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Police have stepped up activity in the Burnham Market area in response to a recent rise in outbuilding thefts.

Seven thefts or attempts in the village have been reported since the start of the year - representing a rare spike in an otherwise low crime area.

After forcing entry to sheds and other outbuildings, the thieves have stolen items including bikes and an outboard motor. The local church and primary school have also been targeted although nothing was stolen on these occasions.

Sgt Rob Curl, from the Hunstanton and Burnham Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT), said: “This is an unusual rise in thefts for this area and we will be working to tackle this as a priority in the coming weeks. In the mean time, residents are encouraged to ensure their sheds and other outbuildings are kept secure, any valuable items are security marked and to report any suspicious activity immediately to police.”

The matter was raised and discussed at the inaugural Hunstanton and Burnham Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel (SNAP) meeting at the Town Hall on February 4th.

SNAP meetings, which will be held on the first Thursday every other month, bring together police, partner agencies and members of the local community to discuss community concerns and agree three local issues that should be addressed as a priority. The meetings allow people have their say and help direct where local resources should be targeted.

At Thursday’s meeting, chaired by Mr Richard Bird, the following issues were agreed as priorities for the next three weeks:

1. Reducing thefts and non-dwelling burglaries in    Burnham Market.

2. Improve access to the Safer Neighbourhood Team in  the villages.

3. Address parking problems during the school-run in Downs Road, Hunstanton.

Hunstanton Dave Buckley was able to offer an update on the work that has been carried out in the past eight weeks to address the previous or on-going community concerns:

Anti-social behaviour at Heacham Club Charity Grounds - During December a full crime reduction survey was conducted in order to better inform an application for funding to the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership. 

Although a significant amount of money has been spent already, the CDRP has agreed to fund a further £750 of measures to reduce anti-social behaviour at the grounds. 

This will no longer be a Safer Neighbourhood Team priority, but further work will be necessary to measure how the action taken so far continues to have a positive effect moving in to Easter, lighter nights and warmer weather.

Parking problems in Downs Road, Hunstanton - There has been little or no policing of parking issues in Downs Road, alongside Smithdon High School, in recent years.  This has resulted in some basic parking, waiting and driving offences being unenforced and this has exacerbated the difficulties which exist in relation to moving students away from the site. 

From 18th - 29th January, the team carried out targeted activity to raise awareness of the issue and educate motorists.  Numerous advice leaflets published in partnership by Norfolk County Council and Norfolk Constabulary were distributed.  Alongside these, verbal advice and warnings were given to drivers and advisory notices placed on vehicles which were not complying with the agreed safety advice.

This priority will continue to be monitored by the policing team and appropriate action taken where advice is ignored. The co-operation of parents, residents, bus drivers, students and visitors to the school will greatly assist in preventing the situation reverting to an unacceptable state.

Improve access to the Safer Neighbourhood Team for villagers - The Safer Neighbourhood Team has now stopped advertising 'surgeries' at static locations in villages. 

We have now launched our 'In Your Village' system of prioritising our presence alongside existing Mobile Police Office visits to several villages.  These will be advertised both on our web pages and locally in appropriate places.  This priority will continue as we evaluate how 'In Your Village' improves our engagement with residents, businesses and visitors.

Further policing updates for the neighbourhood can be found on the ‘outcomes’  section of the team pages at www.norfolk.police.uk, including details of a teenager charged with smashing wing mirrors off cars in Heacham at Christmas.

The next SNAP meeting will be held at the Town Hall from 6pm on Thursday April 1.