This week on Stoke and Wyken.

Dear Residents and Local Businesses, here is your weekly update from your local neighbourhood Policing Team, Stoke and Wyken.  

Officers from the Stoke & Wyken neighbourhood team have participated in OpSceptre which is an intensified week of action against knife crime and as mentioned in our earlier post during the start of the week, we have been out visiting a number of shops in our retail areas in order to educate and provide information to shop owners about not selling knives to those who are under 18. 

OpSceptre brings together all 43 police forces across England and Wales for intensified action against knife crime. 

We have been conducting sweeps in our local green areas, such as Wyken Croft Nature Park, Caludon Castle Park, Stoke Heath, Barras Green, St Margarets Park and The Lindfield, fortunately we did not find anything dangerous during our patrols. 

Rest assured we will be taking part in this Operation and conducting additional sweeps alongside our regular duties in the Stoke & Wyken area to keep our communities safe. 

OpSceptre brings together all 43 police forces across England and Wales for intensified action against knife crime. 

Officers from the Stoke & Wyken team have three arrests this week one for a common assault, one for harassment and another for a driver who was under the influence of alcohol. 

Vehicle Security Reminder 

Please be mindful when locking your car and take steps to keep your vehicle secure. We recommend the following: 

Don't Leave Valuables on Show 

It might sound obvious but leaving items on show is an invitation to the opportunist criminal - mobile phones, satnavs and mounts, power leads, money, wallets, handbags, sunglasses, coats, jackets and bags should always be removed from the vehicle or hidden well out of sight 

Hide Keys & Fobs 

Keys and ignition fobs should be kept safe and out of sight and reach. A common way to steal a car is to take the keys or ignition fob, so never leave them in the vehicle, even if it is unattended for a moment. When at home ensure that your keys or ignition fob are kept well away from windows or doors so that they cannot be seen by a potential thief and never leave them close to the front door where they can be accessed through letterboxes. Put the keys in a signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday bag. 

Lock Doors & Close Windows! 

Always lock and close the windows of your vehicle when you leave it unattended - be this on the drive, the petrol station forecourt, when de-icing your vehicle in the winter or when getting a ticket to park. An unlocked vehicle is the easiest to steal or steal from. 

Fit an Alarm 

If your vehicle is not fitted with a manufacturers’ fitted alarm and/or immobiliser, consider installing an approved system.  

Install a Tracker 

Tracker systems can increase the recovery of your car if it is stolen. Many systems activate once the car is stolen and track the car via GPS and other systems. SBD have several members which specialise in this area and can advise you on the best system and fitting of the product for your vehicle type 

Use Physical Security 

Physical security products such as a steering wheel lock or a lock that fits over the gear lever still act as a good deterrent 

Secure your Number Plates 

Fit theft-resistant number plate fittings. Stolen number plates are commonly used to hide the identity of stolen vehicles. Use one-way clutch head screws to secure number plates 

Naturewatch  

Wyken, Coventry — Officers from the Stoke & Wyken neighbourhood team received an unusual and heart-warming report this week from a resident who had an unexpected wildlife encounter.  

The resident explained that early one morning; while stepping outside to let in some fresh air, they noticed a kestrel — the small, hover-hunting falcon well known across the UK — briefly touchdown on a fence near their house. “It was incredible,” the resident said. “It hovered and then landed right on the fence as if it owned the place. I managed to grab a quick candid photo before it flew off again.” 

 Residents are reminded not to handle birds of prey themselves; if a bird appears injured, contacting the RSPCA or a local wildlife rescue is the safest option. 

The kestrel most commonly seen in the UK is the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), first formally described by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758. 

Above portrait of Carl Linnaeus est 1775    

He is known as the "father of modern taxonomy"   

Kestrels are famous for their ability to hover in one spot, holding steady in the wind while scanning the ground for mice, voles, insects and small birds. 

They adapt well to varied environments — farmland, grassland, roadside verges and even urban neighbourhoods — which is why sightings in places like Wyken are unusual but certainly possible. 

Despite being a familiar bird, kestrel numbers have declined in parts of the UK, placing them on the Amber List of conservation concern. Habitat changes and reduced prey availability are among the potential causes. 

A message from your neighbourhood team 

“We’re always delighted when residents share positive stories from the community, especially ones that highlight the wildlife living alongside us,”  

“If you’re lucky enough to witness something like this, a photo is a great way to remember it — just be sure to keep a respectful distance and never intervene unless the animal clearly needs help.” 

For non-emergency enquiries or to raise community concerns in the Wyken area, residents are encouraged to contact Coventry Police through their usual channels. 

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Kind Regards,   

The Stoke & Wyken Neighbourhood Policing Team