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Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter Area LTB1 Bridle Estate (NHW70)

Crime on Bridle Estate, Did You Know, Mark It In March,Operation Identification, Police Crime Report.

By Malcolm Lawrence - 6th March 2003 - Back to News

Neighbourhood Watch

Newsletter LTB1 Bridle Estate

Neighbourhood Watch Inc.  No. A0037920V               You are in Zone _______

Neighbourhood Watch Area LTB1, Bridle Estate.

Area Coordinators Carmen Cook  5134 1920,  Val. Bartholomeusz  5133 9685.

Next Meeting

                                      When:   Monday 17th of March 2003

                                       Time:   7.15pm to 8.30pm,

                                     Where:   Salvation Army Hall,

                                                   Bridle Road, Morwell.

You are all welcome to attend our meetings which are always most informative.

Crime on Bridle Estate:

During the past two months the crime rate on the Bridle Estate has been high, consisting of property damage caused by vandalism, burglaries, car theft and theft from cars. Residents are asked to keep a look out for anyone acting suspiciously, or if you hear an unusual noise or disturbance anytime. Ring the police on 000. Don’t be put off by thinking it may be nothing, and you will feel foolish when the police attend. The police take any report of possible crime seriously. What may seem trivial could fit into a pattern which would help to track down criminal activity. Remember the police never disclose the name of anyone reporting an incident or criminal activity. 

Residents are warned to keep a look out for counterfeit $50 notes that are circulating in the area. They are printed on paper instead of polymer and can be identified as fake if they tear easily. Also in circulation are some Malaysian coins that look like our dollar coins. The Malaysian coins are only worth 11/2 cents.   

Did You Know:

The Victoria Police have developed a new drug testing program for car drivers suspected of being drug affected. Over a 12 month period 227 drivers were tested, 181 were charged with offences, 27 people have been convicted, 133 are still within the court system, and 21 did not proceed. This program is so thorough that no charges resulting from the new provisions have been dismissed. Overseas organizations have shown an interest in this program. (from NHW Sentinel)

Mark It In March:

The Police are conducting a "Mark It In March" campaign this month as part of  "Operation Identification" to encourage residents to mark their property to discourage theft by criminals. The marking is carried out by using an engraver or ultra-violet pen. The articles are marked with the driver’s licence number preceded by the letter V for Victoria. Property so marked can be traced to the rightful owner from anywhere in Australia.

If you would like to borrow an engraver it can be obtained by contacting your Zone Leader or by ringing 5134 3071.

Operation Identification Works:

A detective from Melton was checking a dealer’s second hand record books when he saw that a well known thief had sold some items to the dealer. On viewing the items, he saw that they were engraved with a "V" and a licence number, as recommended by Neighbourhood Watch’s Operation Identification. The detective then checked the licence number and found that the items had been stolen from a house in Chelsea. Thanks to some very good police work and Operation Identification, the property was recovered and three offenders were charged.

A woman came home recently and was dismayed to discover her home had been broken into. The crooks had gained entry by forcing a back window. None of the windows were deadlocked. However, to her surprise, apart from a small amount of cash and jewellery, very little had been stolen. She did observe that all items of value, such as her mobile phone, VCR, DVD and stereo had been moved a little. All these items had been either engraved or marked with an Ultra Violet pen with "V" and her licence number, as recommended by Neighbourhood Watch’s Operation Identification. We can only assume that the crooks decided the items would be too hard to sell and so departed with only that which was not readily identifiable. This is proof that Operation Identification works!

Petrol Thief Left With a Nasty Taste:

A would-be thief was left with a nasty taste in his mouth recently.

The owner of a campervan had installed a toilet and shower in his van. To accommodate the new features he converted the petrol tank into an effluent storage unit, and installed a larger gas tank in the former dual-fuel campervan.

After returning from a trip, the owners left the campervan outside their home overnight. The following morning they discovered a siphon hose coming from the former petrol tank, and a large pile of vomit on the side of the road. The moral of this story is that Crime Doesn’t Pay.    (Source: Ballarat Courier)

Police Crime Report for February 2003 NHW Area LTB1 Bridle Estate.

Due to Privacy Considerations NOT ALL Offences For This Area Are Listed 

• 4/3/02                   Chestnut Avenue                   Property damage and burglary at a house.
• 2/12/02                   Chestnut Avenue                   Property damage in the front garden of a house.
• 26/12/02                   Chestnut Avenue                   Property damage at a dwelling.
• 2/2/03                   Nowa Court                   Property damage to a house.
• 9/2/03                   Bridle Road                   Property damage to the School.
• 13/2/03                   Spring Court                   Property damage attempted forced entry to a garage.
• 14/2/03                   Bridle Road                   Property damage at the school.
• 15/2/03                   Blackwood Place                   Burglary at a garage.
• 16/2/03                   Bridle Road                   Property damage at the school.
• 16/2/03                   Kurt Street                   Aggravated Burglary at a house.
• 27/2/03                   Kurt Street                   Theft at a house.                     

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au

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