June 2011 Rutland Police Commanders Update
1st July 2011, Insp Johnny Monks
Hello to all,
Here is my personal monthly police update:-
The main focus of my Policing Team is keeping Rutland a safe place to work and live. We really do have a low amount of crime and anti social behaviour (ASB).
Crime update:-
Year on year reduction in burglaries:-
Burglaries
I reported last time that the Police, Community safety partnership and volunteers such as neighborhood watch have all contributed in reducing burglaries by 54% this year and that is a further reduction on last year's reduction of 24%. I thought this reduction could not be match this year, well I have been pleasantly surprised that so far the first quarter of this year April-June we have only had four burglaries, compared to twelve the same first quarter last year. This is a truly amazing performance in reducing burglaries.
Theft of motor vehicles
Further good news on theft of motor vehicles we have only had three stolen in the first quarter where as during the same period last year there had been eleven stolen. We can not be complacent though as theft from motor cars is continuing at Rutland water, my officers are doing everything they can with preventative high visibility patrols and whilst doing so report back if drivers have left valuables on display in their vehicles. My Rutland Water beat teams have sent in excess of one hundred letters out to drivers that have left valuables in their cars on display.
Ensuring the roads of Rutland are safe for everyone
During June I ran an operation to re-educate bad drivers into driving more safely through the County
From 20th - 24th June saw my Officers' involved in 'Operation Chorus' which resulted in 76 tickets being issued for seatbelt and mobile phone motoring offences. 60 people (drivers and passengers) were issued £60 fines for not wearing their seatbelts. A further 16 people were issued a £60 fine and had their driving licence endorsed with 3 penalty points for using a mobile phone whilst driving.
The main issues highlighted were:-
Commercial vehicles, drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts. Please note there are very few exemptions and the general rule of thumb is if you have a seatbelt fitted, it must be worn. It could just save your life.
A lack of hands-free devices being fitted or used appropriately. Please note however that phone calls can be distracting to the driver and my advice would always be to avoid receiving calls when driving. Instead pull over somewhere safely and legally to do so to receive or make your calls.
My Officers' will continue to educate and prosecute motorists for the above two offences and in addition the other two serious 'fatal 4 offences' of speeding and drink driving. These four offences are all proven to cause death and serious injury on our roads. It is our intention alongside our partners in the Rutland road safety partnership to ensure our roads safer for everyone.
Further information/reading on safety belts
You're twice as likely to die in a crash if you don't wear a seat belt
- You must wear a seat belt if one is fitted in any seat in any vehicle.
There are few exceptions.
- When you're driving, you must only carry one person in each seat fitted with a seat belt. Anyone travelling in the vehicle aged 14 years and above is responsible for wearing their seat belt.
- Children must use the correct car seat for their weight until they reach 135 centimetres tall or their 12th birthday, whichever comes first.
