Operation SHIELD – Being Rolled Out From 8 May

You will recall from our April Update of the Parish Council Meeting, that 'Operation SHIELD' is being rolled out in our district from 8 May.

Do not be alarmed ... there has been NO increase in burglaries or theft of property in our area, but it is important to be proactive and preventative, thus reducing the likelihood of becoming a victim of crime.

• What is it ... Operation SHIELD is a Cheshire Police property marking and crime prevention initiative. The property marking kit is called 'Selecta DNA' which is a marking system unique to an individual address and which allows for identification of property in the event of it being stolen but, importantly, aids in the prevention of crime and should act as a deterrent.
• Who Supports It ... Our very own Tattenhall & District Parish Council has been fully supportive of the roll-out within the Parish. In this respect, one kit will be supplied free of charge to every single household and additional kits can be purchased at a cost of £40 from Cheshire Police.
• How is it to be Rolled Out ... When Operation SHIELD is rolled out in Tattenhall, it will be distributed to every residential and farmhouse property. You will receive a personal visit from a Police Officer, Police Community Support Officer or associated unit such as Community Safety Wardens. The visit will involve a simple registration process and explanation of how to use the kit. Guidance will be given on the types of items which should be uniquely marked.
• What's in the Kit ... The kit includes a pictorial leaflet with 6/7 easy-to-follow steps, a bottle of solution/applicator and window stickers for placing at visible points where someone might look at the property. There are also a large number of round tamper-proof stickers within the kit for placing on larger items which confirm that a piece of property has been marked. Finally, the kit contains a credit card size piece of plastic with the reference numbers which are unique to a property and which allow property to be identified to a particular address. The liquid, when applied, will last for several years, is extremely difficult to remove and any attempt at removal will leave a significant mark.
• Street Signage too ... In addition to the roll out of individual kits, there will be a number of street-type signs placed at various relevant points throughout the village to indicate to any would-be-thieves that residents of Tattenhall and district have marked their property and that the community is being pro-active in deterring crime.
• What items might you include ... Garden equipment – Lawn mowers, ride on mowers, strimmers Power Tools – Drills, chain saws etc. Small agricultural equipment – Quad bikes, rotators, trailers etc. Garden furniture – Benches, patio furniture, barbecues, patio heaters etc. Leisure/Hobby items – Golf clubs, fishing tackle, saddles and other tack etc. Electronic devices – Laptops, ipads, mobile phones, televisions etc. Ornaments – Figurines, pottery etc. Pieces of furniture, paintings/artwork etc. Jewellery boxes, safes etc.

Officers and other staff will be visiting each and every address in Tattenhall from the beginning of May 2018 to:

• personally deliver your unique kit

• explain how to use it

• register the kit to you and your property.

I hope to see you soon, along with my colleagues PCSO Jon HURST, PCSO Rachael McKEVITT with your Selecta DNA kit as part of the roll out of Operation SHIELD in Tattenhall.

PC 4207 Ged GIGG