Problems with crime in our village

[victor]

while not a village or a city ,I see Police here every day whether on foot or cycles

[TheOstrich]

Judging by the town's FB page, there is an anger at crime levels and lack of policing, but I haven't seen any talk of vigilantism.

After 6 break-ins of vans and sheds at the top end of our estate on Wednesday and further attempts last night - I have now …..

[cromwell]

Lots of vans being stolen and or broken into around here too Os.
The night before last at 3.45am a Mercedes Sprinter van was stolen and driven three or four miles before it stopped and the tracker device fitted was torn out and thrown into a field.
Four men with covered faces were caught in the area on cctv - which obviously isn't deterring them.

[cromwell]

Just bumping this because this happened at the top end of the village last night.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... VSLopENkhM

There are three schools of thought. One being that the homeowner has really upset some nasty people and this is targeted.
Or, they got the wrong address.
The other is that burglars are getting more audacious and just smashing their way into premises to rob people. If that is the case security measures chez Crommers will have to be stepped up.

Not nice, whatever the reason. There was a video of the incident on our local village Facebook page but it has been taken down.

[TheOstrich]

Good grief, Crommers, that's awful. Video's showing on the DM webpage.
Got to be more to it than a basic robbery. I would think your first thought's probably correct.
On one of your new estates, I take it, not in the old village?
What measures are you thinking of - CCTV?

[Kaz]

Crommers, that's awful!

Just heard there was another burglary near us a few days ago - three doors down, and they were cleaned out while the owner was away for 24 hours! He didn't have an alarm system - I'm jolly glad we do, but it does make you feel a bit vulnerable

[cromwell]

That must have been bad Kaz. If your neighbor has only been away for one day there must be the suspicion that someone must have known of their absence, that it is someone close.

Os, the incident happened on an estate around the back of the pub at the top end of the village. I wouldn't even know how to get there so it suggests some local knowledge.
CCTV sounds OK but lots of people in the village have it and it hasn't put these people off. Because it is always mounted quite high up you never get a shot of their face.
We have a locking gate to the side of the house. No alarm system though we do have an old alarm box on the outside of the house. The side door has an improved lock from the old euro 5 we used to have. If these people are turning up with machetes and pick and handles it might have to be something that tops those implements.

Nobody wants to use massive force on anyone, but what do you do? The police can't be everywhere, you aren't allowed to own a taser and these low lives are turning up three at a time.

[Kaz]

Crommers, that's exactly what Mick said - someone close must know! We have cameras that Mick can check from his phone, and we'll certainly be checking frequently when we're away

[Workingman]

It sure is a shocking video, and I am not for a second saying that such things are not a big worry, but.... To me it looked a bit staged and half-hearted. There are not many doors and windows that would survive a meaningful attack with a machete and hammer.

Also, why wasn't the man with the camera screaming and shouting at them, and all and sundry, telling them they were being filmed and that the cops were on their way. The statement from the police is a bit low-key; meh, sort of.

We once lost our keys on a camping trip and had to use a tyre iron on the double-glazed back door to get in. It took some force, quite a lot, and a bit of time but it eventually gave in.

Kaz. it is a sad fact of life and of no help whatsoever, but if they know you are away and they are determined to get tin then CCTV and an app is no more use than a chocolate fireguard.

[Kaz]

Well, so far they've picked the only houses that didn't have security, so it must be a deterrent, at least. Mick used to have a sideline fitting security systems, so we'll see