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A Rash of New Crimes - The Police Report

Monday 7 November 2011, 22:54

By Jennifer Maynard PCSO

Damage at St Peter and St Paul's Church Graveyard

On the evening of 31/10/2011, several grave stones were damaged overnight in St Peter and St Paul's Church graveyard, some pushed over and others permanently damaged. As the evening was Halloween, the Wincanton Beat Team was on hi-visibility patrols in the town, targeting anti-social behaviour. This terrible act could not have been foreseen.

PCSO Jenny Maynard says, "I just cannot believe someone could act in this destructive way and see it as acceptable behaviour. Some of the head stones damaged are hundreds of years old, and this damage just demonstrates total disrespect for the dead."

Two Opportunist Burglaries in Wincanton

In the early hours of 2/11/11, two opportunist burglaries took place in the Southgate Drive area of Wincanton. The offenders gained entry initially by using a small, open top window. This method is very similar to other house burglaries that have taken place recently in Wincanton.

Police are investigating all incidents and would encourage members of the public to be aware of persons acting suspiciously in and around residential areas and to report these immediately to the police.

PCSO Jenny Maynard says "It is essential that home owners check all windows and doors are secure and locked at all times, especially ground floor rooms. If you notice neighbours' windows open please remind them to keep them secure, we need to work together as a community to prevent any further upset and unrest that these burglaries have caused. I am asking the community to come forward with any information regarding these incidents."

Police are appealing for anyone with any information regarding this any of these crimes to contact them on 101 or you can call Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name and never trace your call.

Comments

Dan Dare
Posts: 1

Re: A Rash of New Crimes - The Police Report
Reply #1 on : Thu November 10, 2011, 15:48:15

Where is the policeman on the beat?

Victor Meldrew
Posts: 1

Re: A Rash of New Crimes - The Police Report
Reply #2 on : Fri November 11, 2011, 12:57:29

I agree. I know that they do the best they can, but I saw more police at Burnham Carnival than I have seen in a year! I`ve said before, I remember when we not only had a station, but enough to man it properly! We also had a Sgt that was seen and known to all.

Last Edit: November 11, 2011, 12:58:44 by Victor Meldrew

YokelLocal
Posts: 1

It's a bit of a joke...
Reply #3 on : Tue November 15, 2011, 17:05:21

I'm sorry to wave the tiny flag of resistance, but I feel extremely let down by the police in Wincanton. This is for many reasons which I'll hopefully try to summise quickly...

I live in an area in Wincanton that has had a recent spat of appalling crimes for which very little police action has resulted. This includes vandalism and drunken, agressive, threatening behaviour from a known, select, few. Thankfully not all these have occured simultaneously(!) however, these people although known to the police, are just laughing at them. Literally.

I've had the police banging down the door of my next-door neighbours at 2.30am with no regards whatsoever for concerned neighbours, many with small children who have been woken up by this. I'm not saying they cannot do their job - far from it, but having your 6 year-old tell you word-for-word what these 'police men were talking about outside' the next morning makes for interesting conversation.

Most worryingly, last week I was out in Wincanton for a friends work leaving do. I bowed out early and ventured from the Red Lion up to the top of town near Capelli's where my car was parked. On my journey I saw two uniformed officers (good to see, by the way) having a good ol' laugh and joke with a gaggle of very drunk women outside the White Horse pub (not so good to see, by the way). They were trying their hats on and having a jolly old time. 'Great' I though. Nice to see my taxes are going towards a relentless and tireless force. Within minutes I was confronted with (yet another) drunken exchange outside Uncle Toms which, by the time I got there, had quickly escalated into a full blown brawl. Where were the police? Nearby? Ready to jump to action? Nope. They were exchanging fashion tips down the road. It was up to ME to inform them of what was going on, nearly 100-200 yards up the road.

I walked home a little aghast and worried what would have happened had I not intervened.

I too remember a police force that were recognised and constantly seen. One which was respected well throughout. Sadly, it seems those days are long gone.

A Rash of New Crimes - The Police Report

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