If you are completing the Community Safety Survey, this glossary acts as a brief guide to the different crime categories. If you would like to take part in the survey you can access it from this link: www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/haveyoursay

Guidance on the crime categories outlined in Question 5 of the AVDC on-line community safety survey:

a) Assault or violence - an assault or violence is where a person intentionally threatens or uses force against another person without that person's consent. An injury does not have to occur for an assault to take place.

b) Mugging and theft from the person - street robbery or ‘mugging’ is where force or the threat of force is used to steal from the person. Theft from the person means stealing directly from the victim (such as a purse or from a bag being carried) but without physical force being used on the victim.

c) Bogus callers - bogus callers, also known as distraction burglars, are criminals who adopt false guises, such as trades/sales people, to enter premises and taking anything of value they can find - or who deceive the occupant into parting with property or distract the occupier enabling another to steal.

d) Residential burglaries – this means entry in to a person’s home (as opposed to a factory, shop, warehouse etc.) as a trespasser with intent to steal property from it and actually stealing or vandalising property whilst inside. It does not include stealing from your garden shed.

e) Theft from motor vehicles - property left mistakenly on show inside vehicles, such as satellite navigation systems and handbags, can tempt thieves to break in and steal. Exterior items, such as number plates and catalytic converters, can also be removed by the more determined criminal.

f) Theft of motor vehicles - motor vehicles tend to be stolen either by joy riders who later dump them elsewhere or by professional thieves who steal them to sell them on, to ‘cut and shut’ them to make other vehicles, or to break them up to obtain parts for profit.

g) Theft from outbuildings/sheds - because of improvements in home security thieves look for easier targets from which to steal. Insecure sheds and outbuildings, where such items as bicycles and power tools are kept, can therefore be vulnerable to theft when the home is unoccupied.

h) Theft of farm plant and machinery - theft of farm vehicles and equipment is a major problem for farmers, with high value farm vehicles reportedly stolen to order and exported. This theft causes huge financial losses, both in terms of replacing equipment and lost productivity.

i) Theft of metal - metal theft usually increases when prices for scrap metal rise – which has happened in recent years. The metals most commonly stolen are lead and copper. These thefts can have adverse knock on effects - such as disrupting travel as a result of stolen railway lines.

j) Drug dealing in the street - drug dealing in the street is the lowest level of the illegal drug distribution network. It can be intimidating to the public and make areas feel threatening. Street dealing is a simple way to supply drugs to a plausible buyer.

k) Drug use in public places - some users take drugs in public places, in most instances making use of covered places (such as undergrowth and in public toilets), although their behaviour can extend to more open spaces. In many instances used needles and syringes will be left at the location.

l) Vandalism and graffiti - Both amount to the offence of ‘criminal damage’ for which people can be prosecuted and are generally associated with young people. They can make areas seem run down and contribute to people’s fear of crime.

m) Underage drinking/sales - many young people begin drinking as early as 14 or even sooner. It is an offence to sell alcohol to persons under 18 and to buy under that age. Underage drinking can lead to anti-social behavior to the annoyance of people in the community and to drink problems in later life.

n) Anti-social behaviour – this includes intimidating and threatening behaviour, rowdy, drunken and inconsiderate conduct, harassment, dropping litter, aggressive begging, drinking in the street, fly tipping/posting and abandoned vehicles. It can make life unpleasant and make areas feel unsafe.

Date Updated: 25/01/12