Monthly Update

Good afternoon! 

It's been a better change in the weather today after the stormy weather yesterday, that's for sure! As the mornings get a bit lighter and the days feel a bit longer - here are a few stay safe tips for the coming weeks and months;

Please make sure your cars are legal and roadworthy - did you know that there are sanctions for having no valid MOT certificate, insurance or having an untaxed vehicle? Depending on the offence and its severity, they can range from a penalty notice and fine, points and/or having your car seized. There are lots of handy tools through Gov.uk to check if your vehicle falls foul of this. It's also really important to make sure you/other drivers are driving in accordance with their licence, for example learner drivers are supervised in accordance with the legal requirements. 

Keep your property/vehicles/outbuildings secure - many residents will know, several properties in Hurstwood were victim to shed and outbuilding breaks. While some crime is opportunistic, I would always encourage any residents anywhere to undertake some security measures to protect their property and make them less ‘attractive’, or to help identify potential offenders should the worst happen. These can include CCTV cameras, lower cost wi-fi cameras, doorbell cameras and motion activated security lighting. Be vigilant to any suspicious activity in and around your area, vehicles you do not recognise (and note down their registration!) or people who are looking into properties or gardens etc. You can always call this kind of behaviour in to 101 for our attention, or if a crime is ongoing, please do report this immediately on 999. 

And finally… one of the more popular queries I have had recently relates to caravans parked in obstructive or dangerous places. As a caravan owner myself, I know how much enjoyment they can bring but also how much room they can take up! Please be mindful of where you are storing your van, if this is on public or private property, and if it is hindering or impacting the accessibility of roads to other users, their driveways, entrances or exits to roads, or pedestrians on a footpath. If you're parking your van up outside your house, for example to pack it up before a trip or hitch up, please make sure this is for as minimal amount of time possible to cause the least amount of disruption possible. When they're not in use, please make sure they are secure and locked as they may be inviting for unwanted guests to come and have sleepovers in if they are insecure and open, especially on colder nights! 

Kind regards,

Em