If you live in Havant or Waterlooville we’d like to remind you to secure your home properly after 42 reports of burglary were received in the last month Data shows that the burglaries all took place between September 20 and October 19. The majority took place in the Barncroft & Bedhampton area (15), with other reports being received in Havant and Emsworth (10), Waterlooville South (9), Waterlooville North (5), and on Hayling Island (3). Around 40% of the total number of burglaries took place on a Friday.

Investigations are ongoing to see if any of the reports are linked. However it appears that some of the homes may have been insecure and jewellery, rather than larger items have been taken on a number of occasions. For example one report related to a house on Eastern Road in Havant on Saturday, September 26. At some point between 7pm and 11pm jewellery was taken from inside the property, larger items such as electronics were left untouched. There were no signs of forced entry and it’s thought a window or door at the rear of the house could have been insecure. We’d like to take this opportunity to remind residents of the following crime prevention advice:

• Shut all windows and lock them when you are not using the room, at night and when you leave your property.
• Lock all front and rear doors at night and when you are out. If you have a UPVC door with a multi-point lock ensure you lift the handle and lock it with the key
• Put all car keys and other keys out of sight and not in reach of windows and letterboxes. It doesn’t take much for the keys to be hooked through the letterbox.
• Leave a light on so your home looks occupied if you are going out for the evening. If you head out while it is still daylight and won’t be back until after dark, then timer switches (available from most DIY stores) can be useful in turning your lights, radios and other appliances on at a set time before you get back.
• Ensure side gates are locked to prevent access to the rear of the property.
• Do not leave ladders and garden tools in your garden; lock them away in your shed.
• Have an intruder alarm system installed by an approved contractor. Ensure a visible alarm box is attached to the outside of your home. Also consider fitting security lighting.
• Use door chains and spyholes to give you extra security if someone knocks on your door. Never be afraid to turn people away. If you have concerns about anyone who has come to your door call the police.

For more crime prevention advice you can also join your local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme by visiting http://www.hampshire.police.uk/internet/advice-and-information/crime-prevention/neighbourhood-watch As the clocks have just gone back it’s important to remember that in the winter the lack of lights on in a house during the darker evenings can indicate that no one is home – attracting an opportunist burglar to look further for insecurities to enter the property. Leaving a light on while you are out and shutting the curtains helps to make a home look occupied. Timer switches can be used to turn lights on in dark evenings before you return from work.

The Horndean litter Pick is starting up again! any volunteers are welcome and we will be meeting at the far back corner of Morrisons Car Park at 9:30am on Sunday 8th November and plan to pick until 11:00am.

This is the same day as the remembrance day service in Horndean which starts at 10:45 so there is still a good hour if you would like to do both.

I will be there with pickers and bags etc from EHDC and there are a number of volunteers on Streetlife who are also coming along.

Look forward to seeing you there!

On Sunday 8th November 2015 the Annual Remembrance Service will be held at the Horndean War Memorial, The Square, Horndean. The parade will leave the Scout Hut, Queens Crescent at 10:20am and will march down to the War Memorial. The Service will commence at 10:45am..

While the parade is marching, traffic will be controlled and managed by a Traffic Management company. Havant Road and Blendworth Lane will be closed between 10:30am and 12pm.

All are warmly welcome!

Changing Hats – by an anon police officer.

“Two things struck me whilst on shift last night.

The first was a timely reminder of the sheer professionalism and dedication of our colleagues in green from the Ambulance Service. I arrived just moments after paramedics, at the scene of a person who had hanged themselves.

Straight to work. There was no panic, no confusion, no shouting. I watched as they each carried out tasks well known to them, with speed and accuracy. We helped where we could, freeing hands for other vital tasks. Police delivering breaths, Paramedics delivering compressions.

Rigging up fluids, adrenaline, getting an airway in, prepping the De-fib. 6 of us now.
Here they were, life savers. Relentless in their efforts waiting for the HEMS team. Trying desperately, using every ounce of strength, knowledge, skill. Maintaining their composure even when the incredibly distraught family arrived at the scene.

Sadly, and despite every effort, he didn’t make it.

You try to comfort the family as best you can. But what do you say…….what can you say. An arm around the shoulder.

We get back into our vehicle in silence. A big exhale.

No sooner have we left the street, the radio is reporting a large drunken fight not far away. And that is the second thing…..

As my colleague put it “How do you change hats so quickly from the last incident to the next one”. I guess you just have to. What choice is there? It’s the same for the paramedics, going to deal with the next drunk, injured in a fight, throwing abuse. I feel fine in myself, as does my colleague, but my mind is still back there, spinning away, trying to process it i suppose.
Thankfully (amazingly!) there are multiple units nearer the fight and pulling up on scene saying it’s “calmed down for now”.

We take 5 minutes, and pull into a lay-by out the way from the noise and hustle. Just 5 quiet minutes. Until the next job….

Police, Paramedics, all the emergency services.

We’re not machines. We’re just people.

That’s all.”

2014-15 was a year of successful outcomes for East Hampshire District Council and for the area we serve. Our economy continues to thrive and grow, our focus upon the people of our area has resulted in 24 apprentices starting work through our dedicated scheme and 550 homes being built in the district.

We have made great strides in priority regeneration projects such as Whitehill and Bordon and developed a strong focus upon putting sustainable plans in place for future generations. Our ambitious Energy Strategy balances the need for carbon reduction with the desire to encourage business in the area.

We have also looked into the future of service delivery with the development of our Corporate Strategy which sets out the innovative way we intend to provide public services by 2019.

All that has been delivered would not be possible without the hard work, dedication and enthusiasm of our staff, councillors and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to help improve people’s lives in East Hampshire.

The document not only shows the council’s successes of the last financial year, but highlights the direction of travel for our future.

Click here to download a copy of the report: EHDC Annual Report 2014-15

HCC are holding a public consultation into the lowering of the speed limit to Havant Road, something local Councillors have lobbied for over several years at Parish, District and County. The Havant Road development was the final pushing point for HCC to agree to this.

The speed reduction though does not apply to the full length of Havant Road in front of Keydells and personally I feel a 30mph limit along the length to the roundabout to the South makes more sense.

Here is a copy of the map showing the proposed extent of the speed reduction in green.

The consultation period is open between 23rd Oct and 13th Nov and the link is here: Havant Road Consultation

Please email your views clearly stating it is for the Havant Road, Horndean Speed Limit Reduction Consultation to public.notices@hants.gov.uk

You might oppose the reduction, support it, or feel it should go the full length of the road.