The next Whittlesey & District Neighbourhood Watch
meeting will be held on : Friday 22nd September at 7pm
Whittlesey Town Council Offices – Grosvenor Road – Side entrance – Up the stairs (Stair lift if required)
All welcome – Help reduce crime in your street.
Over the past few weeks across Cambridgeshire and surrounding forces there has been an increase in the reports of Distraction Burglary and Rogue trading offences. The older members of our community and vulnerable are the main targets. Fenland has only had a couple of reported cases, with this in mind it is the ideal time to remind the community that these offences although few and far between do happen! Please could I ask you to remind your older family members to follow the below simple rules. Could I also ask that you keep an eye out for your older and vulnerable neighbours and to report anything that you feel is suspicious.
Simple tips:- NOT SURE DON’T OPEN THE DOOR! If you feel you MUST open door, always put your chain on Remember simple rule…. STOP, CHAIN, CHECK!
Also ensure rear/side doors are locked before opening front door. NEVER let anyone into your home without prior appointment! ALWAYS check ID. NEVER employ someone standing on your doorstep. (They might remind you of work you need completing!) however you should always use a reputable company!
Recommendation from friend or family is best If not trading standards have the BUY WITH CONFIDENCE scheme! If persons on your door step are being pushy, call the police. (If possible take vehicle details index, and make and description of person/s).
REMEMBER: Utility companies are who ever you pay your bills to e.g. British Gas, Anglian Water etc. You can also set a password on all your utility accounts for added protection and security. (Ask person what your password is)! Ensure you have a list of your utility companies beside your telephone! If your not sure contact company on the number you have NOT on any ID card provided. Most utility companies will contact you prior to attending your address (They will not be offended if you call to check they are genuine)! If you have a key safe change the code regularly and when carer’s etc. leave!
SCAMS- Postal scams …Australian Lottery, lottery of Ireland, Clairvoyants, prize draws, you have won please send money to receive your prize even some of the smaller mail order catalogues, vitamins etc. If you are not sure, don’t enter and shred, or you can send them to post office FREEPOST scam mail and they will destroy. All the above if they seem too good to be true they are!
All monies sent to these PO BOX addresses is used to fund organised crime, exploitation and human trafficking. If you notice any of these types of mail dropping on the doorstep of your family members please report to trading standards.
TELEPHONE/COMPUTER. Never give your personal details to anybody calling you over the phone. If you are worried and need to check, call your bank etc. from a different phone or wait 10-15 minutes before calling from number you received call on! Microsoft software problems, never give money contact Microsoft directly. E-mail asking for money friend trapped abroad, this is another scam, your account has been hacked or tampered with. I hope that you find the above useful and are able to pass the information onto family, friends and members of your community you feel might not have access to computer. Many thanks for your help and support.
Julie Bailey Crime Reduction and Community Safety Officer Fenland.
Whittlesey NHW Website can be found – https://www.whittleseynhw.org.uk/
