Our last crime figures from Melanie have been received, and are for the Parish of Pilning & Severn Beach.

Gorse Cover Road - Garage door forced and 4 motorcross bikes stolen.

Gorse Cover Road - attempted shed break-in.

Whitehouse Lane - Scrambler motorbike, Suzuki RMZ450, stolen from garage. This bike is very distinctive having a non-standard Titanium exhaust and seat modifications.

Wainbridge Cresent - Attempt to gain entry to garage via side door, padlock and clasp jemmied off. Male seen near garage at 0700 wearing long coat with hood.

Beware, distraction burglaries are happening all over the district. Please check before allowing anyone in.

Congratulations to our NHW Administrator, Melanie Wills, on her promotion to Force Outreach Officer. She has been a great help and supporter of our NHW, and I am sure you all join me in wishing her all the best. She takes up her new job at the end of this Month, and hopefully we will be soon be told who will be taking her place.

Severn Beach Neighbourhood Watch Minutes                                                                                                         12th February 2007

A welcome was given to new members.

The Parish Plan Display at Severn Beach School on Saturday 31st March 2007

Volunteers are required to man the stall between 11 am and 4pm
also Parish Information Day - date and details to be advised
It is hoped to have a Gateway to Severn Beach with a boat filled with flowers

Crime figures:  There have been 8 incidents of crime mostly from sheds or cars, we are advised that buzzer alarms are a good deterent.
A Trading Standards Alert has been issued. Prize Scam where a cheque is sent and recipients are asked to phone a free number - the number costs a fortune and the cheques bounce.

Do you want to be a secret shopper? Recipients are sent a cheque that bounces and asked to set up an account with their bank - the money in these accounts disappears, so beware.

Lotto leaflets to ‘winners’ of prizes from European countries is also a scam, members are advised to have nothing to do with anything that looks ‘too good to be true’ as it probably is.

Portishead Police Headquarters will be open to visitors on 29th March and 31st May please tel 01179 312503 to book your visit.

Photo’s for Neighbourhood Watch Calender 2008 can be sent to Melanie Andrews

Safe, Stronger Community Meeting details to be advised

Operation Relentless is ongoing to try to reduce crime in our area, especially car crime.

Youngsters roaming the area in groups and throwing snowballs and ice have been reported. Also groups of youngsters were confronted by residents on Salthouse Farm

A car left parked in a dangerous position near Salthouse Farm has since been removed

Irresponsible dog owners have not been clearing up after their pets, the Dog Warden will come by request to patrol the areas affected.

It is hoped that a recent change in the law will improve feedback to victims of crime.

Parking in Ableton Lane and other areas is still a problem.  It is an offence to park on the pavement/verges anywhere.

A problem with horses being left near to the works being carried out near the Bridge centre was sorted out by local police.

Speed guns can be operated in a police controlled group of volunteers but are only warnings to motorists and do not result in proscecution.

Next meeting Monday 16th April 2007

Just to let you all know that there are very High Tides between Sunday 18th February and Thursday 22nd February 2007. Times vary from 7 to 10 both am and pm.

Remember - the Sea Defences can hold back the Highest Tides, problems only occur when the tides are accompanied by strong North Westerly Winds.

There has been another attempted shed break-in at Gorse Cover Road, during the night 15/16 February. Many sheds and garages have been broken into over the past few weeks, and security + property marking is advised for all types of property, i.e., lawn-mowers, tools,mopeds, outboard motors etc. To receive crime reduction advice, telephone the Community Safety Department on 0117 9454127.

BE AWARE, SECURE AND PROPERTY MARK.