Minehead armed robbery - man arrested in Birmingham

A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of carrying out an armed robbery at a building society in Minehead and also a second raid at a building society in Weston-super-Mare a week earlier.
Both raids were on branches of the Nationwide Building Society and in each case the description of the robber was similar.
The Minehead incident occurred on Tuesday, July 24, when a man with what appeared to be a hand gun held up staff in the Nationwide offices, in The Parade, at about 4.45 pm.
The Weston-super-Mare robbery was in the Nationwide branch in High Street shortly before 2 pm on Monday, July 16, and was carried out by a man brandishing a black hand gun.
In both cases the robber escaped with a large sum of cash.
Despite intensive police activity in both Minehead and Weston immediately after the robberies, there was no trace of the offender.
But following extensive investigations and help from the public, police swooped on an address in Birmingham late on Thursday night, July 26.
There, they arrested a 31-year-old man in connection with both incidents and took him into custody to be transferred to Taunton for questioning.

Building society cashier held at gunpoint during robbery

POLICE have appealed for help from the public in catching an armed robber who struck in Minehead late in the afternoon on Tuesday, July 24.
The robbery happened in the Nationwide Building Society, in The Parade, where a cashier was held at gunpoint while a second member of staff was forced to fill a bag with cash.
It happened at about 4.45 pm when a man walked into the offices brandishing what appeared to be a hand gun and threatened staff.
He grabbed the cashier and began shouting as he threw a bag at a second woman and demanded she stuffed it with money.
The raider then snatched the bag away and ran to a car parked nearby, believed to be blue in colour and possibly a Peugeot make, which may have been parked around the corner in Holloway Street.
He was described as a white man about 6 ft tall, of thin build, aged between 20 to 30 years, with pointed features, and speaking with a strong Scottish accent, possibly Glaswegian.
The robber wore a white hooded top with some form of writing across the chest area and black faded jeans.
Police have appealed for anybody who was in the area at the time and may have seen anything suspicious, particularly a man running towards the parked car, to contact them.
Anybody with information can contact police at Minehead on 0845 4567000 or they can use the secure Crimestoppers contact form at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crimestoppers/ContactForm.aspx.
Alternatively they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They do not have to give a name and they could receive a reward.

Appeal for information after rare riding carriage is stolen

A RARE horse cart valued at £2,000 has been stolen from a yard in Shurton, where it was parked on grass.
The four-wheel riding carriage was taken during the night of Sunday-Monday, April 22-23.
However, details of the theft have only just been published by the police, who are appealing for information about the crime.
The 18-month-old carriage was built in Poland and is bright purple and cream in colour with black seats and tyres and has lights on the undercarriage.
The maker's name, 'Julian Talbot', is written on the side of the carriage.
Police would like to speak to anybody who may have witnessed the theft, or who may have been offered the carriage for sale, or who might know the offenders involved. Anybody who can help should contact the police through the secure Crimestoppers contact form at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crimestoppers/ContactForm.aspx.
Alternatively, they can call the freephone Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111, where they do not have to give a name but could receive a reward.
Photo submitted.

Inquest opens into holidaymaker hanging death

AN inquest has been opened into the death of a young woman holidaymaker at Butlins, Minehead, which police initially treated as murder.
Evidence of identification was given before the hearing was adjourned by the Somerset West Coroner, Michael Rose, to a date to be fixed.
The woman has been named as 19-year-old Rebekkah Geor-Bond, of Tir-y-Birth, Hengoed, near Caerphilly, South Wales.
She was staying at Butlins with her 26-year-old boyfriend, also from Hengoed, who was initially arrested on suspicion of murdering her but later released without charge when it became clear there were no suspicious circumstances.
Miss Geor-Bond is believed to have hanged herself in the couple's chalet at about 3 am on Saturday, April 21, and she died just over an hour later in Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital.
A post mortem revealed the cause of death was asphyxiation due to strangulation.
Photo by Mark the Photographer, ref M050032. Order image reprints online at www.tcpbymtp.co.uk

Murder inquiry woman may have 'hanged herself'

A TEENAGE holidaymaker whose death at Butlins, Minehead, was initially treated as murder may have committed suicide in the chalet where she was staying.
A post mortem has revealed the 19-year-old woman died as a result of hanging.
Earlier, her 26-year-old boyfriend had been arrested on suspicion of murder and then later released without charge.
The young woman was found suffering serious injuries in her chalet at about 3 am on Saturday, April 21, and was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, where she died just over an hour later.
Although police have not yet named her, she is believed to be Rebecca Gore-Bond, of Duffryn Street, Tir-y-Berth, Hengoed, which is a small town in South Wales.
The circumstances of her death will be determined when the Somerset West Coroner holds an inquest.
A police spokesman said: “We are not looking for anybody else in connection with this.”
Photo submitted.

Police release Butlins murder suspect without charge

A MURDER inquiry into the death of a young woman holidaymaker staying at Butlins, Minehead, has been dropped.
Police have released without charge a 26-year-old man whom they had arrested on suspicion of murdering his 19-year-old girlfriend in the early hours of Saturday, April 21.
The woman was found in a chalet at the holiday centre suffering from severe head injuries at about 3 am and she died little more than an hour later in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton.
Although some reports said the woman may also have suffered strangulation, police said they were no longer treating the death as suspicious.
The decision followed a post mortem on the woman, the details of which have not been revealed by the police.
Instead, police are preparing a file for an inquest into the death to be held by the Somerset West Coroner.
The inquest is expected to be opened shortly for formal identification purposes and is likely then to be adjourned until a later date.
Both the dead woman and her partner are believed to come from Hengoed, a small town with just under 4,000 residents, near Caerphilly, in Mid Glamorgan, South Wales.
Following the woman’s death, part of the Butlins holiday centre was sealed off to allow forensic investigators to search the area.
Police also spoke to some of the other 4,500 holidaymakers staying at the resort, although most were unaware of the incident and it did not disrupt the operation of the centre.
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Police warning over Easter car crime and off-roading on Quantock Hills

POLICE are asking Easter visitors to the Quantock Hills to take simple measures to avoid becoming a victim of car crime.
They are also taking the opportunity to remind owners of all 4x4 vehicles, quad bikes, and motorcycles that all tracks across the Quantock Hills are now out of bounds to unauthorised vehicles.
Police Community Support Officer for the Quantock Hills, Eamonn Leniston, said: “As Easter approaches, the lighter nights and warmer days mean that more people are out walking on the Quantock Hills and visiting natural beauty spots, and therefore are parking their cars in the area.
“We are reminding visitors to make sure they remove property from display in vehicles, lock their car, and keep their belongings safe.
“It Is a simple message - if your property is not on display, the thief will see nothing to steal and walk on by.
“The vast majority of thefts from cars are opportunistic - the thief sees your sat nav on the dashboard, or bag on the back seat, breaks your window, and takes it.
“This is a message we have been pushing out for a long, long time but it does not get through.
“Time and time again we have thefts reported to us of property which has been left on display in your car.
“This is a crime which is so easy to prevent but this is not something the police can do on our own.
“Regular patrols on the hills are made and vehicles are checked. If we find vehicles which are vulnerable we will contact you.”
PCSO Leniston also pointed out it was an offence to use a mechanically-driven vehicle off-road anywhere on the Quantock Hills unless authorised, such as land owners and those who have the land owner’s permission.
He said: “People who tend their livestock are also entitled to use the off-road tracks.
“However, there are still individuals who persist in doing so for recreational purposes and there is a minority who cause alarm and distress to other visitors to the hills.
“Should you witness any offending vehicles, please contact us on 0845 456 7000 - always use 999 in an emergency - or via the force website at http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/.
“Anybody who can help should contact us through our secure Crimestoppers contact form at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crimestoppers/ContactForm.aspx.
“Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You do not have to give your name and you could receive a reward.”
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New police inspector takes charge in West Somerset

A NEW police inspector has taken charge of the 18 beats in West Somerset, which includes Exmoor and the Quantock Hills.
She is Inspector Carol Pearce, who has taken over the role from Inspector Nic Crocker, who has been in post for less than two years.
Carol, aged 46, grew up in Weston-super-Mare and has been police officer for 27 years and has been awarded the constabulary’s long service and good conduct medal and also the Queen’s Police Jubilee Award.
She started as a PC in Taunton and has worked across the force area with experience of all aspects of operational policing, including being a beat manager, working in the communications department, and on child protection issues.
Carol has worked in the force’s drugs strategy unit developing drugs initiatives and her most recent post was as a district inspector as the county’s police drugs lead, working closely with the Somerset Drugs and Alcohol Action Team.
She said: “I am really pleased to be taking on this role as the permanent new sector inspector.
“I know the area well and feel I have a good idea of what matters to local people.
“I am passionate about policing and intend to use my wealth of experience to help drive down crime and provide reassurance to all our residents.
“Two of the areas I will be focussing my attention towards are the night time economy and issues surrounding anti-social behaviour.
“I am conscious that these are two issues that can affect the quality of people’s lives whether it is due to intimidation or nuisance activity.
“I will not tolerate this sort of behaviour and will work with our partner agencies to target those who flout the law.
“I am committed to ensuring this area continues to be a safe place to live and work.”
“I have an excellent team working for me consisting of PCs, Sergeants, Police Community Support Officers, Special Constables and police staff, all of whom are committed to increasing the number of crimes detected, reducing the fear of crime, and improving community reassurance through direct police activity and partnership working.”

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

Police appeal for help after Dulverton burglary

POLICE in Dulverton are appealing for witnesses and information after a man carried out a burglary at a house in the town.
The theft happened overnight on Saturday, March 24, and Sunday, March 25, at a house in Jury Road.
The offender stole a handbag and its contents before making off.
He was described as a white male, aged 20 to 30 years, of medium build, 5 ft 6 ins to 5 ft 8 ins tall, and with dark hair.
The man was wearing a white top and dark trousers.
Police believe the man may have been seen in the area trying the doors of neighbouring properties at around 2.30 am on the Sunday.
They would like to speak to anybody who may have seen him or may have any other information about the burglary.
Anybody who can help should contact the police through the secure Crimestoppers contact form at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crimestoppers/ContactForm.aspx.
Alternatively they can call Crimestoppers on the free number 0800 555 111, where they do not need to give their name and where they could receive a reward for their help.