Recent Homewatch Alerts

1) Wilmslow Police warn motorists to be vigilant

Police in Wilmslow are asking motorists to be vigilant following the theft from a car in Racecourse Road near Lindow Common.   At 3.30pm on Wednesday 5 September 2012 a 71-year-old man left his car parked in Racecourse Road and took his dog for a walk. When he returned at 4pm he discovered the window had been smashed and a handbag belonging to his daughter containing a phone, keys and cards had been taken. DS Simon Mills said: "We would urge people to report to police anyone acting suspiciously - particularly in this area.We also advise people never leave cash or valuables in a parked vehicle and certainly not to leave anything of value on show." Anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in Racecourse Road around 3.30pm to 4pm should contact DS Simon Mills on 101 quoting occurrence number 0712254637. Information can also be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.   Please be alerted to the following advice : •Ensure your vehicle is locked and secure when it is unattended - even for a few seconds. Always activate the alarm and/or steering lock. •Remove any valuable items − such as mobile phones, laptops and cash - from the vehicle. Do not be tempted to hide valuable items in the glove box or under seats. •Remember to remove the sat nav and the fascia of car stereos - ensure you detach the cradle. Wipe away the mark from the windscreen that has been left by the suction pad − this is a tell-tale sign for thieves that a sat nav is being used in the vehicle. •Record important information such as the make, model and serial numbers of any valuable property so that the property can be identified if it is ever stolen. •Consider fitting a special anti-theft number plate to your vehicle. These plates will shatter or distort if they are forcibly removed making them unusable by thieves. •Your car keys are also important so make sure you look after them and know where they are at all times. •Try and park in well-lit areas where there are a lot of people around. If a garage is available for overnight parking ensure that it is used whenever possible and that it is locked and secured.

2)

On 23.8.2012 a burglary occurred in the Pownall Court area of Wilmslow. Late afternoon offenders gained entry by forcing a secured door. A quantity of jewellery was taken from a bedroom.

Computer equipment and an Ipad were taken from the lounge area of a property in the Lynton Lane area of Alderley Edge on 4.9.2012

A handbag and contents were stolen from a vehicle parked in the Oak Lane area of Wilmslow on 5.9.2012. The owner had parked up and taken the dog for a walk with his daughter. On their return the front nearside window had been smashed in order to gain entry.

On 5.9.2012 after a good search of the flat in the South Street area of Alderley Edge, offenders took numerous high value items from the bedroom area and a mountain bike from the lounge before making their escape

Offenders entered an insecure bmw parked in the Knutsford Road area of Wilmslow on 6.9.2012. After a search the offenders left the vehicle without taking anything with them.

Two suspicious males in an old grey van have been reported to police. The males were reported on Pickmere Road Handforth knocking on doors asking elderly people for work.

In the early hours of this morning an intruder was disturbed trying to gain access to a house in the Carlton Avenue area of Wilmslow via the cat flap. The wires to the security lights had been cut.
We have two suspects in custody for this incident.

3)

There is a scam team operating due to the recent PPI claims where many individuals are entitled to claim money back. Individuals are conducting door to door enquiries obtaining personal information off residents claiming to investigate whether money is owed. The team will then contact residents back stating that they are entitled to a large sum of money, however in order for the resident to receive this money they request that an upfront payment is paid for the paperwork. They ask for this payment to be made with UKASH vouchers (a system where cash is converted into vouchers of the same value, which have a unique code to make payments electronically on the internet. However, if the code becomes known to anyone else - then the money can be stolen.)

Once this money has been taken by the scam team no money is received by the victim. Police are advising residents to refuse to make payments upfront to secure a promise of a much larger lump sum at some future date following a number of reports of such scams. There are many proper and reputable companies that can assist people with valid PPI claims or those looking for loans, and customers would be well advised to seek relevant professional financial advice at the outset.

However, if anyone contacts you up asking for money upfront to realise further money down the line, then you can be sure that it’s not a legitimate business. No reputable firm in the UK would ask for money upfront to pay for goods and services

4)
On 17.8.2012 two thefts from vehicles were reported to police which were parked in a hotel car park in the Altrincham Road area of Wilmslow. A spare wheel and tyre were stolen from the underside of one vehicle whilst a number plate was stolen from the other.

Jane Thirsk