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

Mobile Mobile Mouthing Morons

Sixty pounds, 3 points and higher insurance premiums.

Norfolk Police Crackdown

Get caught talking non hands free in Norfolk Constabulary's crackdown and that is the least you can expect with fines up to £1000 if it goes to court.

Breaking the silence without a hammer

It seems the police were correct to allow a legal rave at Cockley Cley with only minor offences and one possibly unforeseen major casuality reported after the 18 hour dance festival. The noise pollution could be heard quick clearly in North Pickenham, an odd bass rumble backdrop to the usual serenity.

The seven mile road journey is under five as the crow flies, the stillness of a lovely early autumnal Saturday evening wafting the party poundings unfettered.

This weekend had enforced, yet pleasant, sightseeing tours on local buses with elevated views of Breckland from a double decker bus after a kindly boy in blue reminded me that my MOT was more than two weeks overdue. Advice taken and fine duly paid. What I was unaware of, however, was the apparent Zen like philosophical conundrums on board the ticket touting transport.

Thought provoking.

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!

No peas, travel ease and not saving the trees

Bad news for East Anglian farmers as Birds Eye cancel the 30,000 tonnes of peas from the pod grown over 11,500 acres. Fortunately the cooperative had not ordered two new harvesters at £320,000 each.

Photo:James Bass

Trips into Norwich during the rush hour will ease with proposals for part time traffic lights at the Honingham roundabout. Generally light traffic is one of Norfolk's blessings, as I was contrastly reminded on a 2.5 hour each way 50 mile commute from Essex to Richmond on Thames last week.

Police efficiency is at an all time low, well energy wise anyway. Don't expect that three point penalty notice not to arrive, unless it gets recycled amongst the other 63 tonnes of paper Norfolk Constabulary gets through annually. Not to mention nearly a quarter of a million plastic cups at the water coolers!