The Neighbourhood Watch Scheme for Chediston is presently being re-organised by the new coordinator, David Mantell.  Full details will follow in due course. In the meantime should further information be required: contact NHW
IN ALL CASES OF EMERGENCY, CONTACT THE POLICE ON – 999

POLICE WARNING TO RESIDENTS

Police are urging residents to be cautious after receiving three reports that older people had handed over large sums of money to men carrying out gardening work. Officers received three calls yesterday from concerned family members reporting that an older relative had been approached by men who carried out a small amount of gardening work and then asked for a large sum of cash in payment.
One incident occurred in Ufford on Monday 29 September where a number of men called at the home of a woman in her late 70s and started working in her garden. When they finished that day they asked for several thousand pounds for the work. The second incident occurred on Tuesday 30th September in Aldeburgh where a woman in her 80s paid several thousand pounds after men cut one tree in her garden and the third incident was yesterday, Wednesday 1st October, when three men turned up at an address in Leiston, carried out some basic work and then asked for an excessive amount for doing it.
Its thought the men involved in these incidents may have called at other properties in the area and police are asking anyone with information about who they are to call Suffolk Police on 01473 613500. Officers are also urging residents to be cautious when dealing with anyone going door to door offering to carry out work. If you need work carried out please get several quotes before agreeing to have it done. If someone is about to carry out work against your wishes, or if you are suspicious, please alert police immediately using 999.

OR

Please use the following link to pass any useful information to Suffolk Police about this incident.

http://www.suffolk.police.uk/News+And+Appeals/Report
+Information+To+The+Police/Tell+The+Police.htm

DO NOT USE THIS LINK IN AN EMERGENCY OR IN A SITUATION THAT REQUIRES AN IMMEDIATE POLICE RESPONSE WHEN YOU SHOULD RING 999.

CHEDISTON SCHOOLROOM BREAK-IN

The Schoolroom was burgled during the night 29/30 September. Police have visited and a Scenes of Crime Officer is expected today (30th) afternoon.  If you noticed anything suspicious during Monday evening or early Tuesday morning, please make that information known either by using the Contact Us tab or by telephoning our local policeman, Mark Bryant via Suffolk Constabulary - 01473-613500.

Following our NHW ring-around the following was reported and has been passed on to the police:

Jennifer (Paradise Farm) heard a car speed by around 5.00am this morning, for which she thought it most unusual, could be an early worker someone going on their hols, maybe something else.

Well done for reporting this - it may be significant.

We have now also written to the police as follows:

We shall report any response.


NHW Sub-Co-ordinators Required

We have managed to recruit Jim Webb to help David Mantell organise the NHW Scheme to the South of the Village.  If you would like to play your part and act as a sub-coordinator to ensure a NHW scheme is available at that end of the village, please use the Contact NHW at the top of this page

In the meantime, until sub-coordinators are found for the south of the village (by the bridge and along the B1123), if you would like any alerts emailed to you David can arrange this.  Just use the Contact facility on this website to provide your details.

VILLAGE HOUSE PHOTOS

HOME PRODUCE STALLS - THEFTS

Here we go again at this time of the year!  We have been notified that produce and money are being stolen from stalls at the front of drives.  This is theft and we should all keep an eye out for anyone acting suspiciously. It is suggested that those with stalls check their tables etc regularly to remove any cash that may tempt those with dishonest tendencies. Contact Neighbourhood Watch using the link at the top of this page.


READ THIS IF YOU ARE LIKELY TO BE WALKING ALONE

The following was reported by one of our residents:

I had what could have been a fairly nasty experience on Saturday
and would like others alerted - esp women dogwalkers or lone runners. 
I was taking Tia (our dog) for a walk - a route I often take - over to
Wissett and then up towards Rumburgh and then back round to
Chediston Green - all road based.  When I was walking the bit after
the Rumburgh turn off towards the Chediston Green turning I was
passed by a black Renault - possibly a Clio - driven by a white male in
 his 30s - shaved (or very short hair) dark sunglasses.  He drove past
me and stopped.  I was aware he had done this and kept on walking.
He then turned around and began to follow me.  At this point I stopped
 and took out my mobile to call Ian to come and get me.  He saw me
doing this and reversed into a drive way and drove off.  This really
threw me as I have always walked the dog on my own and have always
felt safe.  Can you let others know please.  I did tell the police but as I
 didn't get the number they didn't have a lot to go on.


SECURING YOUR HOME/SHED/GARAGE/PLANTS ETC

Follow this link for advice on securing your home/outbuildings/plants etc.: http://secure.weebly.com


MAY 6 - NHW ALERT!

We have taken a report of travelling fishmongers in the Shottisham area yesterday 24 April who persuaded an 80 year old pensioner couple to buy £1,000 worth of fish.

Having paid £100 there and then and given a cheque for £900 it was only after they had left that the couple realised they had been talked into buying fish that they neither need or want.

Many door-to-door traders are genuine and provide a valuable service however there are some who are prepared to take advantage of vulnerable or older people and persuade them to buy things that they may not want or need, sometimes at inflated prices.

Remember, you do not have to buy from doorstep salespeople. If you do not want their goods tell them that you are not interested and to leave your property.

If you do agree to buy goods make sure that you know what you have bought and, if you are concerned in any way just say no. Alternatively you may ask them to return when you will have someone else with you who can check on the transaction. It is unlikely that a trickster will risk returning.

This incident has been referred to Trading Standards

Sgt Bob Chapman,
Police Direct

APRIL 30 - NHW ALERT!

A car window was smashed and a handbag stolen from the Chediston Schoolroom Car Park (April 30th).  Police have been informed but apparently were unable to attend! With this event and others recently reported we all need to be on our guard to protect our properties and belongings.

APRIL 4 - UPDATE

We received a telephone call from Mark Bryant our local policeman.  Apparently his son spotted the white Leyland van acting suspiciously at Sibton Common. Mark's wife called the police who went out and questioned the driver.  Suffice it to say the driver was warned that he was being carefully watched and that local communities are aware of his activities!  This is a good example of NHW getting something of a result! Thanks to Jonathan, Julia, Mark's son and Mark for keeping us updated.

APRIL 2 - NHW ALERT!

Following the reports in March about the white van, we had yet another today.  The driver (accompanied by two young children) went to Julia Morten at Hill Farmhouse, Chediston, then Jonathan Carman at Cookley Grange and then on to Valley Farm (that was burgled very recently).  Jonathan followed this van and passed on the
registration to the police.  The van was a white LDV Convoy S963FGU.  I have
spoken to the police and their Event No. is 150 2/4/08.  The police did follow this up and found that there was a discrepancy between the registered owner details and actual owner.I understand that the van may well be from a group of itinerants based in Diss; just where the Transit was based!! BEWARE AND REPORT ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS.  Well done Julia and Jonathan!  I will update this report if I get any further information form the Police.

MARCH 25 - NHW ALERT!

The following was reported to us by Julia Morten:

A burglary occurred a couple of days ago at Valley Farm, Cookley.  This involved a break-in through plate glass with a spade.  Several items were stolen.  According to the Police a similar burglary later took place near Southwold and Police consider that there is a very high risk of 3 or 4 others possibly in our area prior to the gang moving on to another area completely.  Take note and keep doors and gates locked.  Let's all be vigilant and report any suspicious movements!

MARCH 9 - NHW ALERT!

The following was reported to us by Joanna Wareham:

'I encountered a very inquisitive scrappy in my yard earlier, when he
saw me he asked about scrap metal but he was having a good nose about
before then'.

The vehicle used was a white Ford Transit Reg: W399AAR and it has also been encountered at Grange Farm, Chediston.  It may all be quite innocent but please be aware and if you see the vehicle in a suspicious place, let us know.  Thanks to Joanna's sharp eyes! Please all be vigilant as we do not want thefts in our village.  Report anything suspicious.  The Police have been informed and their very prompt response is:

'We are getting a lot of similar jobs due to the high price of scrap at the moment. The vehicle is registered to someone in Diss and has been seen at numerous locations doing the same thing.  The main thing is that they know they have been spotted and people should firmly say they are not interested and make an obvious show of taking the vehicle's number; this is usually enough to get rid of them.  if they are persistent or refuse to leave they should call us.'

POLICE COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER'S RESPONSE 26/02/08
I emailed Mary Thompson, our PCSO, the response from Mark Bryant (see below) and her response is:

'I cannot disagree with anything Mark shared with you, outlined in your report, I also share Marks concerns about adequate staffing levels. I do however have some positives, we have a new PCSO joining Framlingham SNT at the beginning of April so I will no longer be the only Police Community Support Officer in the area. This should allow me to visit Chediston and other out lying villages on a regular basis, what would help is if you could let me know of any events that are held in the village that I might attend, in that way I can meet more people rather that just arriving one day and walking up and down the road. Coffee mornings, lunch groups things like that or if you are thinking of getting your NHW helpers together some time it would be an ideal opportunity to come and have a chat.
When you say "lack of protection" what is it you feel you need protecting from?
look forward to hearing from you, the web site looks great' 
 

I cannot disagree with anything Mark shared with you, outlined in your report, I also share Marks concerns about adequate staffing levels. I do however have some positives, we have a new PCSO joining Framlingham SNT at the beginning of April so I will no longer be the only Police Community Support Officer in the area. This should allow me to visit Chediston and other out lying villages on a regular basis, what would help is if you could let me know of any events that are held in the village that I might attend, in that way I can meet more people rather that just arriving one day and walking up and down the road. Coffee mornings, lunch groups things like that or if you are thinking of getting your NHW helpers together some time it would be an ideal opportunity to come and have a chat.
When you say "lack of protection" what is it you feel you need protecting from ?
look forward to hearing from you, the web site looks great
With regard to 'lack of protection' I confirmed that we need a regular police presence in order to deter potential criminal activities and having our houses 'cased'. I also suggested that she read our website to ascertain what events are happening in Chediston and Linstead.  In other words be more pro-active rather than having to be asked each time to an event!!
If any readers of this website have any comments or would like me to put specific questions to our PCSO, please do not hesitate to use the 'Contact Us' link on the website.
David Mantell


POLICE RESPONSE 24/02/08
I had a long meeting with Mark Bryant our Community Beat Policeman to discuss the 3 Alerts mentioned below and also to learn why we have to wait for a response from the Police.
Mark explained that the force is really stretched.  From 30 officers available some considerable time ago to our policing region (based in Framlingham), there are now only 17, and many of these are involved in Grade 1 and 2 matters, which basically means there is precious little time left for beat patrols to villages such as ours.  In fact I gather that Mark on may occasions has sole resopnsibilty for dozens of villages spread right across the region! I understand that this is just as frustrating to the police as it is to us all. This is why an instant response is not possible to all but serious crimes and why some matters just cannot be dealt with.
As regards the matters raised in our Alerts on this page below, Mark would obviously like more help which means us being more vigilant trying to obtain car registration numbers, better descriptions etc. Mark will try to increase his visits to Chediston and Linstead but I inferred that this is not terribly likely due to his workload.  Thus it is down to us to do as much as we can.  I did ask why a PCSO could not be assigned to our villages in order at least to show more of a presence but again I gather that staff shortages precludes this.  Mark has promised that in future he will respond to any emailed alerts that we pass to him at the very least to acknowledge that he has logged the problems.  Not terribly satisfactory but with inadequate funding and of course bureaucracy, paperwork etc. they cannot do their job as we the public would like so that we can all feel safe.

Mark has given me a number of very useful adhesive Police Notices that include Important Telephone Numbers, Security Aware stickers, Keep Locked Notices etc.  These are free.

If any readers of this website would like one of the stickers or have any comments or would like me to put specific questions to Mark, please do not hesitate to use the 'Contact Us' link on the website.
David Mantell





NHW ALERT
Well, we have had our first report of something suspicious.  13th December at 5pm - a report from one of our eagle-eyed villagers of an old white Peugeot 205 car stopping outside very many houses for a couple of minutes or so.  We do not have a registration number but matters were reported to the Police promptly and they made a sweep of the village.  If this vehicle is seen again, can someone contact one of the coordinators with the registration number. 

With the above alert, there is no need now for a trial run of the system.  Thanks to all working in my area of the village.  If you do live in my area of the village and by some chance you did NOT receive a message from one of my coordinators, please contact me urgently through this website. Police also warn us of several hawkers visiting nearby villages selling pictures etc.  Watch out!

ANOTHER NHW ALERT!
This and the above alert may be related.  Yesterday evening (17th December) a car was noted speeding out of William Ingate's drive and yard after doors were apparently hurriedly slammed.  This may have been innocent (as we have not been able to contact William) but we should all be aware and cautious. Again we do not have any details of the vehicle. The police have been informed.

FEB 18 - ANOTHER NHW ALERT!

Again this and the above alerts may be related. The following was reported to us by Stephen Burroughes:

 

'I am just alerting you regarding neighbourhood watch and Wendy's experience last week at and around William Ingate's. At about 6.00 pm, while feeding Jess's horse she heard movement around the farmyard near to William's main drive and called out 'who's there' but there was no reply. The person then ran off away from the Green, only to stop after a few yards, then run off again. They had no torch and could not be seen, but were obviously hiding close by. Wendy did not have a torch, so could not illuminate the person.

From the sounds the person made while running they had light footwear such as trainers, and possibly a lightweight synthetic coat which 'rustled' as they moved.

Also tracks have been seen in Margaret Bloomfield's front garden across the lawn upto the side of her bungalow, they may be bicycle tracks or something else. They were clearly visible in the grass. On a previous occasion she has experienced someone banging on her front window, and when answering the door the 'male' ran off. He was dressed in shirt sleeves'

Regrettably we have received no real feedback from the police on any of these issues and this matter will be raised at the next Parish Council Meeting when our police rep - Mark Bryant should be present.  When, or if, I receive any feedback from the police on any NHW issues these will be be published on this page.

Chediston Neighbourhood Watch Re-organisation Progress

My area of responsibility as Coordinator of the Scheme is from Town and Grove Farm, Leggetts Farm, all of Chediston Green down to the Post Box, along to Paradise Farm, and the houses around the Church with the exception of Shop Row.

To date I have my sub coordinators in place and have recently distributed to all of my residents a note giving the option of not wishing to be in the Scheme and of notifying me of any mistakes in the contact details that I hold. The time limit for a response to me was set at 7^th December and I have had one or two responses where the telephone numbers were incorrect.  Since then I have notified the sub-coordinators of the residents that they should contact in the event of a NHW message coming from me. Shortly I shall send a test message to confirm that the system is running as it should!

David Mantell


CRIMESTOPPERS NEWS

Crimestoppers have developed a website, aimed at teenagers,named 'SHADOWCS'.  It features games, music and avtars to manage. www.shadowcs.co.uk

This site will work on dial-up modems but is best viewed using broadband as it requires the latest version of flashplayer to work fully.Graham Downing has been very busy lately so those of you outside my village area will have to wait a while longer until he has time to arrange things.