February 2015

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VILLAGE NEWS
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH (NHW)
Local Crime.
Police reports over the Christmas and New Year
show that Buckden enjoyed a festive period free of
serious crime. Let us hope that it is a good portent for
2015.
Bringing the Neighbour back into Neighbourhood
Watch.
During the past year we have seen fundamental
changes in the way crime information is disseminated
by the police and other organisations. The introduc-
tion of a national alert system together with the exist-
ing eCops run by the St Neots police has resulted in a
more rapid and comprehensive flow of local crime
information and advice.
Many of our residents have now registered with one
of these sites and have undoubtedly benefited from
the more up-to-date information. Those who have not
registered are urged to do so - further advice is avail-
able from one of us below.
However, one consequence of these new ‘alert’ sys-
tems is that those who do register can become virtu-
ally independent of the local NW organisation with no
need of local support or interaction.
This has made it more difficult for us to maintain
some essential features of the original NW culture
which were to foster neighbourliness, mutual support
and the exchange of information.
This is particularly important in a rural village such as
ours with a significant number of vulnerable people.
We would therefore suggest, as a New Year resolu-
tion for 2015, to improve the security of all residents
by:
 getting to know those around you who might be
vulnerable to criminals by virtue of age, poor
health or the lack of access to the internet.
 advising them of any relevant local crime and
appropriate crime prevention measures.
 being vigilant for suspicious persons or vehi-
cles and sharing your information with neigh-
bours.
 encouraging neighbours to let you know when
they are going to be away from home for a sig-
nificant period.
Contact details.
Report an incident or suspicious behaviour to the new
single non-emergency number 101. Call 999 if a
crime is in progress or threatened.
Your village NW Coordinators are:
Clive Williams 811828
Richard West 811467
LAWN CARE IN FEBRUARY
Mowing
If conditions allow get out the mower and lightly cut
the lawn; long grass harbours dampness which
encourages disease. Make sure mower has been
serviced and blade replaced or sharpened. Call
ProLawnCare if you would like us to do this for you.
Moss
Moss has been a real threat to lawns this winter,
and may be affecting your lawn. Apply a specific
moss treatment now, or get ProLawnCare to spray
with their special industrial strength Moss Control
Treatment; moss dies in front of your eyes. It is
best to do it now before the Spring.
Don’t Slip On Your Patio/Path (Moss/Algae)
Patios too, can become slippery during the damp
winter days. We now have a new product to re-
move the slime which causes that slipperiness. To
really spruce up your patio why not have it pres-
sure washed once it has been treated? It will be
like having a new patio. Ask for details.
Actions Required in Early Spring
 Mow lawn lightly when dry enough
 Treat Moss
 Service Mower
 Treat slippery, slimy and dirty patios
 Later in the month an early spring feed may
be required as the soil temperature increas-
es
Some of the above tasks can be carried out by the
lawn owner; others may need professional inter-
vention.
For more information about lawn care and the ser-
vices that ProLawnCare Ltd offer call
Call Deborah, Nikki, Simon or Richard on 01480
812393
Ask the Lawn Ranger for advice online;
ranger
February Special Offer:
Buy 1 Treatment (Moss Control) and get a 2 nd
Treatment Free Of Charge
Existing Customers entitled to a Free Treat-
ment too