info@LofthouseCAG.co.uk Neighbourhood Policing In an emergency, when life and/or property is at risk, where a crime is in progress, where people are injured or where a fight is taking place: Dial 999. For non-emergency, less urgent situations, where no-one is at risk e.g. anti social behaviour, congregating groups of youths causing a nuisance or public disorder, motor bikes in unauthorised areas etc. in a non emergency situation: Dial 0845 60 60 60 6 or 01924 293259. Additionally, contact Neighbourhood Action Line and report to Neighbourhood Patrollers on 0845 8 506 506. For after the event situations, where an incident has already taken place, contact the Neighbourhood Policing Team telephone extension at Ossett Police Station: Dial 01924 293743 (answer phone facility, so leave a message). Wrenthorpe/Outwood/Stanley Neighbourhood Policing Team PC 2156 Danny Cherry PC 1195 Mark Sharp PCSO 716 Paul Dix PCSO 151 Kath Hibbert Led by Sergeant 147 Jason Jowett Lofthouse Gate Neighbourhood Watch An important member of the Neighbourhood Policing Team for the Wakefield Area is – PC Helen Crossley, a serving Police Officer with West Yorkshire Police for the past 20 years. PC Crossley is the Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer for the Wakefield Division. The main aim of Neighbourhood Watch is to establish a good partnership between the  Police and the local community by mutual co-operation, and assisting each other to:- a)    Reduce the opportunity for crime in the area. b)    Reduce the fear of crime in the area. c)    Report to the Police any suspicious incidents or activity, which may help prevent or detect crime in the area. d)    Enables residents to tackle local problems. e)    Raises awareness of crime prevention measures. f)     Lets offenders know that people in the area care and look out for each other. Apart from providing links and a partnership with Police, Neighbourhood Watch can offer a better quality of life for those living in the Watch area by reducing the fear of crime. It makes sense that people will feel less apprehensive about leaving their homes and property if there are a number of good neighbours around who are ever alert and watchful. A number of insurance companies recognise the success and importance of Neighbourhood Watch by offering customers up to a 10% discount off their premiums for house contents and sometimes vehicle insurance. Lofthouse Gate currently has 11 active Neighbourhood Watch schemes running which cover – Johns Avenue, Oakdale Close, Potters Croft, Virginia Close, Virginia Court, Virginia Drive, Virginia Gardens and Winden Close.  (Although we have a co-ordinator in these streets, it does not mean that the whole of the street is covered). With PC Crossley’s assistance, it is our intention to cover the whole of Lofthouse Gate, so that eventually each and every house will be part of a Neighbourhood Watch. A Neighbourhood Watch scheme works by one person agreeing to be the Watch Co-ordinator, this person will be the link between watch members and the Police. To establish a scheme, no less than 5 households to a maximum of 20 must participate. Each co-ordinator must have access to a telephone line or Email address so that the police can supply pertinent information such as crime that is occurring in the immediate area.  After the inaugural meeting (which will be launched by PC Crossley), each scheme must have a minimum of one meeting a year, in order for the scheme to continue to be registered with the West Yorkshire Police. If you are interested in becoming part of a Neighbourhood Watch and are prepared to attend a meeting, please can you contact PC Helen Crossley on 01924 221341. This is the telephone number of the Neighbourhood Watch Office at Normanton Police Station, if it is not answered personally,  please can you leave your name, address and telephone number on the answer phone service and it will be picked up and dealt with by PC Crossley on her return to duty.