Crime Update

NB : Under the Data Protection Act, we are advised we should not usually identify or provide information that can easily identify an individual. In such cases, part information will be omitted, e.g. an asterisk may be used in place of one letter of a suspect vehicle.

Oakham Beat.

Oakham – Romance fraud, between 4.8.20 and 20.10.20, victim met suspect on Friends2App, later was asked to switch to ‘Hang Outs’.  Suspect posed as orthopaedic surgeon working for UN in Syria.  Requested money to buy him out of his contract, obtained £70,000.  All crime is painful, this is particularly so.

Prevention.  This may seem to take some of the romance out of the meeting, but this is an increasing problem.  These fraudsters are extremely plausible, they often create fake accounts with social media platforms so that their details can be searched and matched then spending time to build up ‘friendship’ and gather information.  They will utilise many accessible online research tools to explore people’s information.  Avoid sharing too many personal details; revealing your full name, date of birth, or full home address may lead to your identity being stolen.

How can you check if a person is real?  Ask to see a picture of them and then ask for them to send you another photo of themselves posing with their thumbs up or waving, like a form of two factor authentication this is hard to do if it’s not an original picture”

Never respond to any requests to send money, or have money transferred into your account by someone you don’t know and trust.  These types of requests should always raise a red flag.  If something feels wrong, then it is usually right to question it.

Pick a reputable dating website or app and use the built-in messaging service.  Fraudsters will try to quickly switch to social media or texting so there’s no evidence of them asking you for money.

Nothing appropriate for North Beat.

South Beat.

Normanton – Burglary commercial, between 5.30pm 27.10 and 8.45am 28.10.20 at Waterside Café, Normanton Car Par, Rutland Water.  Entry via rear fire door, take till tray. Believed empty.

Morcott – Theft of 2 metal field gates (2×12’), Seaton Road, between 5pm 27.10 and 10am 28.10 (Tues/Wed).

Barrowden – Theft of 2 galvanised steel field gates, unscrewed from hinges in Seaton Road, believed 27/2810.20.  Estimated cost £200.

There have been 6 cases of the theft of farm gates on South (5) and North Beats (1) in 10 days.  There is every reason to think they will continue.

Can you help the Police and farmers by being alert and spreading this message?

Someone must drive past these thefts.  They appear to occur midweek during darkness on small country lanes.  2 men and a lorry or open backed truck will be required.

• If you see anyone apparently working on farm gates, do not approach but if possible, note the index number of the vehicle and report this to Police on tel 101 for info PC2113 Peter Icke Oakham. If you believe a crime is in progress dial 999.
• If you know anyone in Rutland with Social Media links (Facebook, Whats App Next Door), please let them know about these thefts and ask them to spread the word to those living and working in Rutland.

Uppingham Beat.

Theft – shoplifting Boots, High Street East, 27.10.20, 2-2.20pm, 2 male and one female enter store, fill large shopping bag with make up etc to value £944, leave without paying in Vauxhall car black part index KM20 T**

Operation to find foreign offenders results in 30 arrests.

Leicestershire Police arrest 30 foreign nationals in operation

Russ Horne.

Little Casterton – Main Street, 2.30-3pm 26.10.20 (Mon) Fraud.  A gardener leaving a client’s home in Little Casterton in his van was overtaken by another vehicle, which slowed in front of him and forced him to stop. The driver of the vehicle opened the rear door of the gardener’s van and put a generator and a power tool inside.  He then demanded payment from the gardener, who was frightened handed over the cash he had with him.

When the criminal demanded more, the victim drove to the home of a relative in Belmesthorpe, and secured more cash to give to the criminal, who then drove away.

Would anyone who has any information about this, or similar incidents please report to Leicestershire Police on Tel 101 for the information of PC 1742 Appleton, Oakham Police, preserving any CCTV or dashcam evidence.

The offending vehicle in this incident was a dark blue Vauxhall estate believed first letter ‘J’, 4 x 4 or similar.  It was driven by a large man having an Irish accent, there was a second male in the vehicle who did not get out.

We are advised to be wary of further incidents, especially any of us who conduct our trades using vans or similar vehicles.  Please also report immediately if you witness what you believe might be a similar incident in progress, including any details you can recall, especially car make, colour and registration number.

Info from Adrian Gombault (NHW) and PC 1742 Appleton.

Greetham – Suspected Illegal Immigrants.  29.10.20, morning, Police are searching for about 10 men, believed illegal immigrants seen in the Greetham area.  No further information at present.

If you see any groups of men (they may have split up) in the Greetham area, hiding or attempting to hitch a lift, please dial 999 and inform Police.  Incident currently being dealt with by PC 1742 Appleton Oakham Police.

Info PC 1742 Appleton.

This week, we are pleased to be able to resume the Rutland Crime Alert service.  You may not be aware, but in mid-March attendance at the Police Station to check the Crime records was suspended by Police HQ on Health and Safety grounds, due to the Covid pandemic.  Measures introduced at the Police office mean we can now resume attendance and re-enforce an improving App content.  Apologies for any uncertainty and thanks for staying with us our ‘use’ figures have held up well.

                                                                        Jan, Berni, and Russ.

NB : Under the Data Protection Act, we are advised we should not usually identify, or provide information that can easily identify an individual. In such cases part information will be omitted e.g. an asterisk may be used in place of one letter of a suspect vehicle.

Oakham Beat.

Criminal Damage, to Renault motor vehicle, Station Road, between 8am-4.10pm 19.10.20 (Mon), bodywork scratched all over.  EV damage £800.

Theft from Tesco’s South Street, 3.43pm 19.10.20.  Male and female suspects enter store, male selects slow cooker and fills box with £1500 of makeup.  Places box back, female then selects box, pays for cooker at checkout, but not make up.  Both leave store.  Description awaited.

This is too slick to be a ‘first time one off’, and will almost certainly be repeated elsewhere, stores should find a legitimate reason for checking box contents at the checkout.

Burglary residential, Mountbatten Road, overnight 21/22.10.20, porch door left unlocked for relative delivering property.  Suspect(s) enter, keys stolen for Renault Megane Index AF20 EYV, which was taken from outside property.  Also stolen, handbag, iPad, 2iPhones, 600 Euros and bank cards.  Car stolen, but with exception Euros, other property left in trailer parked nearby.

At 11.10pm, 2 persons seen running down Mountbatten Road, cross Churchill Road, seen to try car door, then 4 males seen in Finch Avenue, trying car doors.  Youths slim, wearing jackets, hoodies with a scarf over face, one jacket had a reflective badge on the side.  Incidents believed connected.

Please check any CCTV from10pm, or if you saw anything suspicious please contact Police at Oakham quoting Crime ref 20*556821.

Theft from San Giorgio Restaurant, Church Street, one cash register, recovered Gaol Street, one person arrested on suspicion of theft.  Enquiries continue.

Theft of index plates DU68 WMZ, about 11.50pm 23.10.20, from Land Rover Discovery in Edmonton Way.  Nearby, plates placed on Audi A3 grey/black, vehicle then driven to McColls Post Office/Newsagent below and committed burglary.

Burglary business/commercial, McColls High Street, between 12.10am-12.15am 24.10.20.  Window smashed by base plate for railings/road works.  2 males enter shop (3^rd in car) leave with 2 white carrier bags placed in car.  Audi A3 black DU68WMZ, has white sticker ‘Baby on Board’ right of rear windscreen.

Suspect (i) 5’7”-6’, black tracksuit and leggings with three white stripes down side (Adidas?) (ii) slightly taller that (i), slim build, grey clothing like cotton jogging bottoms.  (iii) no description remained in car.

Please check CCTV within 10 mins of midnight, anywhere between Edmonton Way and High Street for youths affixing plates.  Any information on suspects or vehicle please to Police Oakham quoting Crime ref 20*560907.

Barleythorpe -Theft of 2 large garden planters from front garden in Mistley Court, between 10.30am 23^rd and 12.30pm 24.10.20.

Rutland North Beat.

Stretton – Theft of delivery ramps from HGV parked overnight 20/21.10.20 lay by, Great North Road.  No further info.

Greetham – Theft from vehicle, between 11pm 20.10 and 1am 21.10.20. communal car park, Streeton Road.  Entry by using flat bladed instrument on passenger side door, opening, and stealing power tools.  Dogs heard barking about midnight.  Description of tools awaited.

Any person with CCTV in area please check between relevant times.  Any information please to Oakham Police quoting Crime ref 20*555953.

Thistleton – theft of 2 galvanised metal field gates (each 10’ in length), between 7.30am and 7.30pm 20.10.20.  (See similar offences below at Barrowden and South Luffenham 20/21.10.20)

Egleton – 10 cases of sheep worrying over the last 6 months (last about 4.30pm 23.10.20) in fields bordering Rutland Water Sports Centre, Bull Brigg Lane, Whitwell.  In addition to the sheep killed, injured, and terrified, this is a big financial loss to the farmer at a very difficult time.

It is not an easy offence to prove since you need to identify the dog and owner, but if you see a dog chasing sheep please report it immediately to the Police, or if you know them the farmer/gamekeeper.

Rutland South Beat.

Barrowden – theft of 2 field gates between 6pm 20.10 and 9am 21.10.20, (Tues/Wed) from Redhill Farm, Seaton Road.  8’ gates, galvanised metal, opening to 16’.  Estimated value £200.

South Luffenham – Theft of metal gates between 3pm-7pm 21.10.20 (Wed) from farmland and buildings adjacent to Wireless Hill.  No further information.

This is the third such case reported this week, so please be alert for other such cases.  A van/small open backed lorry, would be needed to remove these, so if you saw a van and men behaving suspiciously please note the number and report it to the Police as soon as possible.

If you have similar farm gates, below is a short video, which (amongst other tips) includes the means to make removing the gates more difficult (reverse top hinge).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MOPXL4QVyc

Anti-Social Behaviour. 

If you have incidents of anti-social behaviour in your area, please report these to your local Beat Officer, these offences are best dealt with by accumulating information and targeted action.

Russ Horne.

NB : Under the Data Protection Act, we are advised we should not usually identify or provide information that can easily identify an individual. In such cases part information will be omitted e.g. an asterisk may be used in place of one letter of a suspect vehicle.

Oakham Beat:

Theft of Van from Derwent Drive on 26/08/2020 – Delivery driver making drop offs has van stolen whilst delivering a parcel.  Stolen van is a Black Vauxhall Vivaro, registration starting WU15.  If seen around Oakham, please call 101/999 and quote crime reference number 20*446608.

7 x Shop Thefts at BP Garage between 28/08/20 and 08/09/20 – A series of shop lifting offences has occurred at the location by the same male, resulting in stock over £650 being stolen.  Through a lot of hard work by local PCSO Olivia Dutton, a pattern of offending was identified leading to a pro-active arrest of the suspect on 09/09/20, whilst in the act of stealing and making off from the store.  The suspect was later remanded in police custody, sent to court and given a number of weeks prison sentence for his crimes.  A really positive result all round.

Theft of construction equipment from Spinney Hill on 01/09/20 – Around £1800 worth of construction and guttering equipment stolen from this building site.  Unfortunately no strong leads at this point, but mention of a black van being in the area around the time of the offence has been mentioned.  Have you seen a suspicious black van around Oakham recently?  Did you catch it registration?  If so, call 101 and quote crime reference number 20*455905.

Theft of Pedal Cycle on Crown Walk on 02/09/20 – A young males pedal cycle was stolen from the rear of The Crown Tavern on this date.  The bike is described a gents Cannondale mountain bike which is black, white and red in colour.  If seen, please report to us on 101 and quote 20*459085.

Rutland North Beat:

Nothing of note.

Rutland South Beat:

Attempt Burglary at St Mary and St John’s C of E Primary School in North Luffenham on 02/09/20 – Unknown persons have attempted to break into the sports container at the school, but have been unable to break the lock and gain entry.

Theft from vehicle in North Luffenham on 03/09/20 – Owner leaves his pick up vehicle locked and secure the previous evening, and returns to it in the morning to find that a rear lock on the vehicle had been forced and the following items stolen:

• DeWalt 18volt Cordless Drill £199
• DeWalt 18volt Multi tool £199
• DeWalt 18volt Impact Driver (Screw gun)
• 2 x 5Amp batteries £150

All DeWalt are Black and Yellow and were etched with the Post Code ‘LE15 8JZ’.

If similar are seen for sale on any forum (online or in person) please call police on 101 and quote crime reference 20*460054.

Uppingham Beat:

3 x Criminal Damage to Vehicles between 23/08/20 – 29/08/20 in Uppingham – Unknown persons have smashed 3 separate vehicles windows overnight between the stated times in Uppingham on Newtown Cres, The Quadrant and Hornbeam Lane.  Unsure if all three have been the work of the same suspect, and little leads means the incidents are currently unsolved.  If you have any information regarding this, please call 101 and ask to speak with PC 2988 Joshua Ace of Uppingham Police.

Info from PC 2988 Ace.