Feb 07

Horse theft – there is something which you can do

Web based surveillance can deter animal and plant thefts

Those who think that the countryside is far less prone to crime than inner city areas have obviously never lived in a rural community.  There are, however, some crimes which are almost unique to non-urban areas and one of these is horse theft. Just as metal theft is increasing, so is the theft of items associated with the keeping of horses. Take this example which appeared on the New Forest Equine Directory’s Horsewatch news pages here http://www.nfed.co.uk/horsewatch.htm. “[Twice] thefts from a field in Leigh Lane occurred. The offenders stole various items including a distinctive Pirelli lunge line, lead ropes, girths, head collars and an electric fence battery. These were taken from an insecure trailer.”

 

So it isn’t just horseboxes and buggies which thieves are targeting. It is all types of horse associated equipment, although any machinery with a diesel engine is particularly prone to theft.

 

There are all kinds of (mainly voluntary) organisations spread across the UK which aim to bring together the horse community and local police forces. The best way to find your local body is to visit the national Horsewatch Alliance web site which has a map here ww.ukhorsewatch.org.uk/Map.html . There are also links to Horsewatch information pages on some of the local police force web sites. A good example of this is provided by the Avon and Somerset Constabulary which has pages outlining horse related crimes here

http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/community_safety/horsewatch/index.aspx

 

Already there is a nationwide scheme in place known as CESAR (the Construction & Agricultural Equipment Security and Registration Scheme). This is promoted by the Construction Equipment Association (CEA). Effectively, the scheme recognises the benefits of Datatag’s  http://www.datatag.co.uk/ ID technology and there are various types of tag which can be applied to horse related machinery such as self-adhesive, glass and datadots. When recovered, this will enable equipment to be returned to its rightful owners.

But it’s a bit like – and we’ve been dying to say this – closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. Wouldn’t it be better to put a deterrent in place? This is where web based surveillance systems – such as Jabbakam – can play a part. It should be quite feasible to put cameras in place that at least watch the stable yard – perhaps even the fields in which the horses are grazing. Then the owners could display a sign such as ‘Horse thieves – smile you are on camera’. Even if this doesn’t dissuade thieves, there’s a good chance that a vehicle registration number or an image of the thief’s face caught on camera can be passed to the police authorities. All it would take is a for a criminal to be caught in this manner and the word would spread like wildfire.

Feb 06

The UK’s Director of Public Prosecutions get tough on metal theft from war memorials

Crooks could lose driving licences as well as having assets seized

Any kind of metal theft from public places and buildings needs to be condemned but the crime that is particularly disgusting the British nation is the theft of plaques from war memorials. So it was very pleasing to hear that for the first time UK prosecutors will be instructed that they must spell out to judges the level of public disgust at the desecration of monuments to the fallen. This news has emerged in an interview given by the Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer, to The Sunday Telegraph newspaper. (See here http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/britainatwar/9046677/Save-our-war-memorials-Director-of-Public-Prosecutions-Keir-Starmer-promises-crackdown-on-metal-thieves.html).

One of the main reasons for the massive outcry against the theft of metal from war memorials is that 2014 (in just two years time) will mark 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War.

There is, however, a general perception that the thieves are getting off almost Scott free with their crimes. Public opinion has put enormous pressure on British politicians to be seen to be taking serious action against this crime wave.

The public will be delighted to hear some of the steps prosecutors can take in future against the perpetuators of such crimes. For example, prosecutors will ask the courts to confiscate offenders’ driving licences and urge judges to seize offenders’ assets. The latter is hardly likely to benefit the public purse because in many cases memorial plaques have been sold for as little as £15. However, the confiscation of driving licences could prove a far more effective weapon in combating this crime. Potential thieves could be caught in their vehicles and stopped before they have even had the chance to reach the scene of a potential crime. On top of this, Mr Starmer has told the Sunday Telegraph that he will instruct prosecutors to use every tool at their disposal to convict thieves who steal inscriptions from memorials. Morever, they will be instructed to fight for such criminals to receive the longest possible sentences.

“Metal theft is far from a victimless crime. It undermines and damages homes, churches, memorials and businesses, whilst burdening taxpayers who are forced to fund, directly or indirectly, costly replacements,” Starmer told the newspaper.

The really good news for the British public is that Mr Starmer’s measures will come into effect immediately. Contrast that with other proposals announced by the Government which would involve changing legislation – something which could easily take quite some time to happen.

Concerned citizens who live close to such war memorials could potentially play a role in combating such crimes by joining a community monitored TV scheme. These utilise low cost web based surveillance cameras – such as the Jabbakam, which could be pointed at parking place where thieves would be forced to leave their vans whilst perpetuating metal theft. By passing registration numbers to the police there’s a chance the crooks could be caught red handed before they get the chance to sell the plaques.

Jan 24

Scarborough man proves that cloakroom monitoring pays off

Installing a security camera could save your business’ reputation

We’re all familiar with the notices that regularly hang next to the cloakrooms in pubs, clubs and restaurants which clearly warn patrons that the “management accepts no responsibility for belongings left on these premises.” In fact, you can purchase such a sign very easily from here. While technically within their legal rights to accept no actual risk, what effect on the business is there if an important garment or bag goes missing? It might severely impact trade through the loss of an extremely important client who has been the victim of such a theft. Perhaps, establishment owners should take a leaf out of the book of the operators of the Quids Inn on St Nicholas Street, Scarborough [UK]. (more…)