Watch out for hare coursers
this weeks update from james.gilchrist@essex.pnn.police.uk
http://www.essex.police.uk/

I have been having lots of reports of hare coursers lately but by the time we get out there they have long gone, they have a four wheel drive and lurcher dogs, this is a potentially a big problem at the moment as they do not care who's field they are on and they may be travelling up and down the county and may be spreading disease as they go. they keep appearing on land between Stock and the Tye but have been seen asfar as Marg.

Burglary and Garden Machinery Theft Warning

Stock and the surrounding area has been targeted by a group of thieves. A significant amount of garden machinery has been stolen, and in one instance, the householder who disturbed the perpetrators, was assaulted. One vehicle, believed to have been used in connection with these thefts, is a white, drop-side, Transit van with trailer. The thefts have been taking place during the day. The perpetrators usually check for the presence of the occupier of the premises before carrying out the theft.

Please be especially alert to the intentions of cold callers. We have also had a spate of what we call artifice burglaries. This is when a person pretends to be someone else ie window cleaner or gas man in order to gain entry into a home, they have even pretended to be police officers. Please, Please, Please ask for ID. Any information on cold call window cleaners may also be useful. They may be using very smart looking vehicles - don't be fooled by this.

If you have any information or observe any suspicious activity, please contact PC Jason Burnham on 01245 490296 or james.gilchrist@essex.pnn.police.uk. However small or innocent the cold call seems, do not hesitate to call the police, these villains are very plausible and seem very respectable on the surface. If you do not feel it is an emergency, just note descriptions, number plates and things said, it may be useful!