This gives a total of 86 offences for the first six months of the year. These figures reflect the break-ins for vehicle keys that I made mention of last time.

I can’t emphasis enough the need to have some form of tracker system fitted to your car if it is a high value vehicle. Use your house alarm on downstairs during the night.

You may have been aware that a person was caught in respect of 11 break-ins in the Welwyn and Hatfield area. In all cases elderly residents were targeted and suffered physical assault at the hands of this burglar.

He has been to court and sentenced to eight years. Whilst I may have my views on the length of the sentence, at least he is off the streets for a short time.

Despite the summer we have had, winter will be with us soon and the darker nights are already noticeable. The usual reminders about time lights apply. Make sure you reset them for the winter hours.

Road Traffic

Many people seem to have forgotten that the legislation in relation to the wearing of seat belts has been on the statute books for many years. It has been statistically proven that the wearing of seat belts does reduce the incidence of injury when a crash occurs.

It has also been statistically proven that driving within speed limits reduces crashes in the first place.

The problem in Brookmans Park and Little Heath seems to be in two categories. Mothers, who allow young children to sit, stand or otherwise mess about in the car while it is being driven and young men who seem to think that they are immune from being hurt and exempt from the law in relation to speed limits.

I do not want to see a disproportionate amount of police time being diverted into dealing with issues over which individuals have personal control and a responsibility to others.

Mobile phones. As from the 1 December this year, using your mobile phone in your vehicle will be illegal and result in a fine and points on your license, so I am led to believe.

I also understand that the term 'use' will mean when the vehicle is in motion and when you are sitting stationary in the vehicle and in charge of it.

Get your hands free kits sorted out now. It will no longer be tolerated for people to be driving along with a mobile glued to their ear.

General Matters

Again something which I have made mention of before, and for which I make no apology for now or the future and that is parental responsibility.

This takes many forms. It includes making sure that your children understand that pedestrians have priority on pavements.

It involves making sure that your children understand that using motorized scooters on the road or pavements is an offence.

If you allow your children to go to the green in the evening make sure they are behaving themselves and are not the ones causing problems to other visitors and residents.

If the rate of complaints continues at its current level, serious consideration will be given to using public nuisance legislation.

This will result in names and addresses being taken, warnings given and any subsequent visits to the area by the offenders with the same behavioral traits facing arrest.

by 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 2003

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