Timely Reminder about Contacting Hampshire Police

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Parent Category: Notice Board

Category: Coronavirus COVID-19

Last Updated on Sunday, 14 June 2020 20:11

Published on Saturday, 06 June 2020 19:18

Written by Parish Clerk

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Basingstoke & Deane Neighbourhood Watch Association does its best to work closely with Hampshire Constabulary. As well as being a member of the BDNWA committee, as many of you will know, I am also a Police Support Volunteer looking after many NW matters and over the years I have seen that it has become more and more important to recognise that members of the public and NW in particular are the 24/7 eyes and ears of the constabulary. Sadly it is a fact that Police officers cannot now be everywhere and at all times. They need help from us all.

 As we have said for a long time, information needs to be passed by the witnessing person, straight to the police at the time of the incident. Now I know that at times, the 101 phone can be very busy and that is most often because the call centre is shared with the main 999 emergency line and if something major is going on, then the 101 calls take a lower priority. It is however very important that the original person makes contact as in many cases, the police need to follow up and ask additional questions at a later date.

As well as the 101 phone route, many issues can be reported on line at the Hampshire Constabulary website https://www.hampshire.police.uk where issues can be reported and local police news items can be read. Many police press releases are also regularly updated on our local NW website at www.bdnw.org.uk/v3. All of these paths are there to supplement the data sent out to all registered Alert users, so we encourage everyone to register.

If a person is reluctant to or cannot report as above, then a last resort is Crimestoppers with a website at https://crimestoppers-uk.org or by freephone at 0800 555 111. However, please be aware that as an anonymous organisation, whilst crime details are passed to the police, your personal details are never given to the police. This obviously hinders investigations where officers might need to ask you further follow up questions.

Can we please ask that you make that call or report on line. Do not assume that someone else will do it and don't think that your NW coordinator should do it of your behalf. Please
 spread this message as widely as possible so that NW can do its best to aid the police.

Thank you for your time and co-operation.