PCSO Tracey Chilcott – Summer Tips for Crime Prevention and on her Year in Hedge End

Hedge End’s Community Support Police Officer Tracey Chilcott has been in post here for almost a year.

On Monday, 14 June, she was at Hedge End Library to hold her monthly beat surgery, a drop-in session at which residents can raise issues of concern and get advice on home security and crime prevention.

Inconsiderate car parking and speeding complaints are two of the issues most often raised, but PCSO Chilcott says that generally crime in Hedge End is down by 15 percent this year.

However she warns that nevertheless crimes involving vehicles are on the increase. In particular there has been a spate of thefts of catalytic converters from cars – containing platinum these are stolen for their scrap value. At least ten have been taken from cars left in retail car-parks and on home driveways.

Sat navs are the other main theft target involving cars and PCSO Chilcott reminds Hedge Enders not only to ensure that cars are always left securely locked but that nothing – from sat navs to empty carrier bags – is left on display.

PCSO Chilcott’s other main message concerns home security. She says, “People in Hedge End can be too trusting. I don’t want to scare people, but I do want to encourage them to be sensible. Some people, particularly elderly residents who’ve perhaps lived here a long time, are still leaving homes open, doors unlocked.

“Garages and sheds should also be locked and it’s worthwhile splashing out on a decent padlock.

“There have been a number of bike thefts, and if you have bikes it’s also worth considering securing them inside your shed or garage as well as locking them in from the outside.”

Bikes can also be security coded – marked with a unique number that is centrally registered. This can be done either at Hedge End police station in St John’s Road or someone from the Hedge End Safer Neighbourhood team will visit.

With hanging baskets PCSO Chilcott recommends using tie clips or wire to secure them to a fixture as thefts from the garden are usually of items easy and quick to take.

Of anti-social behaviour – which is another issue often reported at the monthly drop-in sessions – she says that Hampshire Constabulary is running a special summer initiative to help address the problem, with desk-job colleagues lending a hand on patrols and targeting hotspot areas such as country parks, recreation grounds, retail parks and industrial areas.

Of the newly launched Street Pastor scheme, which should also help tackle anti-social behaviour, PCSO Chilcott says, “I think it’s a great idea. I haven’t always the time to respond as fully as I’d like to. I can be in the middle of speaking to someone who is vulnerable or in need of help and be called out on a job. Street Pastors have that time to give. My sergeant, Sgt O’Hanlon, is extremely positive about the scheme.”

If you’re a victim of vandalism PCSO Chilcott says, “It is always worth reporting as somebody somewhere might have seen something.”

Part of her role is to encourage good neighbourliness generally, and she can also help out if neighbourhood disputes get out of hand. She explains, “If there is something that’s really affecting your quality of life don’t sit and suffer, report it to the Safer Neighbourhood Team.”

The next Hedge End beat surgery will be at Hedge End Library on Monday 12 July 1.00-3.00pm, with two further sessions arranged for Monday 9 August 1.00-3.00pm and Monday 6 September 1.00-3.00pm.

But in the meantime PCSO Chilcott can be contacted at Hedge End police station by calling 101 if you have queries on home security – she will also make home reassurance visits – or wish to report any incidents of crime.

Commenting on her almost first year of duty in Hedge End she says, “Hedge End is a great place. For every unpleasant person I meet there are so many nice people and the young children are particularly friendly. The cop swap cards were a great idea. I give them out at school fetes, to brownies, scouts – I get mobbed for them!

“And I love being out in the town, walking or on my bike. The more you are out and about in the neighbourhood the more you hear, and also the more people learn to trust you.”

For more information about the Street Pastors in Hedge End see Hedgeendpeople stories, Street Pastors Scheme Coming to Hedge End, West End and Botley and The Street Pastors Scheme Launches in Hedge End, West End and Botley, and for details of the Cop Swap Cards initiative Collect Hedge End’s Orange Cop Swap Cards!