Neighbourhood Watch - criminal damage

RAF Nocton Hospital

Message received from Lincs Alert on Wed, 21 Feb 2018:

"Good afternoon,

Incident 228 of 21/02/2018 refers to Criminal Damage to a fence outside Nocton Hospital, Nocton.

It is believed that the Offenders have cut the fence in an attempt to gain entry to the site.

This has occurred between 09:00 hours on the 6th of February 2018 and 20:00 hours on 14th of February 2018.

If you have any information please contact our force control room on 101 quoting the above incident number or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Many Thanks"

Message Sent By
Kat Szaban (Police, PCSO, Bracebridge Heath Station)

Lincolnshire Alert - lost dogs

If you find a stray dog

This is a general advice alert to all members of the public who may come across a lost dog.

Under current law the finder of a lost dog may provide accommodation for that dog for an initial period of seven days whilst the owner of the dog is sought.  You MUST contact the dog warden for your area and register the dog as found or you could be charged with theft by finding.  The dog warden may decide that you can board the dog for the seven days if you are a suitable person and your accommodation allows you to keep animals.

The finder must take all reasonable steps to ensure the legal owner of the dog is found within that period of time.

1. Check if the dog is microchipped (now a legal requirement)
2. Check DOGLOST website to see if the dog is registered as lost
3. Ring local rehoming kennels to see if an owner has registered their details
4. Check LincsFM website to see if the dog has been registered as lost
5. Put up local notices to say you have found a dog
6. Add the dog to social media sites such as Facebook

After seven days, if an owner has not been found, the finder may decide to keep the dog or rehome it.  It is good practice for a finder to contact their local rescue kennels to rehome the dog so that the dog may find a suitable home within their rehoming policies, ie home check etc.

To ensure your dog is found and reunited with you as soon as possible, ensure your dog tag is up to date and your chip details have the correct address on the database.  Keep your chip details on your mobile phone so they can be updated on the data base if your dog is lost asap.

Special circumstances
If you find a sighthound, ie lurcher, saluki, or greyhound, please take extra care when trying to trace the owner of a dog in Lincolnshire.

Many dogs are abandoned during the hare coursing season for various reasons and care should be taken to trace the legal owner of these dogs which may not be the person who was in possession of the dog last.  If the microchip gives a current owner, these details should be passed to the Dog Warden to enable them to make an informed decision as the whether the dog should be returned or not.  Under current law if a sighthound has been used in the process of hare coursing, it would normally be seized by Lincolnshire Police as ‘property used in the act of a crime’ and rehomed.

Details of the local dog wardens are shown on the LincsAlert website under Useful Information.

Message sent by
Gill Finn (Police & NHWN, Community Safety Officer, Police Headquarters)

Lincolnshire Alert

Theft of generator

Incident 204 of 06/07/2017 refers to shed break at a property on Main Street, Nocton.

Offender(s) have gained entry via forced the shed door sometime yesterday (5th July) afternoon and removed a generator.

If you have any information please contact our force control room on 101 quoting the above incident number or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Many Thanks
Sarah Kennedy (Support, PCSO NC38 Sleaford Rural North, Sleaford Station)

Pet thefts

Pet theft awareness week - March 2017

Pet theft awareness week (14th to 21st March 2017) is held to raise awareness of pet theft across the country.

Dog theft is a growing problem and Dartford MP Gareth Johnson held the first ever hosting event in the Houses of Parliament.

He has joined forces with the Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance (SAMPA) and raised awareness about the growing issue of dog theft.

Mr Johnson said: “Dog theft is a particularly nasty crime which causes great distress to the owners and to the dogs themselves.

“It is a rising issue in this country with hundreds of dogs being stolen every year. Too often dogs that are stolen are simply reported as missing and very few are ever returned to their owners.”

Mr Johnson contacted all 43 police forces in England and Wales to ask them for details about dog theft in each force.

He said: “Of the 34 forces which replied, we discovered there have been more than 5,000 reported cases of dog theft since 2011. Of these just 12% of dogs were reported to have been returned to their owners.

“At the moment there is no specific crime of dog theft and so if it does reach court, a dog which is a family member and well-loved, is treated like any other chattel such as a TV or mobile phone and the sentence is based on monetary value.

“Dog theft is a nasty crime and causes devastation to dog owners and huge stress to the dogs themselves. I hope this event highlights this growing problem and the inability of the courts to effectively deal with this issue.”

A spokesman for SAMPA said: “The crime is largely unpunished as few cases reach court, and because dogs are regarded as goods any sentence reflects the value of the dog not the impact on the victim who has lost a member of their family.

“Police statistics vary across the country and are simply the tip of the iceberg. They show how a force records dog theft rather than the size of the problem.

 “Until scanning of microchips is compulsory by vets, rescues and other authorities there can be no guarantee that a dog will be reunited with its rightful owner.”

Pet Theft Awareness website link: http://www.pettheft.co.uk/

What can you do to protect your dogs?

• Stay with your dogs – do not tie them up outside shops.
• Ensure that any CCTV in your home covers the driveway and back garden gates.
• Be careful what you publish on social media with pet photos, walks that you take, and if you house them outside in kennels.
• When out walking, ensure that your dog has good recall and can be trusted to return when called.  If not keep them on a lead.
• Ensure that you keep your eyes on your dog when off lead; don’t get distracted by your mobile phone, giving an opportunist thief time to escape with your pet unnoticed.
• When visiting your vets, ask them to check your ID chip each year as a minimum, update your details when you move address or change contact numbers. It is now law to have your dog chipped and keep your details up to date.

Lincolnshire Police works closely with the organisation DOGLOST, so if you find a dog or lose your own, we will work with them to try and find your pet as quickly as possible.

You can also pre-register your pets with them; so that photos and details can be circulated immediately should your pet go missing.

Visit their website see link: http://doglost.co.uk/

Message sent by Gill Finn (Police & NHWN, Community Safety Officer, Police Headquarters)
[via Lincolnshire Alert]

Lincs Alert

Membership

"We are currently trying to increase the number of people who receive messages from Lincolnshire Police, via Lincs Alert. Of course the best people to tell others about the schemes usefulness are you!

We need your help. Would you mind sending this message to as many friends family or neighbours that you can think of, and encourage them to sign up – or, if you would rather, we can send you some paper registration forms in the post – just reply and let us know.

If you are attending a community event soon maybe you could help by signing people up – or maybe just pop a form through your neighbours letter box! Again – let us know if you want some forms.

If you are a Facebook user you could also help by simply sharing the recent Lincolnshire Police post about Lincs Alert – this means that all your Facebook friends can also sign up.

Any help you can offer would be appreciated.

Thank you

The link to sign up directly online is: https://member-registration.neighbourhoodalert.co.uk/54/Join"

Message sent by Sharon Horne (Police & NHWN, NHW Administrator, Lincolnshire)

Local crime - ponies/horses

Police fear pony's tail hair cut ahead of theft

'The incident, which took place at Nocton Fen Lane, Nocton, was reported to the police on December 31.'

http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/Police-fear-pony-s-tail-hair-cut-ahead-theft/story-25793048-detail/story.html

Why cutting off the tail off someone's horse used to be a huge insult

'During the Middle Ages, horses were a symbol of wealth, power — and manliness. So, if you really, really, wanted to hurt a guy, you could hit him where it hurt the most — by cutting off his horse's tail.'

http://io9.com/why-cutting-off-the-tail-off-someones-horse-used-to-be-1520017243

Neighbourhood Watch

If you see anyone acting out of character in and around the fields where horses are being grazed, please report this to Lincolnshire Police on 101.

Why cut tails nowadays

I see Bracebridge Heath Neighbourhood Policing Team fear the action could be a possible 'marker' with a view to taking the animal sometime in the future. Whilst this assumption cannot be discounted, it is important to remember that horsehair can be valuable in its own right.

Horse hair may be stolen for use in:

• Upholstery
• Soft furnishings
• Hair extensions
• Fake tails of a show horse that has a sparse tail
• Jewellery
• Fly swishers
• and many other things

Of course this could simply be a cruel prank or theft. Either way, it causes great distress for the owners of these animals and most likely for the horses/ponies too.

The Many Uses for Horse Tail Hair… Who knew?!
http://horseandman.com/handy-tips/the-many-uses-for-horsehair-who-knew/12/12/2013/

Horsehair
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsehair

Neighbourhood Watch

Theft in Nocton

Lincolnshire Alert

Message sent by
Paul Flannigan (Support, PCSO NC39 Washingborough & Metheringham, B'bridge Heath Station)
This is a message from the Washingborough/Metheringham Neighbourhood policing Team.

Overnight 5th-6th October 2013 a theft from Motor Vehicle has occurred at Nocton Park Road, Nocton.

If you have seen anything suspicious, any persons or vehicles in the area at the relevant times, or have any CCTV that may assist us, please call Lincs Police on 101 and quote incident number 182  of 06/10/13.

All residents are reminded to ensure that vehicles are locked and alarmed and that no valuable items are left on display. In addition, best practice is to ensure  that sat nav systems are removed from vehicles, including the housing cradle, finally be sure to wipe the "suction mark" from the windscreen, if that system is used.

Parish Council

Report for Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 3 September 2013

SID
The Speed Indicator Device has finally been rescued and is now under the ‘charge’ of Cllr Graham Jones on behalf of Nocton and the other villages within our cluster group.  The Council will now be contacting the other parishes to agree an arrangement for sharing SID.  As far we are concerned, SID will be sited in rotation at the two main entrances to the village on the B1202 and on Wellhead Lane. Hopefully this will have a positive effect in reducing the speed of traffic along these roads.  In due course it is hoped that information gathered from the device on the speed and volume of traffic will be analysed and published in The Doodle.

Police Report
During the last month there have been three reported crimes in the village.  One agricultural theft (a bird scarer machine) and one domestic theft in Wellhead Lane, where a bike was stolen from a shed.  There was also an attempted break-in to another shed in Wrays Yard.  No one yet has been apprehended.

Neighbourhood Watch Scheme
More by luck than judgment, given the previous item, it is proposed to introduce a Neighbourhood Watch in Nocton.  Cllr Jones is spearheading this initiative and it is intended to hold an Open Meeting in early autumn to explain the benefits of the scheme to residents and ways in which they can become involved.  The scheme will run alongside the county- wide Lincs Alert that some of you may already have signed up to on line.

Village Hall
Work is in hand to get some more comfortable chairs and Cllr Burr has arranged to have a sample chair delivered to try out before an order is placed.

Estimates are also being obtained to spruce up the outside of the Hall and to finally replace the fence.  Larger projects such as lagging the roof space, replacing heaters, lighting etc in line with a recently completed Energy Review of the building will be decided on once the Parish Council has a clearer idea on how soon a more comprehensive refurbishment of the Village Hall can be carried out.

Best Kept Village
Unfortunately, Nocton did not make it through to the final round of judging (which is taking place during the first week in September).  We are currently trying to find out whether we made it through the first round and what areas we can improve upon for next year.  However, although the result of the competition was disappointing, the “Tidy Days” organised by Cllr Burr were deemed a great success and led to a significant improvement in the appearance in our village..

A “Yes” and “No”
Yes, the proposed finger signpost to point out village features is being taken forward, but No parking will now be allowed on the Village Green.

Planters
Cllr Williams will continue to see that the planters at the three entrances to the village are kept in good order and plants ordered for the seasons.  Volunteers are always welcome to help with planting and care.  Therefore, if you see a weed, feel free to pull it out and if the plants are thirsty – then a can or two of water helps!

200 Club
A cheque for an impressive sum of £2,400 from the “200 Club” was handed to the Parish Council to be used for ‘Community ‘Projects.  The Parish Council has earmarked £1,400 of this for the purpose of helping to set up a Youth Club for young people in the village (more detailed proposals for setting up this Club will be considered at the October meeting).  Suggestions for using the balance of the money include the reintroduction of a ‘Welcome Pack’ for new residents.  If you have any ideas on how this money should be spent for the benefit of the whole of the village then do, please, let either the Parish Clerk or one of your Councillors know.  Groups are also reminded that £500.00 has been set aside by the Parish Council to support the local clubs that operate in Nocton and it would welcome applications from them.

Neighbourhood Plan
It was agreed to hold exploratory talks with both Potterhanworth and Dunston to produce a joint Neighbourhood Plan.  So many of you responded to the Parish Plan in Nocton much of our groundwork will already have been covered.

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

Next meeting Monday 1 October at 7pm

Councillor MaryAnn Williams

Lincolnshire Alert

Lincolnshire Police Message

This is a message sent via Lincolnshire Alert. This information has been sent on behalf of Lincolnshire Police

(Please do not reply directly to this email, please use the Reply button at the bottom of this message)
Message sent by Jacqueline Commons (Support, Enquiry Officer, B'bridge Heath Station)

"This is a message from Bracebridge Heath Police Station, on Thursday 25th July 2013.

Please can we ask you to be extremely vigilant over the weekend, and ensure that any barns, outbuildings and gates are secured / blocked.

You may already be aware that a young male was spoken to by a gamekeeper in Nocton Fen last night. The male stated that he was looking for an empty building or somewhere to hold a party over the weekend.

We are carrying out further enquiries, but would ask that  you report any suspicious activity to us immediately and quote incident 531 24/07/13.

Thank you."

Theft

Theft - Potterhanworth Road, Nocton

The following message was received from Lincs Alert yesterday:

"This is a message on behalf of the Washingborough & Metheringham Local Policing Team, on Monday 8th October 2012.

During the past week, a red Mountfield 18 inch lawn mower has been removed from the greenhouse where it was being stored at a property on Potterhanworth Road. The greenhouse was not secured and was visible from a path which runs along one side of the property. Incident 166 06/10/12 refers. If anyone has seen anything suspicious, please contact us.

Thank you"

Parish Council Report

Meeting - 3rd April 2012

A summary of issues considered at the April meeting is set out below:

Policing Matters:  It was reported that the perpetrators of a theft of metal from Nocton Hall had been caught and were being dealt with by the Police.  Sheds on the field at Nocton Park where horses are kept had also been broken into.  The Police are suggesting that owners of horses might wish to join the Horse Watch Scheme.

It was noted that there had been an increasing number of burglaries in the areas around Nocton (not in the village itself) with a key time for such activity being between 5.00 and 11.00 p.m.  Residents are, however, being asked to be particularly vigilant and to report anything suspicious to the Police.

Following a discussion of crime generally, the Parish Council agreed to publicise the “Lincs Alert” scheme which some residents might wish to take advantage of.  Further details on the scheme and the possibility of starting Neighbourhood Watch in the village are provided elsewhere in The Doodle.

Gas Supply: Some 28 households have registered their interest in the possibility of having a gas supply to their homes.  Although this is a rather lower response than had been hoped for, the Parish Council will see if there is any benefit in joining with Dunston residents (who are also exploring the possibility) but, in any event will now pursue the matter with the National Grid for Gas.

Best Kept Village: It was agreed to enter Nocton in this year’s Best Kept Village Competition, the judging for which begins in June.  Further details of how residents can help to prepare for the competition will be provided in due course but, in the meantime, everyone is asked to make an extra-special effort to keep their gardens and streets tidy – not only so that we can do well in the competition but also in preparation for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations when our village will be on show!

Car Parking: A local councillor has witnessed a couple of “near misses” in the area by the junction of The Green and Main Street.  Part of the problem is, of course, the number of large lorries trying to negotiate the sharp bend by the Post Office and whilst we are trying to address this issue with Lincolnshire CC Highways Department, the Parish Council would like to remind all residents who have no alternative but to park their cars on the road in this area and also those parking to use the Post Office to take special care when doing so.  If possible, please try to avoid parking directly opposite another vehicle or near the apex of the bend itself.

Dates of Forthcoming Meetings:  1^st May – Annual Parish Council Meeting; 8^th May – Ordinary Parish Council Meeting and Annual Parish Meeting – 22^nd May.

Councillor Ian Goldsworthy

REDUCING CRIME IN NOCTON

At the April meeting of the Parish Council, it was agreed to publicise the following initiatives to help reduce the incidence of crime in the village and surrounding areas.  Whilst we are so fortunate to have very low levels of crime in Nocton, there can be no room for complacency and so the Parish Council and local Police would like to draw residents’ attention to the following schemes:

“Lincs Alert”

“Lincs Alert” is a community messaging system run by Lincolnshire Police.  The benefits of the scheme include: 

• 24 hour a day website
• Receipt of alerts by email, phone and text
• Access to an on-line virtual Neighbourhood Watch Scheme
• Ability to report information to our Neighbourhood Policing Teams
• Feedback and updates on reports you submit
• All services are free of charge
• Can unsubscribe at any time

Currently some 31,000 people are registered with the scheme.  Further details are available at www.lincsalert.co.uk; by emailing info@lincsalert.co.uk or by telephoning the Watchline Administrator on 01522 558399.

Neighbourhood Watch

For a number of years, Nocton benefitted from a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme and you can still see some of the now faded “warning” signs on our lamp posts!  The scheme was, however, abandoned when the former Co-ordinator resigned some considerable time ago.

The main aim of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme is to create a partnership between the local community, the police and the local authority.

Neighbourhood Watch started in the UK in 1982 and there are now some 150,000 schemes running throughout the UK covering nearly five million households.  This makes Neighbourhood Watch the largest voluntary movement in the country.

Neighbourhood Watch schemes can target local crime problems and take action to prevent them.  In consultation with the local police they can find out from local people what crimes most concern and affect them and focus on those specific problems.  Further information is available at www.neighbourhoodwatch.net

At its last meeting, a resident suggested that it might be opportune to reinstate the scheme and so the Parish Council is asking if anyone in the village would be willing to act as a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme Co-ordinator.  If you are interested in establishing such a scheme in Nocton or would like to take on this role, then please contact our Parish Clerk, Doreen Green, on 01526 322323 or by email at: noctonparishcouncil@hotmail.co.uk

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

The Parish Council is required to hold an Annual Parish Meeting at which all residents of Nocton are invited to attend and participate in the discussion of issues of particular concern to both them and the village.

This year’s meeting in to be held on Tuesday, 22nd May 2012 at 7.00 p.m. in the Village Hall and for the first time a whole evening is being devoted to this important occasion.

Parish Councillors would, therefore, welcome hearing from all residents about the issues they would like to discuss with them and so if you have something on your mind about life in our village, then please tell our Parish Clerk, Doreen Green, on 01526 322323, by email at:

noctonparishcouncil@hotmail.co.uk or by wiring to her at 1 Potterhanworth Road, Nocton LN4 2BP.

We can then make sure that your ideas or concerns are properly considered.  It is, of course, only by working with its residents that the Parish Council can be truly effective in making the improvements the majority of people want to see.  Please make sure you let Doreen know of the things you want to raise by Friday, 4^th May.

Please do make a note of this date in your diary, come along and let us know what you think.  Refreshments will be provided!

ANNUAL VILLAGE LITTER PICK

The Parish Council would like to express its grateful appreciation to Ralph and Mary Timms for again organising the annual village litter pick and to thank those residents who gave up their time to collect over 10 bags of rubbish from our streets and verges!  I think everyone will agree what a fantastic difference their hard work has made to our village.

Councillor Ian Goldsworthy

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