This gives a total of 83 offences for the year up to the end of June.

I mentioned in the last newsletter about a particular type of offence where high value, high performance vehicles are being stolen by means of people breaking into houses to steal the keys.

Since that advice, one more has been stolen from Cuffley and one from Brookmans Park.

The vehicle from Cuffley had a tracking system fitted to it and, within a few hours, had been recovered.

I can only remind people yet again, if you have a high value, high-performance car, you must consider having some kind of tracking system fitted to it.

Cars of this type have very sophisticated locking systems. The thieves know this and, as a result, break in to get the keys.

The increase in thefts involves mobile phones. The school has stopped mobile phones being taken to school but they still go missing.

By the time most of you get this newsletter I would anticipate that the kids will be back at school, the nights will be drawing in and we will all be asking where the summer went.

We will also be moving into the time of year of Halloween, fireworks and eventually Christmas.

The darker nights means the timely warning about making sure that time clocks on external lights and time switches are changed -- more about Halloween and fireworks later.

We are still getting reports about bogus officials preying on the elderly. Please be aware of any elderly neighbours and help keep an eye on them.

Someone has explained to me how these companies, who cold-call, manage to get hold of your number, even when you are ex-directory.

What they do is to use a computer to trace the area code. They then put the first number for an area -- most numbers in Brookmans Park start with a six -- then press the start button and the computer works through on auto dial until it connects.

They have no idea who you are or where you live but will enter into their sales talk until you tell them ‘no’.

This again reiterates our advice, which is not to buy at the door or over the phone. What looks like a good deal could become a costly mistake.

Road Traffic

We are still suffering from people exceeding the speed limit on certain roads in the areas.

Some of you might have noticed that the 30 mph speed limit areas have been extended in Hawkshead Lane and in Hawkshead Road.

Speed limits are put in urban areas so that everyone remains safe. It is still the case that most people caught speeding on local roads are local people.

The incidents of inconsiderate parking in the village seem to have dropped dramatically since many people have had to pay a penalty. As in most things it is about consideration for others.

General Matters

Fireworks, as mentioned earlier, have become a problem with some idiot in the area of Georges Wood Road, Woodlands, Shrublands or Calder Avenue seeing fit to let off fireworks in the early hours of the morning on several occasions of late.

This has managed to disturb the sleep of large swathes of the village, including mine.

The various reports that have come in from people have narrowed the area where this has happened.

Should the person responsible be a reader of the publication there is a simple message from those you have disturbed PACK IT IN.

On fireworks night please have consideration for others about the time you let them off and the noise of them.

Before that is Halloween. While I would not want to stop children having fun, I would ask all responsible parents to ensure that any ‘trick or treating’ is done to households that you know or that are expecting you to call.

Some people, particularly the elderly, find this intimidating and some even become scared by it. Once again, it is about consideration for others.

Vojislav Mihailovic

The community police officer can be contacted at his office on (01707-638112).

You can discuss the crime figures and Neighbourhood Watch in this site's forum.

September, 2002

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