Country Walks Theft Alert...

Festive Greetings! Cambridgeshire Police hope you all had a great Christmas.

Now is the time when many of you may feel the need to work off that Christmas excess and go for a lovely country walk. Police would urge all of you who drive to beauty spots for a stroll or to exercise the dog not to take any valuables with you.

Police have had recent incidents of handbags and wallets being stolen from vehicles parked at beauty spot areas around the county. Many people will park vehicles and decide to put their valuables in the boot of the car before starting their walk.

Just be aware that thieves could well be watching. It is much safer to only take essential items out with you and NOT to leave any items of value in the vehicle.

Please always report any suspicious person or vehicle to our control room on 0345 456 4564.

Thank you and have a Safe & Happy New Year.

Many thanks Helen O'Driscoll

Crime Reduction Officer Safer Peterborough Team

Tel: 01733 424477 Mob: 07736 085238

email : helen.odriscoll@cambs.pnn.police.uk

(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

Thaw on way.. Stay away from river!

A friendly warning to Parents and Guardians!

As the weather is about to briefly thaw before the next really cold snap settles in over the New Year period, please SERIOUSLY WARN YOUR CHILDREN about not walking over the iced up River even if the dog escapes and decides it's a really bright thing to do. Dogs are much lighter!

Last year we had several incidents, police and firemen were called out. This year it would be a result if this did not happen. Residents are also strongly advised to keep domestic cats and rabbits etc warm and inside overnight. It really is way too cold for them to be running around in sub-zero temperatures all night long.

(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BIG THANK YOU!

As the old year fades and the Park Farm & Stanground community along with the rest of the country faces a bleak austerity future, you may wonder what we just don't pack up shop and ship out? The reality is no matter what politicians and councillors dream up at the end of the day, this is our community and we control with your support its eventual destiny. By we, I mean every person, family and even friends who live or visit our community.

It's taken some time but by your continuing support and an ever increasing number of website hits, the Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch is now being reviewed on a regular basis by the people who can make a material difference to our way of life and have the power to physically improve the quality of life within Park Farm and Stanground.

The simple matter of placing grit bins at strategic positions has overnight ensured that families are no longer imprisoned in their homes and can actually get their cars out and traverse the short but steep inclines some of us have. Daily I've seen residents out with spades, shovels and brooms chipping away at the snow, impacted ice and spreading a layer of salted grit from our new salt bins (sadly the top level end residents of Kedleston Road are too posh to clear the ice and snow, but we'll work on them!) even better, the odd cup of tea and stronger festive cheer has been offered to those physically better able to do the heavy work.

We have also taken a detailed look at all the streets within our patch and would you believe some of them were brilliantly maintained - no weeds in the crack of the kerbs etc., whilst others had not been touched for years. All that has now changed, PCC has taken note and all our streets are now being fully maintained (if you know different, TELL US!) Street lighting has been surveyed and the lamps where broken replaced. It's the little things that help make a community.

The continuing eyesore of the abandoned BUPA nursery is another campaign currently under review. Your PFNW has taken the matter right to BUPA's Main Board in London and its property division. It cannot be right that such an eyesore in the heart of our community is left to rot for years on end.

We also had a major 'go' at Persimmon Homes, who own the building site immediately opposite the entrance to Park Farm, as soon as it was cleared of rubbish another clandestine tip of builders debris and old furniture would appear. Again we tackled the regional Board of directors of Persimmon and pointed out that the much publicised Environment Policy drawn up by the main board in London was being ignored by the Regional office. Finally the access to the site has been blocked.

Nearer to home we have a a continuing battle with a few anti-social dog owners (one family in particular) who have yet to realise that dog excrement has to be picked up, bagged and binned. The local dog warden and PCC neighbourhood officers are just waiting to obtain sufficient evidence to land them with a series of £60 fines (that is £60 for each individual incident!).

We have also kept in close touch with neighbourhood policing teams and suggested levels that would keep us all safe and secure. Not an easy task when police budgets are about to be slashed.

So this is just an insight as to some of the work being carried out on your behalf, we are only limited by resources and people on the ground, so if you would like to assist make it a New Year resolution to not only join (FOR FREE) the Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch, or if you don't have the time, consider a small financial donation to keep the scheme going ... But whatever you and your family decide, take pride in Park Farm and Stanground, we need to know that you are behind us as the journey ahead will be long and hard, but whatever happens PFNW will be looking out for you and help maintaining the quality of life for all of us.

Finally, may you and your loved ones have a truly wonderful Festive Season and we wish that 2011 will be a very good year for all of us.

Julian Bray

Chairman

Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch

(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

Warning - Bogus callers MAGPAS charity collections in Cambridgeshire

We are sickened to have received this report today from MAGPAS.

People have been posing as Magpas volunteers and ringing door bells, asking for on spot donations to be made to the Emergency Medical Charity. These bogus collections have recently been reported in St Neots and the north of the county....

PLEASE REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY TO THE POLICE ON 0345 456 456 4

(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

IT'S SNOW JOKE

Having just returned from an overseas trip, conveniently timed just as the snow started to fall in the UK, (well done Chris, sterling work on the PFNW website) the shock of driving a couple of hundred miles in extreme snow conditions and at a time when the entire country is on the move, made me realise that not all people are as well equipped as we are for the cold or long distant safaries to see relatives, so here are a few short cuts that have worked for us over the years.

Before setting off, offload all surplus kit, as the weight of your luggage, presents etc., will more than make up for it. Check oil, fill screen wash (BUY the ready mixed type as it contains anti freeze and works in all weathers).

Take a couple of old carpet runners, these will act as snow mats if you get stuck and snow covers for front and rear windscreens, a lightweight snow shovel is always a good investment, emergency food supplies (Mars bars or Tunnocks..) Sack of Salt (dishwasher salt will do just as well) to spread around at your destination! Blankets and/or sleeping bags alternatively wear several layers of clothes.

Slightly underinflate tyres for more grip and fully charge your car battery during periods of prolonged cold. Take torches, extra batteries (emergency reflective triangle, car lightbulb kit and high viz vests if going to mainland Europe) first aid kit and mobile phone charger in addition to mobile phone!


Fleece blankets, a pillow, Thermos flasks of hot water and the picnic gas stove with kettle and bottles of water. Make your own tea or coffee.. even hot bacon sandwiches! ....en route. We even tracked down some snow chains, considered excessive at the time but ideal now!

Something that has really worked well is a small solar car battery trickle charger (Maplins have them on offer at £9!) it plugs into the car cigarette lighter socket, and the solar panel is velcroed to the rear boot inside shelf. It works even in overcast conditions, our car was parked for some 3 weeks and the engine turned over first time when we 'dug it out' last weekend from the long term car park.

Finally, ensure Tom Tom and other satnavs kits are loaded with up to date maps! Also visit http://www.aa.com/ and turn on your traffic alerts on the car radio. BBC Local radio stations really do know whats happening. And finally, have a brilliant Christmas or Holiday. Relax have fun, totally forget all that's happening back at home, the same old problems will still be here when you return but we'll be keeping an eye on Park Farm whilst you are away so that's one problem less!

Seasons Greetings from Julian Bray & Morag Irving

(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581

BLACK ICE - BIGGER DANGER...It's snow joke!

We've managed to post a few warning notices, but still people are driving way too fast. Just remember you have no brakes on black ice! So just do not use them, keep your engine revs low and the speed well down. Consider investing in A SET OF SNOW CHAINS. On the web a pair of snow chains are as little at £35 for a set of 2. I know as I have a set!

Also can we ask that you look in on your elderly neighbours? Some are just too proud to ask for help, so a friendly intervention might be welcome...

Any problem with gritting on Park Farm let us know and we will ask PCC to immediately investigate. Gritting teams have been in evidence but if the side streets arew not used by traffic the salt does not get distributed and simply fails to work.

(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough UK Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters direct call ISDN 'down the line' 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & APT All Press Enquiries Julian Bray 01733 345581