Weekly Policing Update – Somersham District – 19/01/21

Good Afternoon, Somersham District Members

Covid-19 National Lockdown Reminder:
 Advice from HM Government –

Don’t Forget – Around 1 in 3 people who have the virus have no symptoms and could be spreading it without realising.

Follow the rules:
“Stay Home – Protect the NHS – Save Lives”
And
“Hands – Face – Space”

Full details are on the Government web-site:

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Meanwhile, here is our weekly summary of offences and incidents affecting your community, reported to police during the period 8th to 14th January:

Chatteris Road, Somersham – Hare-coursers are thought to have cut the lock off a farm gate on Chatteris Road on Sunday afternoon, 10th January. Coursers had been seen on nearby fields earlier in the day. (Ref 35/1926/21)

Warner’s Drove, Somersham – Thieves stole three commercial batteries from an industrial unit on Warner’s Drove at some time overnight on Monday 11th / Tuesday 12th January. (Ref 35/2314/21)

Long Drove, Somersham – Police searched the area around Long Drove on Wednesday afternoon following a report of hare-coursers seen on a nearby ploughed field. However, a vehicle was last seen heading towards Chatteris and no trace of the man or his dog was found. (Ref CC-13012021-0198)

Fen Road, Pidley – Two suspects were disturbed in the act of trying to steal two large cast-iron planters from outside business premises on Fen Road on Wednesday evening, 13th January. When challenged, the two ran off. (Ref 35/2393/21)

Bridge Road, Broughton – Police received reports of flooding in Broughton after heavy rain on Thursday morning, 14th January, particularly on Bridge Road where at least one car was already abandoned. However the Highways Authority was already aware and warning signs and cones had already been put out. (Ref CC-14012021-0108)

Fenton Road, Fenton – The road between Fenton and Pidley was reported to be flooded on Thursday evening, 14th January. However a police patrol assessed that the road was still passable with care and that the flooding was more of a large puddle. (Ref CC-14012021-0381)

To see details of Policing Summaries for neighbouring areas, please click on the following link and scroll down the page to select areas of interest:

https://www.ecops.org.uk/alert_archive

Please be aware that these reports do not contain all details of all reported crime. We do not publish details of domestic related offences or anything which may put a person at risk if information regarding the crime was made public.


As always, if you have information relating to any offence, or are concerned about any suspicious activities, please contact police by using any of these methods:

• the ‘101’ non-emergency telephone number;

• the on-line web-chat tool on the new Cambridgeshire Constabulary web-site – click on the green icon;

• Alternatively, you can use ‘Crimestoppers’ to make a report anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or by using their on-line contact form.

In an emergency, or if you witness a crime in progress, always use ‘999’.

Weekly Policing Update – Somersham District – 11/01/2021

Good Afternoon, Somersham District Members –

Happy New Year, Ecops subscribers! Let’s hope that 2021 is a good year for all of us!

 

Covid-19 National Lockdown Regulations:

As you will be aware, the Government have now imposed a National Lockdown as a way of tackling the rapidly increasing rates of infection of the Covid-19 virus.
We are all instructed to stay at home – this is the single most important action we can take to protect the National Health Service and to save lives. We must not leave, or be outside of our houses, except where necessary for a small number of reasons:

• To shop for basic necessities;
   
• For work, if it cannot be done from home;
   
• To exercise, once per day, in the local area;
   
• To meet with a Support Bubble or Childcare Bubble where necessary;
   
• For medical reasons;
   
• To attend education or childcare, for those eligible.

 Full details are on the Government web-site:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home  
 
Very happily, there are no offences or incidents affecting your community to mention in our Policing Summary this week, covering the period 31st December to 7th January.

To see details of Policing Summaries for neighbouring areas, please click on the following link and scroll down the page to select areas of interest:

https://www.ecops.org.uk/alert_archive
 
Please be aware that these reports do not contain all details of all reported crime. We do not publish details of domestic related offences or anything which may put a person at risk if information regarding the crime was made public.
 
 
As always, if you have information relating to any offence, or are concerned about any suspicious activities, please contact police by using any of these methods:
 

• the ‘101’ non-emergency telephone number;

• the on-line web-chat tool on the new Cambridgeshire Constabulary web-site – click on the green icon;

• Alternatively, you can use ‘Crimestoppers’ to make a report anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or by using their on-line contact form.

In an emergency, or if you witness a crime in progress, always use ‘999’.

Alert – Coronavirus Vaccination Scams – 11/01/2021

Dear subscriber,

As of 7 January 2021, Action Fraud had received 57 reports from members of the public who have been sent text messages claiming to be from the NHS, offering them the opportunity to sign up for coronavirus vaccinations. The texts ask the recipient to click on a link which takes them to an online form where they are prompted to input personal and financial details. In some cases the online form has looked very similar to the real NHS website.

Pauline Smith, Head of Action Fraud, said: 
“Remember, the vaccine is only available on the NHS and is free of charge. The NHS will never ask you for details about your bank account or to pay for the vaccine. If you receive an email, text message or phone call purporting to be from the NHS and you are asked to provide financial details, this is a scam.”


How to protect yourself:

In the UK, coronavirus vaccinations will only be available via the National Health Services of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. You can be contacted by the NHS, your employer, a local GP surgery or pharmacy, to receive your vaccination. Remember, the vaccinations are free of charge and you will not be asked for a payment.

The NHS will never:

• ask for your bank account or card details
• ask for your PIN or banking passwords
• arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine
• ask for documentation to prove your identity, such as a passport or utility bills

If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you are suspicious about an email you have received, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726, which is free of charge.


If you believe you are the victim of a fraud, please report this to Action Fraud as soon as possible by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Have Your Say on Policing Priorities In Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – 06/01/2021

As your Acting Commissioner, it’s important for me to understand your views about crime and how it is being tackled in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. I would be very grateful if you could spend a few moments completing the below survey. Your responses will help to inform the next Police and Crime Commissioner, elected by you in May 2021, your views and make sure the next Police and Crime Plan reflects these. The survey looks into the areas of policing people in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough would like to see their Constabulary prioritise. All information collected and answers submitted will be anonymous in line with our privacy policy. This questionnaire should only take a few minutes. The survey can be accessed via this link: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DNTBBTX Kindest regards, Ray Bisby Acting Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Message Sent By Catherine Kimberley (Police, OPCC Communications Officer, Cambridgeshire)

Police Investigation To Feature In 24 Hours In Police Custody – 04/01/2021

**Spoiler alert**

An investigation into a woman who plotted to have her ex-husband killed will be the focus of a two-part special of 24 Hours in Police Custody.

Viewers of the popular Channel 4 programme tonight (4 January) will go behind the scenes of the investigation after a man handed Cambridgeshire police a secretly recorded conversation that appeared to show his girlfriend offering to pay someone to commit murder.

Victoria Breeden, 39, of Black Horse Drove, Littleport, was sentenced to nine and a half years in prison at Chelmsford Crown Court in July after being found guilty of three counts of soliciting to murder Rob Parkes.

The case was brought to the attention of the force in November 2019 when Breeden’s most current former partner, Graham Wall, approached officers with a 24 minute recording.

Mr Wall feared Breeden was having an affair and hid his phone in a cupboard under the stairs of her home to see what she was up to.

When he retrieved it the next day he listened to the recording of Breeden and another man, Earl Gernon, talking about how easy it would be to ‘make someone disappear’.

The recording heard talk of the different ways her ex-husband, Rob Parkes, could be murdered or seriously injured, and that it would cost between £10 and £15,000 for a ‘see you later’.

Detective Inspector Mike Barnshaw, who led the investigation, said: “This was a five-month long investigation into Breeden’s repeated solicitations of men to kill her ex-husband over a number of years.

“Viewers will see how calculating, targeted, persistent and dangerous her behaviour was, all motivated by her hatred of Mr Parkes.

“The show highlights that Cambridgeshire police, irrespective of who is involved, take all matters of domestic abuse seriously and I would encourage anyone suffering to contact us and be assured that we will help.”

24 Hours in Police Custody: Black Widow will be shown on Channel 4 at 9pm tonight and tomorrow.

Weekly Policing Update – Somersham District – 04/01/2021

Good Afternoon, Somersham District Members –

It has been a very difficult week for lots of people, with flooding across the district bringing misery to many families, and the revised Covid-19 regulations reducing the amount of social interaction we are allowed. But in the true spirit of Christmas, the community has come together to help and there have been some really uplifting stories of people supporting and looking out for each other, and help from the emergency and support services.

Covid-19 Tier 4 Restrictions:

As you will now know, the whole of Cambridgeshire has now been placed into Tier 4 restrictions. This means that we have to stay at home as much as possible and not meet with anybody indoors unless they live with us or are part of our support bubble. Outdoors, we are only allowed to meet with one person from another household.

Full details are on the Government web-site:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-4-stay-at-home


Meanwhile, here is our weekly summary of offences and incidents affecting your community, reported to police during the period 22nd to 30th December:

Flooding Incidents – Police began to receive calls reporting flooding on Wednesday evening, 23rd December:

Old Hurst – Rising flood water inundated houses at Old Hurst. There were concerns for the elderly occupants of two bungalows which had been flooded and police passed details on to the Fire and Rescue service who were already in the village tackling the situation. (Ref CC-23122020-0518)
 

Station Approach, Somersham – A car was trapped in flood water on Station Approach, Somersham, but fortunately the occupants were rescued by the Fire Brigade, and the road was then closed. (Ref CC-23122020-0667)
 

The Trundle, Somersham – Reports of rising flood water at The Trundle, including water coming up through the drains. The Fire Brigade was notified. (Ref CC-23122020-0687)
 

School Road, Broughton – A car was trapped in flood water and the driver rescued by a police patrol. (Ref CC-23122020-0687)
 

High Street, Pidley – Police and an ambulance were called to a collision between a car and a delivery van on Pidley High Street on Monday evening, 28th December, after which the van driver was taken to hospital for checks. The other driver was taken in to custody when a road-side breath-test returned a positive result. Recovery services were called to tow the car away. (Ref CC-28122020-0424)

Warner’s Drove – Police searched the area around Warner’s Drove on Wednesday afternoon, 30th December, following a report of two males in a blue vehicle suspected of hare-coursing. The vehicle had last been seen heading towards Parkhall Road but unfortunately no trace of it was found. (Ref CC-30122020-0329)

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To see details of Policing Summaries for neighbouring areas, please click on the following link and scroll down the page to select areas of interest:

https://www.ecops.org.uk/alert_archive

Please be aware that these reports do not contain all details of all reported crime. We do not publish details of domestic related offences or anything which may put a person at risk if information regarding the crime was made public.


As always, if you have information relating to any offence, or are concerned about any suspicious activities, please contact police by using any of these methods:

– the ‘101’ non-emergency telephone number;

– the on-line web-chat tool on the new Cambridgeshire Constabulary web-site – click on the green icon;

– Alternatively, you can use ‘Crimestoppers’ to make a report anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or by using their on-line contact form.

In an emergency, or if you witness a crime in progress, always use ‘999’.

Weekly Policing Update – Somersham District – 23/12/2020

Good Afternoon, Somersham District Members –

This is the last Policing Update before Christmas. Everyone at St Ives Police Station sends their very best wishes – we hope that all Ecops subscribers manage to have a good time, despite the extraordinary circumstances that we find ourselves in.

Christmas Covid-19 Arrangements:

As you will now know, the 5-day relaxation of Covid-19 regulations that was planned for the Christmas period has been revoked in the light of the worsening situation with the spread of the virus. The new rules mean that the relaxation now only applies to Christmas Day itself.

As Cambridgeshire is in Tier 2 (High Alert), apart from Peterborough which is now in Tier 4, we are allowed to form a ‘Christmas Bubble’ and see a maximum of two other households, but only on Christmas Day (25 December). We cannot see anyone from a Tier 4 area.

However, we are urged to think very carefully about the risks of infection and only form a Christmas Bubble if we feel we absolutely need to. Wherever possible, discuss alternatives to meeting up in person.

Stay safe and don’t take any unnecessary risks – people’s lives depend upon everyone behaving sensibly over the Christmas period.

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Meanwhile, here is our weekly summary of offences and incidents affecting your community, reported to police during the period 16th to 21st December:

Church Street, Old Hurst – Two suspicious vehicles were spotted parked up in a private car-park on Church Street, Old Hurst, on Thursday evening, 17th December. When challenged, the drivers gave an unconvincing reply and drove off, only to be seen stopping again in a layby a short distance away. A police patrol was dispatched and managed to intercept and stop one of the suspect vehicles near Brampton. Checks were made on the vehicle and its driver, and it was seized and towed away when results showed that it had no valid road tax. (Ref CC-17122020-0480)

Fen Road Industrial Estate, Pidley – Thieves stole two cannisters of propane gas from a unit on the Industrial Estate at some time overnight on Thursday 17th / Friday 18th December. (Ref 35/85374/20)

Church Street, Old Hurst – There was an attempted burglary at commercial premises on Church Street, Old Hurst, at around 10:30 pm on Saturday night, 19th December. Staff spotted two suspects behaving suspiciously near to the rear of a building, who fled on foot when challenged. Subsequent checks showed that an attempt had been made to break in to the building, and an abandoned vehicle was also discovered. This was seized by police and taken away for forensic examination. (Ref 35/85849/20)

Lancaster Close, Old Hurst – Intruders damaged a garden fence and a wheelie bin outside a house on Lancaster Close, Old Hurst, late on Saturday evening, 19th December. The damage was discovered when residents heard a noise and looked outside to investigate. (Ref 35/85883/20)

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To see details of Policing Summaries for neighbouring areas, please click on the following link and scroll down the page to select areas of interest:

https://www.ecops.org.uk/alert_archive

Please be aware that these reports do not contain all details of all reported crime. We do not publish details of domestic related offences or anything which may put a person at risk if information regarding the crime was made public.


As always, if you have information relating to any offence, or are concerned about any suspicious activities, please contact police by using any of these methods:

– the ‘101’ non-emergency telephone number;

– the on-line web-chat tool on the new Cambridgeshire Constabulary web-site – click on the green icon;

– Alternatively, you can use ‘Crimestoppers’ to make a report anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or by using their on-line contact form.

Weekly Policing Update – Somersham District – 17/12/2020

Good Afternoon, Somersham District Members –

 
Here is our weekly summary of offences and incidents affecting your community, reported to police during the period 7th to 15th December:

 
St Ives Road, Somersham – Thieves stole a Hitachi digger from a site on St Ives Road on Monday evening, 7th December. It was subsequently located in an abandoned barn in Manea and recovered for forensic analysis. Investigations are continuing. (Ref 35/83135/20)

 
B1040 Somersham Road / Woodhurst Crossroads – Police and an ambulance were called to a collision between a van and a pick-up at the Woodhurst crossroads on the B1040 at 5:45 pm on Tuesday evening, 15th December. One person was reported to be slightly injured. The road was closed for a time whilst recovery services removed the damaged van and debris was cleared from the surface. (Ref CC-15122020-0370)

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To see details of Policing Summaries for neighbouring areas, please click on the following link and scroll down the page to select areas of interest:

https://www.ecops.org.uk/alert_archive
 

Please be aware that these reports do not contain all details of all reported crime. We do not publish details of domestic related offences or anything which may put a person at risk if information regarding the crime was made public.
 
 
As always, if you have information relating to any offence, or are concerned about any suspicious activities, please contact police by using any of these methods:

– the ‘101’ non-emergency telephone number;
– the on-line web-chat tool on the new Cambridgeshire Constabulary web-site – click on the green icon;
– Alternatively, you can use ‘Crimestoppers’ to make a report anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or by using their on-line contact form.

In an emergency, or if you witness a crime in progress, always use ‘999’.

Catalytic Converter Thefts – 07/12/2020

Please be aware there have been a number of catalytic converter thefts across Cambridgeshire in recent months.

Toyotas and Hondas are high on the list with 4x4s and Sprinter vans also popular targets. Thieves are selecting models that have high value metals within the converter.

Using high powered cutting tools they can jack up vehicles and cut out converters within a matter of minutes.

We are urging residents to take precautions as your vehicle may be targeted. To keep your vehicle safe:

– Mark your converter with a unique code so it’s harder for thieves to sell

– Approach your dealership for advice about fitting a Catloc or another protective device

– Park with your exhaust close to a fence, wall or kerb to reduce the risk of theft

– Install a 24-hour dashcam

– Purchase a driveway alarm

– Park in a well-lit area, ideally covered by CCTV

– If your catalytic converter is bolted on, consider having the bolts welded to make removal difficult.

For more advice please follow this link: https://bit.ly/3qsaQjP

Weekly Policing Update – Somersham District – 01/12/2020

Good Afternoon, Somersham District Members –

Here is our weekly summary of offences and incidents affecting your community, reported to police during the period 23rd to 29th November:

 

Covid-19 Update – Post-Lockdown Tier Announcement:
 
The Government has announced that the whole of Cambridgeshire will be in Tier-2 Restrictions, the ‘High Alert’ Level, following the ending of the second lockdown on Wednesday, 2nd December. This means that households cannot mix indoors and the ‘Rule of Six’ applies outdoors.
 
Full details are on the Government website at:
 
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know#high-alert
 
 
St Ives Road, Somersham – Police searched the area around a house on St Ives Road, Somersham, in the early hours of Tuesday 24th November, following a report of an unknown person trying the door handle, entering a garden shed and setting dogs barking. However, all was quiet and no suspicious persons or vehicles were found. (Ref CC-24112020-0014)

 
Fenton Hill, Pidley – One person was taken to hospital with slight injuries following an incident at Fenton Hill on Saturday morning, 28th November, in which a single car left the road and crashed onto its side in a ditch. The road was closed for a short time whilst the emergency services dealt with the situation. (Ref CC-28112020-0068)

To see details of Policing Summaries for neighbouring areas, please click on the following link and scroll down the page to select areas of interest:

https://www.ecops.org.uk/alert_archive
 

Please be aware that these reports do not contain all details of all reported crime. We do not publish details of domestic related offences or anything which may put a person at risk if information regarding the crime was made public.
 
 
As always, if you have information relating to any offence, or are concerned about any suspicious activities, please contact police by using any of these methods:
 

– the ‘101’ non-emergency telephone number;

– the on-line web-chat tool on the new Cambridgeshire Constabulary web-site – click on the green icon;

– Alternatively, you can use ‘Crimestoppers’ to make a report anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or by using their on-line contact form.

In an emergency, or if you witness a crime in progress, always use ‘999’.