I said at the end of my last report that we had a busy time ahead, well June was a particularly busy month with Neighbourhood Watch Week 3-9 June. I feel that we are having a Neighbourhood Watch month really. Our team of Coordinators distributed 600 leaflets to homes that were not covered by a Coordinator. I also delivered to the outlying areas including Ashurst Lodge, the three farms at the bottom of Pound Lane and up to Deerleap car park. This included businesses as they can become affiliate members who can share information with their staff.
With that and the articles in the Parish Magazine we have had a positive response and as a result I have registered three new Coordinators, one of whom is a Lecturer on Criminology at Winchester University. This means that we have nearly 200 more homes covered by a Coordinator and new NW members are joining daily.
We could still do with more Coordinators though as ideally it would be great to have a Coordinator in each road who is known to their neighbours and who could assist with information regarding safety and security. The next Parish Magazine will have a short piece asking for anyone who would like to become a Coordinator.
I had a good meeting with PCSO Richard Williams last week. He gave me lots of advice as well as leaflets for the fete. He will bring a police vehicle and has asked to be next to me at the fete so this will be a draw for the children and therefore the parents.
Yesterday I had a visit from Bob Combes who is the Chairman of HINWA. We spoke at length and he gave me lots of support as well as items for the stand at the fete.
Very little criminal activity in Ashurst was reported in the New Forest Heart Beat Report for May. Only 3 bicycles taken from the Ashurst Campsite. They were locked up, but thieves cut through the locks. Police recommend keeping bicycles inside or take off a wheel or saddle, or both.
This is very much a work in progress.
That concludes my report for June.