Western Rural Inspectors Weekly Reports, 8th March

I have reported previously that there have been a number of thefts from vehicles, predominantly overnight from unlocked vehicles, from the villages of Christleton, Waverton, Littleton and Guilden Sutton. Local officers have been giving this area a lot of extra attention and the number of offences has decreased. However, a couple of such offences were reported in Guilden Sutton on 25th February and one from Christleton on 8th March.

Please ensure that you do not leave cash or valuables in your vehicle and make sure that you lock it, even if it is parked all the way up your driveway.
I have also reported that works vans are being broken into overnight in the Helsby area with two such offences being reported on 26th. If you have a works van that contains tools overnight, please consider fitting additional security to your van.

Cuddington and Sandiway have had a couple of attempted thefts of motor vehicles on 23/2/15, plus a report of prowlers disturbed in rear gardens a couple of days later. Please report any suspicious activity in this area to the police as quickly as possible.

It appears that health clubs at some local hotels are being targeted, with a number of lockers within the changing rooms being entered, cash stolen and the locker re-secured whilst patrons are exercising. Not all types of lockers are vulnerable to such thefts. If you think this may be an issue, please enquire with staff at the club you frequent.

There have been a large number of vehicles seized by police over the past couple of weeks, for not having tax, insurance or the drivers having no license or being drunk.
Please note that whilst vehicles no longer need to display a tax disc, it must still be taxed. Also, if you buy/sell a vehicle, the tax no longer transfers to the new owner! It is automatically refunded to the seller – the new owner must buy tax straight away.

Also of note, Photocard driving licenses MUST be renewed every 10 years. If you fail to renew it, it expires and you will be driving without a license! Please keep your vehicle documents up to date – as things become more and more automated, fines and prosecutions can be commenced without drivers even being stopped by the police.

On 24/2/15, some doorstep callers were knocking at addresses in Little Budworth, trying to sell 'lucky goods'. They were described as having Irish accents. This type of activity is usually a front, to try to identify vulnerable addresses to burgle at a later date. If you get any such callers, please notify the police straight away.There have been a small number of other burglaries and thefts scattered across the area over the past two weeks; One burglary in Tiverton on 25/2 during the evening, One attempted burglary in Barton, near Malpas, and a theft from a business compound in Marlstoncum-Lache on 6/3/15.

As always, please report any suspicious activity to the police as soon as possible, providing as much information as possible, such as descriptions, vehicle registrations and directions of travel.