During December, I updated you on scams and home security. I shall have to continue with the same theme in 2016. Prevention is better than replacement. Your local Safer Neighbourhood Team can arrange a free crime prevention survey to help you better protect your belongings.

To find details of your local team go to: www.westmercia.police.uk. Each Team hold different ‘surgery’ events across their areas. Check the website; we are offering free property marking events.

In December your local police continued their work to target offenders. Operation Nightingale patrols in the countryside, linked in with local gamekeepers and farmers to continue our drive to reduce rural crime.

This year’s drink drive campaign saw an increase in people arrested for drink and drug driving offences. Remember it’s at least a 12 month ban from driving and normally a re-test in order to drive again.

Could you Volunteer? West Mercia Police are currently recruiting a number of volunteers to a wide variety of roles. For more information, you can contact me by email at: [email protected]

January also sees the launch of our citizenship academies. For more information contact Sergeant Emma Freer, by sending an email to: [email protected]

The Police continue to need your help to tackle crime and its effects on us all. If you see something that you think isn’t right, it’s probably not.

You can also report information anonymously through the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Last month I updated you on telephone scams. With depressing regularity we see older residents getting these calls and handing over card details or indeed transferring cash to another account. No one in a bank or the police will telephone you and ask you to do this. If you are concerned about a call, ring us, using one of the numbers above, and we can give you advice. Also with the information you give us we can try and catch these fraudsters.

This month we have seen a re-emergence of distraction scams at supermarkets. We have a poster, (shown left) drawing shoppers’ attention to the dangers.

We are also working with partners to launch ‘Face Watch’ – this works very well in business parks or retail areas. If you are interested in setting up your own or joining a watch in your area, or indeed just want more information, Police Inspector Paul Crumpton can be contacted by telephone on 01905 727402. Or you can email him via: [email protected]

Finally I wish you all a peaceful and prosperous 2016.

Police Inspector Bob Barnett

West Mercia Police