General :: Plaxtol Village, Kent ::

Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 05:41 PM

It is a crime, which is targeted at the more vulnerable in our communities, the elderly and the ill or disabled, those who often live alone. As I write this there have been a total of ten such crimes in the West Kent police area this year and I am sure that by the time you read this there will have been others. Two of these crimes were committed in Platt and Borough Green so they are not something that happens elsewhere, they affect us as well.

The offenders will use some story to gain entry to your home; they often pretend to be an official from a gas, water or electricity company. Whatever story is given and they are many and varied its sole purpose is to get you to allow them into your home. Once inside you will be kept occupied in the kitchen filling basins of water or looking under the sink while another offender is looking for your purse or handbag. If you are asked for change for a Ł10 note that’s just so they can see where you keep your money.

We can all think of vulnerable people in our communities who could become victims. It falls to us all to keep an eye on them, to intervene if we see them letting people into their homes. We will often be able to recognise their normal pattern of visitors, so if something looks out of place take some action, even if its just calling round to borrow some sugar, that simple action could deter the offenders and make them leave.

We can also educate our family and friends, make them aware of the issues. The message we need to get across is that you do not let people into your homes unless you are sure of them.
Utility companies do not usually turn up unannounced, they do not need to come into your home to turn the water off, they can do that in the road and they certainly won’t ask you to fill up buckets of water and watch the kitchen tap for blue dye to come through. Do not let these people in, if necessary leave them on the doorstep and phone a friend to come and verify who they are.

We can all help in preventing this sort of crime; we can all play a part in getting this message across. It is important to act quickly if you think such a crime is taking place, phone the police and above all record details of any vehicles involved, that one registration may be so important in the bigger picture, please report anything suspicious.

If you are part of a group or organisation, maybe the WI or a coffee or lunch group and you feel that the group would benefit from a visit by me to explain these issues then please get in touch on 01732 379391.

Antony Wiles PC8024
8024@kent.pnn.police.uk

General: Kent Police

Sunday, June 15, 2008 - 09:39 PM

Beauty Spot crime

With the weather warming up and summer fast approaching there has been a visible increase in the number of people visiting Kent's beauty spots. Places like Ightham Mote, Knole Park and Oldbury Hill to mention just a few popular venues. They are great places to spend a day or just a few hours, go for a walk or visit an old historic house or scrumptious tearoom.

Most visitors arrive by car, which will then be parked up and left for the duration of the visit. So often I have watched while visitors change into their walking boots and then hide their handbags and other valuables in the boot or under the tartan rug on the back seat. Some don't even go to the trouble of doing that and leave such items on display in the front foot well.

If I can park up and watch visitors doing this then who else could be watching you. Criminals actively target such locations and we know that they often watch you hiding your valuables and leave. Giving them plenty of time while you are gone to break in and take what you have hidden.

Be observant when you park up and make sure you are not being watched. More importantly if you have left or hidden something in the car it tends to suggest that you don't need it with you, so perhaps it would be better to leave it at home in the first place. Take with you only what you need to enjoy the day and leave the rest at home. A purse or wallet would be much safer in your pocket than left in the car. There are plenty of small rucsacs or bumbags on the market to enable you to keep your valuables with you.

It can spoil a good day out to return and find the car broken into and your valuables gone.

Antony Wiles PC8024 - Borough Green

General: PLAXTOL WI MEETING JUNE 2008

Monday, June 09, 2008 - 12:26 PM

With those “lazy, hazy, crazy days of Summer” hopefully just around the corner, the underlying theme at our June meeting was enjoying the outdoor life. With this in mind, a fun walk, with a sausage and mash supper to follow, is taking place on 14th June (tickets from Pat Gurney); we have the garden meeting at Little Damas to look forward to in July (when we will be entertained by the WI choir, and the first part of the Webb trophy will be judged); we will be donning our finery for a smart cocktail party at Cob Orchard on 1st August (tickets must be bought in advance from Joan Harrison); an outing is being organised to the National Trust’s Standen on 11th September; and, of course, we must not forget the Kent Show when the Plaxtol WI Life entry, which recently won the district competition, (well done to Sue Lamb and her team of talented and creative helpers) will, we hope, receive further much deserved praise. [cont...]

General: Plaxtol Safe Lanes Driver Scheme

Friday, December 07, 2007 - 03:21 PM

The Safe Lanes Working Group would like to thank everyone who has already submitted details of particular places on Plaxtol lanes where speeding or careless driving are of concern.

If you have not already been in touch, please contact us by e-mailing gary.starling@btinternet.com.

Safe Lanes is a community scheme and we want as much feedback as possible from everyone.

We wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year.

Safe Lanes Working Group

General: PLAXTOL WI MEETING, JULY 2006

Sunday, July 16, 2006 - 03:41 PM

PLAXTOL W.I. REPORT JULY 2006

Sadly our July meeting began once again with us observing a minute’s silence, in remembrance of one of our members who had died recently. Jean Leftley came to Plaxtol in 1932 and will be remembered with love by everyone who knew her. Jean was a long standing member and a good supporter of the W.I. She undertook the busy role of President and was involved in making our banner and the President’s tablecloth. However, her artistic talent didn’t stop there as many homes in the village own a picture or piece of china painted by Jean. Others will remember her serving petrol at the village garage, which her brother owned, and later seeing her when the local doctor held a surgery at Rhodes Cottage, Jean’s home. Our thoughts go out to her family at this difficult time and she will be sadly missed by us all.

We realise members of the Plaxtol W.I. are fortunate to have an opportunity to take part in many different activities as our President updated us on forthcoming dates for our diaries. 22nd July, a visit to Marle Place organised by Shirley. 26th July, lunch at Eastwell Manor. 3rd September, a Kentish Afternoon Tea for members and partners at Pam Powell’s home and a District outing to “The Mikado” at Hever Castle on 20th July.
Sandy gave out the good news that the darts team will meet up again soon while anyone interested in whist was invited to contact her.
Our President has decided that 19th July is the date set aside for a new members meeting to help them and any other members who feel they would benefit from understanding more about the organisation and running of the W.I.

We were doubly fortunate this month with our Garden meeting, firstly in the beautiful location and secondly with the warm summer evening we all enjoyed on this occasion. Libby Cohen was a most generous host in allowing us to share her garden at Great Oaks House. The atmosphere, like the weather, was warm and sunny and all enjoyed a stroll around the delightful grounds taking in the many unusual plants, shrubs and trees, while a shady lake with an attractive water feature gave the lower garden an air of tranquillity.
All too soon it was time to go home and we were reminded that our next meeting on the 3rd August at 7.45pm. in the Memorial Hall will be a social and fun evening with a competition for home made biscuits as another part of the Webb Trophy.
Rita Camp

General: Plaxtol WI Meeting, March, 2006

Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 02:10 PM

PLAXTOL W.I. REPORT MARCH 2006

The result of Plaxtol’s Marmalade Competition was one of the first items on the agenda for our March meeting. Pat, our President, proudly announced the winner as Janice Bowden closely followed by Anna Church with Yvonne Young taking third place. Janice was presented with a named shield which is held for a year and Ł36.60p (proceeds from the competition) to donate to her chosen charity. All three winners were given a small trophy to keep. Gerry and Sandy, from Plaxtol Stores, were thanked for organising such a popular event.
The members were also informed that once again Pam Powell our hard working Treasurer, had found time to carry out some excellent photography which had resulted in her in having a photograph accepted for the W.I. 2007 calendar. Well done Pam! [continued...]

Safe Lanes. Has it improved road safety in Plaxtol?

Category: General