By Inspector Maxine Cilia
Summer is here. Well whilst I am writing this piece for July and August it is absolutely pouring with rain and its Midsum-mers day or Sum-mer Solstice.
It saddens me to say that as we come out of lockdown we have seen an in-crease in violent crime. There has been a steady increase in the number of inci-dents of neighbourhood disputes, road inci-dents, hate crimes and youth on youth crime in the local area.
One of the worrying trends that we have no-ticed is the increase in anti-social behaviour, people are out later in the evenings, with so-cial drinking and noise. Please be mindful of other residents and neighbours when celebrat-ing in gardens and leaving pubs and restau-rants. Noise carries in the night. Many of our late night calls are about ASB and drunken behaviour also involving groups in public areas, such as parks.
Our recent crimes include theft of bikes for town centre and purses being taken form bags and pockets in Staines Town Centre. Often it is easy when out shopping to put your wallet or purse on the top of a bag that is not zipped shut or easily accessible to a pick pocket. I really do recommend keeping wallets in zipped bags or closable pockets to prevent this kind of crime. Look out for one of our stands out and about on ‘Meet the Beat’, where we have free purse bells to give away.
Cycle crime is also on the uplift from bicycles left outside shops and workplaces, if you cycle please buy a good bicycle lock and lock your bike in a location in view of CCTV and in good lighting. We would also like any fur-ther information on this type of crime. Again look out for one of our stands and consider getting your bike marked and registered. This is free and takes just a few minutes.
It is anti-social behaviour week 19th July 2021 – 25th July and if you would like to get involved with something during this week please let us know. We will be out and about in the local community, so look out for our stands. With our local partners we will be promoting water safety, many people still swim and boat in the Thames without being aware of basic water safety. The local Fire service are taking the lead. with Spelthorne Borough Council, to start to promote this, including showing members of the public how to use throw ropes etc and basic safety and first aid.
Many thanks, Maxine
Maxine Cilia, Spelthorne Borough Commander
Maxine.Cilia@surrey.pnn.police.uk
Mobile Tel 07967988468
Landline 01483 631676
Chair of Surrey Womens Network