The Figures stated below incorporate the Policing Area known as “Bagots Ward”. This incorporates the villages of Abbots Bromley, Blithfield, The Blythe, Kingstone and Newton.
All figures, unless stated otherwise, incorporate a twelve month period which in this instance captures data from 22/12/2020 to 22/12/2021.

Crime

 

Overall

10% increase this year compared to last year – 50 incidents last year to 55 incidents this year, an increase of 5 crimes.

 

Biggest Reductions – Top Three

Arson – 1 incident last year to 0 incidents this year

Other Offences – 1 incident last year to 0 incidents this year

Public Order – 2 incidents last year to 0 incidents this year

 

Biggest Increase

There has been an increase of reports of Drug Offences. This has risen from 2 incident last year to 8 incidents this year

 

Pattern or Trend

Blithfield Reservoir is still considered a Hot Spot location however there has been a general decline in incidents reported to Police in this area. Regular stop checks are carried out on vehicles frequenting the Reservoir at odd hours, leading to an increase in persons caught for various vehicular offences. There is limited CCTV coverage in the village although this has not caused a problem as of yet, although it does limit evidence when crimes are committed.

 

Focused Crime Prevention advice

 

How to keep your vehicle safe and sound

Having your car broken into and losing your things to thieves can be very distressing. Here are a few simple steps you can take to keep your vehicle, and what’s in it, safe.

 

Always lock it

Fuelling up or popping back into your house to get something are perfect examples of how easy it is to turn your back for a moment and forget your vehicle is unsecured. So get into the habit of locking your vehicle even if you’re only going to be away from it for a moment.

 

Close windows and the sun roof to prevent ‘fishing’

Leaving windows and the sunroof open invites fishing for items through the gap by hand or with, say, a bent coat hanger, which could also be used to unlock a door for them to get in. Thieves can be ingenious. Don’t give them the opportunity.

 

Secure your number plates with tamper-resistant screws

The easiest way to change the identity of a stolen vehicle or avoid speeding tickets and parking tickets is to fit stolen number plates. Using security screws to attach your vehicle’s number plates makes it harder for thieves to get your number.

 

Fit locking, anti-tamper wheel nuts to secure alloy wheels

Stolen wheels are valuable, either as parts or for their scrap value. Using locking wheel nuts reduces the risk of your vehicle’s wheels being stolen.

 

Secure anything that’s on the outside of your vehicle

Anything left on roof-racks, tailgate racks, holiday top boxes or in tool chests are easily stolen when the vehicle is parked. The use of cable locks, padlocks and self-locking tools chests, which are secured to the vehicle, makes them more secure, but still, don’t leave things in them if you can avoid it.

 

Take it with you or hide it

Your mobile phone, coins for the car park, sunglasses, packs of medication or other items that can earn quick cash are irresistible to the opportunist thief. Remember, the cost of replacing a window is often much more than that of what’s stolen. And it should go without saying that wallets, handbags, purses and credit cards should never be left in an unattended vehicle.

 

Hide electrical items and leave no clues

Leaving Sat Nav mounts, suction cup marks on windows or cables on view gives it away that you have left a Sat Nav, smartphone or other device in your car. Even if they can’t see the Sat Nav or iPad they might still break in to see if it’s stored in the car, out of sight.

 

Tool theft from vans

Vans are often targeted by thieves for the tools stored inside. If you have to leave tools in a van overnight, it’s a good idea to mark them clearly with your name / company name and address using paint pens and seal with a clear lacquer spray. Alternatively, you can use a variety of other property marking systems. Items that are clearly marked are less desirable and more difficult to sell on.

Consider using a lockable cabinet within your van to store tools – a number of security rated products are available. Small cameras are also designed to record inside vehicles.

You can also take photographs of items of value, make a note of the serial numbers and consider registering them online at a property register site like Immobilise External Link.

 

Park in well-lit and busier areas

It can take less than 30 seconds to break into a vehicle. Parking in well-lit areas and busy streets increases the chances of a thief being seen, so they’ll probably steer clear.

 

Take your documents with you

Having a vehicle’s registration and insurance documents could let a thief pretend to be the owner. Which means they could sell it on quite easily. So, never leave any documents in the vehicle.

 

Choose your car park wisely

If possible, always try to park in well-lit and staffed car parks or those with a Park Mark safer parking award.

 

ASB (Anti Social Behaviour)

Overall

 

Reports of Anti-Social Behaviour have decreased over the year from 38 incidents last year to 23 incidents this year, a decrease of 39%.

 

Biggest Reduction

 

There has been a reduction in reports of Drugs Related ASB – 2 incidents last year to 0 incidents this year

 

Biggest Increase

 

There has been an increase in reports of Neighbour Disputes – 9 incidents last year to 10 incidents this year

 

HOT Spot Locations

 

Blithfield Reservoir Causeway and the adjoining car parks are considered to be ASB Hot Spot locations and are regularly patrolled. Police are also working closely with Community Speed Watch in an effort to combat the reported speeding vehicles through the villages.

 

Community engagement

 

Contact details of the Ward Team are:-

 

• PCSO Tim Leathers – leathers@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk

 

• PC John MacDonald – macdonald@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk

 

• Sgt Helen Kirkland – kirkland@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk

 

Smart Alert

 

Be SMART and Keep Updated – Get FREE, Localised Crime Alerts and Community Safety advice by utilising the Staffordshire Smart Alert App. This is available FREE and is available for both Apple and Android devices. You can also get Email alerts through the following website; https://www.staffordshiresmartalert.co.uk

 

Digital 101

 

Digital 101 means that Members of the public can now report non-emergency incidents or make general enquires to Staffordshire Police through the force’s main Twitter and Facebook accounts.

 

Staffordshire Police is one of the first forces to facilitate crime reporting through social media and this development supports the force’s ongoing work to develop new and more convenient ways for the public to make contact with the police, anywhere, any time. It’s also the latest development in the force’s transformational programme, following the launch of its new operating model last summer.

 

Staffordshire Police is committed to providing the best possible service to the communities it serves and to delivering a modern police service reflective of modern-day needs.

 

The service launched on 4th March 2019 and is available to the public 7am – midnight, seven days a week. Members of the public can contact the force through its Facebook Account using the message facility or Facebook Messenger, Twitter users can Direct Message us via the Staffordshire Police Twitter Account @StaffsPolice