Notes of Meeting held 5^th January 2010

1. Apologies
   
   

   Three apologies were received, including Peter Froebel who normally takes the notes of the meeting
   
   

2. Welcome
   
   Bill Reid warmly welcomed Kevin Sanderson, a PCSO who is looking after Doddinghurst for the next couple of months now that Alex has managed to find himself a job nearer his home in Colchester. Kevin stated that he had worked at Epping Forest and recently Brentwood for two years, looking after Warley in particular. However, he is already familiar with the troublesome group of kids in Doddinghurst, as he has been called to us in the past.Kevin is a mature and experienced ex-police officer, who should be very valuable to us until a permanent replacement for Alex is found. Kevin also reported that Moira the PCSO for Blackmore has taken back responsibility for Kelvedon Hatch and Navestock so that he can concentrate on Doddinghurst.
   
   

   We were also very glad to welcome back Paul Birkin-Steed, the Children Support Officer for the Brentwood area, Colin Freeman, Essex Watch Co-ordinator and, for part of the meeting Mrs Maggie Cooper, Headmistress of Doddinghurst Junior School.
   
   

3. Finances
   
   Robin Ekblom reported that £60 had been spent, leaving the group's finances at £449-36.
   Bill Reid reported that he had also bought a number of items to give away, using Colin Freeman's budget!. The items included UV lights for use with Junior NHW; bells to help identify theft and location of purses or other valuable objects; personal attack alarms and bicycle padlocks. Bill hopes that we will be able to organise bicycle training for the school children later in the year. If this can be done, her hopes to be able to offer some help with marking the bikes and to give away the padlocks to the children who attend.
   
   

4. Speedwatch
   
   Jim reported that there had been no Speedwatch sessions due to the inclement weather. There was some further discussion about the problems that the Speedwatch teams have had with identifications of vehicles being rejected due to incorrect records of licence plates or colour. This despite several team members noting colours and registration details. Bill asked Kevin Sanderson if he could find a contact in Traffic division with whom we could discuss this. Kevin volunteered to help with, or even carry out on his own, a Speedwatch session or two in the village. He is familiar with speed gun use. Action Kevin and Jim to liaise and fix some dates.
   
   

5. Property Marking
   
   Bill Reid reported that he is still keen to pursue widespread property marking using a system such as SmartWater or SelectaDNA but was waiting for a report from Peter Froebel on the financial implications of this. Peter had been in contact again with PC McQuail at Castle Point about the best routes to funding, and had been advised to try to get funds through our local CDRP (Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership) It is clear from other trials that this type of marking can be very successful, but implementation needs to be thought through carefully.
   
   

6. Crime Report
   
   Kevin reported that crime in Doddinghurst had actually gone down over the last month, but over in Essex in general it had 'gone mad' with burglaries in particular being hard to get under control. It seems that groups based in Chelmsford or nearby are driving out to places such as Ingatestone to carry out burglaries. Kevin asked us all to be on the alert for suspicious Transit vans or similar around the village. Fortunately the criminals have not got as far as Doddinghurst yet, it seems.

   
   The burglaries being perpetrated fit in to three main categories:
   
   a) 'Millennium' where the burglars break in to houses – often through inadequately secured UPVC doors – in order to steal the keys of expensive cars.
   
   b) 'Opportunistic' where the burglars go knocking on doors to find out whether anyone is in, and then nip round the back if the property appears empty. Sometimes the burglars are giving excuses for knocking such as asking whether some fake name is in. Worse, some are arriving in official-looking uniforms – water, or gas companies, for example. These are likely to be involved in:-
   
   c) 'Distraction' burglaries where whilst the householder is answering some irrelevant questions at the front door, the burglar's accomplice is nipping round the back
   
   It is therefore very important to be aware of these approaches, to keep doors properly locked at all times and to keep side entrances to gardens firmly barred, too.
   
   The main local crime has been criminal damage in Kelvedon Hatch and Pilgrims Hatch.

   Kevin reported in response to a question that, regrettably, the planned Dispersal Order is still waiting for a signature and is not yet implemented.
   
   

7. Junior NHW
   
   Maggie Cooper reported that the beneficial effects of the Junior NHW sessions have spread beyond the group of attendees. She will be arranging a planning meeting for the next session shortly. Action Maggie.

   The visit, last academic year, to the Chelmsford Police Museum was hugely successful, and it would be good to repeat it this year. However, some of the presentation material used there has already been used at JNHW at the school. Action Peter Fisk to contact Becky, the museum's curator, to see whether she has another suitable session so that we can repeat the visit with this year's group.
   
   Paul Birkin-Steed reported that he has a box of assorted museum-type equipment which might be used in a session at the school. He is still happy to help a group of children visit South Woodham police station when Maggie can suggest suitable dates later in the year.
   
   Kevin will also make a point of contacting Maggie to discuss anything to do with the school. He is concerned about parking near the school, speeding and driving whilst using a mobile 'phone. He plans to be at the school as the children leave on at least the next three times he is on suitable duties. Action Kevin
   
   

8. Brentwood NHW
   
   Bill reported that we have been asked to help re-start Neighbourhood Watch in Brentwood. There are plans for a meeting which could be in the Town Hall. Bill also reported that Moira has asked Peter Fisk to give her some feedback from the Doddinghurst Junior NHW as she plans to work with the deputy head at Blackmore to start something similar.
   
   

9. Beat the Burglar leaflet
   
   Bill has managed to obtain an excellent leaflet aimed at preventing burglaries. He will shortly be asking for help with its distribution. He plans to put each leaflet in an envelope with a short message and the NHW logo on the outside. Action Peter Fisk to prepare a possible message. (But any ideas for a suitably punchy message to Pete@doddinghurst.org.uk within the next few days, please!)
   
   

10. Next Meeting
    
    Tuesday 2^nd February 2p.m in the Parish Room.
    
    Notes by Peter Fisk
    6th January 2010