National lockdown: Stay at Home – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

From 26 December 2020, all districts within the Hampshire County Council area moved to Tier 4 – Stay at Home.

 The key restrictions for Tier 4 require:

• Residents to stay at home, apart from limited exemptions set out in law
• Non-essential retail, indoor gyms and leisure facilities, and personal care services to close
• People to work from home if they can but they may travel to work if this is not possible, for example in the construction and manufacturing sectors
• People not to enter or leave Tier 4 areas, and Tier 4 residents must not stay overnight away from home. Individuals can only meet one person from another household in an outdoor public space.

Full details of the Tier 4 restrictions are available on the Government’s website. The full list of local restriction tiers by area is also available online.

How are dogs being stolen – There are a number of tactics dog thieves use, so knowing how they work will help keep your pets safe.

·         From a back garden. If you have a low fence near a road and leave your dog unattended, there’s a chance they might become a victim. Don’t assume your garden is safe – the Pet Census revealed that up to 52% of dogs are taken from gardens.

·         From a car. A dog left in a car is not only at risk of being stolen, but may also suffer heatstroke and possibly death. We recommend you never leave an animal unattended in a car.

·         Dogs left tied in front of businesses and shops. Leaving an animal alone in a public place will increase the chance of it being taken. Without protection, dogs are sitting targets, and if approached with kindness are likely to go along with the stranger because of their friendly nature.

·         In the park when they’re out of sight. In a busy park it’s easy to lose sight of your dog, even if only for a moment. This makes parks prime spots for thieves looking to take advantage of the confusion. Keep an eye on your dog at all times.

Preventing your dog from being stolen – There are things you can do to make it harder for them to target your dog.

·         Be wary of strangers that ask too many questions. It’s nice to receive compliments about your dog from strangers, however, if they start asking for personal information be cautious.

·         Vary your walking patterns. Walking your dog in the same place at the same time every day creates a pattern for thieves to track and plan around. Variety is the key here.

·         Microchip your dog. Laws introduced in April of 2016 state that all dogs over the age of 8 weeks have to be microchipped. Although this won’t prevent your dog from being stolen, it will help identify your dog if it’s found.

What to do if your dog is stolen or lost – PawSquad suggest the following top steps:

·         Immediately report a missing dog to the microchip databases Petlog, PETtrac and Identibase. They’ll be able to notify you when your pet is found.

·         If you believe your dog has been stolen, report the crime to the police and ask for a crime reference number. This will make it easier to find out about the precise nature of their investigation.

·         Put up posters in the local area. Familiarising the neighbourhood with your dog will make it more likely to be found by a stranger.

·         Register your missing pet on a dedicated website, such as Animal Search UK. Again, this will make it easier for members of the public to find and help return your dog.

·         Post on social media to raise awareness, especially any local community groups that can share your post and help spread the news.

·         Retrace your steps if your dog went missing during a walk. You may stumble across clues as to where they might have headed.

·         Be sure to search common hiding places, surrounding gardens and the local neighbourhood. Ask anyone you see about your dog.

·         Check with the council. The government has a handy feature which allows you to search for missing dogs

·         You have a few options, including the National Pet Register and Animal Search UK. These websites allow you to enter details about your missing dog

There has been a dog theft reported in Collingbourne Wood, north of Ludgershall.

A Collingbourne Wood warden reported the theft of a cocker spaniel yesterday ‘at the metal gate by the back of the woods’.  A 4×4 vehicle with two men inside is involved the vehicle registration No: V659 KGU.

If you see this vehicle, please report it immediately to the police.

Notice given under Rule 5 of the of the Local Elections (Parishes and

Communities) (England and Wales) Rules 2006

1 There is a vacancy on the Parish Council caused by the resignation
of Jim Bowden.
2 A by-election to fill the vacancy will be held if, not later than
1December 2020, ten electors for the parish give notice in writing,
claiming such an election be held, to the Returning Officer. If no
such notice is given the Parish Council will fill the vacancy by co-
option.
If an election is requested, a poll cannot currently take place until 6May 2021 as a result of the Local Government and Police and Crime Commissioner (Coronavirus) (Postponement of Elections and Referendums) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 and the Coronavirus Act 2020.

1. The address of the Returning Officer is –

                                              Test Valley Borough Council

                                              Council Offices

                                              Beech Hurst

                                              Weyhill Road

                                              Andover

                                              SP10 3AJ

Notice given this 11th day of November 2020

Heather Bourner

Clerk of the Parish Council

A greeny blue and silver 4 wheel drive Suzuki jeep, registration number YH51 CVA was recently involved in an attempted dog snatch in Bagshot, near Shalbourne.  This vehicle  was also seen again in Biddesden a couple of days ago. The Suzuki is now wanted by the Wilts/Berks Police:  the plates are false and may well have been changed by now. You are asked to call 999 if you see a similar one which doesn’t add up in an odd place. Please be vigilant and keep your dogs in your sight at all times.

In addition to the Suzuki, there is a suspicious white Ford Ranger pickup registration YT70 VDM in the area and you are asked to ensure your outbuildings are locked up securely. 

If you see either of these vehicles or you experience any attempt to take your dogs, please report it to 101 or Hampshire Police online via the reporting form

Please also inform the Parish Clerk, Heather Bourner, so we can pass on any information to residents and other villages.