Residents at Cwrt Anghorfa Nursing Home in Pyle became part of the crime prevention crew on Friday 13th March when PCSOs Jon Howe and Karen Powell visited the home as part of Operation Brigade.
Following the recent distraction burglary of an elderly lady, who was deceived during a bogus visit from somebody posing as a water board employee, Pyle Neighbourhood Policing Team conducted a group mission to pile crime prevention advice onto local residents.
The talk at Cwrt Anghorfa saw PCSO’s Powell and Howe inform residents of the method of the distraction burglary to alert them of warning signs. The group were told not to let anybody into the home without checking they are a genuine visitor, and if the visitor is a company representative, for example a gas board employee, the group were reminded to check that the visitor has the relevant ID and/or phone their company to check their employment. Advice was also offered on securing doors and windows in order to prevent opportunistic burglary offences.
The residents revelled in the company of PCSOs Howe and Powell and expressed gratitude at their frequent visits, with one lady praising the crime drop in the nursing home vicinity.
Operation Brigade is ongoing in Pyle, and has seen the Neighbourhood Policing Team educating local councillors and neighbourhood watch representatives with crime prevention tips. The team have carried out letter drops to inform neighbours of when a crime has occurred nearby, as well as offering guidance, advice and contact details should anyone have a problem. An email watch scheme has also been developed in the area, where the police community support officers email residents with information bulletins on local happenings and vigilance guides.
PCSOs Powell and Howe have recently completed several welfare checks to previous victims of distraction burglary to check their wellbeing, and have also been promoting the ‘Handy Van Scheme’ where elderly residents can have new locks fitted to their home free of labour charges.
PCSO Jon Howe said: “Education is a key way to tackle crime in our local community. By offering crime prevention tips and guidance, we can beat the burglars before they have the chance to strike. South Wales Police has a zero-tolerance attitude to burglary offences, and will endeavour to improve the quality of life for Pyle residents and previous victims of crime.”
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