.
During the period since the previous A.G.M., 12 new schemes had been started, with 6 more in the process. Unfortunately, we lost 26 schemes during this time. 18 co-ordinators have retired, 4 have sadly died, their names being DAVID PRICE-RICHARD GREEN-ERIC INGHAM-PATRICK SHIRLEY.and 4 gave up because they felt the Police did not appreciate the work they were doing. We are still failing to attract people to take over schemes as the co-ordinator retires. This needs to be addressed by Public meetings and information sharing from the Beat Officers. This is working in some areas, i.e. Cowes, Ryde and Shanklin. Other areas are lagging behind due to police manpower shortages and other commitments. The change from a Response led force to a Community based one will take time, not helped by there being no extra money or increase in Police force numbers. Community Support Officers are being recruited and trained, this will put more uniforms out in the public domain.
	On the Island we are closely involved with Crime Stoppers and No Cold Calling Zones.
Due to a demand from scheme members, we are still giving out packs of the Friend in the Fridge. If anybody wants them, please contact John Pullen. Colin Pemberton asked if all the emergency services knew of the scheme. This will have to be pursued to make sure they are.
Act Inspector Rick Davison and Sue Gibson - gave an insight in to how the Police Force has changed from April 1st this year. Neighbourhood Watch is an important part of the community and this has been forgotten and overlooked. There will be training issues for the force in the best way of community engagement. Meetings and other better contact systems are a vital part of this. Other agencies will have to get involved. Insp. Davison said " We have recognised that we have a commitment to you and your area".
A discussion followed between the floor and the speakers on topics such as beat officers being moved just as they have established a good rapport with co-ordinators. It is an aim that officers will stay for at least 18 months. Police Community Support officers are coming and it is hoped they will be increasingly involved. Public Consultation meetings are a useful tool. It was pointed out that co-ordinators are ready and willing to help, if and when, the Police contact them. Again it came very strongly from the meeting, the frustration of trying to contact the police through Netley. Also the lack of feedback.
Sue Gibson explained her role as Force Co-ordinator. There are some 3,300 schemes in Hampshire, representing some 72,000 homes. A new hand book, with contact details, will be produced in the new year. This will be distributed to all schemes. When reporting an incident, always ask for an Incident No. Julie Woodhouse. Trading Standards.
Rogue Trading is of prime concern at the moment and one way to combat this is setting up No Cold Calling Zones. Signs and information packs go to each household, to make people aware of their rights. Always secure door with a chain before answering, ask for ID. Verify ID. by phone, but do not ring a mobile. That could be an accomplice round the corner. 	Trading have a list of over 100 approved traders which can be accessed through the website. This a multi agency approach, with N/Watch, Police and the Ferry companies. End
ISLE OF WIGHT
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH ASSOCIATION.
Secretary: J. Pullen Telephone: 01983 281250
hjpool@onwight.net
