Vanguard Surveillance and Security

PROTECT YOUR CAT

The Weston Mercury reported a disturbing story a few weeks ago that a pet cat had been found decapitated.  Last week one of my staff reported that his cat had been killed by having his head stove in with a breeze block, just 18 paces from his front door.

Our Security Officer is conducting his own investigations into this and has been in touch with the Police and the RSPCA.  They have advised they cannot help.  If you hear of anyone who has information which can help him, please email me and keep an eye on your cat.

Theft from Cars

In a three week period there have been 30 reported thefts from cars.  Thieves are smashing windows and bending out door frames to get into vehicles.  Small hatchback cars are being targeted to steal items like sat navs, I-pods, cash, laptops and audio equipment.  The thieves are making a thorough search of the cars and have even stolen sub woofer speakers and amplifiers.

Police advise to not only lock up your cars but to clear them of any valuable items.  Remember to wipe any sat-nav sucker marks from the windscreen as offenders may target the vehicle in the hope the device has been hidden in the glove box or boot.

Distraction Burglaries

The Police have reported the latest reason being used to enter your premises is a person claiming to be fitting a kitchen in a nearby home and needs to check the water pressure.

Rogue Traders

A bogus builder has targeted an elderly woman.  They tricked her into paying £5,000 for repairs to the roof, which was never done.

Distraction Burglaries

In addition to the distraction burglaries from people pertaining to be from utility companies, this new tack as reported by the Police may catch people unawares.

In the past week the man has visited a house in Pill near Portishead and two others in Bath. The suspect looks on Parish and Church noticeboards to get names and addresses of people attached to the local church. He then calls on these people asking to borrow money and claims that the vicar, whose name he uses in the conversation, has sent him along.

The man is described as 6-foot tall, in his late 20s and with a Scottish accent. This man is said to be very plausible and can easily win his victim's confidence if given the chance to engage the victim in conversation. It is believed that he may have committed other offences in other parts of the country.

Anyone who receives an unknown and unexpected caller should not open the door until it is known who they are. Ask for identification and, if possible, verify this by checking with the company using the number printed in the phone book (do not take it from the identity card). Genuine callers will be happy to wait on the doorstep. Anyone suspicious should be reported to the police immediately.

Mobile Phone Scam

We have received details from E.Watch that if you receive a phone call on your mobile from any person, saying that he or she is a company engineer calling to check your mobile line and asking you to press #90 or #09 or any other number, end this call immediately without pressing any numbers. Should you press any of the numbers requested, the fraudsters will gain access to the details of your SIM card and be able to make calls at your expense.

This Scam has been sent to Vanguard by a colleague.  Please take note as the opening wording used by the scamster is exactly the same as the wording used by the real thing, with the exceptions as explained below:-

This one is pretty slick since they provide Y O U with all the information, except the one piece they want.

The Police have issued a bulletin stating that in the South Gloucester area alone 70 sheds and garages have been broken into in the last month.

The thieves are striking between the hours of 4pm and 6am.  Thieves are stealing bicycles and tools.

Please be on the lookout for anyone hanging around sheds or garages and telephone the Police immediately on 0845 4567000.

The Police have stated that sheds and garages should be sturdy and secured with good quality locks and hinges.

It is also possible to buy shed and garage alarms, security lighting and 'garage defender' security devices from most DIY stores. Valuables like bicycles and gardening equipment should also be chained up within the shed or garage.

The Police at Bridgwater sell alarms suitable for sheds, garages and caravans – Twintech Intruder Alarm and Siren.  This comes with a key fob control to arm/disarm the unit and has an external siren.  The cost is only £15.50.  Contact details 01823 363348 or email Lindsey.stone@avonandsomerset.police.uk.  Alarm systems can also be obtained from D.S. Securities 01934 417730.  They also supply wireless systems which can be added to your existing alarm system within the main building.

The aggravated burglary took place in Bristol.  It is an exact copy of the Police Bulletin.

The Police have reported that on Sunday 2nd November at approx 5am the night receptionist at the Arnos Manor Hotel was at work along with the night porter who went to answer the intercom to be confronted by two persons. These suspects locked the night porter in the toilet and both then threatened the night receptionist with a gun and an axe.  The receptionist was forced to open the safe. The night porter was let out of the toilet and held 'hostage' whilst the two suspects search the hotel office, bar area and reception for items of value. The hotel chef arriving early for work is also threatened by the two suspects.  After stealing between £4,000 to £5,000 in cash and a small quantity of cheques from the safe the suspects made off on foot towards Sandy Park.   The incident has been captured on the Hotel's CCTV and clearly shows the victims being threatened with the gun. The suspects are described as:

1. Black male, wearing a black balaclava, gloves and heavy winter coat black in colour with a large white stripe on the hood. He was carrying a small handgun dark grey in colour
2. White male, short in height, blonde hair and green eyes. He was wearing a black jacket with a white motif on the front, a hoody with a white emblem of the top and blue jeans. He was carrying the axe

We have just received a Police Bulletin alerting all homeowners that eight domestic burglaries have occurred in the North Somerset area during the past two weeks.

The report states:

“Thieves have gained access via back gardens and have gained access by removing the glass from windows and through unlocked windows.

In three of the break-ins they have stolen vehicle keys to take a Golf GTI, a Ford Focus and a BMW 320. The BMW was recovered by police in South Bristol on Wednesday August 27 2008. A 30-year-old Bristol man was arrested on suspicion of the theft of three cars and two burglaries and has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Also stolen have been bank cards, games consoles, cash, mobile phones, bags, laptop computers, flat screen televisions, watches, DVD players, a pushchair, clothing, jewellery, sunglasses, cameras and a £3,000 tenor saxophone.

• PC Morris' top tips to deter burglars are:

·         Close and lock doors and windows and don't leave keys in the lock

• Look at your home through the eyes of a burglar. Can you see valuables like a flat screen television through the windows? That could make your home a target
• Hide your car keys – you wouldn't leave hundreds of pounds lying around and how much is your car.worth?
• Install security lighting and an alarm and set them at night as well as when you are out
• Secure your boundaries – make sure fences are sturdy and gates fitted good quality hinges and.locks
  Use prickly planting to protect your home
• Mark your property – this deters thieves because they know police will be able to prove it has been stolen.
• Many property-marking products are available, including Smartwater visit www.smartwater.com for.more.information
• Visit www.secureyourmanor.org or contact your local Police Community Support Officer on 0845 456 7000 for more home security advice”

We have also been very busy responding to alarm activations on commercial and domestic properties - some are attributable to alarm faults which need to be addressed, but other activations are clearly a result of attempted break-ins.

Schools have been targeted during the holidays, with only one successful burglary – the burglars were in and back out again within five minutes as they knew where to find the equipment.  At one of the schools, Police Dogs and the Police Helicopter were called in to help track down the unsuccessful thief.

Our emergency response is successful in thwarting thieves attempts to break in.  We are organised in such a way that we are able to proceed to the activation immediately the alert is raised, without any delays.

Nearly two thousand homes in Cambridge had their phones cut off in February when several hundred metres of BT's underground copper cables were stolen.

Across the UK, churches have been badly hit with lead roofing being ripped off, with insurance claims of more than £8million in the past 12 months compared to £1million in the previous year.

According to Andrew Ward, Risk Manager at Towergate's Bury St Edmunds' office, these are just two examples of the huge increase in metal theft across the UK.  He says: The value of non-ferrous metals have more than doubled as a result of the booming demand from India and China in particular.  School roofs, manhole covers and power lines have all been targeted as millions of pounds worth of metal have been stolen.

It is estimate that in Cambridgeshire metal theft is up 170% in a year, in West Mercia 120%, in the West Midlands 112% and 100% in Warwickshire and Sussex.

The theft of rail signalling copper has, according to British Transport Police, become its biggest problem after terrorism.

Commercial premises have been targeted too.  There have been instances where thieves have broken into buildings through the walls of adjoining units, work in progress being taken from production lines and vacant buildings nearly wrecked by water pipes and other metal fittings being stripped out - resulting in serious damage".

Andrew Ward offers the following advice:-

l                   Review your physical security arrangements.  The site perimeter, building exterior and high value stores are all areas to consider.

l                   Is your intruder alarm system adequate - not just the office area?

l                   Consider a CCTV system.

l                   Make sure you have the right insurance cover.  Have you increased your sums insured to cover the raised values?

l                  Make sure your business continuity plan includes your plans to deal with raw material shortage.

It has been reported there is a current trend in the theft of brass and steel from engineering and construction companies.

The thefts occur during working hours with the criminals arriving with a vehicle and helping themselves to steel brackets and any brass.  The criminals behave as though they are meant to be there.  In one instance reported, the criminals were challenged by employees of the Company and they alleged they were contracted to remove the items.  This trend is occurring throughout the Country, not just in North Somerset.

Please advise all employees to be aware of this trend and to challenge and check the identity of any non-employees found on the premises.  Also take a note of the make, colour, registration number and badging of the vehicle.  Whilst the identity is being checked, ask them to wait outside the premises – this course of action should not offend legitimate contractors.

It has also been reported that older vehicles are being stolen from their parked positions and taken to the scrap merchants (there are obviously still some scrap merchants around that do not follow correct procedures).   Again, this trend is national.

The current value of scrap metal is £160 per tonne, which is the average scrap weight of a vehicle. 

SECURITY: Business managers are being urged to review their security measures after a spate of burglaries. There have been more than 20 incidents throughout the Avon and Somerset policing area in 2008. Safes have been removed or attacked with the power or hand tools such as a pick axe or sledgehammer. Police are now urging business owners to consider the location of safes and to make sure they are security locked.

BURGLARIES: Distraction burglaries have halved since last year. According to the latest police statistics. In the Avon and Somerset area there were 13 recorded offences this month compared to 26 in March 2007. But while officers welcome the news, they still say 13 is too many.

Detective constable Andy Williams said: “the force has worked hard to remind people of the doorstep code. “ The difficulty is that these con men, who prey on the elderly and vulnerable. Who may be more trusting than other people.” When answering the door residents are advised to ask for identification and ask the caller to wait outside while they verify credentials.

Anyone with information about these types of crimes is urged to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

At some time during the night, after 2200hrs, a local business was burgled and also suffered extensive internal damage.

Access was gained through a patio door.  At this time the Scene of Crime Team are investigating and therefore the extent of the loss has not been calculated.  What is known is that every computer was taken, desk drawers emptied and strewn about, the safe was completely smashed to pieces and the offices and warehouse had been ransacked.

The burglary was discovered upon the arrival of the owner at 0730hrs.  It was immediately reported to the Police.

Can all businesses who have a designated keyholder please place them on high alert to ensure they respond immediately to an alarm activation, bearing in mind not to enter the premises if external evidence of intrusion is discovered, but to call the Police and wait in a safe place until Police
arrival.

If you have concerns regarding any aspect of this report, please contact 01934 419399 or via email.

There is a noticeable increase in suspicious persons loitering around business premises in the Oldmixon and Lynx Crescent Estates.  These individuals are deemed by our Company as suspicious as when approached, or upon arrival of our patrol vehicle, they walk away quickly.

There have been four separate incidents.

* Oldmixon Crescent 17 November 2007: 1913hrs:  Individual walking around and checking gates of factory yard:  Description: White male. 5'9" tall approx.  Around 15-16stone in weight.  Black wool hat, black jumper, black jeans, black shoes.  Aged between 25-30 years.  Upon approach of Security

Officer, the person walked off very quickly into the Estate.

* Oldmixon Crescent 17 November 2007:  0215hrs:  Individual seen peering into the window of a business.  Description:  White male. 5'7"ish.  Slim build.  Dark jeans, grey hooded sweatshirt, trainers.  Appeared 18-25 years. Upon approach of Security Patrol vehicle, the person walked away and continued walking until he was off the Estate.

* Oldmixon Crescent 21 November 2007: 2125hrs:  Two individuals seen walking away from a side door of a business premises.  White male and female. Average height and build.  Dark jeans, dark jackets.  Appeared 40's.  Was already moving away from building upon approach of Security Patrol vehicle. Headed off direction Winterstoke Road.

* Lynx Crescent:   23 November 2007: 2300hrs:  Individual sighted walking from rear of empty premises from a distance.  Too far in distance for good description.  Appeared male with dark clothing.  Ran out of sight – not sighted again.

In all instances, there is no apparent reason for each person to be on the Estates, or peering into the business premises, or looking through gates. They were not dog-walkers.

I would ask all members to be alert, keep all blinds closed, electrical items turned off where possible (ie: computers, lights etc) and ensure all gates are secure before leaving for the night.