Thank you to Police Constable Jaclyn Irving (also known as Jac!) for this timely update!
“I hope that in these unprecedented times you are staying safe and well. It has been incredible to be a part of this fantastic community, to see everyone pull together and deal with this crisis together. It has placed unbelieveable strain on our local businesses and charities but they are adapting to our ‘new normal’ and to have such backing from this little community must ease that strain a little.
Thank you to everyone who has put up rainbows and other drawings in their windows for key workers and the NHS – it is great fun to spot them whilst we are out and about. And thank you to everyone who has been in touch over the last few weeks, I have tried to balance my duties as much as possible to let me patrol the parish regularly and I’m sure you will have seen some of my colleagues too as I’ve raised a few of our areas as ‘hotspots’ for visitors after dealing with a number of complaints (and came across a few more on my travels) regarding those who are failing to comply with the guidelines and travelling to the area for walks, etc.
In relation to the wider community – crime is changing. A large amount of our ‘regular’ crime was shopliftings, as you can imagine this is much more difficult and we are seeing the crime trend changing to shed and vehicle break in’s. These are largely opportunistic and there are a few things you can do to make it more difficult for them.
- Firstly, please don’t leave valuables / handbags / contactless cards in your car and make sure you lock your car. – Don’t leave tools in your van and again make sure you lock your van.
- Don’t leave bicycles lying about unlocked for any length of time, you’d be surprised how quickly someone can cycle off with it.
- Lock your sheds, add a movement alarm (£10ish from B&M or online suppliers) and cover any windows.
- Lock your front doors if you’re out the back, don’t give them any opportunities.
- If you do find someone within your premises or trying your car door, please report it. They may have been successful before or after you have disturbed them. Reporting it gives us a better chance of finding out who it is and where they have been.
If you see anything that you deem to be suspicious for any reason please do not hesitate to contact me or dial 101. A vehicle registration is always a great thing and helps narrow down the search much faster but I appreciate it’s not always easy to get.
I hope you are all well and if there is anything I can help with please do not hesitate to get in touch. I do take the work phone home and check emails/return calls when I get a chance to so even if I’m not at work I will get back to you and try to get something fixed up.
In the meantime, stay safe, stay well and keep looking after each other.”
Jac.
Jaclyn Irving
Georgetown, Calside and Caerlaverock Community Constable
Dumfries Community Policing Team
Loreburn Street
Dumfries
DG1 1HP
Telephone: 101
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