Local Policing

Facing a frosty morning?

• Whatever you do, don’t leave your vehicle with the keys in the ignition while defrosting the car.

Taking that selfie beside the London Eye?

• Take care with your social media posts and advertising your home is empty. Also, consider investing in a timer to turn your lights on, or asking a trusted neighbour, friend or family member to do this in order to make the property look lived in.

In an emergency call 999.

Home Security checklist

Review the most common entry points used by criminals and identify where additional burglary prevention may be needed. Taking basic precautions helps reduce the chance of your home being burgled.

1. Perimeter Security- check for weak points or easy entry points

2. External Lighting – good lighting deters burglars.

3. External Doors – check locks and condition

4. Garages, sheds and outbuildings –padlock away tools and equipment, check entrances

5. Windows – check condition and locks, consider window restrictors for ground floor windows

6. Internal Security – consider installing a burglar alarm, check adequacy of contents insurance mark your valuable property with a UV pen and register items on www.immobilise.com

Crime prevention advice can be found at

www.northants.police.uk/page/protecting-me-and-my-home

Tips for driving in foggy conditions

• Use dipped headlights, wipers and demisters.
• Use fog lights when you need to.
• Don’t rely on automatic lights – they may not come on in fog.
• Beware of other drivers not using headlights.
• Don’t rely on Daytime Running Lights alone – they only light the front.
• Only drive as fast as conditions allow.
• Keep a greater distance – allow three seconds between you and the car in front.
• Tailing another car’s rear lights can give a false sense of security and it’s dangerous.
• Adjust your speed so you can stop in the distance you can see clearly.
• Don’t speed up to get away from a vehicle that’s too close behind you.
• Check your mirrors before you slow down.
• Open your window to listen for traffic at junctions if you can’t see.

Neighbourhood watch

The Parish Council strongly supports the concept and practice of Neighbourhood Watch. In a rural area like Croughton, the police look to the local community for support to control vandalism and crime in the village. There is where Neighbourhood Watch is of great assistance in monitoring and controlling crime.

The Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in Croughton is divided into areas; in each area there is a contact person who can be contacted by telephone. They will then contact the Co-ordinator for Croughton, who will contact the Police. The Co-ordinator is Jean Coles, who can be contacted on 01869-810473. If you would like any information on Neighbourhood Watch, please contact Jean directly. The Neighbourhood Watch contacts are:

• Will Merrill
  Portway Drive
  Tel. 01869-810569
• Tony Cross
  High Street
  Tel. 01869-810203
• Rob Quintinden
  Blackbird
  High Street
  Tel. 01869-810237
• Chris Tomlin
  Mill Lane
  Tel. 01869-810891

It is vital that residents report incidents when they happen so that they can be reported to the police. If you hear or see an incident of crime, vandalism, or social nuisance, or if you notice any unusual visitors or habits among young people which might suggest drug use or dealing, or if you hear an alarm going off, please ring the police immediately so that they can ascertain what actions to take. Please do not tackle a suspected criminal yourself.