Crime Update

At the Housing Liaison Board last night, PCSO Kevin Large reported back on reported crime for October to date. Overall, crime is down 18% compared to same month last year 52 offences against 72 at the same point. Burglary is down by 66% to just three offences this month. There have been no robberies either so far this month. Vehicle crime remains a problem with 10 offences so far this month, compared to 11 last year and they were up 33% year on year in September.

Officers are focussing on this and have been tracking down owners of vehicles left unlocked or with items left on display to tempt thieves.

There's been a spate of shoplifting, but a suspect has been identified for thefts of meat from Aldi and Farmfoods. Two have been arrested for theft of aftershave from Boots, having been detained by the security officer employed by the Business Improvement District. There were also a couple of thefts of customer from Ladbrokes and the Red Lion. One person is also wanted in relation to a theft of money and a debit card - the victim was followed into Sainsburys from the cashpoint, the thief got talking to them and stole the items.

Forced entry

Picture from @bhameastpolice

The picture on the left shows the small arsenal of weapons found when the Yardley priority team executed one of two drugs warrants over the weekend in Acocks Green. It includes a range of bladed weapons and an extendible baton. The knowledge that this can lurk behind the doors of a few homes is why the police force entry to properties - a few seconds of surprise can save injury.
A large quantity of cash was recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act and two people are in custody, helping with inquiries into robbery and assault.
These raids were the direct result of information received through Crimestoppers, which allows you to anonymously help the fight to keep our community safe.

Elsewhere, inquiries continue into the fire on Cateswell Road - just outside the ward. A 56 year old man was arrested in relation to the fire, which has now been confirmed as arson. A woman died in the fire and her daughter suffered severe burns and remains very ill in hospital. If you were in the area around 5am on Wednesday, the police need to hear from you. You can call them on 101 or contact them through Crimestoppers.

Policing Update

Just a quick update on the policing front in Acocks Green, following the latest round of resident's meetings. Incidentally, you can keep up to date on the local neighbourhood team's public engagements here.These meetings are your chance to sit down with the local officers in your immediate area and talk about the issues that affect you. Do try to get along to the next meeting near you.

The police report that while crime is generally down in Acocks Green, there have been a few issues. Car crime - mostly theft from motor vehicles - has spiked lately, but much of this relates to theft of numberplates and a spate of thefts of wing mirrors from the new Mini. The plates are used to clone cars for use in crime or for use in petrol station forecourt drive-offs.

The Mini mirror thefts are simply because the mirrors are relatively easy to remove and fetch a good price - the BMW original part apparently retails for £300 a time, so a few thefts can prove very profitable for the offenders. There was a burst of these thefts, but they seem to have stopped lately.

The police also advise of a problem affecting thefts of BMWs, where the thieves lie in wait and when the driver leaves the vehicle and locks it using the remote fob, they use specialist equipment to capture the signal and either jam it to prevent the vehicle locking or alternatively to clone it to allow the car to be unlocked later.

The village has also seen a number of attempted purse dippings, particularly affecting our older residents, with at least one attempt stopped because of the sharp eyes of a shop assistant. We've got a good shop radio network and they do pass information between stores and to the police, so the message is that if you come to Acocks Green, we've got our eyes on you.

In other good news, eleven drug warrants have been executed in recent weeks in Acocks Green, shutting down four cannabis factories and removing over 100 fully-grown plants. Two people have been arrested in relation to offences relating to the supply of cannabis. In one, they found some outbuildings converted to a factory. The police say that where the producers used to use large properties or even factory units to produce cannabis on an industrial scale, they are now using multiple smaller locations to protect their crop against police activity.

The police need your help - these warrants all arose out of community information and they ask that you keep your eyes and nose open. Signs include permanently closed upstairs curtains, a strong smell of cannabis, excessive condensation, strange patterns of activity or people moving unusual equipment in, often at odd hours. If you see anything suspicious, you can either let the police know directly or call - anonymously - Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111.

More generally, the police have offered some general crime prevention advice - make sure that you keep windows closed and back doors locked. The most recent burglary in this area was through an open window. In this current hot weather, if you must keep a window open, make sure that it is a high one and well away from a flat roof or drainpipes. As always, don't leave items on display - make sure that you even remove the satnav holder from the car, as thieves will break into vehicles assuming that the satnav itself is hidden in the glove compartment.

Distraction Burglaries -

Acocks Green Police have reported a small number of distraction burglaries in the Pemberley Road, Fox Green Crescent & Edenbridge Rd areas. Please be aware of offenders posing as officials or passers-by asking for help. Don't be bullied or pressurised into letting people you do not know in to your house.

Local officers are out and about speaking to residents and handing out crime prevention information. Make sure you report any suspicious behaviour and if in doubt, keep them out!

There's plenty of good advice on protecting yourself here.

Remember that genuine callers will carry identification and will normally make an appointment first.

Always put the chain on the door - make sure your back door is locked while you answer the front door.

Don't be afraid to ask them to wait while you check on their identity or to come back at another time. Genuine callers won't mind that - they won't be bothered if you close the door to allow you to check. If you have any suspicions - just don't let them in. And remember - report it by dialling 999 and tell your neighbours too.