An incident of vehicle interference has been reported which happened sometime between late evening and up to 10pm on Thursday 11th April 2019 in Lawrence Avenue. A van was parked on the road and had a back door handle broken off. Nothing has been reported as stolen from the vehicle. If you saw or heard anything which you think may help our enquiries, please ring 101 ref 41/33283/19.

We ask our residents to stay vigilante and report anything suspicious to the police.

Theft prevention starts before you even leave your vehicle

Smash-and-grab thieves typically aren’t criminal masterminds who craft clever schemes to swipe your stuff. Most are casual opportunists. They see something they like, so they break in and take it. So before you get out of your car, make sure your valuables are out of sight.

Discourage thieves with anti-theft measures

Thieves are also lazy. With car break-ins, they’re usually not looking for a huge payoff. What this type of thief wants is a quick thrill – or maybe a little extra revenue – for as little work as possible. By making your car a harder target for these people, you make it less desirable. So:

• Always lock your doors and roll up your windows when you park.
• Activate your security system if you have one.
• Consider window tinting (if permitted by local laws), since it makes casing your car more difficult.
• Use after-market measures, like mechanisms that lock the steering wheel to protect your car and alert thieves that you’ve taken extra security measures.
• Don’t use the console or glove box as mobile lock boxes. These are obvious to thieves, too.
• Don’t hand them the keys

Police Contact Advice

Telephone 999 in an emergency where there is a danger to life or a crime is in progress. Telephone 101 for non-emergencies where police attendance is required, to report a crime or to report any other incidents. Calls to 101 have a fixed cost of 15p per call. Alternatively, visit www.herts.police.uk/contact to report a non-emergency crime online or chat to a police operator live via our web chat service. If you are calling about the above, please tell us that you are responding to a message from OWL Neighbourhood Watch.

This is an important message as I am aware there is a bogus company currently advertising for landscaping and garden services in the town. If you receive a leaflet/advertising card from Town & Country Tree & Landscaping Services please throw it in the bin. Do not engage in conversation about work. I am aware they have been delivered in the Oak Drive/Pishiobury Drive areas but I want you all to remain vigilant and look out for your elderly and vulnerable neighbours.

If anyone sees these around Town, please ring 101 at the time and say your local officer has asked you to report them for rogue trading.

Police Contact Advice

Telephone 999 in an emergency where there is a danger to life or a crime is in progress. Telephone 101 for non-emergencies where police attendance is required, to report a crime or to report any other incidents. Calls to 101 have a fixed cost of 15p per call. Alternatively, visit www.herts.police.uk/contact to report a non-emergency crime online or chat to a police operator live via our web chat service. If you are calling about the above, please tell us that you are responding to a message from OWL Neighbourhood Watch.

A man has pleaded guilty to five counts of burglary following a series of break-ins in Sawbridgeworth earlier this week.

The incidents occurred at business and community premises in the town on Monday, March 25. Cash and a laptop were stolen and several windows were damaged.

Jake Smith, aged 26, from Crow Street in Henham, was arrested on Wednesday, March 27 and subsequently charged.

He appeared before Hatfield Remand Court today (Friday, March 29) where he pleaded guilty to all offences and was remanded into custody, ahead of sentencing at St Albans Crown Court on Monday, April 29.

Detective Sergeant Sam Alcock, from the East Herts Local Crime Unit said: “Thanks to some excellent joint working between the Local Crime Unit and Safer Neighbourhood Team, we were able to quickly identify Smith and bring him before court.”