Crewe & Nantwich News May 2009Exceptional Qualities Recognized Quick thinking, decisiveness and tenacity by nearly fifty Police Officers and Police Staff from Cheshire Police Eastern Area were recognized at an awards ceremony. Among people receiving Chief Superintendent’s Commendations were a team which spent two years tracking down criminals after a jewellery store robbery in Crewe and officers who arrested two men about to commit a robbery in the Wilmslow area, Police Officers and Crime Scene Investigators who dealt with two violent street attacks in Macclesfield and a Police Community Support Officer from Nantwich whose persistence and compassion saved a man’s life. Chief Superintendent Paul McHugh, the Cheshire Police Eastern Area Commander said, “Policing often involves dealing with people at times when they are under stress. It makes a great deal of demands on our people. These commendations highlight occasions when they have demonstrated exceptional qualities and skills.”
Striking Out the Dealers Police Officers say they are pleased with a number of convictions of drug dealers in East Cheshire over the past few months. P.C. Kevin Williams said, “Fewer dealers on the streets reduces the chances of people destroying their lives with cocaine or other drugs.” He was speaking after a 29 years old dealer was sent to prison for 18 months. £500 worth of cocaine was discovered at the man’s his home in Congleton after he was arrested during a disturbance in Crewe.
A 43 years old man from Sandbach has been charged with possessing heroin with intent to supply. The man was arrested in Alsager.
Landlords Warned Again Two cannabis farms in the West Street area of Crewe have been closed down. One, with 400 plants in two rooms of a house, was found after a fire broke out. The other, above a takeaway business, was discovered by Police Officers investigating reports of intruders at an adjacent empty property. Police have repeated their warning that organized criminal gangs, often based in the Far East, are setting up the “farms” as a major source of income. They have warned landlords to make sure they know exactly who is renting their property and what it is being used for.
Remaining Focused Inspector Bob Hassall, in charge of Nantwich Neighbourhood Policing Team, says the issues causing people most concern remain unchanged: the town centre’s busy night-time economy and speeding offences in rural areas. He says the NPT will continue to focus on these issues. All types of recorded crime in the Nantwich NPT area are on or below target so far this year, except for two incidents of serious violence.
Action against Drug Drivers Cheshire Police Officers have warned they are stepping up action against people who drive after taking drugs. Twenty four people arrested for driving while under the influence of drugs and another 23 cases are still pending. P.C. Robbie Burns said more officers have now been trained to carry out tests for drugs and the issue is being treated as seriously as drink-driving.
Damage Charge A man charged with committing criminal damage to a motorcycle dealership in Crewe and with two burglaries on separate occasions has been sent to Chester Crown Court.
Fishing Contest Widens Net The annual fishing contest run by the emergency services in East Cheshire will have some new features this year. Some of the heats will be held between 2pm and 8pm, instead of the usual 9am start with a 3pm finish. Constable Mick Shaw, who founded the contest three years ago said, “It will give a chance to some young people who cannot make the earlier start.” The grand final at Gawsworth Fisheries on August 26th will also be from 2pm to 8pm. Last year the competition attracted more than 800 entries from young people aged between seven and seventeen.
Change of Day for Shoppers A police surgery in the ASDA store in Crewe is being switched from Sundays to Tuesdays, to cater for older customers. Police Community Support Officer Vikki McKenna said, “The Sunday surgeries have been very successful but it is a family shopping day and we felt older people were missing out. We know a lot of them shop on a Tuesday morning, so we are going to try then. It will give them a chance to talk to us about anything that is causing concern.” The first Tuesday surgery will be between 10am and 12 noon on June 30th, with others at the same time on July 14th and 28th
Rogue Traders Warning at Crewe
More than a hundred warning letters are being delivered to homes in part of Crewe after cold-calling builders took £5,000 from a woman for three hours work on the roof of her house.
The men also asked her for another £10,000 to carry out further repairs which they claimed were necessary but they failed to show up after the woman reported them to the Police.
Police and Trading Standards Officers are now carrying out an investigation to track down the builders.
P.C. Matt Dutton, from the Crewe neighbourhood Policing Team, said, “A man called at the door of the house and said the roof needed some repairs. He was in a van carrying the sign “A.J’s Home Improvements”, with two contact telephone numbers.
He offered to do the work and took £2,860 in advance for it. He returned a week later and said there was woodworm in the roof which would cost another £1900 to rectify.
“The men came and did about three hours work. The results were cosmetic and very poor quality. Some days later they phoned again. They said more work was needed and they would be round to set up scaffolding. This work would cost another £10,000. They wanted the money paid into a particular bank account. By this time the lady had contacted us. The “workmen” never appeared.
“We believe these men are based in Manchester, but they may try this sort of activity in this area again, so we are warning as many people as possible, while we and Cheshire East Trading Standards Service investigate.
Paul Barrow, the Team Manager for regulation and Compliance with the Trading Standards Service of Cheshire East Council said, “Trading Standards advice is never to agree to work on the doorstep. If you think that work is needed to your property get quotes from two or three traders and compare them. Ask for references and check the trader out by speaking to previous customers.
If you do agree to work on the doorstep, you have the right to cancel
The contract at any time within seven days. The trader must by law give you a written notice of your right to cancel the contract.
“If you are suspicious of a trader who calls at your home contact Trading standards by calling Consumer Direct on 0845 404 0506”
P.C. Matt Dutton added, “We do not get a large number of rogue trader incidents in this area but even one is one too many.
“If you have any information about this or any similar incident contact us on the Crewe Neighbourhood Policing Team line 0845 458 6370 or the Cheshire Police Information Line 0845 458 0000.
In West St the improvements are going ahead and largely unnoticed as so far they have concentrated on new car parks at the rear of the paper shop so know one has really seen very much happening. The car park is now finished and this week they will move out and start causing traffic jams as they carry out road works and pavement improvments. This is set to go on for weeks so avoid West St
Around the corner in Oxford St at the site of the old chapel which was burnt down the land has been cleared and the foundation have started to go in for the six new houses. They have been working every day on this project much to everyones annoyance as we were woken by the jack hammer going on a Sunday morning. The concrete has given up without a fight as its been several feet thick.
