St Alphege 8th January 2026 – 16th January 2025 Good Evening Here is your regular update from the St Alphege Neighbourhood Policing Team Burglaries Between 00:00am and 07:55am on Tuesday 13th a burglary occurred on HOMER ROAD. Offenders have broken into a secure area in an apartment block and stolen 2 high value bikes, one of which was an e-bike. Vehicle Crime There has been no vehicle crime reported during this period. Other crimes A number of other crimes have been reported to us over this period such as shoplifting, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of cocaine with intent to supply, assaults, harassment and criminal damage. GOOD NEWS A prolific shoplifter has been arrested on warrant. After a fight in the town centre 2 males were arrested. A speed enforcement check was held on CHURCHILL RD. No vehicles were recorded speeding. 2 Community speed watch sessions have been held on SHARMANS CROSS RD and MONKSPATH HALL RD resulting in 50 vehicles recorded speeding. All registered keepers have been written to. We have been out on patrol with the ALDERBROOK Street watch team. There will be beat surgeries at THE CORE on Wednesday 21st and at SMITHTONS FOOD MARKET on PROSPECT LANE on Saturday 31st. Both surgeries will be between 10am and 11am. Please come down and have a chat with officers if you have any concerns CRIME PREVENTION Please remember that even though the nights will be getting lighter Darker Nights are still with us so please follow these simple crime prevention guidelines. Don’t leave your house in darkness, this is a clear sign that the house could be empty. Timer switches for lamps are a useful item to use so that lighting comes on while you’re out. Wifi enabled systems can also be used to switch your lights on. And off. Please consider anti-snap locks to all outside doors. Look for at least 3 stars and the Kitemark when purchasing them. Put wheelie bins at the rear of your property away from gates and fences if you can. These can be used as a means to get over your fence and into your rear garden. If you have a side gate or a fence bordering your garden, then think about something called PRIKA STRIP. This is strips of hard rubber spikes that can be run along flat surfaces such as gates, fences and roofs, anybody attempting to climb on or over will find it difficult to put their hands on the surface due to these spikes. Remember, crime prevention is all about making it difficult for offenders to break in to your property or steal your vehicles. If they have to spend more time or make more noise than they want to they may give up and look elsewhere. As the shops start to get busier pickpockets and purse dippers will become more active in the town centre. Always make sure handbags are zipped, never leave your handbag or purse unattended on a shopping trolley, pushchair or wheelchair. Always be aware of your surroundings and the people around you when withdrawing cash. A simple tactic against this type of crime is to attach small bells to your purse so that they jingle when purses are being moved. HAS YOUR FOB DONE ITS JOB? Always make sure that your vehicle has locked before you walk away from it. Offenders are out there at night trying the handles looking for insecure vehicles. Please consider a good steering lock for your vehicles. If your vehicle is keyless entry then consider using a FARADAY pouch to put your keys in. These block the signals that are picked up by scanners. Don’t leave valuables in unattended vehicles. Tamper proof screws for number plates are a good idea to protect number plates from being stolen. Now that winter is coming tools will be locked away in sheds and outbuildings. Protect your sheds with good quality locks and battery operated alarms that are activated with vibrations. Chain property together so that it cannot be easily removed. Don’t leave tools in insecure sheds, these can be used to break into locked sheds. Please ensure that you have a good quality lock if you plan on leaving your bike unattended. A D lock is one such type of lock. Cheap locks are cut through in seconds and even stronger chains put up little resistance to bolt cutters. Bike theft generally increases with the better weather as people start to get out on them more. Please take 5 mins to read about ways you can prevent burglary and vehicle theft www.westmidlands.police.uk/search?q=Burglary www.westmidlands.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/keeping-vehicles-safe/Follow us on Twitter @stalphegewmp | 
