Weekly update

Weekly update

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

This week on the Stoke and Wyken team our neighbourhood officers have been conducting our OP GALVENISE patrols in relation to vehicle crime on the north east area of Coventry at our local hotspots. Our PCS have had Three arrests this week all for shop lifting offences which is a huge relief for our retail stores and hopefully makes shopping more enjoyable for out residence on Stoke and Wyken neighbourhood. 

Crime Prevention advice

Bicycle Security: "Double-Lock It" 

WMP's primary advice is to never rely on a single lock. 

   

  Use Two Different Locks: Ideally, use a Gold-standard D-lock and a heavy-duty chain. Thieves often carry tools for only one type of lock (e.g., bolt croppers for cables but not for thick D-locks).

  Lock the "Lot": Secure the frame and both wheels to a permanent, immovable stand.

  Off the Ground: Keep locks off the pavement; thieves find it easier to break them by using the ground as a surface to strike or leverage against.

  Property Marking: WMP hosts free sessions where your bike is etched with a unique ID and registered on BikeRegister. 

🛵 Moped & Motorcycle Security: "Lock, Chain, Cover"

Mopeds and scooters are frequently targeted in Coventry because they are easy getaway vehicles. 

  Lock: Use a disc lock with a built-in alarm to prevent the wheel from turning.

  Chain: Secure the back wheel to a solid object like a ground anchor using a heavy-duty chain.

  Cover: An inexpensive bike cover hides the model from "shopping" thieves and adds a time-consuming obstacle.

 WMP Security Recommendations

To keep your bike or moped secure in these wards, WMP and BikeRegister suggest:

  Register Your Frame: Use the national database so WMP can return your bike if it is found dumped or recovered during an arrest.

  Double Locking: Use two different types of locks (e.g., a D-lock and a heavy-duty chain). Thieves often carry tools for only one type.

  Marking Events: Local police often host free bike marking sessions at community hubs like 

Although reports regarding nature and wildlife has been absent over the last few weeks, this week we have had various members of the public approach us again regarding a large black cat sighting, again in the Binley Woods area, this has now been seen by multiple eye witnesses and then reported to Officers whilst on patrol, although we advise them each time to report this to the British Big Cat society, details of which can be found at British Big Cats - British Big Cats Society, Prove and Protect, Big Cat Sightings, Official Website  

You can contact them via their form on the website above or by calling them on 01752 251153 or 07831 658492. 

Residents have reported that they have seen “Catfoot” numerous times during the late evenings whilst taking a walk, it has remained in the distance and appeared to be a large dark coloured animal of the feline variety, once it had been seen it had quickly darted off into the riparian environment.  

Darker nights are now here and daylight savings at the end of October will further make the nights darker even quicker, it is imperative to remain vigilant during walks in green spaces, higher visibility is important for general safety for one selves and others. 

The taxonomic genus Panthera was formally established by Carl Linnaeus, the renowned Swedish botanist and zoologist, despite his initial classification of these felines within the more expansive genus Felis in his seminal work, Systema Naturae. 

Pictured above – Carl Linneaus 1707–1778 – Swedish Botanist, Father of Taxonomy. 

Residents are encouraged to appreciate local wildlife responsibly. If you suspect you have seen an injured, escaped, or potentially dangerous animal, please refrain from approaching it and report your sighting to the appropriate authorities.  

Providing photographs, video footage, and details about the time and location can assist wildlife organizations in evaluating reports more effectively. For concerns regarding animal welfare, please reach out to the RSPCA. If there are immediate threats to public safety, contact the Police using the appropriate non-emergency or emergency number as necessary. 

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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