Western Rural Round-Up for 15th March

Western Rural Round-up- Week ending 15/5/2015

• Last Sunday, a mini-moto type motorbike was riding round Tarporley surgery area. This type of vehicle is not legal or manufactured to a standard to be ridden in public areas or on the road. Indeed, if police come across them being used on land to which the public have access, then the vehicle will be seized and destroyed- there being no way of getting the vehicle back. Such vehicles can only be ridden on PRIVATE land, with the land-owners permission. Please think carefully before buying such a vehicle or allowing youngsters in your household to purchase one.

• On Monday, vehicle keys and the car were stolen from an address in Elton. The offender was later arrested for theft of the vehicle, shoplifting and driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs. Please ensure that you always keep your vehicle keys out of sight so as not to tempt thieves to break in.

• On Tuesday evening a white Transit van was disturbed at Acton Bridge in the process of trying to steal hay barrels. A farm in Kelsall has reported the theft of diesel over the past week from a barn and in Malpas, a quad bike has been stolen from an insecure shed. It is very important for isolated rural addresses to ensure that they utilise appropriate measures for their situation – locking gates and barns and also fitting CCTV systems. High quality, complete CCTV systems are now available to purchase from many high street retailers for as little as £200. Not only will such a system deter offenders, but they will also increase the chances or recovering any stolen property. Please look out for your neighbours in isolated rural locations. There is a constant undercurrent of such offences across the rural area.

• There have been three vehicles broken into this week in Lower Kinnerton, including a works van which had its lock forced. It may be that an offender is targeting this area at the moment, so I would urge residents to be extra vigilant and where possible, remove works tools from vans overnight.

• There has been one house burglary reported this week. It occurred during the early evening in Tarporley on Tuesday. Police are keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious behaviour during this time period.

• On Wednesday, a canal boat was reported as being 'driven' in an erratic manner, crashing into a number of moored boats near Waverton. A female has been arrested as a result.

• Someone has tried to steal the lead off the roof of a church in Sutton Weaver on Saturday, leaving a ladder up against a wall.

• Sheds in Helsby and Mickle Trafford have also been entered overnight this week. If you keep anything of value in a shed, please make sure that your shed is strong and that the locks and hinges are secure enough to withstand attack. A useful approach to security of your home and outbuildings is to think to yourself, "How would I get in if I locked myself out?" If you could get in easily or with minimal damage, then so can a thief.

• Lastly, on Tuesday, offenders were disturbed trying to steal a vehicle in Oakmere. The offenders tried to make off in a vehicle but were arrested a short distance away . If you have any information which may assist police with any of these enquiries, please call... Regards Inspector Keith Curbishley