Weekly update.

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

This week, the officers from the Stoke and Wyken team have been actively conducting foot patrols in our local parks as the weather has turned increasingly sunny. Some of the areas they are covering include Caludon Castle Park, Stoke Heath, Barras Green, The Lindfield, and St. Margaret’s Skate Park. 

Although summer has arrived, we have been facing a significant amount of rain which restricts our ability to ride bicycles. However, on the days when the weather permits, we will be out and about, so feel free to come over and say hi! - You can also stay updated on our events and other news by following our X/Twitter page at -  Stoke & Wyken Police (@StokeWykenWMP) / X

The Lower Stoke area held a productive pact meeting on the 8th of June, which took place at St Margarets Church on Walsgrave Road. We appreciate everyone who attended; your feedback and comments are incredibly valuable, as they often assist us in ensuring the community's safety through our collaborative efforts.

Cyber Crime Initiative

This week, several members of the Stoke & Wyken team worked together with a representative from the Cyber Resilience team. Together, we patrolled and interacted with various shops along our high streets, offering them complimentary advice, reassurance, and essential reminders on how to maintain safety and security online. 

In today's digital age, many businesses have an online footprint, be it through Instagram, Facebook, or other social media platforms. If you own a business and are interested in receiving free advice and training, please check the website provided below.

Cyber Resilience | The Cyber Resilience Centre For The West Midlands

We have also had great feedback regarding our vehicle crime reminders, and thus we will be continuing to send regular reminders on how to keep your vehicle safe, some of which will be similar to the below.

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 

Nature Watch

In response to the overwhelming interest from our community, we are thrilled to share additional stories about rare sightings. While these narratives may not be officially confirmed, we truly value the way you, our community, engage with us when you spot us in your area. Recently, we've discussed a large spotted cat that was reportedly seen in the Binley Woods region. 

Even though this sighting is outside the Stoke & Wyken area, we do patrol the surrounding regions and frequently hear the public discussing various subjects. Interestingly, a similar report emerged in the Warwickshire area back in April 2016, which was just over ten years since the last sighting. Big cats were originally kept as pets before 1976, but following the enactment of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, it was rumoured that many owners released them into the wild. 

We appreciate your contributions and encourage you to keep sharing your experiences with us. Your stories help us remain connected and informed about the wildlife around us. 

Thank you for being an engaged member of our community! Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any sightings or stories you might have! If you do happen to see a big cat in the wild, please check the website below for some general advice.

FAQs | Big Cat Sightings In The UK

Live Chat | West Midlands Police (west-midlands.police.uk)   

Please be aware that this inbox is NOT monitored 24 hours a day and is purely for non-emergencies. In an emergency please call 999. To report a crime in a non-emergency situation please call 101 or visit Report a crime | West Midlands Police to do this online.      

📞 How to Contact Us or Report Information 📞   

Non-Emergency: 101   

Emergency: 999 / 112 (if crime in progress or immediate danger)   

Report Online: West Midlands Police   

Anonymous Reporting: Crimestoppers 

Kind Regards,   

The Stoke & Wyken Neighbourhood Policing Team