NEWS AND PHOTOGRAPHS 29th. February 2008
Dear members in Rolleston or Rolleston area
Please see below the agenda for next NW meeting for Rolleston which is 7.30pm on Monday(3rd. March)
Rolleston Village Hall(or is it called the Chapel!) in Chapel Lane
I hope as many of you as possible can attend
Regards, Simon
Welcome & Introduction
Apologies
Crime Statistics Update
Arrangements Following Emma’s Resignation
Items of Interest
Victim Support drop in centres
Changes in How Fire & Safety is Run in Staffordshire
Budget
Problems or Issues concerning Rolleston on Dove
AOB
Next meeting 2nd June 2008 – Speaker PC Palmer
Anti-Social Behaviour
We were sorry that Emma left last week for pastures new but at least we have Simon keeping the show on the road. Obviously as he only works part time there may be a little dip in performance but I know that he will do a good job. Please help by passing on any information or suspicions to him at the usual number. If he is not there just contact The Police direct, or Crimestoppers of course.
Please see below details of a TV event at Uttoxeter Town Hall.
Alas I am not available, but is any member interested in covering the event to hand out crime prevention material, and chat to people about property marking etc.
I have done the event when in Burton and is quite interesting ( you may even get to be on the TV)
I am afraid there are no expenses or transport available from this end , but they do look after you with drinks and lunch. I will provide all leaflets and a small portable stand to take on the day
It is probably suited to somebody who has been in the Crime Prevention Panel, or and has done events in the past and are happy to approach and talk to the public.
If interested parties e-mail me, if there is more than one names will go in a hat( please do not reply to the organisers, I will arrange that )
Regards
Simon Bullen
THE BELLS THE BELLS
Burton Town Centre Management have again joined forces with East Staffordshire Community Safety Partnership to offer free purse bells to all residents.
Laura Crawshaw of BTCM will be in Coopers Square along with myself from Neighbourhood Watch offering the bells to shoppers on Friday 15th February from 10am to 2pm. So pop along and collect yours, there will also be a collection of other crime prevention advice.
If you are unable to get down bells are available by calling Laura on 500047.
LEAPING IN ETON
Hello this is Emma Skelton from the Neighbourhood Watch Office I am sending this message to our Eton area members.
Valentines day Thursday 14th February will see the launch of the LEAP beet sweep in Eton with extra street cleaning, bulky waste collections, gully cleaning and removal of untaxed vehicles. The fire service will be doing home risk assessments and installing smoke alarms free of charge.
St Chads Community Centre will also be open to the public all day with many service providers offering information and advice including myself from Neighbourhood Watch so why not pop along and see for yourself.
EMMA IS LEAVING
It is with great regret that I announce that I handed in my resignation on Friday, from the role as Neighbourhood Watch Manager. I will be working the four weeks notice period making my final day here Friday 22nd February.
I can assure you all, that this is no reflection on my enjoyment and fulfilment in the role but due to circumstances surrounding my employment. With the lack of certainty regards the future funding of my role at East Staffordshire Borough Council after April this year, I have had little option financially but to seek further employment elsewhere. I have now been offered a position with Lincoln City Council as a Housing Officer which I will be starting within the next month. This will mark a return to my home County of Lincolnshire for myself and my Husband, and a new beginning back in familiar territory - So hopefully a blessing in disguise really.
I understand East Staffordshire Borough Council & Staffordshire Police are having discussions as to the future staffing and funding of Neighbourhood Watch, and I can assure you will be informed of the outcome once a decision is made. In the meantime Simon Bullen is still in post part time so Neighbourhood Watch will continue to function, even if at a reduced capacity.
I will be sad to leave Neighbourhood Watch it is a role I have enjoyed and got great satisfaction from over the last two years, I would like to thank everyone for welcoming me and making me feel appreciated and wish you & East Staffordshire Neighbourhood Watch all the best for the future.
If you have any queries or concerns in regard to this matter please contact either myself direct or my Line Manager at ESBC Michael Hovers, Community Safety manager on michael.hovers@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk
Thanks again for all your support, please keep up the good work.
GIVE BOGUS CALLERS THE BOOT
The Consumer Council for Water is calling for consumers to be extra vigilant this winter against distraction burglars or bogus callers, criminals who pretend to be from a utility company or other organisation to trick their way into a home and rob it.
Dark afternoons and evenings at this time of the year can leave people feeling particularly uneasy when someone unexpectedly comes knocking, but the Consumer Council for Water is suggesting steps homeowners should take to help protect themselves against bogus callers.
According to the Home Office, there were approximately 12,000 reported bogus caller incidents in 2007, and roughly half of the impostors stated some connection with ‘the Water Board.’
Although thieves may show up on the doorstep posing as water workers, water company employees will try whenever possible to make an appointment before visiting a home.
Be especially wary of anyone saying that they are from ‘the water board’ as there are no water boards, only water companies and a true water company employee will name the water provider, and carry a company identification card.
Before opening the door to any stranger, stop. If the door has a chain, use it, and ask to see a form of identification. Have the visitor hand their identification through the door or letter box, and call the water company to confirm that the visit is legitimate and the identification is not a fake. A genuine water company employee will happily wait while the necessary checks are made. If unsure, don’t open the door!
If the visitor claims to have left the identification card at home or in their vehicle turn them away. If he or she becomes aggressive at any time, keep them outside your door and immediately call 999.
Customers who would feel safer with an extra layer of protection against bogus callers are encouraged to register a password with their water company.
All water companies have password schemes available in which the customer can choose his or her own password. Some companies’ password schemes have provisions for deaf and blind customers.
Dame Yve Buckland, National Chair of the Consumer Council for Water, said: “This is a particularly disturbing crime because it deliberately targets the weak and vulnerable. Victims of these crimes are most likely to be older people who live alone.
“People need to understand that they are entirely within their rights to turn a visitor away if they feel uncomfortable or are unsatisfied with the information presented. No water company will insist on entry to your home, and if the reason for the visit is necessary, the water company can find another way to let you know so that they can carry out the work.”
The Consumer Council for Water represents consumers in England and Wales.
Our national website is www.ccwater.org.uk.
WITH THE COLD AND FROSTY MORNINGS NOW UPON US - STAFFORDSHIRE POLICE ARE WARNING ALL RESIDENTS NOT TO GET LEFT OUT IN THE COLD BY CAR THIEVES!
It is always tempting on cold mornings to leave your cars running with keys in ignition, for them to warm up whilst you nip back inside to get a warm jug of water to thaw out the windscreen!
WARNING - this is leaving a warm and welcoming invitation for car thieves to drive off stealing you r vehicle or any valuables you may have left on display.
Always keep you cars locked and take keys and valuables with you - Staffordshire Police are giving away free Ice Scrapers for your vehicles - a much safer way to clear a frozen windscreen. These are available at the front desk of both Burton & Uttoxeter Police Stations free of charge - hurry whilst stocks last!
ANOTHER SCAM!
Dear members
Below is the text of a message sent to me by a co-ordinator that happened his colleague.
The scam appears very plausable if you read it, as there are numerous ways thieves can obtain the front details of cards( dodgy shop staff, workers at premises that deal with internet payments of goods etc. etc )
The only thing I cannot work out is how the caller was able to marry up the card holders details with a phone number and address of that person !, other than that it appears genuine.( possibly dodgy staff who have posted goods to you after a internet purchase?)
The moral of the tale is that you ALWAYS have to be careful of callers asking for bank details, NO MATTER HOW GENUINE THEY APPEAR TO BE.
Regards,
Simon Bullen
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it.
One of our employees was called on Wednesday from 'VISA', and I was called on Thursday from 'MasterCard'.
The scam works like this: Person calling says, 'This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank) did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for £497.99 from a Marketing company based in London?' When you say 'No', the caller continues with, 'Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from £297 to £497, just under the £500 purchase pattern that flags most cards.
Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?'
You say 'yes'. The caller continues - 'I will be starting a fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 0800 number listed on the back of your card (0800-VISA) and ask for Security. ( This is clever as they hope that you do not need to phone back in the next few minutes, and gives a sense of legitimacy to the caller)
You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number.
Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works the caller then says,
'I need to verify you are in possession of your card.' He'll ask you to 'turn your card over and look for the 3 digit security number. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him.
He says 'That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have the card in your possession.
You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of £497.99 was charged to our card.
Long story - short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number.
WHAT THE SCAMMERS WANT IS THE 3-DIGIT PIN NUMBER ON THE BACK OF THE CARD. DON'T GIVE IT TO THEM. INSTEAD, TELL THEM YOU'LL CALL VISA OR MASTERCARD DIRECTLY FOR VERIFICATION OF THEIR CONVERSATION.
THE REAL VISA TOLD US THAT THEY WILL NEVER ASK FOR ANYTHING ON THE CARD AS THEY ALREADY KNOW THE INFORMATION SINCE THEY ISSUED THE CARD! .
However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.
We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of these reports daily!
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO PARENTS AND SCHOOLTEACHERS
There were at least 2 incidents yesterday, Thursday 28th. November, where school pupils have been approached and spoken to and on one occasion attempted to grab the pupil. These have occurred close to Paulet and Robert Sutton Schools.
.
We have 2 description of the man as follows.....1., MALE WHITE 30 YRS,THIN BUILD, MEDIUM HEIGHT, DARK JUMPER AND TROUSERS, BLACK SHOES.
2ND DESCRIPTION, MALE WHITE, 5FT 9INCHES,, JEANS , BLACK HOODED TOP, SCARF OVER HIS MOUTH, AND HAD REDDISH HAIR
Although the descriptions don’t appear similar it may be the same person.
If you witnessed or have any information regarding these incidents please call the Police on 08453 30 20 10 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Regards
Simon Bullen
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD AT THE HEATH COMMUNITY CENTRE ON 7TH NOVEMBER 2007
Present:
V Littleford (Membership Secretary), S Bullen, S Allen, J Titlow, E Golding, D
Miller (Secretary), M Saunders (Chair), Miranda Saunders, A Felthouse, C Derry,
PCSO M Hales, I Heathfield
Apologies:
J Kenny, I Hall, E Newlove
The Minutes of the last Meeting held on 5th September were agreed.
Matters Arising
Trading Standards - Watchdog:
Simon reported that there will be a touring meeting at Uttoxeter in January. He
also said that a lady from Trading Standards {Gemma) will be attending our next
meeting (5th December) to give a talk.
Treasurer's Report:
Current balance £690.84.
Neighbourhood Watch Week:
Simon reported that there had been a display at Uttoxeter Library on the l9th
October. This had been quite successful and a few new members signed up.
Simon also reported that he had attended the National Neighbourhood Conferences
recently and he thought it had been one of the best. There had been an excellent
talk on doorstep crime. Vic Littleford said he was disappointed that more
members from Uttoxeter did not go to the meeting.
Watchout System :
Simon reported that this was now up and running again.
Job evaluations:
It was discussed and agreed by Simon and Alan that a letter should be sent in
support of Simon and Emma. Simon agreed this would be helpful and that Emma was
keeping a dossier of all letters of support received. Margaret said she would do
this.
Crime Figures for September:
Burglary of dwellings - 13 - target 6
Burglary (others - 7 - target 7
Theft of motor vehicles - 4- target 13
Theft from motor vehicles - 6 - target 15
Criminal damage - 25 - target 33
Violence - 29 - target 230
Table Top sale/fair:
John Titlow said that the proposed table top sale has been postponed until next
year.
