Contrasting Accounts of County Crime

Thankfully Norfolk is a safe place to live with much antisocial behaviour centred in the few larger conurbations and other crime more particular to rural farming locations. Deputy Chief Constable Simon Bailey is pleased, but not complacent, in Norfolk being named the safest place in the country to live.

Google

Indeed today's warning from Norfolk Police in the EDP of a robbery in Merryweather Road, Swaffham, recorded that the robbers, er, stole nothing. Not that East Anglia is free from serious crime. Thomas Curtis was part of a gang that had a total of 32 robberies, 67 cashpoint thefts, 42 smash-and-grabs and 126 vehicle thefts linked to it. Sentenced to 12 years for his part in the crimes, he died in Norwich gaol in January after being returned to prison for breaking parole conditions. His widow reports he was a reformed character having worked in the community whilst in custody, she added:

“You couldn’t ask for a better brother and we feel he should be remembered for the positives, not just the negatives.”

Brian Purdy/EDP

Shame the wreath givers at his recent funeral were not so sensitive to the community he had wronged. I wonder whether the victims of the crimes, where the perpetrators brandished sawn-off shotguns, baseball bats, pickaxe handles and sledgehammers to carry out the robberies during their ram raiding exploits, appreciate the 'humour' of flower arrangements in the shapes of a replica cash machine, a Post Office sign, a can of red diesel and a £20 note?

Shocking Story

Hoping the resident pigs did not escape when electric fencing was stolen earlier this week between the Pickenham and Hilborough Estates.

Roger Gilbertson/Geograph

Rural crime is hard to spot unless you know that it is the wrong people doing the wrong thing at the wrong time, or a mixture of one or more of the three.

Holding on to your ill gotten gains

Armed crime is never funny or clever, but some people need custodial sentences to save them from themselves.

A man has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison after committing two armed robberies in two days in Breckland. On the evening of Thursday 14 July 2011 Jordan Carr entered the BP petrol station on Norwich Road in Swaffham and demanded money. He threatened staff with a gun and fled with a quantity of cash and cigarettes – some of which he dropped outside along with part of his gun. Then, on the morning of Friday 15 July Carr, aged 22 and of no fixed address, entered the B & P Newsagents on Stone Road in Dereham with an accomplice, armed with a gun. When they fled with a quantity of cash they were challenged by members of the public and dropped the cash and another part of the gun.

One of the incidents was the site of last year's arson attacks by Hussain Murad, fortunately no one was physically hurt in any of the mercifully rare crimes in this region.

EDP24

County Centre Crime Communication

Norfolk is statistically a very safe place to live but I was alarmed at news I was emailed today from Swaffham police:

Serious crime is, thankfully, quite rare with antisocial behaviour and petty theft being most common nearby. Norfolk crime has decreased in recent times but to check more locally you can use this interactive map. Without wishing to tempt fate, around here the last three months has seen an average increase in crime of 36.4% from 3.7 to 5 crimes monthly!

Crime is not a funny thing

This Christmas…keep it safe, keep it secure is the advice for householders from the Swaffham Neighbourhood Policing Team with some pointers to keep hold of your festive cheer.

❄ Close curtains when dark to prevent thieves looking in.

❄ Use timer switches so it looks like you are at home.

❄ Remember to secure windows, doors and outbuildings.

❄ Record serial numbers, take photos of valuable items.

❄ Mark items with a police approved marking system
 – it makes them worthless to thieves

❄ Always lock your car and never leave property or shopping on show – even in car parks.

❄ Shred personal items to prevent possible identity theft.

❄ Keep wallets, bags and any valuables on you hidden.

❄ Don’t advertise new goods – never leave empty packaging by bins.

Sound, serious suggestions. Being burgled isn't a funny business, I've been done twice myself, so I felt a little guilty when a visual witticism made me outwardly laugh when reading of someone else's misfortune. The Lorry Crime Blog reported yesterday of a cheese and salami rustler who stole a lorry from TMM Distribution Ltd, a Swaffham firm established by father and son Doug and Andrew Spells, later found burnt out just east of Norwich near Bawburgh. Sorry to hear it, I hope someone is brought to account for it. What came into my head?

Sorry lads, gallows humour.