How can you help?
Crime Prevention
Crime Prevention Panel
Join a Crime Prevention Panel - a group of people who run campaigns to tackle local crime.
Call the Crime Prevention Officer at your local police station for more details.
Drive more safely on the county's roads! The Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership informs and educates about the county's road network...
Visit: www.redroutes.com
Vehicle Crime
Take the following steps to reduce the likelihood of theft or damage to your vehicle - visit: www.secureyourmotor.gov.uk
- Close all windows, sunroof etc and lock your car
- Lock your garage
- Use car parks with an attendant or closed-circuit TV, otherwise park in a well-lit area- www.securedcarparks.com
- Use steering wheel locks and immobilisers -
- Fit a car alarm - www.thatcham.org and www.soldsecure.com and www.vsib.co.uk
se locking wheel nuts - Have your vehicle's registration number etched onto all windows
- Mark your car stereo with your vehicle's registration number
Don't leave anything on display and put the "Forget It" notice in your window - Check that the car you are considering buying has not been stolen or written off by an insurance claim - www.hpicheck.com and www.carwatchuk.com and www.dvla.gov.uk and www.abi.org.uk
Young people - have a safer night out!
When you are planning a night out...
- Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to get home.
- Stay with friends throughout the evening and make sure your mates know where you are.
- Don't leave your drink unattended - anything can be slipped into an unattended glass...
- If you are driving, don't drink.
- If you are going to drink, make sure that someone in your group stays sober, in case of emergencies.
- Never mix alcohol and drugs.
- Get home safely! If you are on your own, ensure that you use a properly marked taxi. Don't accept a lift from someone you don't know or an unmarked "cab". Don't take a lift from someone who has been drinking or taking drugs.
Reporting Crime
Crimestoppers Volunteer
Visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org for information on becoming a Crimestoppers Volunteer....
Police
It is important that crimes are reported so that we can establish a true picture of the nature of crimes in the county and accurately measure the number which are successfully brought to justice.
In an emergency, always dial 999. Otherwise contact you local Police station. It is also possible to report crime online on www.lincs.police.uk
If you have information which could lead to the conviction of a criminal you can make a confidentail call to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
In Court
Victim Support Volunteer
Become a Victim Support Volunteer and provide local support to victims of crime or to witnesses at court.
Call Victim Support on 020 7735 9166 or visit www.victimsupport.org.uk
Email: info@victimsupport.org.uk
Witness commitment
If you are asked to be a witness in court, you play a vital part in delivering justice. By making a solemn promise to tell the truth and by giving your evidence in court, you make it possible for the magistrates (or judge and jury, if you are called to be a witness in the Crown Court) to understand what really happened.
Before the courts can find someone guilty or not guilty of a crime, they need to hear and consider the evidence - and witnesses are the people who provide the evidence.
Many trials do not go ahead, because witnesses fail to appear in court for one reason or another. The Lincolnshire Criminal Justice Board is working hard on a number of initiatives to provide better information and support for witnesses throughout the justice process - see Witness FAQs and How are we performing?
Witness Service
Volunteer for the Witness Service - to assist witnesses in court.
Visit www.victimsupport.org.uk
In the Community
Become a Magistrate!
Her Majesty's Courts Service welcomes applications from people who are interested in becoming Justices of the Peace. The role is voluntary, but travel, subsistence and financial loss.
For further information visit: "Information About...Becoming a Magistrate" on www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk or www.dca.gov.uk/magist/mag2fr.htm
Community Support Officer
Become a Community Support Officer - help the police to tackle anti-social behaviour and offer reassurance to the public. Call Lincolnshire Police or visit www.policecouldyou.co.uk/cso
Drive offenders to appointments The National Probation Service, Lincolnshire requires drivers to take offenders to appointments.
Drivers must present their driving licences and insurance documents. They must have a taxed and roadworthy vehicle, be broadminded, but able to set a good example to the offenders they meet.
A day of training is given, which covers aspects of volunteering for the service and the administrative procedures for reclaiming out-of-pocket expenses.
Contact Michael Fawcett on 01522 580472 and at michael.fawcett@lincolnshire.probation.gsi.gov.uk
Independent Custody Visitor Volunteer as an Independent Custody Visitor - a person who visits police stations to carry out checks on police cells and see how people are being treated.
Call 020 7837 0078 or visit: www.icva.org.uk
Neighbourhood Watch
Join or start up a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. Contact you local police station or visit
www.neighbourhoodwatch.uk.com
Old mobile 'phones can help Refuge Seven recycled mobile 'phones could pay for one hour of counselling for a victim of domestic violence.
Visit www.refuge.org.uk to download a postage label
Prison visits
HMP Lincoln is always happy to hear from people interested in becoming prison visitors.
For more information, please call the chaplain, Rev. Jeff Bird on 01522 663090.
Puppy Walkers
Lincolnshire Police Dog Section requires voluntary puppy walkers to look after and train dogs, ranging from puppies to 18 months old. Food and veterinary care are provided and full support is given by the Police Dog Section. Experience in dog breeding and training is desirable.
For more information, please telephone the Police Dog Section on 01522 527924.
Reparation projects
Both the Youth Offending Service and the National Probation Service supervise offenders on projects which make a positive contribution to the community as reparation work.
Both agencies are interested in hearing about projects which meet the Health & Safety requirements, allow offenders contact with the beneficiaries and do not take away paid work from contractors. Typical projects include conservation work and horticulture, painting and decorating for charitable organisations, removal of graffiti, maintenance of community play areas etc.
If you have a project which might be suitable, please contact:
The Service Development Officer, Youth Offending Service on 01522 554572
The Unpaid Work Manager, National Probation Service on 01522 510011.
Special Constable
Become a Special Constable - a volunteer police officer, who supports regular officers in helping to prevent and reduce crime.
Call Lincolnshire Police or visit www.policecouldyou.co.uk or www.specialconstables.gov.uk
Take a Stand against Anti-Social Behaviour!
Are you or do you know a person who has stood up to anti-social behaviour in the community? Find out more about what it means to take a stand:
Crime Concern
Taking a Stand Awards
FREEPOST NAT 18317
Swindon
SN1 3BR
Call: 0800 085 2980
Email : takingastand@crimeconcern.org.uk
Visit: www.takingastand.org
Write to Lincolnshire Police
Your views and ideas on policing in Lincolnshire are important. Please write to:
The Quality of Service Department
Lincolnshire Police HQ
PO Box 999
Lincoln
LN5 7PH
or email: ideas@lincs.pnn.police.uk
Youth Offender Panel Member
Youth Offender Panels work with young offenders who are on Referral Orders. They discuss a way forward and draw up a reparation contract, so that the young offender can make amends for the harm they have done and reduce the risk of their reoffending.
For more information, contact Andy Campbell at the Youth Offending Service on 01522 554572.
