Newsletter Spring 2026

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CHAIRMAN’S BLOG

I am pleased to introduce and welcome a new committee member who joined at the AGM, which was a successful meeting with an interesting talk from Inspector Nick Cook, Head of Neighbourhood Policing in the Forest. Daniel Starr is from Coleford and we look forward to working with him.  We also have a new full time Police Support Officer, Rhian Rose-Jones, based in Hucclecote but I am sure you will get to know her when events take place in the Forest.  This is a very welcome addition, Rhian is keen, full of good ideas and very proactive. Her contact details are at the foot of this newsletter. 

On Thursday 12th March there will be a meeting for members in Lydney at the Training Rooms from 10.30-12.00.  My aim is still to hold local meetings to discuss local problems where individuals will not have to travel far and develop networking opportunities so members can help each other across an area.  There will be a police speaker on crime prevention so it promises to be a useful meeting.  Do try to attend if you are in the GL15 area.

POLICE ALERTS keep us informed of unlawful behaviour in our communities and how the police and the public are working to stop such activity. Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators should try to share Alerts with their members. That is most easily done by email, simply forwarding the informative Alert.  Some recent Alerts relating to our NHW area involved:-

Anti-social behaviour   Gloucestershire police have informed us of incidents around Newent  involving door-to-door sales people commonly known as Nottingham knockers.  These people, often ex-offenders, go door-to-door trying to sell products.  A few have become angry and abusive when people refuse to buy from them.  If you have any issues with people selling door- to-door, please call 101 and let your policing team know.  Tackling antisocial behaviour can be a complex issue and may need input and action from more than just the police. You can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Shoplifting has become a serious problem across the country. The Forest North Neighbourhood Policing Team were successful in arresting a 46 year old man and a 24 year old woman, and separately a 42 year old woman, for shoplifting in Newent. Both cases will be heard in Cheltenham Magistrates Court in due course. This outcome was a real team effort, made possible with the support of our Police Community Support Officers (CROFT & TIMMINS), whose local knowledge was key in locating the suspects swiftly.
Thefts from a vehicle continue to be a problem.  Never leave valuables of any sort in your vehicle.  This is especially important to workmen whose tools, even in a locked, unmarked van, are just too tempting for those bent on theft.

Wildlife crime There has been an increase in incidents reported to the Rural Crime Team, including 

geese being intentionally killed near Cinderford, vehicles on farms causing crop damage in the Coleford, St Briavels, and Redmarley areas, plus dead deer with possible dog bite marks. These latter suggest illegal hare coursing or attempted poaching. Gloucestershire Police are committed to the investigation and prevention of such crime.  If you witness such an incident, or just see a suspicious vehicle, report it on 999 if the crime is in progress; or ring 101 to log it for information.
Telephone scams in Huntley and Newent Scammers purporting to offer help with a compromised BT phone line, and a rogue direct debit being set up on a bank account are just two of the current round of scams where AI technology is being used to make multiple phone calls. Be reminded: “Just put the phone down”. If you receive a suspicious call, ring the service in question to find out if there really is a problem with your account.

                               West Gloucestershire NHW Committee members:

Jill Croxall - forestnhwjcroxall@hotmail.com; 

Ginny James;vljames1909@gmail.com

 Helen Powell -longleyfarm@hotmail.co.uk;  

Val Levack (Coleford) - vallevack@gmail.com 

Daniel Starr- danielstarr@outlook.com

Police Support Officer: Rhian Rose-Jones - rhian.rose-jones@gloucestershire.police.uk

Crime reduction list attached