THE
No. 159 •July 1995 • Circulation 15,000
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Swindon 610188
From L Wend':• Distributed in West Swindon, Haydon Wick, Woodhall Park & Abbey Meads
FJt::: :.UnoSI:: fOPdH fiestas
The positive newsforce in West and North Swindon and the swindon wide what on guide
Win a trip to the USA! Celebrate Independence Day at Disney Florida Get your passport ready and turn to page 16 to find out how you could win a 7 day surprise holiday worth over £2000!
Rich pickings in Grange Park Police organise 12 July public meeting to beat the burglars Burglaries are on the rise again in Grange Park and Swindon Police want to meet residents to discuss ways of tackling the problem. From 1 January to 28 May there were 56 burglaries in Grange Park. This represents 14% of all reported burglaries in the Police north subdivision, roughly double the expected rate for the area. By comparison, over the same period, the adjacent beat area Freshbrook had 26 reported burglaries, Toothill had 31, and further afield there were 20 in Greenmeadow. All will have caused distress to householders, but many could have been prevented. The public meeting takes place on Wednesday 12 July, 7pm, in the Drama Studio, Greendown Community School, Grange Park.
Explaining the need for the meeting Sgt. Bob Walton, Crime Prevention Officer at Westlea police station, said: "the bad spate of break-ins towards the end of last year ended when an individual was arrested, but the number of burglaries has started to rise again. We need to get on top of this problem, but we need to work closely with residents." He said the meeting will be an opportunity to listen to residents and discuss ways of deterring criminals by improving security, surveillance and developing Neighbourhood Watch schemes. "The problem is general across Grange Park; all householders should be concerned. It's a reasonably well-off area and therefore attractive to those looking for the easy opportunity to break-in.
Escape is easy by car; there are many footpaths through the area and many places to hide. "The majority of the break-ins take place during the day, often on houses where occupants are out at work." Sgt. Walton added that people need to take a good look at security measures to deter burglars. Locks on doors and windows should be improved, garages and garden sheds should be secure at all times. Householders should think about ways of making it look less obvious when the house is empty." Sgt. Walton said the public meeting was not restricted to Grange Park residents. Readers from other areas concerned about crime and property protection are welcome to attend.
Staff and children at Shaw Ridge School celebrated the school's tenth birthday on 20 June by posing in the playground for an aerial photograph taken from a helicopter. In the afternoon there was barn dancing followed by class parties where a magnificently decorated cake made by Education Support Assistant Anne MacKay. The high flyers pictured above are Cloe Bastham and Luke Patterson
Spot the Difference in the centre pages and win a ticket to the RAF Fairford Victory Airshow 22/23 July
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