"The Village Watch newsletter gave a brief account of the Annual General Meeting held in November last year. Janette Potter was re elected chairman for the coming year and the committee were re-elected en bloc. New Neighbourhood Watch signs have been ordered and application made to the Borough Council for planning permission in respect of additional signs. PC Kevin Bailey stressed that car alarms have been shown to be an effective deterrent to car thieves.

The crime list accompanying the report detailed incidents reported in December.

• Caravan stolen from driveway by means of stolen car.
• Wallet, Credit Cards and £50 cash stolen from unsecured Ford Escort.
• Light bulbs removed from Christmas Tree in shopping precinct.
• Honda Lawnmower value £928 stolen from outhouse.
• 19 year old male arrested for discharging two shots from air pistol with intent to endanger life.
• Air vent from ground floor maisonette removed and smashed.
• Silver Ford Cortina removed from highway. Found abandoned in Highwood.
• Vehicle excise licence stolen from secure, unattended vehicle.
• Lawnmower value £600 stolen from secure shed.
• Ford Sierra stolen from parking area later used to steal caravan. Recovered by police patrol.
• Power tools value £1,285 stolen from secure garage.
• Hand held Mercury phone stolen from unsecured van outside owners home.
• Criminal Damage caused to building at Ace Fruit Farm.
• Cheese Packers at Ace Fruit Farm. Goods value of £56 stolen.
• Secure garage door forced open. Various power tools value £1,285 stolen. Garage lock damage. Quarter light window smashed to gain entry to BMW. Half of a Pioneer radio stolen. Value £315.
• Secure back doors of Ford Transit forced. Various tools stolen value £300.
• Lock on shed forced off. Shed entered. Pedal cycle stolen Value £150.
• Locked garden shed entered. Pedal cycle stolen value £150.
• Taxi driver punched in face for no reason by passenger (who had already paid for his fare!).
• Person arrested for stealing £6.19 worth of goods from Co-Op store.
• Two bottles of Gas stolen from MOCO service station. Value £30. Locks damaged £50.
• Secure wooden shed forced open and two pedal cycles stolen value £270.
• Shed on allotment forced open . Nothing stolen, damage £20.
• Door window smashed to gain entry to Rover 820 saloon. Set of 'Howson' golf clubs and burglar alarm stolen, value £570.
• Shed lock forced open. Fishing equipment, lawnmower and pressure washer stolen Value £1,800.
• Various plants and flowers have been removed from graves at St Michael's Church over a short period of time. Currently under investigation to trace suspect."