Our local policeman is PC Boyd Rowe.

He can be reached via D. 467681

Notes from Karl -    Nov 2002
House Burglaries are far more common at this time of the year. One of the 'worst' times is from mid-afternoon to early evening (when people are still at work or collecting children from school).

* Ensure all windows and doors are locked. Many, many house burglaries occur as a result of a door or window being left open or unlocked, even for a short periiod. Take particular care if your back garden has a lane or walk-way going past where burglars can 'suss out' a likely victim.

* Always leave a light on and perhaps a radio.

* If you have an alarm, set it.

* Close your curtains and blinds

* When Christmas shopping, keep the items locked in the car boot and out of sight of a passing car thief.

Protect the Elderly from Bogus Officials
From time to time, elderly people are the victims of 'bogus officials'. Durham Constabulary has initiated a "nominated neighbour" scheme, where the elderly person does not let the 'official' into their home, but refers them to a neighbour who will check upon their identity and come back with them.

The police have produced an information pack and printed cards which direct the caller to their "nominated neighbour". To see samples of these cards, click here >> Info_Pack

Further information can be obtained by phoning the Darlington Police Community Safety Dept on D. 346832

Notes from Karl -    July 2002

Drugs in Hurworth
I would like to ask for your help.
Over the last few months more and more people have been telling me about the increase in the use and sale of drugs
in the various villages. It would seem that Hurworth and Middleton St. George are the areas where drugs are most
readily available. Whilst I have my own ideas about where the drugs are coming from and where they can be bought,
what I really need is your help to confirm these suspicions.
I feel that someone must know for certain who is dealing in these drugs, who is using them and where to get them.
Please, if you care about the village, tell me about it.
Even if you have no idea, you can help by starting to ask questions when you are in the pub, meeting with people or
just out walking the dog. The more we turn a blind eye to what's happening, the more we allow drugs into our lives.
So, please keep your eyes and ears open to any information and please let me know.

NET the RAT
County Durham Police have links to a web site called NET the RAT. It is concerned about the increased use of drugs and offers an e-mail facility which is anonymous. If you have any information, you can just e-mail it direct to the police and they will not know the sender. They have been very encouraged by the response from the public so far.

The web site is www.nettherat.org      <<Click here to view

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Notes from Karl -    June 2002

1.   Thefts of Garden Ornaments
Over the last month there have been two separate thefts of garden ornaments from the villages around Darlington..
Neither was in Hurworth, but I would ask people to be very vigilant if they have expensive Urns/Chimney Pots etc
in their gardens and in particular their front gardens.

2.  Speeding Campaign - watch out!
There is a County-wide speeding campaign going on. Traffic Officers will be regularly in Hurworth and the other
outlying villages - so keep the speed down.

3.  Back-up
As Rural Beat Officer I work within a larger Darlington Beat Team. As part of this Team, there is another Rural
Beat Officer who covers the western side of Darlington. Although we both have our own areas, we will now be
working more closely. As a result, if I am away, people can contact him in my absence. The man in question
is PC 276 Julian Brown.

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Notes from Karl -    March 2002

RUNNING LONDON MARATHON FOR CHARITY

PC Lowe is running in the London Marathon on April 14th. He is hoping to raise £1500 for the new born and premature baby charity - Bliss. He is training hard and goes out jogging every night. Already £900 has been pledged but he still has a long way to go to hit his target.

If you would like to sponser our local Policeman, then please phone 0775 995 7091 and leave a message.

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Notes from Karl -    February 2002

MAKING CONTACT WITH THE POLICE

The Police appeal to anyone seeing anything looking suspicious to phone them at D. 467681 (main office). Only if there is a crime in progress and you cannot get through to the main office should you use 999 (but then use it!). You do not have to give your name to the main office or fill in any forms. They just want the information to act on, if something is happening. Please make sure everyone around you appreciates this message. Help the Police to help you.

GUN SHOTS

Bullets were believed to be used to smash windows in the Hurworth Primary School and the Telephone Box
on Sunday night 3 February. It is thought they came from a high powered air rifle. The Police are investigating.

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Notes from Karl -    January 2002

BEWARE BURGLARS IN HURWORTH

During the period 10 -11 Jan 2002 there were 6 burglaries in Hurworth. Two people from Darlington are now
helping the police with their enquiries. It is believed the burglaries are drug related and the main target is
cash or jewellery. Four entries occurred during the daytime (3-7 pm) and two in the early hours (5-6 am).

Attractive targets are those with easy access to the rear and 'out of sight' approaches. Windows are broken
to access keys left in the door locks.

Lessons to learn.
1. Prevent easy access to the rear of your house.
2. Do not keep large amounts of cash or jewellery in the home.
3. Do not leave keys in the locks after locking up.
4. Visible burglar alarms do have a deterrent effect.

The Darlington police have a Crime Prevention Officer who will come round to offer advice. There is no charge.
Give him a call D. 467681.
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Notes from Karl -    October  2001

BEWARE BOGUS OFFICIALS

This is just a reminder to everyone in the village to be vigilant about persons calling at your door. If people do call,
particularly without prior arrangement, please make sure that they have the appropriate identification with them. All companies should now issue Identification Cards and all employees should carry them.

If someone calling at your door does not carry this ID, then don't let them in. If you are unsure about them in any
way, then don't let them in. Not only this, but let us go one stage further, let's get a good look at the person calling
and see if they are driving a car or van you can identify, then call the police. If we do this then we can work together
to stop any possible theft.

Bogus officials and bogus callers tend to target the elderly, who perhaps live alone. Such elderly people are also
unlikely to see such warnings as this. So if you know of anyone who is likely to be at risk, please remind them to be careful.

REMEMBER: If in doubt, keep them out.
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Local Policing Policy

For the last 4 years, Durham Police have been following a new strategy
in their community policing.

They have "returned to basics" and introduced a uniformed, locally accountable
officer walking a defined beat. These officers are allocated a particular area and
aim to be a targeted patrol focussing on crime prevention and detection. It is also
to provide public reassurance that there is awareness of the needs of the public.

The local officer, in our case covering Hurworth, Neasham and Middleton St. George is backed up by relevant
mobile and specialist resources.