Poole Harbour Watch Security Invitation 2019 & Report 2018

Up Coming Poole Harbour Watch Meeting 6th Feb 2019

For More details click HERE

 

Notes from PHW security meeting on 6th Feb 2018

Martyn Underhill – Dorset Police Crime Commissioner

  • Martyn fought to keep the Dorset Police Marine Section
  • Argued that Marine Policing very important in Dorset because of 90 miles of coast
  • Borderforce now more obvious – most illegals entering Dorset come from Bilboa, Spain
  • Martyn has persuaded Borderforce to pilot the French Captainaire system – an ex-mariner in every port – tasked to be vigilant
  • Dorset works in partnership with Devon & Cornwall – recently trialling drone technology – in the air and underwater

Guy Shimmonds – Chief Inspector Dorset Police

  • Responsible for 160 staff in Devon, Dorset & Cornwall
  • Has a boat at Cobbs Quay
  • In period Apr 2016 – Apr 2017 – 42,236 reported crimes of which 73 were marine/watercraft related
  • 88 projected for Apr 2017 – 2018 – so far 69 thefts, 10 criminal damage
  • Thefts are mainly of outboards left on view, boats/PWC on trailers
  • Dorset Marine Police section:-
    • comprises 4 permanent staff – 1x Sergeant, 2x Constables, 1x PCSO
    • RIB stationed at Poole Quay
    • has access to other staff when needed
    • staff have numerous duties, including
      • community engagement, crime prevention, intelligence gathering
      • multi-agency working
      • undertaking warrants and crime enquiries
      • search and body recovery
      • diving & firearms
    • Covers up to 12 miles offshore as well as inland waterways
  • Security
    • current overall threat level – severe – attack is highly likely
    • current maritime threat level – moderate – attack is possible but not likely
    • stressed intelligence is required from the public – especially project Kraken
  • For crime in action – always use 999
  • Statistics on arrests & convictions for marine crime TBA!!

Yvonne Hall & colleagues – A-Plan Marine Insurance

  • Theft from moored vessels – considerations
    • Loose/detachable items – can they be stored inside vessel and hidden?
    • Points where entry could be forced
    • Mooring too concealed or too easily accessible
  • Reduce risk by taking a proactive approach
    • Take items ashore wherever possible
    • Implement as many security measures as possible such as:-
      • For outboard engines – locks, locking propeller nuts, locking bolt on gearbox
      • For trailers – wheel clamps, hitch locks, wheel nuts, ground anchor
      • GPS trackers
      • chaining vessel to its trailer or mooring – note that chains are easier to break than a multicore cable
      • tagging acts as a deterrent e.g. Smartwater, SelectDNA etc
      • put lights on a timer – low voltage LEDs
    • Keep records in a safe place
      • purchase receipts
      • photographs of equipment and of security measures taken
      • serial numbers and data tagging
    • If theft/damage happens
      • Always report marine crime to Police – to help with statistics
      • Collate all the evidence you can
      • Re-secure vessel asap
    • Patrols such as PHW very important – so volunteer!

Nick Mayell – Datatag

  • Remember a police incident number is not the same as a police crime number!
  • Datatag has developed COMPASS – Combined Official Marine Property & Security System – as well as similar systems for different sectors such as construction, agriculture
  • History of Datatag:-
    • In 1999 139 large machines were stolen from Millennium Dome site in 3 months!
    • Could not afford similar thefts during building for 2012 Olympics
    • Developed system called Cesar – in which JCBs, tractors etc were fitted with security tags at manufacture
    • This led to older machines being targeted which were not protected!
  • On a BMW car, there are 38 key identifiers compared with an outboard engine which generally has 1 identifier on a removable sticker!
  • Police often recover stolen goods, but need to identify the property and the victim
  • Equipment such as outboard engines can be protected using one or more of
    • RFID transponder (like cat/dog id chip) hidden randomly in wiring loom
    • an Ultra Destruct warning label that etches into metal
    • microscopic data dots can provide hundreds of ID points on property – which are difficult for thieves to find and remove
  • Datatag warning label is often sufficient deterrent!
  • Revamped database – stolenboats.org.uk – relaunched on 8th June 2017 – for use by police, insurers and general public
  • Cost about £40 for kit to protect an outboard engine
  • Also sell kits for boat

Key messages from meeting

  • Be vigilant and report any unusual or suspicious activity to police
  • Always report marine crime – even if not claiming on insurance
  • Be proactive in protecting your equipment
  • Take photos of your equipment and any security measures taken
  • Support PHW

Report by Carol Turner