Police up patrols after "crime signs" crop up again in Newbury

Thames Valley Police has confirmed that it has received reports of hand-drawn signs once again appearing in the Newbury area, which were rumoured to reveal whether a property was alarmed, where vulnerable women lived, properties that had been burgled before and those which are thopught to have “nothing worth stealing”, as well as other circumstances.
The signs were first spotted in April and appeared to suggest that the homes outside which they appeared could be vulnerable targets of crime.
And in December, the signs began appearing again, however Thames Valley Police has said there is no evidence to suggest that the signs can be linked to crime.
The force has, however, increased its patrols in areas that the signs have been reported as a precautionary measure and to reassure residents that they are taking their concerns seriously.
Local policing area commander for West Berkshire, Lindsey Finch, said: “I am aware that these signs have been discussed quite extensively on social networking sites, which could also have led to an increase in reports and possibly “copycat” incidents.
“Please be assured that we have looked into this at both a local and forcewide level, and there is no evidence to support links to past or impending criminality.”
Residents are being advised to clean off any signs that do appear, but to take a photograph beforehand that could then be used evidentially if ever required.