18/12/07

Operation Cold Start – Keys to 17 vehicles returned to owners!

Officers across Southern Division are being ably assisted by the Constabulary’s Air Support Unit in an initiative to prevent cars being stolen on cold frosty mornings.

Operation Cold Start which is being carried out during the winter months, specifically targets areas in the Division where unattended vehicles have been stolen. The thefts have occurred when cars have been left running with the keys in the ignition by their owners to defrost on cold frosty mornings.

The police helicopter has been helping by flying over those areas where these thefts are known to happen and on some occasions pinpointing those vehicles that are left running unattended.

Yesterday morning (Monday 17th December) Operation Cold Start took place across the Chorley area and 17 vehicles were spotted as being unattended and left running on driveways.

PC Gareth Dixon who is a dog handler at HQ used his local knowledge to patrol the areas of Parbold, Appley Bridge and Eccleston and spotted these vehicles. The majority of cars were found in Eccleston followed by Parbold and then Appley Bridge and amongst those cars left unattended were a BMW X5, Golf GTI and a Volvo S70. On each occasion PC Dixon turned the vehicles off and knocked on the door of properties to return the keys and offer crime prevention advice.

PC Dixon commented,” Despite the numerous warnings about this kind of activity people are still continuing to leave their cars in this state. Most people I spoke to were appreciative about the advice but others were not as receptive – perhaps they were embarrassed about what they had done.”

Officers in Bamber Bridge have also being carrying out this Operation particularly on the Holland House estate which has had vehicles stolen from in the past.

Officers have been patrolling the estate on frosty mornings, offering crime prevention advice and providing a visible presence in the hope of deterring thieves who actively seek such vehicles to steal on cold mornings. Several owners have been spoken to and have thanked the police for the advice offered. It should also be noted that owner’s car Insurance can be invalidated in such circumstances.

10/12/07

Police in West Lancashire appeal for information after Burglary at Hesketh Bank

Police in West Lancashire are appealing for information after a Burglary took place on Chapel Road at approx 4.48am on Saturday 8th December.

The three occupants who were in the kitchen at the time were confronted by three males wearing balaclavas, who had gained entry to the property via an insecure door and who were armed with a handgun and a hammer.

The males threatened the occupants and demanded money from them. Two of the occupants were assaulted by the males, with one being struck on the head with the handgun and the other being punched in the face and hit on the knee with a hammer. The female occupant was threatened but not injured. The offenders then made off from the scene without any money or property in a maroon Astra.

It is believed that all three offenders were male with one speaking with a Liverpool accent and the other two with Manchester accents. One offender was described as being 6ft wearing a black tracksuit.

DS Greg Carlton commented, “ The occupants of the property were very shaken up by this incident with two of them receiving injuries. If anyone saw the offenders making from the property or anything suspicious I would urge them to get in touch.”

Anyone with any information can contact Ormskirk CID on 01695 566441 or via Southern Communications Centre on 0845 1 25 35 45. Information can also be given about crime anonymously by telephoning Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

07/12/07

As part of "Operation Shepherd", Police in Southern Division will be issuing advice and carrying out various initiatives to make sure people stay safe this Christmas.

This comes as part of a countywide crackdown on Christmas crime. Operation Shepherd which is currently running throughout Lancashire which seeks to reduce crime and disorder as well as alcohol related crime over the Christmas period.

Chief Inspector Dave Robinson commented,” Throughout December and over the Christmas period alcohol related incidents and crimes traditionally increase. In particular increases are seen in violent crime, antisocial behaviour and disorder, criminal damage, domestic violence and drink driving.

In Southern Division the detection rates for violence are at an all time high, with over 60% of all violent crime being detected with offenders being brought to justice and dealt with either by caution or through the courts. Throughout the Christmas period this should act as a warning to those who cause violence that they can expect to be caught and face the consequences. “

As part of Operation Shepherd, Southern Division’s Neighbourhood Policing Teams will be highly visible in and around the town centres cracking down on all Town Centre crime both in the daytime and at night.

Police have and will be issuing crime prevention advice in the weeks leading up to Christmas to help people avoid falling victim to thieves:-

If you see anything unusual or suspicious, call the police immediately on 0845 1 25 35 45. In an emergency dial 999.

28/11/07

Police tonight appealed for residents to be vigilant after a series of burglaries and car thefts occurred over the last few days. Banks, Mere Brow, Tarleton and Hesketh Bank have all been targeted.

Local Policeman Phil Corrigan appealed for residents to take extra care with all property, keeping doors and cars locked whenever possible and to report any suspicious activity immediately.

For non emergencies please ring the police on 0845 1253545

12/11/07

Tarleton High School is currently recruiting members of the general public as 'Mystery Shoppers' for the Swimming Pool and Sports Hall. The School is offering to reimburse costs in return for a short feedback report on how they are performing.

Please contact Mr Steve James for more information on 01772 817907 or email community@tarletonhigh.lancs.sch.uk

20/10/07

Gerrard Wright of Tarleton took the top pumpkin honours in the Mere Brow Giant Pumpkin competition. In one of the closest competitions ever seen only 15lbs seperated the top three pumpkins. For more details visit www.merebrowgiantpumpkins.com

17/10/07

As Halloween and Bonfire Night approaches, Police across Southern Division have already commenced their policing operation to support the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Services Bright Sparx campaign.

The period starting in late October through to early November is often associated with an increase in juvenile related crimes and disorder, often involving fireworks.

Chief Inspector Dave Robinson who is in charge of Geographic policing for the Division commented,” This time of year usually sees a significant increase in anti-social behaviour incidents and Criminal Damage. It is the minority of people that engage in this kind of behaviour that spoil this time of year for the rest of our communities affecting their quality of life.

Traditionally this time of the year proves to be a very busy one for the police with more calls being received and more incidents to attend to. We will be working alongside our partner agencies to enforce legislation and robustly deal with those that cause trouble.

Officers are out in force to clamp down on anyone causing trouble and those that do could face fines or arrest and may possibly end up before the courts with criminal convictions that will affect the rest of their lives. Enjoy this time of year but do so sensibly, safely, and legally.”

03/10/07

Car users are three times more likely to die on a country road than an urban one, according to new figures from the Department for Transport.

Launching a safety campaign targeting rural drivers, the Department for Transport said there was often only one car involved in rural accidents which indicated that drivers had been tempted to push themselves or their car beyond their limits.

Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "The 'national' 60mph speed limit is a maximum, not an expectation, and drivers must match their speed to the road characteristics and weather conditions they are experiencing."

The aim of the THINK! Rural Speed Campaign is to communicate to motorists that the problem isn't just speeding, but driving too fast for the conditions.

Driving inappropriately for the conditions can include:

Last year 97 people died on the rural roads of Lancashire.

DfT Transport Website

21/09/07

This is an urgent police message to everyone in Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire.

At around 11am on Thursday 20th Sept. bogus officials called at the home of an 87 year old lady who lives alone, and stole cash and property. There were 2 offenders who said they were working on a burst water pipe nearby and needed to run some water off from the system.One male distracted the lady while a 2nd male searched the property and stole property. One offender is described as a white male, aged 40-50 yrs, 5`6" tall, stocky build with strong Irish accent. He had short dark brown hair and was wearing a grey double-breated suit jacket and gloves. We have no description of the 2nd offender.

PLEASE NOTE that they were using the following vehicle which is wanted by Police in connection to other burgaries acropss the North West. The vehicle is a grey or silver VW Golf reg no. YE56 LVL these are false plates. Any sightings of this vehicle should be reported to the Police immediately.

22/08/07

Received 13:22 22nd August:
Information has been received from Tradings Standards in Merseyside, regarding the poor trading practices of 2 companies currently operating in this area. They cold call on elderley residents offering to
carry out property maintenance. The work is of poor quality, unecessary and extortionate prices are then charged. If challenged the workmen become aggressive. These companies trade under the names of Eaves Protector and Top Notch Tree Care.

Please note the following 2 vehicles used by these companies:-
(1) White Mercedes Vito reg.no. BF53 VWK
(2) White Transit Van reg.no. PY04 VDG

Trading Standards advise you not to trade with either of these companies. If you have any contact from them please contact Tradings Stds service on 0151-443-4744. If you need any advice the Consumer helpline is 08454-040506.

14/08/07

31/07/07

Police Appeal for information after Burglary at Post Office

26/06/07

24/05/07

03/05/07

25/04/07

19/04/07

19/04/07

11/04/07

09/02/07

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