Unfortunately, as with most villages nowadays, we have our fair share
of crime. One of the best ways of tackling this problem is communication.
This website aims to assist with providing another means for communication
- between us as a community and also with the Police, particularly
P.C. McKenna (PC 608) who is the local Community Police Officer based
at the Clare Police Office. He frequently attends Parish Council meetings
to report on local police matters and is particularly concerned to
reduce the crime which is degrading the quality of village life. We
also have the invaluable support and help that our Neighbourhood Watch
Scheme can provide and your Co-Ordinators can liaise with the Police
on your behalf. P.C. Brendan McKenna has taken a positive interest
in helping to curb this anti-social and illegal activity. Now he has
spelled out exactly how we can help him and ourselves.
He has asked for the more responsible members of the Wickhambrook
community to help him by reporting directly to him or his office,
immediately and at any hour of the day or night, any incident of vandalism
or anti-social behaviour.
P.C.
Brendan McKenna direct
01284 774100 (CPO 608)
Please note down this number. This is not the '01284' (Bury St Edmunds)
number shown in the telephone directory for the Clare Police Station.
That merely puts you through to a semi-automated County Force message
handling and control system - an up-market answering machine. This
'01284 774100' number rings directly in P.C. Control Office who will
put you directly through to C.P.O. McKenna's radio and will be answered
by him or, during his off-duty times or when he is out of the office,
it will take a message which he, will receive personally within a
fairly short time. You can also ask for C.P.O. Spraggons (PC 411)
who covers the other Haverhill rural section. IF THE MATTER NEEDS
DEALING WITH URGENTLY please do not ask for a specific Officer. Whoever
is available will then pick up the message immediately.
He isn't on duty 24 hours a day, but he will receive and use the information
at the first opportunity. So he asks - "Please don't put the
phone down - leave a message - anonymously if you wish". Simply
say what you know, or what you think you know, or what/who you suspect
- or, if leaving messages on answering machines is not your favourite
pastime, just leave your phone number so that he can call you back.
He wants to help us - now it's up to us.
One exception he has mentioned. If you hear or see any criminal activity
actually happening, such as windows being broken, it is likely that
the criminals are still nearby. In that case, don't hesitate - dial
'999' immediately. The Police will respond. It probably won't
be P.C. McKenna, but they will not be peeved if it is too late to
catch anyone. '999' is not simply for life-threatening emergencies
such as road accidents. It's to summon rapid Police assistance in
all situations. |
