MUCH has been written about crime figures and detection rates both nationally and locally here in East Cambridgeshire. Detection rates are shown as a percentage of results achieved, balanced against reported crimes. Increased detection rates are what we a

MUCH has been written about crime figures and detection rates both nationally and locally here in East Cambridgeshire.

Detection rates are shown as a percentage of results achieved, balanced against reported crimes. Increased detection rates are what we are achieving here in East Cambridgeshire, but reducing and preventing crime thus reducing the number of victims is our number one aim.

We constantly see on our daily patrols incidents of lack of security with people's possessions, inviting the opportunist thief to steal. There are incidents of vehicles being left insecure or with valuable items on display and pedal cycles left insecure both in public and at people's homes. Consider the value of property stored in garages, sheds and outhouses at your home address and then the security measures you need to take to protect them.

With the arrival of summer, and hopefully some warmer weather, extra care must be taken around the home to ensure security of windows and doors.

We can all impact on crime by taking responsibility for the security of our own possessions and not making life simple for the opportunist thief.

Currently, the north neighbourhood team is targeting, in addition to its normal duties, the anti- social use of vehicles in and around Ely city centre, vehicle crime in Sutton and tackling incidents of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour in Littleport.

Sergeant Alan Savill

North Neighbourhood Beat

01353 656640

0845 4564 564 (ext 6640)

Mobex 7110833

email:alan.savill@cambs.pnn.police.uk

Team aims to combat local theft from parked cars

DURING the last month the southern team has been working hard to combat an increase in overnight thefts of stereos, speakers and amplifiers from parked cars, particularly in the Soham area.

We have increased our patrols in hot spot areas and have been calling at the homes of criminals that live in the area that might commit this type of crime as well as issuing crime prevention advice to the public. If you see or hear anything that you don't think looks right or hear of anybody selling second hand stereos etc. cheaply please call us straight away.

The Weatheralls Health Centre in Soham has recently been a focus of attention because of the vandalism that has been caused there by local youths.

Of further concern is the fact that some of the teenagers that are gathering at The Weatheralls are smoking cannabis.

Within the last ten days, two juveniles found in the grounds of the centre have been searched and arrested for possessing cannabis. If your children are out on the streets in the evening, please check with them where they are going and don't allow them to hang around the Weatheralls Centre as they may find themselves getting arrested.

Our current neighbourhood priorities are to robustly tackle vandalism at the Weatheralls Centre in Soham, reduction of thefts from motor vehicles and combating speeding vehicles in all of our villages.

Sergeant Nigel Leadbeater South Neighbourhood Beat: 0845 4564 564 (ex 6640).