Autumn - Hampshire Constabulary
Transcription
Autumn - Hampshire Constabulary
Project Kraken Newsletter Strengthening our borders Crime & Counter Terrorist Strategy Protecting the waters of the Solent September 2012 SEPTEMBER 2012 NEWSLETTER THE NEW FLEET HAS ARRIVED COMMANDER — Our 12 metre catamaran built by South Boats will act as our command vessel providing a large, stable working platform and providing us with the capability to patrol effectively further offshore for several days at a time if required. PREVENTER — Our 11.1 metre launch supplied by Lochin is a versatile vessel capable of speeds approaching 30 knots and manoeuvrable enough to enter all our marinas and sailing clubs whilst out on patrol. PROTECTOR — One of two 7.9 metre Rigid Inflatable Boats supplied by Ribcraft. PROTECTOR has a front helming position and has been designed with personnel transfer in mind so we can transport firearms and support teams safely at speed. PURSUER — Like PROTECTOR, PURSUER is fitted with twin Mercury Verado 200hp engines and capable of speeds well in excess of 40 knots. PURSUER has a rear helm configuration and less seating providing a large foredeck area for equipment or from which to board. T: 101 or 999 in emergency E: project.kraken@hampshire.pnn.police.uk W: www.hampshire.police.uk/kraken Project Kraken Newsletter Strengthening our borders Crime & Counter Terrorist Strategy Protecting the waters of the Solent September 2012 CRIME REVIEW July 2012 In what we used to call the summer month of July we had 80 incidents reported to us, 48 of which were recordable crime. Nearly 20 incidents were reports of anti social behaviour which range from youths swimming to unlawful fishing and noisy jet skis. A further 8 reports were reports of suspicious activity at various locations around our coast. There were 11 outboard motors stolen during July, six of which were under 4hp which owners had left on their dinghies. We also had three larger outboards stolen from boats ashore which were targeted in the same time frame. Enquiries reveal that at least one of the engines has appeared on an internet sales site in Poland, supporting the belief that UK outboards are being targeted by organised criminals from Eastern Europe. It is known that these criminals will spend time researching what to steal often several days ahead of actually committing the thefts, so let us know if you spot anything odd. We are particularly interested in transit-sized vans seen in or near to marinas and boatyards and would ask that you try to record registration numbers at every opportunity. Mid July saw the start of two crime trends, one on the River Hamble and the other on the River Itchen. Both of these trends centred on the theft of dinghies and generally small outboards, read our Summer Success stories (page 5) for updates on police action. August 2012 As the great British summer continued we had 114 reported incidents of which 76 were crimes. Complaints of anti social behaviour remained similar to the previous month and we had 14 reports of suspicious activity. T: 101 or 999 in emergency E: project.kraken@hampshire.pnn.police.uk The crime trends that were emerging in the previous month grew more apparent in August with 8 reports of outboard stolen from the River Itchen, all around America Wharf and another 5 outboards from boats on the Hamble. In addition there were 5 dinghies with outboards stolen along the Hamble River. On a couple of occasions people were seen or disturbed usually in the very late evening or early hours. There were 6 other boats broken into whilst unattended on mid river moorings. We sent out a Project Kraken Bulletin alerting people to this and PC Mark Arnold along with other local officers conducted more patrols and communicated directly to the Hamble Project Kraken members via e mail. We are please to report that the safer neighbourhoods team in Hamble had a number of great results in combating this trend, some of which are included in the ‘Summer Successes’ (page 5). There were a few reported incidents on the River Medina, bearing in mind this month included various major events including Cowes week, a couple of dinghies went missing from the area of The Folly Inn and marinas in West Cowes. In the east a Nab Pilot dory was taken from Eastney and although it was recovered many items had been taken from it including an outboard, fish finder and several fishing rods 44120323070 refers. We are still having kayaks and canoes stolen and in the main they are difficult to identify but they do hold their price in the second hand market which makes them attractive to steal. All of them are sold with unique serial numbers and when buying a second hand model it is always advisable to ask the seller for paper certification of the serial number. Project Kraken Newsletter Strengthening our borders Crime & Counter Terrorist Strategy Protecting the waters of the Solent September 2012 CRIME REVIEW An Orkney 14 called Marietta was taken from Ventnor 44120327402 refers. The boat was on a blue trailer secured with a wheel clamp in a council boat bay. The wheel clamp was cut off the trailer using bolt-croppers and there have been no further sightings of it since — we suspect it is still on the Island somewhere. A grey 5.7 Ribeye rib was also stolen from a locked compound in Northney Marina where it was being stored on its trailer. It is marked with SSR124382 and has a Yamaha 100 hp fourstroke engine. 44120352631 refers. September 2012 Moving into the long awaited Indian summer things quietened down somewhat and we had 62 reported incidents of which just over 20 were complaints of anti-social behaviour, concern for welfare or reports of suspicious activity. There were 33 crime reports during the month The proactive work of the local officers in Hamble and Warsash seemed to put a stop to the crime incidents on the Hamble and there were no new reports of any problems during the entire month following a significant arrest in the first few days of the month in response to the theft of a dinghy at Deacons Boatyard – great news and well done to officers who put a lot of time and effort in to help the local marine community! There were four outboard motors stolen in a burglary in Brockenhurst and if you are offered a Mariner or Tohatsu engine with a post code SO41 3PR on it, get in touch. It would be helpful to us if you do this discreetly without arousing the suspicions of the seller but we would always ask that you avoid putting yourself at risk in attempting to help. T: 101 or 999 in emergency E: project.kraken@hampshire.pnn.police.uk Thieves stole a boat from a garden in Gosport and although a witness alerted police and the boat was located nearby, the outboard had been taken. The great efforts of Southampton officers in tackling crime on the River Itchen also had a significant impact on criminal activity in the area and only one further report was made to police of a boat broken into mid river where tools and navigation aids were taken. The other crime was spread all around the two Counties. On the Medina, Cowes up to the Folly, be on the look out for a Seago 270 called Tippy (photo is likeness only). A chart plotter was stolen from a yacht on Beaulieu River, a red and white Parker dinghy called Tern fitted with a 9.8 Tohatsu is missing in Langstone Harbour and a 2.7 Avon Redcrest dinghy from Portchester. A grey Linder 440 aluminium open boat (photo is a likeness only) fitted with a 4hp Yamaha outboard was stolen from Lymington, these are pretty distinctive boats so let us know if you come across it, quoting 44120378770. We are now entering the autumn/winter period and we would normally expect crime numbers to drop along with the temperatures but, as with this year’s weather, we have not had a typical year for crime trends so it is vital that you all remain vigilant and if you see someone, or something that you are not happy with call us and report it. As we mentioned in the last newsletter, your call could be the missing piece in a much larger puzzle which we are in the process of solving. To illustrate this point perfectly, read about Operation Allandale overleaf. Project Kraken Newsletter Strengthening our borders Crime & Counter Terrorist Strategy Protecting the waters of the Solent September 2012 OPERATION ALLANDALE Men charged with multiple marine thefts in Hampshire After a year long investigation involving officers from Hampshire’s Marine Unit and led by a team of detectives from Waterlooville CID, two men have been charged over their involvement in a series of high value thefts from the marine community in Hampshire. Alexander Phillip Everett, aged 43, of Astrid Close, Hayling Island, is charged with seven counts of theft: on 28/02/2011 at Sarisbury Green, stole a boat and trailer to the value of £45,000. on 24/04/2011 at Swanwick, stole a boat and trailer to the value of £50,000. on 16/05/2011 at Hamble River Boatyard, stole a Jetski to the value of £14,000 on 12/06/2011 at Northney Marina, stole a three jetskis and a trailer to the value of £15,000. on 25/07/2011 at Park Gate, stole a Trailer and two coffee vending machines to the value of £12,652. on 09/08/2011 at Northney Marina, stole a Humber RIB and Trailer to the value of £100,000. on 21/10/2011 at Chichester, stole a Revenger RIB to the value of £39,000. Jerry Russett, aged 53, of Tamarisk Road, Hedge End, Southampton, is charged with two counts of theft: on 25/07/2011 at Park Gate, stole a Trailer and two coffee vending machines to the value of £12,652. on 09/08/2011 at Northney Marina, stole a Humber RIB and Trailer to the value of £100,000. Pictured below and left is the stolen Cobra Nautique RIB which was taken from Swanwick and directly below is a picture of the stolen Humber RIB taken from Northney Marina in Hayling Island. We believe this investigation has interrupted an established group of professional criminals who targeted marine communities along the south coast. Both suspects were released on conditional bail until October 26, 2012. they are due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court. Hampshire Constabulary’s Havant and Waterlooville District Chief Inspector Alison Heydari said: “These charges are the result of an extensive investigation, which was launched in response to information about men suspected of stealing expensive boats and equipment. I would like to thank boat owners for their substantial co-operation with our detailed enquiries over the past year. “I’d like to take this opportunity to repeat our pledge to the marine community that we always strive to provide an excellent service by acting on your concerns about crime affecting your property and livelihood.” T: 101 or 999 in emergency E: project.kraken@hampshire.pnn.police.uk W: www.hampshire.police.uk/kraken Project Kraken Newsletter Strengthening our borders Crime & Counter Terrorist Strategy Protecting the waters of the Solent September 2012 MORE SUCCESS AND PROGRESS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST MARINE CRIME Arrests at America Wharf Some great work from local Southampton Response Officers in August saw them rapidly deploy to America Wharf after a call was received from a boat owner in the area stating two males were stealing an outboard motor. Upon arrival Tomasz Gorczyca (24) and Jerzy Wojniak (43) from Southampton were found on the pontoon and arrested for the attempted theft of an outboard motor. Both have been charged and await a court trial. Hamble thieves caught red-handed and a speeder receives hefty fine Local Neighbourhood Officers in Hamble recently set up an operation to combat the sharp rise in Marine thefts taking place along the river. In July, Craig Vallis (26) and David Diaper (23) from Thornhill were caught by police officers who found them in a stolen dinghy. Both pleaded guilty to the offence of Taking a conveyance without the owner’s consent and were sentenced to £190 fine each at Southampton Magistrates Court. In September, Jason Alexander (33) from Netley Abbey was charged with taking a Zodiac 340 RIB Without the owner’s consent after he was caught by officers on a plain clothes operation. He has also been charged with other thefts along the river following police investigations. Hamble Harbour Authority has also had an excellent result recently in successfully prosecuting a speed boat user who was observed travelling at between 25 and 30 knots along the Hamble river where a speed limit of 6 knots applies. The £335 fine imposed on the offender by Southampton Magistrates Court reflects how reckless he was and the danger he posed to other river users. T: 101 or 999 in emergency E: project.kraken@hampshire.pnn.police.uk W: www.hampshire.police.uk/kraken Joint Agency Working The Marine Unit is continuing to develop and expand its joint working programme with other agencies and we’ve had some recent success working alongside members of the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCA) and the Marine Maritime Organisation (MMO). In August, a Joint operation with two enforcement officers from the MMO saw officers using RIB Protector respond to a call about fishermen using nets in a conservation area at Newtown Creek on the Isle of Wight. Two commercial fishermen were caught netting fish illegally, some of which was potentially unfit for human consumption. The offenders were dealt with by the MMO and now face criminal proceedings. In September, Marine Unit officers patrolling Southampton Water prevented a clam fisherman from trawling illegally in a prohibited area where the sea bed is deemed contaminated and stocks are potentially unfit for human consumption. Officers boarded the fishing boat after consultation with Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) and Port Health, and confronted the Skipper who then returned his catch (worth between £600—£900) over the side. He was also served with a notice that will mean if he is caught again he will be prosecuted. During Cowes Week Marine Unit officers accompanied survey officers from the Maritime Coastguard Agency on our police vessels as they inspected commercial and leisure craft in the River Medina. It was an excellent opportunity to stop over thirty recreational boat users and advise them on issues such as appropriate navigation lights for their vessels and the safe storage and maintenance of safety equipment. Several commercial vessels were also stopped and MCA officers had to make requirements for out of date lifejackets and flares to be replaced to protect the public. We are now regularly working with different Maritime enforcement Agencies in a bid to share resources and achieve common objectives - it will not be uncommon for you to see the new police boats jointly crewed with members of our partners from Fisheries, Port Health or the Maritime Coastguard Agency aboard. Project Kraken Newsletter Strengthening our borders Crime & Counter Terrorist Strategy Protecting the waters of the Solent September 2012 JET-SKI AND PWC FOCUS In this edition we have chosen to concentrate on the use of Personal Water Craft (PWC) and Jet-skis in the Solent after another summer where regular complaints have been made to the police about their presence on the water and the way they are being used. As well as die-hard riders, PWC lend themselves to being the vehicle of choice for the occasional water user as they are easy to transport and relatively small to store in comparison to other watercraft. We have found that many PWC users live outside Hampshire and travel to our area to use their craft. It has to be said, that the large majority of PWC users are careful, considerate riders who are very capable of controlling their craft at high speed and groups such as the Solent Skiers (www.solentskiers.org) have helped to promote the fact that PWC’s can be used in an exhilarating way without being dangerous or anti-social. Unfortunately, there are a small number of PWC users who push the limits of what is safe and acceptable behaviour out on the water - they endanger other water users and often themselves as highlighted in the pictures below. We have worked closely with Portsmouth Queen’s Harbourmaster (QHM), the Coastguard, and the local PWC community this summer to try and increase everyone’s awareness of what is safe and what is legal on the water. The slipway at Lee-on-the-Solent has been the focus of many PWC complaints which is to be expected when you consider the close proximity of PWCs with bathers and water skiers and the large number of PWC riders who use the slipway. We have found that many PWC riders were unaware of the local restrictions and designated areas (as pictured in the centre of the page) and far from being defiant, they claimed to be ignorant that laws existed at sea. For instance, did you know that if you intend to launch a PWC from the Lee-on-Solent slipway, it is required that you apply for and obtain a free licence from QHM. QHM have put clear signage up around the slipway and detailed information can be found on their website (http://www.qhm.mod.uk/portsmouth) giving clear guidance on local bye-laws and safe areas. We would also encourage PWC users to join a local club and participate in group riding to remove the risk of being alone and unaided if problems arise. At first, we noticed nothing wrong with this tanker photograph supplied by ABP…... but then to our horror we saw this jet-skier. T: 101 or 999 in emergency E: project.kraken@hampshire.pnn.police.uk W: www.hampshire.police.uk/kraken Project Kraken Newsletter Strengthening our borders Crime & Counter Terrorist Strategy September 2012 Protecting the waters of the Solent BOAT NAMING CEREMONY The 2012 Hampshire Police Marine Unit Team aboard Commander at the Royal Southampton Yacht Club during the naming ceremony On Friday September 28th 2012 we held our new boat Naming Ceremony and Service of Dedication at the Royal Southampton Yacht Club where we were joined by members of the Police Authority, Police senior Management and other guests to mark the occasion. We were lucky enough to have Sir Robin Knox-Johnston as our guest speaker for the day and despite the rain, the service was very special and proved a fitting way to signify a new era in Marine Policing on the South coast. Having run a schools competition during the Southampton Boat Show this year where we received over 1100 entries, the team took the opportunity before the ceremony to show the winners from Foxhills Junior School around the boats. They had a great time trying out the cameras and equipment, taking part in throw-line exercises and trying to complete the boat quiz…...the children seemed to enjoy it too! WHO ARE WE? In our last edition we quizzed our Sergeant so it must be time to introduce another member of the team and this month the spotlight falls on PC 114 Kerry Murray who is one of the most experienced officers on the Unit. Like? Laughing Dislike? Miserable people Favourite Food? Boiled Ham, Parsley sauce and mashed potato Years of Police Service? 29 years Favourite Holiday Destination? Skiing anywhere with snow Years of Marine Unit Service? 7 years What was your best moment in the Police? My first arrest And the funniest? My first arrest!!!! T: 101 or 999 in emergency E: project.kraken@hampshire.pnn.police.uk W: www.hampshire.police.uk/kraken You can have any boat and any car? 36 ft Nimbus and an Austin-Healy 1960 Frog-eyed Sprite A member of the X-factor contestants loses their voice and you have to stand in — what do you sing? The Tide is High — Debbie Harry!!!