1. Don't leave keys on view or in door especially if you have a cat flap. Always hide keys.

1. If you are in the back garden check that front doors and windows are secure.

1. Do not leave cycles lying around in the garden. If you keep them in a shed or garage secure them to a heavier object such as a lawnmower. Ensure cycles are post coded by the police.

1. Make sure sheds and garages are really secure.

1. Stop access to rear of your premises with a secure high gate. Keep it locked. Remove objects that could be used to climb over gates, fences, walls. Check access from your neighbour's garden.

1. Going away? Cancel papers, milk etc. Get a neighbour to collect your mail and let them know where you can be contacted.

1. Use a timer (cost less than £4) to switch on lights, radio, TV etc.

1. Just popping out to the shop? Leave the bathroom light/radio/TV on. Let them think you are in when you are out.

1. Do not leave anything of value in your car. If possible remove boot cover. Let them see it is empty.

1. Postcode with UV pen then photograph all valuables. List model and serial numbers. Keep two copies. Police often recover items but fail to find the owners.

FOLLOW THE 2 STEPS AHEAD ADVICE & HELP STAMP OUT CRIME IN LADY BAY.

PIN THIS UP IN THE KITCHEN AS A REMINDER
Police Phone No: 945 5999

You can report a crime anonymously by phoning CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111

The 2 Steps Ahead security advice card was distributed to all 46 000 households in Rushcliffe in 2001.

  Lady Bay Neighbourhood Watch has some 30 street co-ordinators who disseminate information from the police and the Chief Co-ordinator to householders in the area. Each co-ordinator has approximately 20-30 households, usually on their own road, to contact. In addition it is the role of the co-ordinator to promote vigilance and encourage people to report any suspicious characters or occurrences direct to the police. Lady Bay has the second highest crime rate of any ward in Rushcliffe due to the ease of access from across the Trent. Local crime statistics are posted monthly on the Neighbourhood Watch notice board on Barry & Helen's newsagents shop in Trent Boulevard. Although there are always house burglaries a high percentage of thefts are cycles often left in unsecured situations... If you have a bike keep it in a secure garage or shed but take the added precaution of securing it to another item such as a wheelbarrow or lawnmower. Fit a shed alarm and warning sticker to deter thieves. A recent spate of car thefts is the result of thieves breaking in to houses simply to steal a bunch of keys and make off with the car. Don't leave car keys hanging on a hook in the kitchen overnight even when you are at home. We all do it but the villains know this and you could wind up with no car. We are always seeking to recruit new co-ordinators. It doesn't involve much effort but it does serve the community and help to reduce the crime rate. We like to make contact with newcomers in the area and let them know about our activities.

The 33 street co-ordinators in Lady Bay now benefit from a new super computer called “Ringmaster” which is operated by two part time civilians at West Bridgford police station.

Ringmaster has a data base of some 3000 people from all over Rushcliffe. arranged into groups.. Farmers, off licences, pubs, businesses and, of course Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators ( approx.300 ) Messages can  be sent to some or all of the groups by E mail or telephone and responses can be sent back to the Ringmaster operators. If, for example the police suspect an F reg.  green van is being used by two distraction burglars in Edwalton and Radcliife  that message can be relayed to the appropriate groups asking them to report any sightings.

Communications are an essential part in crime reduction and Ringmaster is a valuable tool in helping us all to stay “2 Steps Ahead” of the criminal fraternity.

More immediately we understand the “duster” salesmen are knocking on West Bridgford doors so beware and if approached just say you don’t buy anything from the door.

If you get a phone call from a security company based in the North East telling you their “experts” are in your area and could they pop in just to check your security, don’t fall for it. They charge  far more than is necessary (salesmen’s commission etc) and their APR is very high. If you need an alarm system contact a local reputable firm. It may save you money.

Lady Bay Neighbourhood Watch is part of the West Bridgford Neighbourhood Watch Group, representing around 80 street co-ordinators. The WBNWG is linked to the newly formed Rushcliffe Neighbourhood Watch Association. Sounds bureaucratic but it really will be a strong organisation which will help co-ordinators in isolated areas and offer security products such as shed alarms at reasonable prices.

FREE DATA LINK KITS AND SHED ALARM WARNING STICKERS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE VIA YOUR  NW CO-ORDINATOR.

Don Read Chairman Lady Bay Neighbourhood Watch 26.8.03

E Mail: don-read@tiscali.co uk (add the uk bit to make the link work) The general contact number for the Police is Notts. 9455999.

You can report a crime anonymously by phoning CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111

Click here to visit the North West NW site.