Police are alerting residents to a significant rise in the theft of caravans across South Cambridgeshire villages.        24/06/2015 –- A caravan was stolen from a storage site in the early hours of the morning, in Newton. The caravan had a tracker installed. This has been recovered in another force area. Police believe a NISSAN TERRANO on false plates, was used in this crime.

26/06/2015 – 28/06/2015 –- In Duxford a caravan was stolen from storage site over a 48hr period. Intruders cut a hole in a high hedge, partially filled a ditch with soil, placed boards to bridge the gap and removed the caravan through the gap. The caravan is CRIS registered.

29/06/2015 – In Steeple Morden at approximately midday, a caravan was unhooked from its’ power source and stolen using a long wheelbase panel van (the awning was removed and left behind). CRIS registered.

Between 1800 hours on the 14/5/2015 and 0700 hours on the 15/5/2015 A Caravan Park in Earith Road, Willingham was broken into. The fence was broken down and a fence post removed to gain entry, power cables were cut.  The following caravans were stolen a Sterling twin wheel Eccles touring caravan, and an ACER Firestart Caravan with a blue and grey striped design.

There are a number of simple measures owners can take to reduce the risk of theft.  A key security feature to consider is a tracking device, and a caravan alarm. In addition hitch locks, plus wheel and axle locking devices can deter opportunist attacks.  For more detailed advice see below:

Cambridgeshire Constabulary advise taking security precautions to reduce the chances of becoming a victim of caravan theft.  Immobilise your caravan, even if you are stopping for a short time. Many caravan owners will be aware of hitch locks and towing eye locks, as well as wheel clamps that are useful for when the caravan is not in use.  Always look for attack tested products which you can find via www.sold.secure.com gold standard products will be the ones that achieved the highest attack standard. Fit an alarm and use it each time you leave your caravan.  Lock windows, doors and roof lights plus the gas compartment when you leave for any period of time.  Keep the keys with you. Also look for lockable corner steadies.  Alarms are available with tilt sensors, as well as leg sensor alarms. Other items that may be useful are secure locks for the main entry door (available from FIAMMA or Milenco) for example.  Take valuables with you when you leave the caravan, or lock them away.  Don’t leave items on display to tempt thieves.  Specialist safes are available for caravans.  Register your property for FREE with www.immobilise.com you can register anything with a serial number such as bicycles, mobile phones, laptops and also more unique items by uploading a digital photo.   It is also worth considering using lockable posts or bollards so that the caravan cannot easily be towed away, think about how and where your caravan is parked, park up tight with the nose facing in to help deter opportunist attacks.   Never leave registration documents within the caravan they may help a thief to sell the caravan on.   Tracker devices will help trace your caravan in the event it is stolen.  Also register with CRiS when you purchase your caravan, check the windows are registered and etched accordingly.   When purchasing a new caravan ask about the safety and security features included.  All caravans produced since August 1997 should be electronically tagged.   When buying a second hand caravan, try to verify the seller’s identity and check the number plate on the caravan matches the one on the tow car.  If the caravan is registered with CRiS (Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme) you can check its history.  If it is not registered call 0203 282 1000 or online www.cris.co.uk   If your caravan will be unused for long periods think about removing the wheels, and rest the structure on a wheel stand.   For companies offering secure storage facilities, look for CASSOA certified facilities with ‘Gold award’ status, they should have basic security standards such as CCTV, and a no tailgating policy.

If anyone has any information regarding the above crimes, please do contact Cambridgeshire Police via 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

South Cambs Police officers and staff worked closely with other forces to ensure that a gang who stole nearly £1million worth of cars and property from homes across East Anglia have been jailed.
The gang were involved in 102 burglaries in Cambridgeshire, Essex, Kent, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Enfield and Buckinghamshire between March 18 and September 29, 2014. There were 36 offences in Cambridgeshire, 24 of which were in South Cambs alone.
The total property stolen amounted to £970,000 of which around £159,000 worth was recovered.
Items stolen included cars, money, computer equipment, electrical goods and jewellery, much of which was sold on.
They were caught after committing six house burglaries in one day in Cambridgeshire in March 2014. An attempt to stop the vehicle used that day resulted in the gang ‘ramming’ a Cambridgeshire Police motorcyclist causing him a broken arm.

Couple Luke Wall, 24, and mum-of-three Teresa Connors, 21, both of Leicester Road, Tilbury, Kyle Shillingford, 27, of no fixed address, and Joseph Mahon, 20, of Fanshawe Road, Cambridge, all admitted conspiracy to commit burglary. Robert Butler, 31, of Lilliput Road, Romford, denied conspiracy to commit burglary but was convicted after a trial.

They were sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday the 18^th of June 2015.  Judge John Devaux described Wall as being the leader of the group and jailed him for eight years.
Butler was jailed for seven years, Mahon for 40 months and Connors for eight months.
Shillingford was jailed for 28 months.
The judge commented that all played a part in a significant conspiracy to burgle properties in a large geographical area where high value property was stolen and that they had all shown a significant degree of planning and sophistication.

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a robbery on Avenells Way, Gamlingay. The incident happened at about 3pm yesterday (June 22).

The victim, a woman in her 70s, was followed and attacked from behind as the suspect grabbed her handbag. A struggle ensued in which the victim hit the suspect a number of times with her walking stick. The suspect was hit to the floor before making off, however he managed to take a small sum of money and a mobile phone from the handbag. The victim was left shaken but uninjured. The suspect is described as white, of tanned appearance, in his 20s, with short cropped dark hair, wearing a dark blue/grey fleece or jacket with the hood pulled up.

Police are also keen for any witnesses to a collision which occurred shortly after the robbery.

It involved a silver Vauxhall Vectra which was seen repeatedly driving around the area prior to the robbery.

A vehicle matching this car’s description was then involved in a collision on Abbots Ripton Road, Abbots Ripton, close to Tesco.

The two occupants made off in another car which is believed to have been using false number plates.

Investigations are ongoing.

Detective Sergeant Andrew Gaunt-Warner, said: “This was a violent attack on a vulnerable member of the public in broad daylight, I urge any member of the public with information to contact us about this matter.”

“I would like to make it clear to residents that this type of attack is very rare and there will be a more visible police presence in the area to offer reassurance to the people of Gamlingay and surrounding villages.” Anyone with information should call police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A reminder that the Police Contact Point will operate tomorrow Saturday 13th June 2015 between 6 and 8 pm in the foyer of Morrison’s Cambourne, we look forward to meeting you during the evening.

Please note this is a change from the posted date currently on display at Morrison’s

David Jackson

PCSO 7064

Cambourne Police Station

Dear all,

The Histon Panel meeting is Thursday 18^th June 2015 at Swavesey Village College. Arrival at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start, finishing at 9.00pm. We look forward to seeing you there. A download of this document is available below.

June 2015 Panel Document

Regards

Safer Neighbourhood Team