Charitable shop owner gets officers on their bikes
Safer Neighbourhoods officers in Portsmouth are getting around their beats much quicker, after a generous donation from a local businessman.
The owner of Brothers (also known as Best One) convenience store, Seb Jeevan, donated £5000 to the force to pay for ten new police mountain bikes. Mr Jeevan made the generous donation after he was impressed with the work officers were doing to improve the local area.
The new Specialized Rockhopper 2007 disc bikes will be used by officers across the city to patrol their beats and provide a high visibility police presence.
Mr Jeevan said, “I thought a good way to support my local officers was to get them some new equipment, and now they can continue to patrol the area and keep up their good work. I’m glad to be able to help out in any way I can.”
Chief Superintendent John Campbell said: “We are extremely pleased to receive such a generous donation from Mr Jeevan, who has been working with our officers to help improve the local area for some time. The new bikes will benefit the team and community at large, as we continue to work towards maintaining safer communities for all.”
Farnborough company donates £10,000 to pay for Hart CCTV
A Farnborough company has donated £10,000 to fund CCTV for the Hart Community Safety Partnership van.
Shield Security Services Limited has made the donation as part of its commitment to making a difference to the community.
Adil Hadi, managing director of Shield Security, said: "We have been operating in this community providing security services for over 21 years, acting as extra eyes and ears to assist the police and authorities.
"Over the years we have witnessed changes in crime trends. New methods of deterrence in combating crimes have become a necessity. We have been supporters of smaller projects in the community in the past but this is the single largest donation we have given.
"We are firm believers in the use of technology in combating crimes, and the CCTV van will be a very effective and flexible method in combating crime and anti-social behaviour.
"We are committed to fighting crime and very proud and honoured to be part of this project with the Hart Community Safety Partnership. Our hope is that other companies and organisations will follow suit in supporting similar projects in their communities to make them a secure and safe environment for people to live, work and play."
Hart district commander, Chief Inspector Norman Mellors, said: "This is the first time that a company has donated such a significant amount of money to help reduce anti-social behaviour and make our neighbourhoods safer.
"By funding the CCTV equipment, it means that members of the public can see the difference these donations can make and it will have a direct impact on monitoring and reducing anti-social behaviour in Hart."
A pioneering new campaign launched to deter Hampshire youngsters from shoplifting
This was part of a new crime prevention initiative aimed at warning children how easy it can be to end up with a criminal record. Hampshire Constabulary teamed up with Farnham-based Southern Co-operatives Ltd to produce the Shoplifting is Theft leaflets, which were distributed to every school in Hampshire.
Mike Hampton, Gosport’s crime reduction officer, said: “It is the first time we have tackled shop theft in this way, and was borne out of a concern that shoplifting is seen by some young people as acceptable behaviour with little or no knowledge or concern for the possible serious consequences of their actions.”
Research has shown retail crime costs about £2.4 billion every year and the problem is on the increase, with about 20 per cent of offences committed by youngsters aged under 18. This leaflet sends out a strong message to young people that shoplifting is a criminal offence, and offenders will end up with a police record, which could also affect their future career and employability prospects.
Gareth Lewis, Southern Co-operatives' loss prevention manager, said: “This project is yet another partnership between the police, local authorities and the Co-op towards solving community problems. Crime by young people is of concern to everyone. What this project seeks to do is stop the criminalisation of young people. We hope this leaflet will bring home the message that shoplifting is a crime that can have serious consequences.”
Sponsored horse power assisting to reduce equine-related crime
Hampshire Horsewatch and Hampshire Constabulary’s equine liaison officers have received valuable support for another year from Marshall Rolfe (Toyota) Southampton.
The company has supplied a RAV4 4X4 vehicle to be used by the force’s 24 equine liaison officers and Hampshire Horsewatch representatives to assist them in presentations and shows across the county.
Hampshire Horsewatch was launched to tackle specialist thieves who target stables and other rural premises to steal horses and equine equipment worth thousands of pounds. The scheme offers guidance for people involved in equestrian pursuit, such as advice on security for their horses, tack, stables, trailers and horseboxes.
Marshall Rolfe Franchise Director Phil Maddison said: “Once again we are delighted to be associated with Hampshire Constabulary’s equine liaison officers and Hampshire Horsewatch schemes and the voluntary work they undertake to both prevent and reduce crime, as well as supporting the equine communities.”
A Ryde Nissan dealer and Isle of Wight police are working together for the good of the community.
David Perkis of Staddlestones Nissan agreed a sponsorship arrangement with Shanklin police to provide a brand new Nissan Micra to be used by community beat officers on their beats and for general transport purposes.
With the OCU Headquarters at Newport, officers regularly have to travel from Shanklin to the centre for court, training, meetings and to the custody centre to deal with prisoners.The arrangement will improve the use of police resources by preventing police vehicles being parked needlessly at Newport when they could be better used elsewhere, saving officers time transporting colleagues and saving fuel costs by reducing the number of journeys.
Inspector Mark Bell of Shanklin police station said: “I am really pleased with this agreement. It will allow officers to spend more time on the streets policing the Sandown Bay police area.”
David Perkis of Staddlestones Nissan said: "We are pleased to continue our association with our local police force, by sponsoring a New Micra for use as a community car. We are delighted to be able to help the community in this way. We all like to think that the police will be there when we need them, and with Nissan's reputation for reliability, in the Micra we know they will be!"
