News and Events
Newsletters
Date added: 3 May 2008
Just a reminder to members that we publish two Newsletters per year, in June and December. The next edition will be delivered by co-ordinators soon after the next co-ordinators' meeting on Thursday 5 June 2008. Read the latest crime trends, learn about the pedlar's certificate, get the latest on neighbourhood policing, spot suspicious persons, note good practice in one of our schemes and pick up some safety tips - it's all there!
Volunteers wanted Saturday 14 June 2008
Date added: 29 April 2008
Volunteers! Can you please spare just one hour on Saturday 14 June to help on the NW stall at Bingham Fair? The role will involve handing out literature and selling raffle tickets and security items. The time can be arranged to suit you, any time within the 9.00am and 4.00pm period. Please contact either Mick Walker (875298 or g.walker18@ntlworld.com) or Kay Howells (875031 or w.howells2@ntlworld.com).
Raffle prizes would also be greatly appreciated, so please contact Mick, above, if you wish to donate a prize(s).
Many thanks for any help you can give!
Ringmaster messages
Date added: 4 April 2008
We remind you that you can see some of the recent Ringmaster messages by visiting our ‘Crime data’ page and clicking on ‘Ringmaster alerts’.
Useful information
Date added: 4 April 2008
You can access
a great deal of useful information on issues such as crime statistics,
bogus callers, scams, safety, Home Office packs and many other matters
from the Neighbourhoodwatch.net website. To visit their site,
click on the National Neighbourhood Watch logo on the left-hand side
of this page (below the Butter Cross image) and then select their ‘resources’
page, which contains many links.
UK National Neighbourhood Trust website
Date added: 20 March 2008
The UK National Neighbourhood Trust website, neighbourhoodwatch.net
is at www.neighbourhoodwatch.net
The site is well worth a visit to learn what is happening nationally
in Neighbourhood Watch matters. Also, if you key in ‘Bingham’
in the top left hand corner of their home page and click on ‘Search
this site’ you’ll see the details for our Group. Under
‘Article Title’, click on ‘Smart thinking ……’
and you’ll see the national publicity we received for our SmartWater
project. For future visits to this national site, you can access
the website quickly from the Bingham Neighbourhood Watch site by clicking
on the Neighbourhood Watch logo on the bottom left of our homepage.
Report of co-ordinators' meeting 6 March 2008
Date added: 16 March 2008
31 co-ordinators attended our quarterly meeting at The Old Court House on 6 March 2008, chaired by Gordon Sanders. It was reported that four new schemes had been launched: Rowan Close, Trefoil Close, Copeland Grove and Long Acre East. Our guest speaker was Local Area 
Commander Jeff Haywood, who spoke about Bingham crime rates, Safer Neighbourhood Policing and the proposed Local Area Group (LAG). Jeff also outlined two current priorities the police were addressing: vehicle-related nuisance and alcohol-related antisocial behaviour. Beat Manager John Kneale spoke to the February crime sheet, which showed 23 offences, and answered members’ questions. Both Jeff and John stressed the need for residents to report incidents. Jane Best organised the raffle, which raised £26, while Bob Garland reported on SmartWater and Bingham’s success in winning the UK’s ‘Group of the Month’ award for January 2008, for which we had received a framed certificate and document shredder. Mick Walker expressed thanks to all who had helped at December’s Christmas Fair and requested prizes and help for the forthcoming Summer Fair in June 2008. Gordon Sanders offered to continue as Chair until the AGM in December 2008. Items under Any Other Business included: security items for sale; LAG volunteers; Community Concern; monthly crime sheets; the banner (see picture); and SmartWater sales. The next meeting was fixed for Thursday 5 June 2008.
Another new scheme launched
Date added: 22 February 2008
The Bingham scheme continues to expand and we congratulate David Boxer and his neighbours for launching a new scheme on Copeland Grove on 21 February 2008. It’s great to see Copeland re-launched after being in abeyance for several years. Neighbourhood Watch Support Worker, Wendy Morris, handed out the welcome packs and explained the purpose and benefits of Neighbourhood Watch, while Gordon Sanders, Chairman of Bingham Neighbourhood Watch, outlined the work and achievements of the Bingham scheme. Special thanks go to David for taking on the co-ordinator’s role, and we know he’ll enjoy the support of all residents. We wish the scheme every possible success.
Next co-ordinators' meeting 5 June 2008
Date amended: 14 March 2008
Please note that the next co-ordinators' meeting will be held on Thursday 5 June 2
008 at 7.30pm at The Old Court House, Church Street, Bingham. Our guest speaker will be Shaun O'Sullivan from Trading Standards who, amongst other things, will talk about dealing with doorstep callers. New or intending co-ordinators will be made very welcome.
Note: Doorknockers selling such things as pictures,
dusters, cleaning materials, etc must hold a pedlar's
certificate. A person who acts without a pedlar's
certificate commits an offence and should be reported to the police.
National 'Group of the Month' award
Date updated: 24 January 2008
We're delighted and proud
to report that, against stiff competition, Bingham has been chosen as 
the Neighbourhoodwatch.net 'Group of the Month' for January 2008 for our innovative work on the SmartWater Project. You can read more about this award by visiting their website at www.neighbourhoodwatch.net
The judges described our work as 'ground breaking'.
The competition is open to all the 170,000 Neigbourhood Watch groups in the country and Bingham was on a short-list of ten groups that were put forward to the judging panel. The competition has been running for the past year with the generous support of ACCO Rexel who provide each winner with the prize of a top-of-range Rexel Prostyle Shredder. We also received a framed certificate from Neighbourhoodwatch.net. There is also an article about this on the 'News and Publications' page of Rushcliffe Borough Council's website at www.rushcliffe.gov.uk
Congratulations to everbody concerned.
Note:
A new supply of SmartWater is now in stock and still available to member households at £10. Just contact your co-ordinator to place your order or, if you need the contact details, ring 838871.
Rising crime levels in Bingham
Date added: 13 December 2007
Bingham crime levels have more than doubled this autumn over the corresponding months last year. September 2006 saw 22 recorded crimes, but in September 2007 there were 51, an increase of 132%. In November 2006 there were 31 offences, but November 2007 - our worst ever month - saw 76 offences, an increase of 145% over the previous year. The full monthly crime sheet is accessible from our 'Crime data' page. Please stay vigilant at all times, particularly for damage to fences, garage burglary, dwelling burglary and theft from vehicles. If you need advice on security and crime prevention, don't hesitate to contact Bingham Police Station on 0115 940 0999 ext 6261.
Stall at Bingham Fair Friday 7 December 2007
Date added: 9 December 2007
Our stall at Bingham Fair on Friday 7 December
– under the watchful eye of organiser Mick Walker – was
a great success, despite the early lighting problem in the marquee.
We’re grateful to everyone who visited the stall and bought raffle
tickets and security items. Special thanks are due to Mick Walker
for all his preparation and for manning the stall so enthusiastically
from start to finish. Mick w
as
assisted on the stall by Wendy Morris, Neighbourhood Watch Support Worker,
and by his wife Maureen and daughter Dianne, together with co-ordinators
Anne and John Perkins, Bob Garland and Kay Howells. We especially
thank all those co-ordinators who donated the many attractive raffle
prizes, shown in the photo. The raffle raised a very commendable £154
for central funds. Last, but by no means least, we warmly congratulate
and thank all the children of Carnarvon School who made the many posters
that were mounted over the stall. Well done to everyone concerned,
and we’re already thinking ahead to the summer Fair.
Thinking of starting a Bingham scheme?
Date added: 9 December 2007
Are
you thinking about starting a Bingham scheme but not sure how to proceed?
It's easy! Just contact us at mail@bingham-watch.com
or call 838871 and give us your name and
phone number. We'll call you back to explain the process. Each scheme
will need a co-ordinator, whose role is neither onerous nor time-consuming,
and we'll be pleased to assign an experienced co-ordinator as mentor,
if requested, for the early weeks or months in the role. Click here
to see the role
of a co-ordinator.
Newsletter December 2007
Date
added: 6 December 2007
To
see our December 2007 Newsletter, click here
Two
new schemes launched 14 November 2007
Date
added: 15 November 2007
Bingham NW
continues to expand, with two new schemes launched at the Old Court
House on 14 November. We congratulate Stewart McFadyen and Alan Tyler
as the new co-ordinators for Rowan Close and Trefoil Close, respectively.
Stewart's deputy on Rowan Close is Tara Rice, while Rob Scott has kindly
offered to be Alan's deputy on Trefoil Close. Approximately 20 residents
attended the launch event chaired by Gordon Sanders, who spoke about
the Bingham scheme and the security items available at discount prices.
Wendy Morris, NW Support Worker, distributed welcome packs, outlined
their contents, and spoke about SmartWater . Bob Garland outlined the
special discount deal we are offering on SmartWater . Sgt Zoe Hallam
represented the Police and answered questions on policing matters. We
thank Stewart and Alan for their initiative and wish them and their
members every success with their new schemes.
SmartWater
project - latest situation
Date updated: 18 December 2007
Sales of SmartWater
have gone superbly well and we have now sold out our stock of 300 vials.
We'll order further vials to meet demand, as required. We thank
and congratulate all members who have bought at the 'give-away' price
of £10, 
and
offer warmest thanks to all co-ordinators who have taken orders and
delivered vials to their scheme members. We continue to take orders
and you still have the opportunity to buy at £10. So delay
no longer if you wish to take advantage of our special £10 deal.
Contact your co-ordinator to order your SmartWater
or, if you don't know his/her contact details, then ring 838871.
Remember, this is a limited offer that will expire when our funding
runs out, after which – assuming you are in an active Neighbourhood
Watch scheme – you can still buy at £15, as explained in the leaflet
that we have posted to our members. Think about it - SmartWater would
also make a nice little Christmas gift, so if you have
relatives or friends who live in a Bingham Neighbourhood Watch scheme,
why not buy them a SmartWater vial, remembering of course that they
– as the householders – must be the persons whose names and addresses
are recorded on the registration form.
SmartWater
at 78% discount
Date
amended: 1 October 2007
See SmartWater Task
Group item of 6 August 2007 (below) before reading this item.
The Bingham co-ordinators, at their meeting on 6 September 2007, approved
in full the recommendations of the SmartWater Task Group. Thanks to
the generous support of Bingham 
Town
Council (£500), Miller Homes (£250) and Cllr Martin Suthers
from his Electoral Division Initiatives Fund (£500) – with further
donations promised from other sources – we are now offering SmartWater
at a big discount to Neighbourhood Watch scheme households, until such
time as resources prevent further discounts. 
We
are planning a letter-drop to all scheme households at the start of
October 2007, with an explanation of SmartWater and a reply slip for
placing orders. SmartWater retails to the general public at £45
per vial, but Neighbourhood Watch scheme members can normally buy it
for £15, a massive discount of 67%. However, due to the donations
referred to above and with a major contribution from our own funds (£500),
we are now offering it to our scheme members on a first come first served
basis at just £10, a further discount of 33% on the £15
figure and a 78% discount on the £45 price. Please note: this
deal is available only to members of an active Neighbourhood Watch scheme.
Households not in Neighbourhood Watch must purchase at £45 if
they require SmartWater. So please look out for your October letter,
accompanied by a blue leaflet that describes how SmartWater works. The
group photo shows Cllr Martin Suthers (second left) presenting a cheque
for £500 to Gordon Sanders, Chair (right), with Chris Trivett,
Treasurer (centre). Kay Howells, Secretary, is on the left, with Bob
Garland, Leader of SmartWater Task Group (second right). The SmartWater
vial on the right is 10.5 cm long by 1.5 cm diameter and comes with
easy-to-follow instructions and warning labels to deter would-be burglars.
Note:
Orders must be placed through your scheme co-ordinator. if you
don't know your co-ordinator's address, please ring 838871.
Training
courses for Neighbourhood Watch volunteers
Date
added: 24 August 2007
Nottinghamshire County
Council, Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue, Nottinghamshire
Community Safety Trust and Nottinghamshire Police have collaborated
to develop and offer a range of free training courses for Neighbourhood
Watch volunteers at venues across the county. The courses will be delivered
by Nottinghamshire Police and the training is accredited by the National
Open College Network. Successful learners will receive a nationally-recognised
certificate. All courses involve either 1 Day or 2 Half Days attendance.
The 3 different courses available are:
Personal
Safety Training: on various dates between
15 September 2007 and 23 January 2008
Safety
in the Home: on various dates between
27 October 2007 and 24 February 2008
Crime
and Technology: on various dates between
25 November 2007 and 9 March 2008.
For more information
or to reserve your place, please contact Rachael Green , by e-mailing
nhwproject1@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk
or by phoning 0115 967 2606 (24-hour answer service
if Rachael is not available to take your call).
SmartWater Task Group
Date
updated: 6 August 2007
SmartWater is a forensic
marking liquid that contains a unique serial number in each vial. It
has been proven to reduce burglary rates. It is painted invisibly on
to valuables and acts as a ‘forensic 
finger-print' – a DNA-like chemical code – which guarantees that stolen
property can be returned to its rightful owner; moreover, it links burglars
to the crime scene. Typically, it can be used to mark audio/visual equipment,
jewellery, cameras, mobile phones, sat navs , golf clubs, laptops, etc.
Members of Bingham Neighbourhood Watch can now buy vials at £15
each by phoning John Lennard at RUNWAY on 07982 130 405. However, we
have established a SmartWater Task Group, which is currently examining
how SmartWater can be introduced across Bingham in a co-ordinated and
cost-effective manner. Street signs will warn potential burglars that
SmartWater is being used in those streets. The task group is also exploring
ways to offer it to our members at even greater discounts than the present
£15. These are early days in our work, but we hope that by September
or October 2007 we shall be in a position to provide more information
on buying SmartWater at reduced rates. We are very grateful to all those
members who have kindly participated in our sample survey to gauge the
anticipated level of overall demand for SmartWater; your responses will
help to shape our forward planning.
New Local Area Commander: Insp Jeff Haywood
Date added: 20 June 2007
Our
new Local Area Commander (LAC) is Inspector Jeff Haywood, who took up
his post at Bingham Police Station on 11 June 2007. Inspector Haywood
took over from Inspector Glenn Harper who, on his promotion to Chief
Inspector, moved to the Bassetlaw, Newark and Sherwood Division. We
wish Inspector Haywood every success in his new post and look forward
to the same close working partnership with him that we enjoyed with
his predecessor.
NW stall at Bingham Fair 9 June 2007
Date added: 13 June 2007
Our stall at Bingham Fair on Saturday 9 June 2007 was a great success,
thanks to organiser Mick Walker and his team of helpers – and the glorious
weather. Special thanks are due, not only to 
Mick,
but also to Kay and her family for decorating the stall with balloons
and posters made by the children of Carnarvon School, and to all those
who staffed the stall, sold raffle tickets and security items, and answered
questions from the public: Suzanne, Chris, Pat, Barbara, Fiona, Cheryl,
Terry, Elsie, Pete, Anne and Jane. There was much interest in SmartWater,
which Bingham Neighbourhood Watch is currently exploring; and more information
will be available later. We're especially grateful to everyone who collected
and donated raffle prizes, and to all those who 
supported
us by buying tickets. 31 raffle prizes were donated, from wine to vouchers
for children's clothing. The raffle raised an excellent £162.50
to help towards our admin costs. Bingham Police also deserve special
mention for kindly booking and paying for the stall. So, congratulations
and thanks to everyone who contributed, with special thanks to Mick
Walker who generously organised and co-ordinated the whole event. Mick's
final comment: “Well done everyone! Look out for us again at the Christmas
Fair!”
New Commander for South Notts Division
Date added: 24 May 2007
Chief Supt Joh
n
Busuttil (pictured) has taken over as the temporary new Divisional Commander
for South Notts Division. He replaces Peter Moyes who moved to the City
Division earlier this month. Supt Mike Manley has also returned to the
South Notts Division as Superintendent Operations. Chief Supt Busuttil
says: “We are working hard to put the criminal on the back foot and
I expect my officers to go out of their way to challenge those that
have a disregard for the law. I expect officers to tackle anti-social
behaviour to help improve the quality of life for the community. I want
to deliver a service that we are all proud of, that understands you
as an individual and meets your needs. I look forward to building on
the strong partnerships in the area and working with dedicated teams
of police officers and police staff, which you can support through a
range of activities by joining neighbourhood watch schemes, becoming
a volunteer or working closely with your local police officer to tackle
the issues that are important to you.”
Ringmaster messages
Date added: 4 April 2007
We have now
started to include key Ringmaster messages on our site. These
messages come from Rushcliffe Community Watch, based at West Bridgford
Police Station. To see the latest alerts visit our 'Crime data'
page and click on 'Ringmaster alerts'.
The page will show you how to receive your own Ringmaster messages,
by e-mail or phone.
Chairperson sought
Date added: 23 March 2007
Are you the person for us? We are currently seeking a Chairperson to
chair our quarterly meetings of co-ordinators, to represent and act
as spokesperson for our scheme, to liaise with our key partners, notably
the police, and to co-ordinate the general running of this award-winning
scheme. You will be fully supported by very capable and experienced
colleagues, including a Secretary, a Treasurer and experienced Vice-Chairman,
plus many others willing to help. Ideally, you should have basic management
experience and be on e-mail. If you are interested and would like more
information about the role, please don't hesitate to email us at mail@bingham-watch.com or phone 01949 838871.
Certificate of Achievement award 19 March 2007
Date added: 21 March 2007
Great news!
Bingham NW was awarded RUNWAY's Certificate of Achievement award at
the Rushcliffe Civic Centre on Monday 19 March 2007. Eight Bingham co-ordinators
represented us at the ceremony. The award is ‘in recognition of 
outstanding
accomplishments and contributions towards the Neighbourhood Watch movement'.
Our achievements in 2006 included: the launch of our new website; our
new pull-up banner; our new letter heads; the partnerships we have fostered;
our activities to expand the scheme, including leaflet drops, stalls
at two Bingham Fairs and our regular Butter Cross articles; the knowledge
we have gained from visiting speakers; and the overall enthusiasm and
efforts of our co-ordinators. We congratulate and warmly thank everyone
who has contributed to this award: a great team effort by co-ordinators,
members and partner organisations, including the police, Hammond Harwood,
SURE 24, Bingham Town Council and the staff at Bingham Library.
The ramed certificate is now proudly hanging in the reception area of
Bingham Police Station, courtesy of Insp Glenn Harper.
The
photo shows (left to right): Peter Savage, Angelo Squitieri (Chairman
of RUNWAY), Bob Garland (Acting Chairman, holding certificate), Gordon
Sanders, Cllr John Cranswick (Mayor of Rushcliffe), Terry Sentance,
Chris Trivett, Cheryl Sentance, Elsie Murray, Maria Wake and Local Area
Commander, Insp Glenn Harper.
Donation
from Hammond Harwood
Date
added: 9 March 2007
We are indebted
to Bingham Estate Agent Hammond Harwood for their sponsorship and the
invaluable support they give to Bingham Neighbourhood Watch. At our
quarterly co-ordinators' meeting on 8 March 2007, Jonathan 
Hammond
donated a further cheque for £200 in recognition of 8 properties
in Neighbourhood Watch schemes sold through Hammond Harwood at £25
per household. Acting Chairman Bob Garland said: “These donations from
Hammond Harwood contribute significantly towards our administrative
costs and we are greatly appreciative of their work in the Bingham community.”
Jonathan Hammond commented, "Without doubt, one of the highlights
of my time as an Estate Agent is visiting local organisations to present
them with our 'Two Aitches in the Community' Sponsorship Donations.
Bingham's Neighbourhood Watch is highly deserving of the £200
donation and I am sure that the money will be used wisely to assist
the hard work put in by those associated with the Watch, which is
appreciated by all Binghamites. Hammond Harwood has pledged that, for
every ouse sale we achieve on a road covered by the Watch, we will make
a donation of £25; it's another of the ways we can put something
back into our local Community".
The photo shows
Jonathan Hammond (left) presenting the cheque to our Treasurer Chris
Trivett, watched by Crime Reduction Manager Bob Vaughan-Newton (right)
and a group of co-ordinators.
Newsletter items welcomed
Date added: 18 December
2006
Our Newsletter
is delivered twice yearly by street co-ordinators - in July and December
- to all scheme households. We welcome articles for inclusion in the
Newsletter, ideally 60 - 100 words. If you have any contributions for
consideration, please email these to mail@bingham-watch.com
Thank you.
Security
products at discount prices
Date added:
12 December 2006
Residents in
Bingham Neighbourhood Watch schemes are able to buy security devices
at 
significant
discounts. Your order, with cash, should be placed through your scheme
co-ordinator, who will submit it to our security Co-ordinator Gordon
Sanders. If unsure of your co-ordinator's name, please ring 838871.
Typical items available include: shed alarm (£6), key-ring alarm
with torch (£3), panic alarm (£4), window alarm (£2.50),
glass contact vibrator alarm (£4), door viewer (£1.50) and
door bar (£2). The shed alarm has been particularly popular with
members. The picture shows Security Co-ordinator Gordon Sanders, who
is also co-ordinator for The Paddock, as well as our former Vice-Chairman.
Beware distraction
burglars! Recent Ringmaster messages have again highlighted this
mean-spirited crime and the loss and anguish it causes, with late-June
offences in Radcliffe-on-Trent, West Bridgford and Normanton-on-Soar.
Offenders played various deception roles: asking for drinks; pretending
to investigate leaks; and purporting to be from the water board.
Cash and jewellery were key targets. In other instances, when ID
was requested, the would-be burglars departed. The key messages
are: beware any stranger seeking access to your property; always insist
on seeing proof of identity; get a good description of the caller (gender,
age, skin colour, hair colour, height, build, clothing, voice/accent and
other distinguishing features such as earrings, rings, tattoos, etc);
if in any doubt refuse entry; watch that callers you turn away don’t
go on to target elderly/vulnerable neighbours; and if you believe the
callers are not genuine then call Bingham Police on 0115 940 0999 ext
6261, with details of the place and time of the incident,
and the description of the suspect(s). Let’s ensure that Bingham
is no haven for such criminals.
Shops and other
small businesses in Bingham, some of which are members of our scheme (though
this is not a requirement), are invited to apply for a grant to improve
the physicalsecurity of their premises. Click here
for more details. If you know the owner of a shop or other small business,
please let him/her know about this opportunity. Thank you.
As
a visitor to our site, you might like to sign our new Guestbook which
can be accessed from our 'Contact Us' page.
One
of our key objectives is to promote and expand Neighbourhood Watch in
Bingham. Using a range of tactics - including targeted letter drops, newspaper
articles, stalls at Bingham Fair, regular features in the monthly Bingham
Butter Cross magazine and word of mouth, and with strong police support
- we have increased membership over recent years to well over a third
of all Bingham households, which far exceeds the national average. However,
we aim to expand even more and we welcome any ideas you may have to encourage
more households to join the scheme. If you have any strategies or tactics
that you would like the management team to consider then please don't
hesitate to offer us your feedback. Please click 
Thanks
to the support of Inspector Glenn Harper and joint funding from the Rushcliffe
Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (RCDRP) and from Bingham Town Council,
we now possess a new impressive pull-up banner with carrying case that will
be used as a backdrop whenever we’re promoting Neighbourhood Watch.
We’re extremely grateful to the RCDRP and to the Town Council for
their generous support. The banner is available to existing co-ordinators
or to anyone wishing to publicise the Neighbourhood Watch movement in Bingham.
For more information about the banner, email us at 
