23rd April 2008
Overnight there were numerous instances of shed/outbuilding break-ins in the Flore area which resulted in the theft of power tools and other items.
Police are reminding people to make sure they keep their gardens and outbuildings secure as the summer approaches.
Springtime is when people usually start to get their garden/DIY tools, furniture and bicycles out, and although you might not be thinking about gardening or outside DIY yet, offenders are thinking about and acting on it.
We are urging people to think about the security of their sheds now, to prevent any heartache in the future.
A little time and money spent on simple security devices can save the huge cost and inconvenience of having to replace such items.
It is easy to underestimate the value of the property which you keep in your shed but it needs to be kept securely, just the same as any property inside your house.
It is important to make sure all outbuildings are secure and there are some positive things you can do to improve security and make life much more difficult for the thief.
These are:

	Darkness is the perfect cover for burglars - the effective and economic answer is to install outside lighting, which comes on only when people are present.
	Most sheds are secured with a padlock and hasp or staple. This arrangement is fine but make sure the hasp is well secured to the door and frame by using bolts which completely pass through the timber and are secured on the inside using a large washer and bolt
	Choose a good padlock, which has a hardened steel shackle (the part which opens and passes through the hasp). The shorter the shackle the better, because it prevents the jaws of bolt croppers being able to be placed around it
	Lock or permanently fix windows shut and cover them, perhaps with an old curtain so no-one can see what is kept inside
	Install a shed or garage alarm and place a sticker in the window or on the door to advertise the fact.

10th April 2008
You are advised that a distraction burglary took place in Greens Norton earlier this morning.
The victim was an elderly female resident. The offenders are described as being two males aged 40-50, wearing casual clothes who may have been seen around the area of the post-office.

If anyone can help with information regarding this crime, please phone the police immediately on 08453 700700.

9th April 2008
You are asked to look out for 2 males in a white Ford Transit van with no markings but with ladders on the roof. The registration begins with X and is thought to end TNH or very similar.

These people have been seen looking into residents' windows in Whittlebury and generally acting very suspiciously. Although this area may be far from where you live, these people can quickly move around the county and so we send this kind of information to everyone.

The first male is described as being white, aged about 45, 6ft tall with a ruddy complexion. He was wearing a blue zip-up jacket, blue jeans and black loafers with no laces.

The second male was described as being white, also aged about 45 with grey balding hair. He was wearing a green top.

If you see this vehicle and occupants please inform the police immediately on 08453 700700 stating the direction of travel.
If you see the vehicle stationary and suspicious activity is occurring then dial 999.

A message from Northamptonshire Police
The government is looking at how local communities, the police, local criminal justice agencies and other local partners can best work together to reduce crime, raise community confidence, improve information to local people and lower the fear of crime.  The review is also looking at what makes people get involved in tackling problems in their community.

A key part of the review is to gather together evidence - and the voices, experiences and opinions of the public are key to this.  The review team has put together a Have Your Say questionnaire which covers some of the key questions of the review.  If you'd like to give us your views you can fill it in on line and we'd be really interested in what you have to say: www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/crime

 If you would like a hard copy of the questionnaire please email haveyoursay@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk giving your full postal address or you can write to us to request a copy at Freepost, PO Box 1748, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 4XR, again stating your full postal address.

Please remember to call the Northamptonshire Police switchboard with any crime information in Northants on 08453 700700 or 999 in an emergency. Alternatively call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.