Policing and Crime Prevention
Essex Police
Neighbourhood Policing
The Neighbourhood Policing Constable (NPC) responsible for the Birch and Layer Neighbourhood is NPC Mel Wilson (No 70930) - pictured here. The Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) for this area is John Howard. Sergeant John Horsecraft is responsible for Neighbourhood Policing in the whole Colchester South Rural area.
More about Birch and Layer Neighbourhood Policing can be found on the Essex Police website at www.essex.police.uk.
At least one of the Neighbourhood Policing team normally attends each meeting of Birch Parish Council to report on current local policing and crime prevention issues and to listen to local concerns.
Contacting the Police
The Essex Police non-emergency telephone number is 0300-333-4444. This number is a 24 hour, 7 days a week service which connects members of the public from across the County to the centralised switchboard at Essex Police. Calls are then directed to the most appropriate person, department or station.
Since 1st July 2011 you can also use the new national police non-emergency 101 telephone number. You can use this number if you need to contact Essex Police about any non-emergency crime issue, to contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team, to seek crime prevention or personal safety advice, contact your nearest police station or to speak to the police about any other non-emergency issue. (There is a small fixed charge for calls made to the 101 number. Unlike calls to the 0300-333-444 mentioned above, calls to 101 are not currently included as part of inclusive minute or discount telephone packages.)
To speak to a member of your local Neighbourhood Policing team you can telephone 07966-197404. This is a mobile 'phone which is carried by officers when they are on duty. If the call is not answered straightaway, please leave a short message and someone will get back to you. The mobile number should only be used to discuss local issues, to pass on information or to obtain advice. To report a crime please use the non-emergency number: 0300-333-4444.
The '999' number should only be used to request assistance in cases of genuine emergency requiring an immediate police response.
Tiptree Police Station is now located in the Tiptree Fire Station but the Station is not open to the public. On Saturdays a police representative is in attendance at Tiptree Library between 11am and 1pm for anyone who wishes to discuss any concerns. The normal Neighbourhood Policing service continues and a member of the team can be contacted at other times by calling the duty officer's mobile number 07966-197404 (see above).
Police Beat Surgery
A Police Beat Surgery is held in Birch from time to time. Details are usually published in Parish News which is delivered monthly to every house in the parishes of Birch, Layer Breton and Layer Marney.
Police Beat Surgeries, with PCSO John Howard (No 71266), are due to be held in Birch on the following dates:
Friday, 24th February 2012
11.30am to 1.00pm Birch Gallery & Tea Room, Birch Street.
Friday, 23rd March 2012
11.30am to 1.00pm Birch Gallery & Tea Room, Birch Street.
Friday, 20th April 2012
11.30am to 1.00pm Birch Gallery & Tea Room, Birch Street.
Heating and Diesel Oil Theft
With the present high price of oil, there has been a significant increase in thefts of heating and diesel oil. Essex Police have prepared a leaflet with advice on minimising the risk of becoming a victim of such theft. You can view and/or download the leaflet here, as a PDF document (file size approx 2MB). Left click on this link: Fuel Theft Leaflet to view the leaflet in your browser, or right click on the link and save the file to your hard drive.
Anti-Social Behaviour Hotline
Colchester Borough Council and Essex Police have joined forces to provide a direct telephone line for reporting anti-social behaviour. You can now speak to a team of dedicated specialists who can talk through your problems and deal with your call more efficiently by assigning it to the correct agency.
The ASB hotline number is 01206-282731. The line is staffed from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. Callers outside these times should leave a message.
Community Street Wardens
Colchester Borough Council operates a scheme of Community Street Wardens. The wardens are empowered by the Council to issue enforcement notices for littering, cycling on paths and dog fouling. They also have powers to confiscate alcohol and tobacco from young people.
Part of the Wardens' role is to develop links with local Neighbourhood Watch schemes and to build relationships with local communities by attending community events. Another aspect of their work is offering support to older people and the vulnerable. Helping these groups to feel safer can greatly improve their quality of life.
Wardens visit Birch on a regular basis and work with Birch Parish Council on local issues. The Parish's main point of contact for the Community Street Warden scheme is:
Mr Marc Salmon, Zone Manager Street Services
Colchester Borough Council, P.O.Box 331, Town Hall, Colchester CO1 1GL
Tel 01206 282838
Email: Marc.Salmon@colchester.gov.uk.