March 02, 2010
Leighton Community Day for Over 60s
BEDFORDSHIRE Police and partners are inviting all over 60s to a special community day in Leighton Buzzard.
Residents are invited to attend The Royal British Legion, West Street in Leighton Buzzard between 10.30am and 3.30pm on Tuesday (March 16).
The day is an opportunity for senior citizens to find out about the support and advice on offer from Central Bedfordshire Council, Disabled Resource Centre and the Department of Work and Pensions.
There will be a chance to talk to Leighton Garden Centre with advice on defensive planting, Boots the chemist promoting health and make up and Sterling Discount a television retailers who will be available to discuss any problems with changing to digital instead of analogue television.
Leighton Buzzard Safer Neighbourhood Team will be holding a surgery, where residents can pick up crime prevention advice. There will be opportunities to get property security marked and find out about SmartWater, Neighbourhood Watch and the Ringmaster crime early warning system.
SmartWater is an invisible and odourless liquid which once painted on valuables, ranging from electrical items to mobile telephones and jewellery, leaves a unique chemical signature.
Property recovered by Bedfordshire Police Stations is routinely screened for Smartwater, which glows under ultraviolet light. The findings can then be checked against the SmartWater database to identify the owner.
PCSO Fay Barrett, of the Leighton-based Safer Neighbourhood Team is responsible for organising the event and hopes to encourage as many people as possible to attend on the day. There will be many different organisations available to give help and advice.
PCSO Barrett said: “We will be promoting crime prevention and the importance of marking your valuables to help identify them if they are stolen.
“Reminding the over 60s about not letting strangers through the door, using a door chain and spyhole instead and insisting on identification and dialling 999 if in any doubt. It is also important doors, windows and side entrances are locked"
Other ways residents can deter burglars include:
- Ensure doors and windows, including fanlights, are locked at night
- If you have a UPVC door lift up the handle before you turn the key to ensure it is double locked
- Bolt side passages and ensure security lighting is in working order
- Keep car keys, and other easy to move valuables like purses and wallets, out of sight
- If you go out during the evening, leave a light and the radio on
- If you are working at the bottom of your garden or busy upstairs, lock the doors
- Don’t leave gardening tools out overnight
- Find out about Neighbourhood Watch and what it can do for you.
Anyone with information about burglary can contact police, in confidence, on 01234 841212, Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 11 or text to 07786 20000 11.
