This is the first column from myself – T/Inspector Mark Edwards, for 2016 and I would like to start by wishing everyone a very happy new year and hope that you all had a festive Christmas. As I type this it’s the first week of January and it’s back to business as usual (the mince-pies are already a distant memory!).
We’re experiencing some pretty horrendous weather at the moment with all of this rainfall and from a Policing perspective we are seeing a number of road traffic collisions as a result. Please take extra care when driving, don’t attempt to drive through long stretches of flood water (especially where there are warning signs advising against such action!), and keep your distances from the vehicle in front. Wet road surfaces do not make for ideal driving conditions – and even worse for sudden braking manoeuvers.
For those who follow the Neighbourhood Police Team’s Facebook page you may have seen a post from 30th December 2015 where the NPT announced a forthcoming ‘POP IN PACT’ session that will be held in the Town Centre on 20th January between 2 pm and 5 pm. Further details will be announced closer to the time but this session is aimed at giving local residents the opportunity to ‘pop in’ and speak to members of the team – possibly in-between shopping, about any issues they may be having or to get some crime prevention advice. The forum will take place at the former ‘Select’ Unit.
Between 4.30pm on Monday 4th January 2016 and 7.30 am on Tuesday 5th unknown person/s have entered a house on Greathead Crescent – believed via the rear door, and taken a set of vehicle keys for a white 5 door Hyundai I10 which they have then stolen. This is what we call a ‘2 in 1’ burglary. On Tuesday afternoon the same vehicle was located by Police on Kings Drive in the town with minor damage found to it. Newton Aycliffe CID are appealing for any witnesses or for anyone with information to come forward to assist with the investigation and can be contacted via 101, or via the Neighbourhood Police Team’s Facebook/Twitter pages quoting reference number DHM-05012016-0072.
Between 1030 pm on Tuesday 5th January 2016 and 0750 am on Wednesday 6th a black Peugeot 107 was broken into on Oakfield where the suspect has forced entry by smashing the front passenger window. A £5 note was stolen from the centre console. You will recall perhaps from previous columns that I have outlined some simple measures to help deter opportunist criminals from carrying out acts of this nature – I will again reiterate, do not leave items on display in your vehicles! If you have any information relating to this crime, the reference number is DHM-06012016-0052.
That’s all for now, until next time. Stay safe.
Mark J Edwards
Neighbourhood Inspector