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PCSOs’ Update Eva Collins reports from your local area W elcome to your monthly eWatch newsletter. We aim to keep you informed about current issues in your area. If you know of anyone that would like to be added to the scheme, please get them to send me an email. If you wish to discuss local policing issues you can email me directly on: eva.collins.01@sussex.pnn.police.uk To report an emergency call - 999 To report a non-emergency call -101 Remember, you can also visit our website at www.sussex.police.uk where you can check local crime information and find out about events taking place in your area. Local priorities – St James Street 1. Cycling Offences. 2. Begging, street drinking and rough sleepers. 3. Drug dealing and drug use. POLICE ADVICE: Protect yourself Walk confidently and be aware of your surroundings. Avoid using personal music player or mobile phones. If carrying a bag, wear it with the flap facing you and with the strap over your arm and head. Never leave a club or pub alone and always let people know where you are. Make travel plans beforehand and try to arrange a lift from someone you know. Have a taxi number to hand and try to use prebooked taxis rather than hailing one. Always sit in the back, behind the driver. On public transport, sit close to the driver or guard and also near to CCTV. Avoid empty areas and if you feel unsafe contact a member of staff. If you have no choice but to walk, never walk along PC Leahy and PC Welsh are our Police Constables who work within the Kemptown team, if you wish to speak with either you can contact them on: PC Andrea Leahy Andrea.leahy@sussex.pnn.police.uk / 07823551769 PC Elaine Welsh Elaine.welsh@sussex.pnn.police.uk / 07766205049 Non Emergency contact number - 101 Follow the local Policing team and LGBT team on twitter: @kemptownpolice @PoliceLGBT The Police LGBT Facebook page: www.facebook.com/brightonlgbtpolice PCSO Eva Collins 32168 Tel: 101 ext 550154 Mobile: 07912 893224 dark shortcuts and always face oncoming traffic. Protect your car Park in a well-lit, busy area and ensure you close your car windows, lock the doors and use a steering lock. Never leave valuables in your car. The glove compartment is likely to be the first place thieves will look. The cost of replacing a smashed window can often cost more than the valuables themselves. Park somewhere that you will feel safe walking back to, remembering that it gets darker much earlier during winter months. Keep purchases out of sight when in the car or at home - if they can be seen they can be stolen. Leave your keys in a secure place. Keys can remain visible in a coat pocket or open bag are easily snatched from them. Protect your home Ensure doors and windows are locked at all times and remember to use your alarm if you have one. Keys, money and phones are a burglar's dream. Keep all such items well out of sight and reach of doors, windows and letterboxes. Intruders use rods to reach bags and keys and use them to enter your home with ease. In one third of burglaries, the thief didn't have to force entry into the home. If you like to display your Christmas tree in your window remember to keep the presents away from prying eyes. Just like anyone else, thieves like to window shop before obtaining their goods. Make your home look occupied by using timer switches on your lights and radios so people think you are in. If you don't have them, ask your neighbours to keep an eye on your home and draw your curtains if you are away. Dispose of packaging carefully. Empty boxes awaiting collection and bins full of packaging are a perfect advert for burglars. Be wary of anyone offering you high price goods at a cut down price, they could be stolen items.