Community Safety:
Play your part to keep safe on darker nights
Falling crime figures show Suffolk
is getting even safer, but the darker evenings can make us feel
more vulnerable, especially those who live alone. During the busy
festive season we need to be extra careful to keep ourselves, our
households and our neighbours safe and secure so that we can all
enjoy the celebrations.
Here are some seasonal safety tips
and useful contacts:
Your home
* Don't leave your home in darkness
‑ leave a light on using a timer switch and draw the curtains at
night.
* Fit a visible burglar alarm and
outside lighting. Keep shrubs and hedges cut back.
* Lock all doors and windows and
secure fences, gates and sheds
a Dispose of present boxes carefully
‑ don't advertise what's new in your house
* Check smoke alarms, electric
blankets and festive lighting are working properly.
Personal Safety
Never open your door to
unexpected callers, without checking they are genuine. Ring a
neighbour or the police first if you are unsure.
* Keep your mobile phone battery
topped up and put in a taxi contact number. Consider buying an
audible attack alarm.
* Make sure you are visible to
drivers ‑ wear reflective clothing, use cycle lights or carry a
torch
* Limit how much money and valuables
you carry. Avoid using cash machines late at night. Have your keys
ready when you are approaching your car or home.
* Park in busy, well‑lit car parks
near CCTV cameras. Keep valuables out of sight
‑www.saferparking.com
lists police approved car parks
* Where possible, don't walk alone
after dark. Plan your route. Avoid isolated stops and sit near the
driver or other passengers. Never accept lifts from strangers.
Contacts
To contact your area Safer
Neighbourhood Team visit
www.safersuffolk.org.uk
or call Suffolk Constabulary on 01473 613500.
Neighbourhood Watch news and crime
prevention advice is available at
http://www,suffolk.police.uk
For safety advice about bogus
callers, electric blankets, festive lighting,
smoke alarms contact Suffolk County
Council Trading Standards on
01473 264859, or visit the county
council website at
www.suffolk.gov.uk
Issued by Suffolk County Council
Community Safety Unit: 01473 264288
email
communitysafety@csu.suffolkcc.gov.uk
Public
asked to put forward the name of an 'outstanding'
officer
Suffolk Police is
asking members of the public to send nominations for the
Constabulary’s top award.
The Sheepshanks Trophy
is awarded annually for outstanding service to the local community
and is open to both Suffolk police officers and their police staff
colleagues.
The trophy is awarded
in recognition of: · Professional conduct. · Commitments,
charitable or otherwise, which have given the officer or member of
police staff close affinity to his or her community. · Other
special commendable service that has been particularly valuable for
community relations.
Nominations are taken
from members of the public and Suffolk Police supervisory officers;
a winner is then selected by a committee, which includes a member
of the Suffolk Police Authority, and the Constabulary’s Assistant
Chief Constable.
Temporary Assistant
Chief Constable, Carl Puiy, said: “Officers and staff do a
wonderful job and this prestigious award is given in appreciation
of their commitment. I would ask anyone who knows of an officer or
a member of police staff who really makes a difference in their
community to put forward a nomination and give them the recognition
they deserve.”
The trophy is not
restricted to officers who have a specific community liaison role.
The diversity of the work carried out by the police service means
that service to the community can encompass a wide range of
activities.
The Sheepshanks Trophy
was set up in 1991 by the then chairman of Suffolk Police
Committee, Captain Robin Sheepshanks.
Last years winner was
Pc 1118 Jon Eaves of Stowmarket North SNT. The award was made to Pc
Eaves in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the
community.
Anyone who wishes to
nominate a member of Suffolk Constabular personnel for the trophy
should send their nomination to Inspector Ben Cook at Suffolk
Police Headquarters, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP5 3QS.
The closing date for nominations is Friday 11 January
2007
If you have details
about any crimes, then please contact your local Police Station, or
call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.