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Message from the Nailsea & Villages Neighbourhood Policing Team

We have seen an increase in the number of Burglaries, Vehicle Thefts and Shed Breaks, especially in the Congresbury, Long Ashton, Nailsea and Abbots Leigh areas but this advice is relevant to all areas covered by the Nailsea & Villages Neighbourhood Policing Team (Nailsea/ Backwell & Wrington/ Redwood/ Yeo Vale).

You can help protect your property by taking some basic steps like installing an external PIR lamp which activates when it detects movement, fit a video doorbell which will alert you when someone approaches your property and acts a deterrent because of the evidential video it captures.

Some criminals will burgle a house just to get the car keys. Always keep your vehicle locked, never keep the keys in the vehicle and store them in a hidden place in your property.

We are also aware of an increase in the number of outbuilding break-ins. We would remind you to make sure your outbuildings are secure, especially if you are storing high value items like Bikes, Lawnmowers and other garden machinery.

You can find more advice on many aspects of crime prevention at our crime prevention microsite: http://www.aspolicestaysafe.co.uk

If you are aware of anyone who is vulnerable and likely to be at an increased risk of being a victim of crime, please advise us so we can conduct a welfare check and do a crime prevention survey for them.

If you have any information about individuals involved in criminality in your area, you can contact the team by emailing us directly at: SomNorthNPTNailsea@avonandsomerset.police.uk (do not report crime at this email address), by ringing 101 or using our online reporting system at: https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report.

You can visit our local Neighbourhood Policing Team Webpage, which includes information about the officers who cover your area, see what policing priorities have been set, get crime stats, see any events we are attending and there is a form to make contact with us: https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/your-area.

Attatchment: crime-prevention-handbook.pdf

YACWAG – Jan / Feb 2024 diary dates

Saturday 6th January: Window Wanderland workshop for youth group leaders. 10am – 12noon Yatton Library, High Street, BS49 4HJ and 3 – 5pm Congar’s Cafe, 1, Broad Street, Congresbury, BS49 5DG. Please email contact@yacwag.org.uk to attend.

Saturday 13th January: 10am – 3pm Trees for Climate planting day. Cobthorn Reserve, Congresbury, BS49 5DS. Please bring a spade and work gloves. Let us know you are coming by emailing contact@yacwag.org.uk.

Sunday 14th January: as above, reserve date in case of bad weather or work unfinished.

Thursday 25th January: 7.30pm for 7.45pm start at the Old School Rooms, Station Road (A370) Congresbury, BS49 5DY. “The Belmont Project” – an illustrated talk by Gil Martin, about the local regenerative farming project.

Thursday 15th, Friday 16th and Saturday 17th February: 5.30 – 8.30pm. YACWAG’s Window Wanderland on the theme “Nature as our Neighbour.” Please decorate your street-facing window and leave the lights on to help create an illuminated walking trail for the community.

Thursday 22nd February: 7.30pm for 7.45pm start at Horsecastle Chapel, Horsecastle Farm Road, Yatton, BS49 4QQ. “Round YACWAG’s Reserves” – an update by Richard Croucher. Illustrated talk suitable for those new to YACWAG and those who heard the previous talk some years ago.

Police Appeal after Attempted Burglary in Congresbury

The police has informed us that it is appealing for the public’s help to identify these youths who it like to talk to in connection with an attempted burglary in Congresbury.

Shortly before 2am on Monday 21 August the window of a garage was smashed, however nothing was taken from the property.

The three people the police want to talk to are described as being aged 16 to 20 years old and as wearing dark tracksuits and balaclavas.

If you can help, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5223202213, or complete the online appeals form.

You can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via its Anonymous Online Form.

No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court or have to speak to police when contacting Crimestoppers.

Night Closure of A370

We would like to inform you of the upcoming maintenance work on the A370 Rhodyate Hill, Congresbury, and Main Road, Cleeve, as per the map below. The extent of the closure starts at the junction of Woodhill and ends at the junction with Cleeve Hill Road.

Works are due to start on Monday 27 November 2023 for an anticipated duration of six nights (excluding weekends). To carry out the work safely, we will need to close the road between the hours of 20:00 – 06:00.

Traffic Marshals will be positioned in key locations to assist throughout the duration of the work.

For those travelling Eastbound to Bristol Airport please take the diversion route onto A38 via junction with High Street, Congresbury. For those travelling Westbound to the airport access from the junction with the A370 and Brockley Coombe Road will remain open.

For further diversion route information please follow the link: https://one.network/?tmi=GB28045083

We thank you in advance for your patience while we carry out these works.

Garage Break In – Langford

The police has informed us that a garage was broken into on the 12th at 2:26am in Book Gardens, Langford. The owner was alerted by their video doorbell, where they then observed four males entering via a side doorway. The suspects also checked the owner’s vehicle and tried the rear door of the property, without success. Nothing was stolen from within the garage.

Any information, CCTV images, please contact the Police on 101 quoting reference number: 5223279795 stating NHW. Or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Thank you for your support.

Attachments:

Night Closure of A370

A resident has reported more bad news for people who need to use the A370!

SomersetLive reported that the A370 will be completely closed for 6 nights from November 27th from Cleeve to the bottom of Rhodyate Hill. (Not at weekends.) There is a notice by the roadside if you’re able to read it in passing!

A diversion will apparently be put in place but there’s no info about this on OneNetwork. Nothing yet on the First Bus diversions list either. Considering the hold ups on the A38 by the airport at present a diversionary route will not be a quick one!

The road closure will affect a lot of residents as well as through traffic.

Garage Break In

The police has informed us that a garage at the bottom of the rear garden of a home on Frost Hill in Congresbury was broken into during the night of Monday November the 13th. The locks were sawn off to allow entry and multiple items were stolen, including two Specialized bikes – a black road bike and a white hybrid version. Various gardening and camping equipment were also taken.

If you have any information about this incident, especially CCTV images, please call the police on 101, giving reference number 5223278050 and ask that the call is tagged as NHW. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

CONGARS CAFE INTO THE NEW YEAR

Congars Cafe is hoping to put on more events in the New Year and so as well as the monthly fused glass workshops, we are looking for other craft workshops or groups that would like to make use of the cafe space to put on their workshop or have a regular group meeting.  People can either hire the cafe out of hours or in cafe opening times and catering can be provided by us.

If you are interested then please make contact us on 07715876827 to discuss your needs further. 

Keep your community safe this Halloween

The police has issued a reminder that Halloween can be scary for people who are elderly, vulnerable or live alone. This can mean they are at a higher risk of becoming victims of crime if they feel isolated or alone.

But there are lots of things you can do to help your neighbours feel safe:
  • Start by just saying ‘hello.’Ask if they would like you to check if they are ok on Halloween with either a visit or a call.Ask if they would like you to download and print on of our ‘sorry, no trick or treaters here’ posters below so they can display it in their window.Let neighbours know if you’re planning a party, so they won’t be alarmed.Remind children to respect others’ property and not to call on homes that have the ‘sorry, no trick or treaters here’ poster.

Parents also might want to talk to their children about our safety advice for trick or treaters:

  • Always go trick or treating with an adult.Only go to houses where you or your friends know the residents.Don’t knock on doors where there is a sign saying ‘no trick or treat here’.Stay in areas that are lit with streetlights and take a torch with you just in case.Stay with your friends – don’t split into smaller groups unless an adult goes with you.Throwing eggs and flour at houses causes criminal damage. You could be arrested.Don’t talk to strangers on the street and never enter any house, just stay on the doorstep.Although Halloween is supposed to be spooky, be considerate to those who don’t take part and be careful not frighten vulnerable people.Remember road safety, always look carefully before crossing the road and be visible.

If you’re a shopkeeper:

  • Please remember not to sell eggs or flour to young people and that selling fireworks to under-18s is an offence.

Download and print one of our “Sorry, no trick or treaters” posters here:   Halloween 2023 “Sorry, no trick or treaters” (PDF)

Phone Contract Scams

We have been informrmed by the police that it is seeing an increase in scams where fraudsters are making cold calls, impersonating employees of legitimate mobile network operators and suppliers. The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) have issued the following warning regarding this type of scam.

Please view the attached document for more information.

Attachments:

A370, West Town Road, Backwell – ADVANCED CLOSURE NOTICE X1. Diversion Information from First Bus Website

The A370, West Town Road in Backwell between Station Road and Brockley Combe Road will be closed  to service X1 between 08:00 and 17:00 from Monday 23rd through to Friday 27th October (five days) to facilitate carriageway works.

Service X1 heading towards Weston-super-Mare will be diverted via Colliters Way, A38, Langford to Congresbury traffic lights.

Due to the length of the diversion route and the amount of traffic that will be seeking alternative routes please allow extra time to make your journey.

Please also note there will be overnight closures 20:00 – 06:00 the following week 30th October to 4th November and the same diversion routes and bus stop closures will apply and the web page will be updated to reflect this nearer the time. Please monitor this page for any updates that may be necessary. 

Regretfully the bus stops between and including Jubilee Inn in Long Ashton and Congresbury Bridge will not be served and passengers are advised to board or alight at either Winterstoke Road bus stop in Ashton or the Strawberry Line bus stop in Congresbury. 

Service X1 heading towards Bristol will operate the reverse of the above.

Regretfully the bus stops between and including Tesco in Congresbury and Jubilee Inn in Long Ashton will not be served and passengers are advised to board or alight at either Station Road bus stop in Congresbury or the Blackmoors Lane bus stop in Ashton.

Alternatively, passengers wishing to travel between Backwell and Bristol can board the X8 service.