MEMBERS of Droitwich Town Council were given a crime update by Sgt Sarah Kent at Monday’s meeting.
There had been incidents of shoplifting in the town but, Sgt Kent said, the number had significantly reduced when a prolific pilferer was caught and imprisoned. He was charged for one offence and re-sentenced for a number of others and is now serving time.
Likewise, a number of businesses in the town centre had been broken into over the summer but again, Sgt Kent said, that had reduced when a well-known offender was caught and imprisoned. He was charged with four offences in Droitwich and 12, in total, across South Worcestershire.
Recently, there had been an increase of shed break-ins in Droitwich. Sgt Kent said she believed people not locking their outbuildings had made it easy for opportunist thieves. She urged residents to review their security and think about where they keep their tools, particularly the expensive ones. She urged people to consider having their property marked.
Anyone wanting more information on that can call the Droitwich Safer Neighbourhood Team on 101 or visit www.westmercia.police.uk and click the link to ‘Crime and Safety’.
Sgt Kent urged residents to ensure their homes and vehicles were locked properly as those kind of crimes tended to increase with the nights drawing in.
She mentioned the forthcoming Lighten Up campaign which always coincides with the clocks going back.
“A lot of people think that most burglaries take place overnight.
“But that is not the case – especially now with the nights getting darker earlier – the most common time is between 1pm in the afternoon and 6pm in the evening,” she said.
Sgt Kent concluded by talking about the proactive and community policing that had been carried out over the summer by officers attending numerous events, including Salt Fest and the Antiques Roadshow when it came to Hanbury Hall.
