West Somerset pupils helping police foil distraction burglars

POLICE are recruiting schoolchildren in West Somerset as part of the latest crime-fighting initiative to tackle distraction burglars.
Officers and Police Community Support Officers are handing out greetings cards to pupils in primary schools in Minehead.
They want the children to give the cards to elderly and vulnerable relatives, neighbours, and family friends.
The cards are also available for schools and youth organisations to download and print from the force website at www.avonandsomerset.police.uk.
They are pre-printed with crime prevention advice and useful contact numbers, with a blank space for children to decorate and add their own personal message.
Supt Sandy Padgett, who heads the Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s response to distraction burglary, said: “Thankfully, this sort of crime is infrequent, but the impact can be significant.
“We have anecdotal evidence of people suffering illness and stress after such a burglary.
“We hope this initiative will remind the more vulnerable members of our community of the simple security steps they can take to deter these thieves.
“It also aims raise awareness of the issue among the wider community, and help people play their part to protect their elderly and vulnerable friends and relations from these callous criminals.
“The simple message is ‘if in doubt, keep them out’.”
Supt Padgett said a few simple steps could help deter would-be burglars.
He said people should make sure good quality locks were fitted to their home, and they should secure the doors and windows of rooms when they were not in them.
A door chain should be used, and ID should be requested before anybody was allowed in.
All genuine callers from the utility companies would expect to have their ID checked and many offered special password schemes so people would know callers were who they said they were.
Supt Padgett said people should not leave the door open when they expected visitors. He said: “If you have mobility problems, ask the council, Age Concern, or other agencies for advice on having an intercom door buzzer fitted.
“Keep the back door and windows locked so there is no chance of an accomplice sneaking in while you are occupied at the front door.
“Do no't leave strangers alone in your home. If you are at all unsure, call the police. If you do not feel able to call the police, tell somebody immediately so they can report any incident, even if you feel embarrassed - you do not want this to happen to anybody else.
“I would also ask people who have elderly relatives, friends, or neighbours to play their part.
“Check on them. Make sure their homes are secure, and if not, help them get in touch with the police or other agencies like the council and Age Concern to get improvements in place.
“Once they have security measures in place, keep encouraging them to use them.
“Each time you visit, remind them how important it is to use the door chain or intercom.
“Warn about the risks of keeping large quantities of cash at home and help with trips to the bank or Post Office.
“Help them become less of a target by helping them get work done to the frontage and gardens of their homes.”
Anybody with any concerns about their home’s security can find more information on the police website, www.avonandsomerset.police.uk, or by calling their local crime reduction officer on 0845 456 7000, who can offer advice and refer vulnerable people to the Bobby Van scheme, in which a police-employed workman will call and carry out security improvements for free.
These include:

• Checking and upgrading door locks
• Fitting door chains/door restrictors
• Fitting door viewers
• Installing window locks
• Fitting battery alarms to doors and vulnerable areas
• Supplying personal attack alarms

Young pupils safer on roads thanks to hi-vis jackets initiative

YOUNG schoolchildren in West Somerset can now be heard and also seen, thanks to an initiative by the West Somerset Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.
High-visibility jackets are being given to all primary school and first school pupils in the district to make them safer on the journey to and from their homes.
The initiative began after Police Community Support Officer Luisa Skinner visited Watery Lane pre-school last November.
She accompanied the children on a walkabout in the town and was surprised to find the children and teachers did not have any high visibility tabards or equipment to ensure they were all safe when out and about on school trips and outings.
Funding was then sought from the crime and disorder reduction partnership to purchase a supply of high-visibility jackets.
Now, PCSOs are involved in distributing the jackets to schoolchildren.
West Somerset Council’s community safety officer, Pete Hughes, said: “For a while we have heard from parents and teachers who are worried about children crossing rural roads.
“Often, they say the roads are unlit or there are no pavements, or both, which obviously puts children at higher risk.
“We are delighted to be able to provide children in West Somerset’s first schools with fluorescent high visibility jackets so that drivers, cyclists, and other road users are aware of their presence.
“This is a really positive aspect of our jobs, and we are really pleased to have been able to help children in the rural and urban areas of West Somerset.”

• Our photograph shows PCSOs Sue Hurley (left) and Rachel Cutler with Pete Hughes and Cutcombe First School pupils (left to right) Tom Nancekivell, Hannah Thompson, Harry Delve, Aaron Kendall, Ellie Abraham, and Charlotte Matravers. Photo submitted.

Pupils help celebrate community's £250,000 store revamp

A £250,000 revamp of the Co-operative food store in Alcombe has been marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony carried out by pupils of Minehead Middle School.
The Alcombe store is one of the first of the Co-op Group’s 3,300 national outlets to feature the consumer-owned business’ new identity – The Co-operative, which aims to highlight improved service standards as well as the firm’s commitment to supporting local communities and ethical trading policies.
The schoolchildren were thanked for taking part in the celebrations by way of a £200 cheque for their school funds presented to them by the store manager, Paul Kingdon.
Mr Kingdon said: “As a community retailer, it is appropriate that we involve the community in our special events and we are delighted our local school is playing a central role in the relaunch of our shop.”
The Alcombe Co-op has been updated with modern décor, new flooring, shelving, and refrigeration, plus a more shopper-friendly layout.
An emphasis has been put on chilled and fresh foods with an increase in the range of products.
There is also an improved selection of chilled beers and wines, while the popular PayPoint service has been retained.
As a leading supermarket supporter of Fairtrade, the Co-op is also featuring Fairtrade products, plus the store is carrying the retailer’s own brand health and beauty range with products which are not tested on animals.
Shoppers also benefit from the Co-op’s policy on ‘honest labelling’ to give them more facts about the ingredients in food and drink products, and they can also take their shopping home in 100 per cent degradable bags.
Mr Kingdon said: “We provide a much-valued service in the area and I am confident our shoppers will be delighted with our improved store and wider selection of goods which will better meet all the community’s daily grocery needs.”

• Our photograph shows Mr Kingdon with Minehead Middle School pupils Harry Mouzouri (left), aged 13, and Brendan Husebo, aged 12. Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M03220204. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk.