Here is the latest bulletin from Insp Paul Loughlin, from Northwich’s Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT):

I would like to remind shoppers who visit Northwich town centre to be careful with their valuables, purses and mobile phones.

In recent weeks we have seen a slight increase in the number of ‘purse dipping’ thefts reported.

We have been busy collating intelligence which the town centre team, PC Lea and PCSO Smith, has been using to identify suspects.

On Friday night NPT officers conducting proactive patrols seized two motorbikes which had been used in anti-social behaviour incidents in Rudheath.

The owners will now have to pay to have them back, if they can prove that the bikes are legally held and have the necessary insurance.

Last week a large number of residents in the Parliament Street area of Northwich had their cars scratched overnight.

We are actively investigating these offences and would encourage anyone who has any information or a suspicion about who was responsible to let the Northwich neighbourhood team know.

Wincham suffered a number of burglaries last week.

The NPT and our colleagues in the Proactive Policing Team will be following up these investigations this week.

I would like to remind people that if they handle stolen goods they will be arrested.

To avoid being a victim of burglary or theft from your motor vehicle my advice is to make sure doors and windows are locked when your house is empty and before you go to bed and don’t leave valuable on show in unattended motor vehicles.

Finally I would like to ask motorists in Northwich to remember to pay for their fuel when they fill up at garages.

We do have criminals who steal petrol but we also have some motorists who apparently forget to pay.

The NPT are informed daily about these incidents and until we can establish the facts all incidents are classed as potential thefts.

To avoid embarrassment or arrest please make sure you pay before you drive off!