Leicestershire Constabulary are urging people to be on their guard after a spate of copper wire thefts in June from ten electricity substations across the county.
Officers are checking the identification of any person that they reasonably consider it necessary to challenge in the vicinity of electricity cables, substations and metal dealers in the county.

Leicestershire Trading Standards website is getting a brand new look and you are invited to make suggestions for what you want to see on it. To take part in the consultation, please complete the online form by following the link from this page.
The consultation will run until Friday 25th July and the new website will be launched in the autumn.

Substations
Substations are secure and protected structures where high voltage electricity is distributed from the National Grid, or local supply networks, and transformed down into more manageable voltage levels for homes and businesses. The equipment contained inside the substation is regularly inspected and maintained. They can be found in both local and rural areas displaying yellow warning signs, and are locked and protected for everyone's safety. Only authorised employees and supervised emergency workers are allowed to enter substations. Please stay out of these substations.
Substations are 'Danger Zones' and every year, despite warnings, people are still killed, or seriously injured, after illegally accessing them.
If you see this or anything like it you need to call us on: 0800 587 3243.. More » « Less

Following the recent high profile reports of gun and knife crime among young people in the media, Crimestoppers' youth website www.shadowcs.co.uk for 11 to 16 year olds is running an anti-gun and knife week starting today.
Young people will be encouraged to discuss the issue of gun and knife crime anonymously. They will also be able to play our new 'Gun Runner' game developed with the help of young people in South London, as well as our existing 'Knife Drop' game.
Launched in October 2007, www shadowcs.co.uk has proved a great success for the charity, attracting over a million hits from young people throughout the UK who have logged on to play its range of educational games, contributed to chat forums and sought anonymous advice about crime... More » « Less

Welcome to the Neighbourhood Watch Toolkit
This package has been produced by the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) in consultation with Neighbourhood Watch volunteers.
This toolkit can be used by individuals to find out about all aspects of Neighbourhood Watch.

Use this link to read Leicestershire Police Authority’s response to the Government’s capping announcement made earlier today.
Kind regards,
Alison Watson
Engagement & Communications Officer
Leicestershire Police Authority

Up-to-date news for consumers

WE HAVE LIFT-OFF!
This week marks the dawn of a new age of Neighbourhood Watch communication.
The Neighbourhood and Home Watch network is launched across the nation with a brief to keep an eye on crime and crime fighting on our home front.
With the backing of the police and Home Office we will keep you up to speed on developments both locally and nationally via a constantly-updated website and regular newletters. Use this link to download your copy and to register to receive future editions .. More » « Less

Chair of NHWN Marion Lewis was at Downing Street yesterday, 17th June and met the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary to discuss the views of Neighbourhood Watch members from across the country who were invited to ‘have their say’ and to give their opinions on the criminal justice system and contribute towards a Cabinet Office review written by the government's crime and communities adviser Louise Casey.

Business Advice
Confidential, free advice on all trading standards matters including help for you to solve your consumer complaints.
We can also help you to access available Rural Business Grants
Contact Us: Telephone: (0116) 305 8000
Email: trading-standards@leics.gov.uk

Police are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of a Leicester man who was last seen on Thursday June 12, 2008.
Kevin Wilson, 54, who was last seen at his home address on Humberstone Road, Thurmaston, was reported missing on Sunday, June 15, 2008.

Please find below a link for the latest details about Neighbourhood & Homewatch Week 2008 and the launch of the official NHWN website – www.mynhw.co.uk
Both commence on Monday 16th June 2008.
http://www.mynhw.co.uk/launch.html
Please circulate this to your colleagues, local Neighbourhood Watch groups and grassroots members.
Regards
Marion Lewis
Chair
Neighbourhood & Homewatch Network (England & Wales)

Motorists across Leicestershire are being warned following a spate of thefts of catalytic converters.
Since the beginning of April this year there have been 62 catalytic converters stolen in the Force area.
The problem is mainly affecting rural areas in the North and South of the Force, with 31 catalytic converters stolen from vehicles in the North area, 29 in the South area, and two in the Central area.
South area crime reduction officer Steve Day said: "Crime analysis shows that thieves have been mainly targeting 4x4 vehicles or people carriers that have been parked in public car parks... More » « Less

A number of villages in the district are eligible for a Living Leicestershire grant. A total of £10,000 is available locally to help overcome rural barriers to accessing local leisure, recreation and engagement activities.
The scheme aims to:
• Increase access to the countryside for all ages
• Increase the take-up and availability of positive activities for young people
• Increase young peoples participation in local decision-making
• Increase the accessibility and participation of all ages in local leisure, sport and cultural activities
For further information please contact Sarah Carter on tel: 0116 3058098 or e-mail: slcarter@leics.gov.uk
Applications will be considered from the 25th July until all the funds have been committed... More » « Less

A new £50 million grant programme has been launched to make locally grown food accessible and affordable to Leicestershire communities.
Grants from £2,000 up to £500,000 will be awarded to not-for-profit groups and organisations delivering such projects as growing, processing, marketing and distributing local food; composting and raising awareness of the benefits of such activities.
To find out more please call the Changing Spaces Advice Line on 0845 3 671 671 or visit: www.localfoodgrants org.. More » « Less

As the temperatures rise, unfortunately so do the number of burglaries at properties where the windows have been left open and doors left unlocked.
With the summer months upon us, Leicestershire Constabulary is urging homeowners across the county to think twice about security and make sure their windows and doors are secured if they leave a room or go into the garden.
Superintendent Jez Cottrill, who is heading up the campaign, said: "Open windows and doors can let in more than just fresh air. Unfortunately opportunist thieves come out in the hot weather as well... More » « Less

In 2008 the Neighbourhood & Home Watch Week will commence on 16th June 2008 for one week, and will focus on developing safer communities.
Use this link to publicise the local events in your street, village or town.

This message has been passed onto us from our colleagues in Northamptonshire.
Please be aware that a marked Anglian Water van was stolen in the north of the county yesterday.
The registration of the stolen Anglian Water Vauxhall Vivaro van is FE07 DNF
Anglian Water clothing and ID belonging to one of the water firm's employees were inside the van and were also taken.
The van, which was stolen with the keys, was driven off by a man in his 20s.
Police are warning people to beware of offenders who commit distraction burglaries by posing as bogus water company officials... More » « Less

Neighbourhood officers in Leicester city centre are supporting a series of Service Awareness Days being held in Market Place.
Representatives from a range of service providers in the city will be there including Victim Support, Age Concern, Women's Aid, the Blood Donor Service and the City Council's Children and Young People Services.

Crimestoppers has just set up a charity page on the social networking website Facebook. This is a really exciting step forward for the charity, as we begin to reach wider audiences via social networking and the internet in general. Our Facebook page not only provides information about who the charity is, but also has a live feed of some Most Wanted featured appeals. Additionally, there are case studies, YouTube videos and a discussion forum, encouraging people to discuss crimes that have been in the news recently.
To make the maximum impact of our Facebook page, I’d really like to encourage you to become a fan of Crimestoppers on Facebook and ask your friends, family and contacts to do the same. Use this link to view the page!.. More » « Less