whitchurch neighbourhood watch

JULY 2023:

REPORTED CRIMES and  SUSPICIOUS INCIDENTS
From time to time we get reports of County Lines and drugs being sold in the village.
Usually it seems the dealers go away after a week or two. Maybe this is because of
effective policing, maybe there are richer pickings elsewhere, who knows?
Now we have heard that it’s happening again. This time in the little parking space
opposite where Castle Lane meets Weir Lane – not so often but enough to cause
comment.
Of course, that’s a secluded but well used place. So nearly everyone you see there
is very likely to be a good and upright member of society. However, if you see
something suspicious, don’t play the sleuth, let alone try to discuss with people
involved; call the police using 999 from a safe spot and report your suspicions.
If you know about such suspicious activity but at another time, report it on 101 or
email greatbrickhillwingivinghoeNHPT@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
Catching a dealer would be a feather in the cap for the police but intelligence can be
just as valuable. To repeat, don’t put yourself at risk.
We may never stop such things entirely but if they happen somewhere else, there is
less chance of our youngsters getting involved and less chance of the petty crime
that comes with it .
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH AND CCTV CAMERAS
We get some surprising questions that make you think! I was recently asked if
Neighbourhood Watch operates CCTV cameras all around the village. It seems that
in some countries Neighbourhood Watch groups do just that. We just try to be good
neighbours, exchange news to help each other stay safe – including from scams,
and try to help people who are anxious about crime but don’t feel they want to call
the police.

WHITCHURCH

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Still, you don’t have to go far in the village without seeing CCTV cameras in
driveways, gardens and even in doorbells. It makes us feel safe and may deter
tricksters and thieves from calling.
If your camera records something suspicious, share it with the police. I’d strongly
suggest you don’t post pictures of folk you consider suspicious, on social media. In
this country we are free to come and go as we please, so let the experts deal with
such things.
EVEN MORE SCAMS
It seems whichever way you turn there are more scams to avoid. With rising
mortgage rates and the anxiety caused to make ends meet, organisations that
appear to offer a “too good to be true” lifeline are plausible and tempting. Pause and
ask around.
Which? magazine is offering a free scam alert service in which they email you
updates and information regularly. Search for Which? On line.
E-bikes and E-scooters are great fun, especially for the rider and sometimes for the
pedestrian who only just avoids being run over. Over 14s can ride E-bikes now but
it’s worthwhile checking out some of the websites with help on what’s legal and
what’s good if you want to stay safe. See for instance https://www.gov.uk/electric-bike-
rules
IF YOU WITNESS A CRIME, SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOUR OR ROAD ACCIDENT
Dial 999 if you witness a crime or see / hear something suspicious and you think the
police arriving in the next few minutes MIGHT prevent you or others becoming a
victim or MIGHT arrest an offender.
Dial 101 to report an issue or provide information where there is no value in the
police rushing to the scene.
Email the local police team at:
greatbrickhillwingivinghoeNHPT@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
You can also report non-urgent incidents online at:
thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/
If you wish to report a crime without giving your name, contact Crimestoppers on
0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org
PLEASE ENSURE YOU RECEIVE A CRIME REFERENCE NUMBER AND DON’T
FORGET TO TELL US AT NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH ABOUT IT TOO (contact
Neil Smith – 07411 368540).)
Enjoy August!:

Neil Smith – Chairman, Whitchurch Neighbourhood Watch.

REPORTED CRIMES AND INCIDENTS 15 TH FEBRUARY TO 14 TH MARCH

Bizarre parking note left on door in High Street – On the morning of Sunday, 19 th

February a hand-written note was left on the front door of a house in the High Street saying

“PRIVATE CAR PARK. PLEASE DO NOT PARK HERE”. The cars near the house in

question were all legally parked on the public highway!

Anti-social and illegal behaviour by dog owners – We have received several messages

about an irresponsible dog owner or dog walker. The field on the east side of the cricket

ground was littered with around 40 green bin bags. There was also a report of a green bag

full of dog poo left in a resident’s plant trough on the High Street.

A farmer posted a notice at the entrance to his field on Castle Lane (through which several

footpaths run) with a heartfelt plea for owners to pick up after their dogs. Dog waste on

grazing land can pass worms and parasites to sheep, wildlife and dogs. The eggs of worms

and parasites can survive on the ground for up to three years, so it’s vital that all dog mess is

cleared up, even if livestock aren’t present at the time. If eaten by sheep, it can make them

very ill and cause them a slow and painful death.

A farmer can shoot a dog that is attacking or chasing livestock.

Dog mess can spread some very nasty diseases such as Toxocariasis, to which children are

particularly vulnerable. It can lead to serious eye damage and even permanent blindness.

The law states you must always keep your dog in sight and under control. You should be

confident that your dog will return on command. You have a legal duty to pick up

immediately after your dog has fouled.

Not noticing that your dog has fouled is not an excuse. You are still liable and can face a

fine of £1,000 if your case goes to court.

Suspicious removal of items from a skip in Ashgrove Gardens – this was spotted on the

morning of Friday, 3 rd March. The three men who were taking things from the skip left in a

white van when a resident arrived home.

The law relating to removing (or adding) things from skips is patchy, but if you get the

permission of the person hiring the skip, then you don’t need to fear having broken any laws.

WHITCHURCH

Neighbourhood Watch

If you see something you feel is suspicious, ring 999 immediately. Although it may be

innocent, the police can decide which response is appropriate. It may be part of a pattern of

similar events in the area, so letting the police know is vital and may prevent crimes from

being committed.

Possible rogue traders – were seen knocking on doors and asking to inspect trees on

Monday, 13 th March. They were delivering leaflets offering tree work and various garden

services. They called themselves “Your Local Tree Arborist”. They provided no company

name – only telephone numbers – the landline being for the Sandy area in Bedfordshire.

The police are aware. If you have any information or CCTV, please ring 101 or contact our

neighbourhood policing team at greatbrickhillwingivinghoeNHPT@thamesvalley.police.uk  

Scam Alerts

Fraudsters are peddling fake diet pills, under the guise of them being a success story on the

‘Dragons’ Den’ TV programme.

Scammers are using Disney+ branding on dodgy emails that claim recipients can get a 98%

discount on subscriptions to the streaming service.

Other impersonation scams on the circuit are bogus emails claiming to be from Companies

House (threatening legal action), HMRC (phoney tax refunds) and Amazon Prime

(subscriptions expiring etc.).

Fake People’s Postcode Lottery letters are also being sent out which include the logo and

branding. They claim your postcode has been selected and ask you to call a number to

claim your prize, which is when the scammer will phish your personal details.

Please forward any emails you are unsure about to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service

(SERS) at report@phishing.gov.uk

If you become a victim of a scam, please report the crime to the police on 101 or online at

https://www.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ Please also report it to

Action Fraud – https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

CRIMEBUSTERS IS HERE!

Hopefully details of our Crimebusters event will have appeared through your letter box in

our recent leaflet drop. We also left our calling cards, so you should have the contact details

of your local Neighbourhood Watch coordinator.

We hope you’ll be able to join us on Thursday, 20 th April at 7 pm in St. John’s Hall. It

should be an interesting and informative evening, so if you’ve got any questions for our

speakers – or simply want to meet your coordinator or members of your local policing team,

you’ll be given a warm welcome. Please see our separate ad. in this issue of the magazine.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THEN.

Wishing you a safe and crime-free April. Andrea Scagell

WHITCHURCH NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH’S REPORT, UP TO 14 FEBRUARY 2023:

REPORTED CRIMES AND INCIDENTS 15 th DECEMBER TO 15 th JANUARY

Vandalism to house on Oving Road – On 20 th December windows were smashed at an

empty property near the wildflower bank. The same thing happened back in the summer

(27 th June). If you have any information about this incident, please contact the police on 101

or online at https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

Fly tipping in Castle Lane – On Friday, 23 rd December a van was blocking access for

drivers on Market Hill while the contents of a house were being removed. This was

reported to the police. The same driver left a fridge-freezer on the road in Castle Lane,

which was reported to FixMyStreet (www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/fix-my-street). The

Council attended promptly and have been in touch with those responsible.

Theft of catalytic converters on the increase

Do you own a Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Lexus or BMW vehicle? Thames Valley Police is

urging owners of vehicles, (especially those most commonly targeted above) to take

additional security measures following a rise in catalytic converter thefts in Aylesbury Vale.

In most cases, the offenders use car jacks to lift the vehicle and are able to carry out the

crime in less than a minute, usually accompanied by a loud drilling or cutting sound

underneath the vehicle.

Don’t assume the vehicle has broken down and is being worked on by a mechanic. If you

suspect this offence is being committed, DO NOT approach them, but please call the police

immediately on 999.

Wishing you a safe and crime-free February. Andrea Scagell

REPORTED CRIMES AND INCIDENTS 15 th NOVEMBER TO 14 th DECEMBER

Oil tank theft – We had a report that oil was stolen from an oil tank in the High Street area in early
December. If you see any unusual activity of vehicles or people near oil tanks, please ring 999
immediately. Don’t approach the suspects, but – if it’s safe to do so – take photos of them or the number
plate of their car. If any oil is dropped and spilt it could cause significant damage to water courses and
sewerage systems. It’s conceivable that the thieves could use a long hose to pump the oil to their own large
vehicle, so what you think is an oil tank being filled could actually be an oil tank being emptied!
There are several types of oil tank alarms available to monitor the tank levels and some will give you an
alert on your phone. Dummy cameras and security lights can also act as a deterrent, along with CCTV and
visible warning notices of cameras on display.  Make it as difficult for the thieves as you can by ensuring
any gates are locked and access to the tank is restricted as much as possible. It goes without saying that oil
tanks should be fitted with a padlock or lockable filler cap, but even these are not 100% secure.
The police have advice about preventing and reporting oil tank theft at: https://www.police.uk/cp/crime-
prevention/protect-home-crime/oil-tank-theft/
Anti-social behaviour – On Tuesday, 13 th December at around 3.25 pm, two youths were seen trying car
doors in Church Headland Lane. They left abusive messages written in the snow on two cars. We also had
a report of an obscene drawing left on a car parked near the petrol station, and another image left on a car
outside the old fire station. The police were alerted – crime reference number: 20221213 – 1090.
Attempted robbery – at Beechmoor Farm in Bushmead Road at 10.30 pm on Wednesday, 14 th December.
Three intruders searched the farm buildings and began an attempt to remove steel cladding from the main
workshop wall, probably to try and steal a quad bike. The robbers were seen on CCTV. It’s thought their
vehicle was parked further down the road. The police were informed.
Nuisance calls
If you receive lots of nuisance calls, Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards are offering free
landline call-blocking devices to all eligible residents. The device plugs into your landline and is
programmed with your well-known contacts. It will allow other trusted organisations, such as your GP, to
get through via a filtering system. All other nuisance calls are then blocked. For further information,
contact Bucks and Surrey Trading Standards on 0808 223113 or email them at
trading.standards@surreycc.govuk
If you’re concerned about unwanted marketing calls, you can register your phone number with the
Telephone Preference Service (TPS). Unfortunately, their remit only covers live unsolicited sales or
marketing calls. They can’t prevent other call types, such as scam calls, recorded / automated messages,
silent calls, market research, overseas companies, debt collection or nuisance and abusive calls!
https://www.tpsonline.org.uk/

WHITCHURCH
Neighbourhood Watch

The communications regulator Ofcom is working with international telecoms companies and regulators to
block at source suspicious international calls that are masked by a UK number, which many of the scammers
use. The sooner they find a solution, the better!
Warning from Trading Standards about doorstep traders – Traders pretending to be from Bucks
Council have been knocking on doors saying they have tarmac left over from a job and can offer a good
price on resurfacing your driveway. If you receive a call from a rogue trader, report it to Trading Standards
via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133. If you feel intimidated or in danger, contact the
police via 999.
More advice on cold callers can be found at: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/business/trading-
standards/consumer-advice/rogue-traders-scams-and-cold-callers/door-step
Caravan / Motorhome thefts
There has been an increase of these in our area recently, so please be vigilant. If you notice anything
suspicious, please call 999. It may be the missing piece of the jigsaw, so always let the police know. You
can also contact them via email on greatbrickhillwingivinghoenhpt@thamesvalley.police.uk
Recycling Christmas packaging
What you leave out for recycling can give thieves an insight into what you own and any valuable items that
are in your home. It’s advisable to break down your boxes, especially of any expensive items, so they will
fit inside your bin. Also, if you share photos of your pressies on social media, potential burglars may be
able to see them. It’s all extremely useful information for those unwanted visitors!
Property marking
A good New Year’s resolution would be to spend a few minutes marking your valuables as soon as you can.
This can deter thieves by making the items harder to sell on. It’s also easier for the police to return your
item if it’s lost or stolen.
Items should be marked on the back or underneath with a postcode and house number using an ultra violet
(UV) pen, which you can buy cheaply on-line. Larger items, such as bikes, scooters or machinery can be
permanently marked using an engraver or etching kits. Another way to mark items is to use Smartwater and
Selecta DNA – more at https://www.selectadna.co.uk/ A liquid solution is applied, giving items either a
chemical or DNA code, depending on the product used, which is unique to the owner. The solution cannot
be seen by the naked eye and is incredibly difficult to remove. It glows under UV light, allowing the police
to detect it.
Mark your belongings and register them free of charge on the UK National Property Register at:
https://www.immobilise.com/
Scam alerts
TV licence, DVLA and Amazon scams are all currently doing the rounds. The scammers use official logos
to create convincing scam emails that urge you to click on suspicious links. Don’t!
There has been an increase in emails / texts via WhatsApp that appear to come from friends or family
members saying their phone is lost or damaged or they are in desperate need of money. Please be wary of
people who contact you in this way and never send money to anyone without verifying that it is genuinely
that person.

Wishing you a Happy New Year and a safe and crime-free January. Andrea Scagell

REPORTED CRIMES AND INCIDENTS 17 th OCTOBER TO 14 th NOVEMBER

Suspicious behaviour – On Thursday, 27 th October we were informed of a man who

knocked on a resident’s door enquiring about their gutters and expressing an interest in their

car for his daughter! The man was driving a white Ford Flatbed truck – registration NA11

CYC, which at that time was not taxed. He had been driving around the Ashgrove Gardens

area slowly and looking into gardens and driveways. The police were alerted.

Illegal use of fireworks – We’ve had a report of a group of about five children causing a

commotion and letting off noisy fireworks at around 1.30 am on Sunday, 29 th October. This

took place in Castle Lane and on Castle Mound. The debris from the fireworks was left in

the field, which could cause injury or sickness to the sheep who graze there.

A reminder that no under-18s must be in possession of fireworks and that you can be fined

an unlimited amount and imprisoned for up to 6 months for using fireworks illegally, which

was the case in this instance as they were let off by minors after the 11 pm deadline. You

could also get an on-the-spot fine of £90. More details can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law

Number plate thefts

There have been increased reports of number plate thefts in the area. Using security screws

to attach your vehicle’s number plates makes it harder for thieves.

If your number plate is stolen, please report it to the police immediately on 101 or online at:

https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

A warning message from a thief – be careful what you share on social media sites

ATTENTION! I AM A THIEF. I’M ON YOUR FRIENDS LIST AND I’M COMING

ROUND TO TAKE ALL YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING. I KNOW THAT YOU AND

YOUR FAMILY ARE OUT FOR THE DAY… YOU’VE TOLD ME EVERYTHING I

NEED TO KNOW.

THANKS FOR MAKING IT SO EASY FOR ME! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

So, please don’t give any personal information away and make sure you keep your accounts

locked to the public.

WHITCHURCH

Neighbourhood Watch

‘Tis not the season of goodwill for thieves

They will be on the lookout for your Christmas presents – sneaking a look through your

windows or letterbox, so resist putting them around the tree until Christmas Eve. Thieves

and pickpockets will also be out in force at shopping centres and car parks watching for your

gifts being left in cars while you carry on with your Christmas shopping. So always store

your goodies out of sight and double-check you’ve locked your car and that the alarm /

immobiliser is set, even if you’re just leaving your car to pay for fuel.

Watch out too for your handbag or purse / wallet that you’ve put to one side while paying for

your shopping. It’s so easy to get distracted at this busy time of the year! A small bell

attached to a handbag is quite a useful warning device.

A few simple precautions can help prevent burglaries to your home – such as leaving indoor

lights switched on or set on a timer, using exterior lights with sensors and of course locking

your windows as well as your doors. Fake TV simulators also give the impression you are in

and can be set to come on automatically at dusk.

Find out how you can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of burglary by downloading the

Home Security Guide from Thames Valley Police at:

https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/police-forces/thames-valley-police/areas/advice/home-

security-guide/

Frosty Mornings

With winter now upon us, it’s windscreen scraping time again. Don’t be tempted to start

your engine and let the car defrost while you nip indoors for a quick cuppa. Thieves look

for such opportunities – and apart from the loss of your vehicle you may well discover that

your insurance policy does not cover the theft!

And finally … Thank you to those of you in our community who’ve helped to solve local

crimes. You are the eyes and ears of the police in our village and your help and vigilance is

invaluable. Although our newsletters may sometimes appear to be all gloom and doom,

crime in our village is relatively rare, so let’s hope that continues during the coming year.

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH TEAM WISH

YOU A VERY HAPPY AND PEACEFUL

CHRISTMAS AND A SAFE, CRIME-FREE 2023

REPORTED CRIMES AND INCIDENTS 15 th SEPTEMBER TO 16 th OCTOBER

There have been several reports from neighbouring villages of a group of youths knocking

on doors saying they are fundraising for charity or local churches. One report said that the

occupants were in a silver Vauxhall Zafira, which may also have been spotted in Oving Road

on Thursday, 13 th October at about 7.40 pm.

If you have any information or CCTV footage, please ring 101 or email the Neighbourhood

Police Team on: greatbrickhillwingivinghoenhpt@thamesvalley.police.uk

Scam Alert

Phoney Amazon texts – Scammers impersonating Amazon are sending texts asking you to

follow a link to secure your account following attempted logins, which is a typical tactic to

incite panic. If you click on the link it takes you to a convincing fake Amazon website

where you’re prompted to enter your login details. Amazon will never request a customer’s

password or personal information by text message or ask you to make a payment outside of

its website.

Get Safe Online – As our purse strings are tightened with the cost-of-living crisis, fraudsters

are ramping up their attempts to scam us. Get Safe Online have produced a website

highlighting frauds you may encounter and giving top tips to avoid them.

Visit: https://www.getsafeonline.org/personal/blog-item/frauds-you-may-encounter-during-

the-cost-of-living-crisis/

Think before you click – If something seems too good to be true, it probably is! To check

whether a website is likely to be legitimate or fraudulent, enter its address at

https://www.getsafeonline.org/checkawebsite/

Burglaries skyrocket on Bonfire Night!

The nights on and around 5 th November see a huge surge in burglaries. The crash and bang

of fireworks under the cover of darkness provide burglars with an ideal opportunity to target

your home. So please remember to lock doors and windows before leaving to go to a

display – and give the impression you are in – e.g. leaving the radio on a ‘talk’ station and

putting some lights on. The radio will also mask the sounds of fireworks, which will help

any pets, which should be kept indoors. Please also be aware of local livestock if you are

setting off your own fireworks.

WHITCHURCH

Neighbourhood Watch

Members of the public can only use fireworks on private property, such as back gardens.

Only licensed professionals can use them in public places.

Bucks. Community Safety Newsletter

The Community Safety Newsletter aims to keep Bucks. residents and businesses informed

about crime prevention advice, safety-awareness campaigns and upcoming events.

They have launched a new reporting method for anti-social behaviour (ASB) and other

community safety issues. The latest edition of the newsletter includes links to the

community safety online referral forms (though you should report ASB to the police in the

first instance).

It also has some excellent advice about catalytic convert thefts, which are on the increase.

You can read the latest newsletter at: https://enews.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/5438-NBD8-

D813C60F93552C093ZCQE91D545B0D58A4FEFB/cr.aspx

WHO TO CONTACT IF YOU WITNESS A CRIME,

SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOUR OR ROAD ACCIDENT

Dial 999 if you'd like the police to be there in a few minutes.

Dial 101 to report an issue or provide information where there is no value in the police

rushing to the scene.

You can also report non-urgent incidents online at:

https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

If you prefer to do so without giving your name, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800

555111 or via https://crimestoppers-uk.org

PLEASE ENSURE YOU RECEIVE A CRIME REFERENCE NUMBER AND DON’T

FORGET TO TELL US AT NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH ABOUT IT TOO (contact

Neil Smith – 07411 368540).

Wishing you a safe and crime-free November.

REPORTED CRIMES AND INCIDENTS 15 th JULY TO 14 th AUGUST

Harassment of a resident in the High Street – We’ve been made aware of a series of

upsetting incidents that have been affecting a villager. This started in October 2021, with

dog poo being inserted through the victim’s letter box into their sitting room or left in their

garden. More recently, red paint was sprayed on the cobbles at the front of their house on

Wednesday, 13 th July and dog poo was smeared on the driver door of their car either that

evening or on the afternoon of Thursday, 14 th July. The police have recorded these incidents

as harassment. If you have any information please contact the police quoting crime

reference number 20220716 – 1937 by ringing 101 or reporting online at

https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

If you prefer to do so without giving your name, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800

555111 or via https://crimestoppers-uk.org

Trespassers – Phase 2, Newman Close – We were informed by a resident that two youths

entered the building site at 6.57 pm on Sunday, 24 th July. One of them was wearing a blue

tracksuit and the other a red tracksuit. The police were informed. If you have any

information about this incident, please contact the police using one of the methods above,

quoting crime reference number 20220725 – 0392.

Damage to car on driveway in Bushmead Road – This happened at around 7.40 pm on

Tuesday, 9 th August. A silver Mitsubishi Shogun reversed into the driveway to turn round

and hit the tailgate of the car parked on the drive. The driver sped off towards Whitchurch

without reporting the accident. Thanks to an eagle-eyed resident, the offending Shogun was

spotted being repaired in a local garage and the police were informed. Another ‘hit and run’

car was tracked down by villagers a few years ago while being repaired in the village! So

once again the residents of Whitchurch have come up trumps in solving crimes! 

Large husky dog still causing problems on the recreation ground – In May we reported

that an aggressive husky was attacking other dogs on the recreation ground. We’ve been

told that the same dog is again causing problems. The owner has been walking the dog,

which was not muzzled, at around 8.30 pm. It’s now reached the point where several

residents no longer take their dogs up there or make enquiries first as to whether the dog is in

the park.  Obviously, this is not acceptable – not only from the aspect of danger to pets,

children and adults, but that the actions of one person are preventing others from enjoying

their leisure time. 

If you see a dog that is acting aggressively towards people, is attacking someone, or has

already attacked someone and is still a danger, you should call 999 as soon as possible.

WHITCHURCH

Neighbourhood Watch

Scam Alerts:

Cost of living scams are rife at the moment. Some to look out for are:

 Fake cost of living payment and energy rebates

 Bank card refund scams

 Morrisons food giveaway

 Petrol gift cards

 Fake investments

Please be vigilant and don’t be tempted to click on any of the links in the emails or texts.

The most effective way to stop scammers in their tracks is to report a scam when you see

one.

Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk The National Cyber Security Centre

(NCSC) will analyse the suspect email and any websites it links to. They'll use any

additional information you’ve provided to look for and monitor suspicious activity.

Forward scam texts to 7726, a free reporting service provided by telecoms companies.

If you visit a website you think is trying to scam you, report it to the NCSC at:

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/about-this-website/report-scam-website

Report a suspicious phone call via: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report-phishing

Scroll down the page until you see a blue box saying “Report a phishing attempt – how was

the message received”?

You can find out more about cost of living scams at:

https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/5-big-cost-of-living-scams-to-watch-out-for-

agaTQ9M8g1hp?utm_medium=email&utm_source=engagingnetworks&utm_campaign=sca

m_alert&utm_content=Scam+Alert+210722+B

StreetSafe

StreetSafe is a pilot service for you to tell the Community Safety Partnership about areas

where you feel unsafe because of environmental issues, such as street lighting, abandoned

buildings, vandalism or maybe because of behaviour you’ve experienced from a group or an

individual. The website allows you to flag areas on a map and to explain why you feel

unsafe there. It’s completely anonymous and you can make a report about anywhere you

have visited in the UK. Reports are then sent to the local police force for that area. You

can make your report online at https://www.police.uk/streetsafe

Prefer to read your news online?

You can find Neighbourhood Watch monthly updates and Whitchurch News in full on the

village’s fab website at: https://www.whitchurch.org/

Finally, many thanks to the Editor of Whitchurch News, Bryan Moseley, for continuing to

publish the magazine, despite being immobilised. We all wish you well Bryan.

Wishing you a safe and crime-free September. Andrea Scagell

REPORTED CRIMES AND INCIDENTS 16th MAY TO 14th JUNE

Aggressive husky dog on the loose on the recreation ground – On 18 th May we were

informed about several instances over the past few months of a husky dog escaping from its

garden onto the recreation ground and attacking other dogs while unprovoked. We learned

of two specific incidents on 7 th and 8 th May of a husky attacking spaniels. These were

reported to the police, who are investigating. If you have witnessed or have experienced

such an attack yourself, please inform the police on 101 quoting reference numbers

20220508-0559 (7 th May) and 20220507-1600 (8 th May).

If this happens again and someone is in danger, please call 999.

Break-in to empty house in Ashgrove Gardens – This took place on Thursday, 2 nd June at

9 pm. The police attended – and after witnesses identified possible suspects, one of them

admitted gaining entry to the house. It’s believed that that the police apprehended two 13-

year old boys and are investigating a possible link to the previous arson attacks carried out in

the village.

If you have any information about this incident, please contact the police on 101 or online at

https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/  If you prefer to

do so without giving your name, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or

via https://crimestoppers-uk.org

Reduce the risk of phone scammers

One way of protecting  yourself from telephone scams is to remove your  personal details

from the 192 directory.  

The directory is drawn from various public records and forms a searchable data store of

personal details, including names, addresses and phone numbers. It’s likely that some

fraudsters use these public directories to research the names and home phone numbers of

local residents and then use this information to contact people by telephone, posing as police,

bank staff or other officials.

Older people who are at home in the daytime have been particularly impacted by this type of

crime.

To protect your personal details, you can remove yourself from the 192 directory by visiting:

https://www.192.com/help/help-home/ and selecting the ‘removal of personal details’ option.

WHITCHURCH

Neighbourhood Watch

Safe as houses

With (hopefully) lovely warm weather upon us, there will be a temptation to leave ground

floor windows and doors open. So if you’re upstairs or out of the room – even just for a few

minutes – close them and help keep the burglars out. Think too about ways you can

improve security in your garden and outbuildings, which not only keeps bikes and other

valuables in your shed and garage safe, but can also stop burglars getting into your home.

And when you’ve finished in the garden for the day, try and remember to lock away your

tools as they can be used to break into your home. It’s all about making it as difficult as

possible for the thieves.

More tips on protecting your home can be found at:

https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/residential-burglary/protect-your-

home-by-protecting-your-garden

Happy Holidays

With the holiday season now in full swing, burglars will be looking for the tell-tale signs that

you are away. REPORTED CRIMES AND INCIDENTS 16th MAY TO 14th JUNE

Aggressive husky dog on the loose on the recreation ground – On 18 th May we were
informed about several instances over the past few months of a husky dog escaping from its
garden onto the recreation ground and attacking other dogs while unprovoked. We learned
of two specific incidents on 7 th and 8 th May of a husky attacking spaniels. These were
reported to the police, who are investigating. If you have witnessed or have experienced
such an attack yourself, please inform the police on 101 quoting reference numbers
20220508-0559 (7 th May) and 20220507-1600 (8 th May).
If this happens again and someone is in danger, please call 999.
Break-in to empty house in Ashgrove Gardens – This took place on Thursday, 2 nd June at
9 pm. The police attended – and after witnesses identified possible suspects, one of them
admitted gaining entry to the house. It’s believed that that the police apprehended two 13-
year old boys and are investigating a possible link to the previous arson attacks carried out in
the village.
If you have any information about this incident, please contact the police on 101 or online at
https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/  If you prefer to
do so without giving your name, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or
via https://crimestoppers-uk.org
Reduce the risk of phone scammers
One way of protecting  yourself from telephone scams is to remove your  personal details
from the 192 directory.  
The directory is drawn from various public records and forms a searchable data store of
personal details, including names, addresses and phone numbers. It’s likely that some
fraudsters use these public directories to research the names and home phone numbers of
local residents and then use this information to contact people by telephone, posing as police,
bank staff or other officials.
Older people who are at home in the daytime have been particularly impacted by this type of
crime.
To protect your personal details, you can remove yourself from the 192 directory by visiting:
https://www.192.com/help/help-home/ and selecting the ‘removal of personal details’ option.

WHITCHURCH
Neighbourhood Watch

Safe as houses
With (hopefully) lovely warm weather upon us, there will be a temptation to leave ground
floor windows and doors open. So if you’re upstairs or out of the room – even just for a few
minutes – close them and help keep the burglars out. Think too about ways you can
improve security in your garden and outbuildings, which not only keeps bikes and other
valuables in your shed and garage safe, but can also stop burglars getting into your home.
And when you’ve finished in the garden for the day, try and remember to lock away your
tools as they can be used to break into your home. It’s all about making it as difficult as
possible for the thieves.
More tips on protecting your home can be found at:
https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/residential-burglary/protect-your-
home-by-protecting-your-garden
Happy Holidays
With the holiday season now in full swing, burglars will be looking for the tell-tale signs that
you are away. So do all you can to make your home look occupied and more secure.
Cancel milk and papers, ask a trusty friend or neighbour to keep an eye on your home,
recover your wheelie bin after collection and move post away from your letter or post box.
Programmable light, TV and radio timers (set to a talk station) all act as deterrents. Or
consider a fake TV which comes on automatically at dusk and simulates the light emitted by
a real telly. Be aware that posts on social media saying you’re away or selfies posted from
the beach may attract the attention of unwanted visitors!
And of course don’t forget to lock all doors and windows before you go, including sheds and
garages! Bonnes vacances!
Wishing you a safe and crime-free July. Andrea Scagell

REPORTED CRIMES AND INCIDENTS 18 th APRILTO 15th MAY

Vandalism to bus shelters – On 19 th April some graffiti using silver paint was sprayed on

the bus shelter opposite Whitchurch Surgery in Oving Road. Similar graffiti also appeared

at bus stops on the main road in Hardwick, Berryfields, the A41 and Fairford Leys. This

was followed around 29 th April by more graffiti appearing on the bus shelter opposite in

Oving Road. The hanging basket on the bus shelter was removed and temporarily appeared

on the Whitchurch Millennium sign. If you have any information about these incidents,

please contact the police via 101 or online at

https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

Break-in at the Post Office on the High Street – overnight on Saturday, 23 rd / Sunday, 24 th

April. The thieves managed to open the safe and stole its contents, having gained access

through the roof. We have no further details.

Vandalism to car parked on the High Street – Overnight on Tuesday, 26 th / Wednesday,

27 th April a car on the south end of the High Street between the post box and Keinches Lane

had its windscreen sprayed with an oily substance.

Similar vandalism has happened several times in the past to cars parked close by. Cars have

also been “keyed” and had notes left on their windscreens asking the drivers not to park

there. The police are investigating.

Please be vigilant. Oil on a windscreen can be a danger to life. If you are at all suspicious

or have any information, please contact the police on 101 or online at

https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/  If you prefer to

do so without giving your name, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or

via https://crimestoppers-uk.org

Arson attacks – On the evening of Friday, 13 th May part of a new garden fence in North

Marston Lane was set alight. Luckily a passing motorist put the fire out and alerted the

owner of the property. The culprits then went on to set the postbox on fire at the end of

middle Ashgrove Gardens. If you have any suspicions or information about the arsonist(s) –

for example someone in your household came home that night smelling strongly of smoke –

please contact the police by one of the methods mentioned above and quote crime reference

number DP-15735-22-4343-00.

Vandalism on the recreation ground – On the same evening a metal football goal net on

the recreation ground was damaged. The police have been informed about all of these

incidents.

WHITCHURCH

Neighbourhood Watch

TrueCall38

None of us want to give out our phone number unless absolutely necessary, but sometimes

you can’t fill in an online form without it. There is a new free service – TrueCall38 – which

helps to solve this problem. When you are asked for your number, enter the TrueCall38

number instead – 0333 8888 8888 (three threes, eight eights). This appears as a UK number

and anyone calling it is directed to TrueCall and receives a short recorded message saying

that you don’t want to be contacted by phone and asks them to contact you by another

method.

If the form won’t let you enter the full number, just leave out the final eight. Be aware

though that some companies do need your phone number. Maybe they require your mobile

to send you a text as part of their validation process, or if it’s a flight booking, a hospital

form or suchlike, it would be better to give them your real number. If your computer uses

‘autofill’ do of course check that it has entered the number you want! For more information

visit www.trueCall38.co.uk

WHO TO CONTACT IF YOU WITNESS A CRIME,

SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOUR OR ROAD ACCIDENT

Dial 999 if you'd like the police to be there in a few minutes.

Dial 101 to report an issue or provide information where there is no value in the police

rushing to the scene.

You can also report non-urgent incidents online at:

https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

If you prefer to do so without giving your name, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800

555111 or via https://crimestoppers-uk.org

PLEASE ENSURE YOU RECEIVE A CRIME REFERENCE NUMBER AND DON’T

FORGET TO TELL US AT NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH ABOUT IT TOO (contact

Neil Smith – 07411 368540).

Neighbourhood Watch Awareness Week – is 30 th May to 5 th June – celebrating 40 years of

the organisation. It also coincides with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, which

will bring our community together for the various events going on around the village.

Indeed it will be the first time in over 2 years that we’ve had the opportunity to gather in

such large numbers! We hope you all have a wonderful time, but do make sure you secure

your homes before you leave as burglars will know that many of us will be out and about

enjoying ourselves and see it as an opportunity to spoil the fun!

Wishing you a safe and crime-free June. Andrea Scagell

REPORTED CRIMES AND INCIDENTS 15 th MARCH TO 17 th APRIL

Attempted break-in – Approximately 2 weeks after the event we heard that there was an attempted break- in during the night, possibly on 11th March, in Ashgrove Gardens. This may have been accessed from across the rear garden and over the fence from the recreation ground. The rear door was forced and the door frame broken. No fingerprints or footprints were found by the police.

Vehicle theft – We have had a report from the police that a vehicle was broken into and another stolen from the High Street overnight between 27 th and 28 th March. We’ve been told it was a large four-wheel drive vehicle which was removed from the resident’s drive, rolled along the High Street towards Church Headland Lane and loaded onto another vehicle by people wearing balaclavas, which would have been an unusual sight to say the least! If you have any information regarding this, please report to 101 or email the Neighbourhood Police Team on greatbrickhillwingivinghoenhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk quoting reference 43220133541.

Suspicious activity – On Thursday, 7th April at about 10.20 pm a scruffy woman and a lad in flip-flops, along with a small child, were seen on Castle Mound (and recorded on CCTV) shining torches into properties and fields along Castle Lane. The police attended promptly. Earlier that evening a white transit- type van was parked for a long time by the bench where Castle Lane meets Weir Lane. Arson on Whitchurch Combined School playing fields – On the evening of Wednesday, 13 th April the Fire Brigade were called out to a fire in the school grounds. Residents had heard young teenagers on the building site of phase 2, Newman Close at approximately 9 pm, prior to seeing the fire. A large container of hydraulic oil had been opened and spilled into the ground on the site. It’s believed the offenders set fire to a pile of branches using toilet roll taken from the building site office hut. If anyone has any CCTV footage or information about this crime, please contact the police via 101 or online at https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

Scam Alerts Council tax rebate scam warning – Bucks. Council are warning that scammers are cold-calling people asking for their bank details in order to receive the government’s £150 energy rebate. Councils will never request bank details over the phone.  Those who pay council tax by direct debit will receive the government rebate automatically, while others will be sent letters about the process. Remote access tool scams – often begin with a browser pop-up claiming that your computer is infected with a virus, or with a call from someone claiming to be from your bank saying that they need to connect to your computer in order to cancel a fraudulent transaction on your account. Criminals will try to persuade the victim to download and connect via a remote access tool, which allows the criminal to gain access to the computer or mobile phone, whereupon they are able to access the victim’s banking information.

WHITCHURCH Neighbourhood Watch Be aware of travel scams – Now that many of us are able to take a long-awaited holiday, travel fraud is on the rise. ‘Get Safe Online’ offer the following tips to ensure your holiday or travel booking is safe:  Do thorough research on accommodation, flights, cruises, package holidays or pilgrimages advertised via private advertisements, to check they’re authentic.

 Check that the accommodation really exists by finding it on Google Maps and looking for independent reviews and recommendations. If you can, call and speak to the owner / agent directly.

 Check reviews on Tripadvisor or similar sites.

 Pay for your holidays by credit card, which gives you more protection if something goes wrong.  Make sure travel agents and tour operators you book through are members of trade associations such ABTA or ATOL, by checking on these bodies’ websites.

 Before paying online or providing any confidential details, type in the website address you know to be correct (instead of following a link) and ensure the payment page is secure (begins with ‘https’ and has a locked padlock in the browser window frame).  Be wary of unusually cheap holidays or high deposits.  Check terms and conditions prior to making any payment.

 Keep confirmations and payment receipts and check statements for irregular entries.  Be wary of unsolicited approaches claiming to be from travel firms, insurance companies or claims specialists offering to arrange a refund for a holiday or travel which has been postponed because of Covid-19. For more about protecting yourself against scams visit Get Safe Online at www.getsafeonline.org Don’t make it easy for burglars With the lighter evenings and new growth of spring now upon is, it’s time to Spring into Action and review your home security.   The best way of doing this is to look at your property through the eyes of a burglar. Think about how you would break in if you locked yourself out. You may be surprised by how easy it would be.   Download your FREE Home Security Guide from the Thames Valley Police website at: https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/police-forces/thames-valley-police/areas/advice/home-security-guide/ It contains lots of hints and tips including:  A variety of physical and digital security measures to protect your home  How to avoid invalidating your home insurance through poor security

 A handy checklist for when you go away  WHO TO CONTACT IF YOU WITNESS A CRIME, SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOUR OR ROAD ACCIDENT Dial 999 if you'd like the police to be there in a few minutes. Dial 101 to report an issue or provide information where there is no value in the police rushing to the scene. You can also report non-urgent incidents online at: https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/  

Wishing you a safe and crime-free May. Andrea Scagell

LATEST NEWS:

Dear Residents,

We have had reports of persons accessing the building site around the Whitchurch Lane/Newmans Close area. 

This is extremely dangerous and unauthorised persons, without relevant protective clothing, could become seriously injured. 

The last incident occurred on the 24th of July. Each time we have had reports of this, it appears to be the same persons involved. We are currently doing enquiries to identify the suspects formally. 

If you have any information in regards to this, or if you witness this, please report by using one of the following options:

999 – if there is an imminent danger or a crime is in progress – this is the most suitable method of contacting us in this instance.

101 – this is our non-emergency number.

Webform – non emergency incidents can be reported via our online reporting system on the Thames Valley Police website.

Please also feel free to contact the Neighbourhood Team (after you have reported using one of the ways listed above) on greatbrickhillwingivinghoenhpt@thamesvalley.police.uk

We cannot stress how important it is to report incidents at the time they occur. Reporting after an incident has happened makes it difficult for us to identify those responsible. With the incident described above, if we had been made aware at the time, we may have caught the suspects in the act. 

Please also report it directly to us and not via Neighbourhood Watch. Third party reports sometimes are not as factual as first hand. We agree that NHW need to be made aware but incidents should always be reported to the Police first. 

Kind Regards

The Wing Neighbourhood Policing Team

Whitchurch

Neighbourhood Watch

REPORTED CRIMES AND INCIDENTS15th AUGUST TO 14th SEPTEMBER

Suspicious vehicle outside Two Hoots in Oving Road – Just before 9

am on Monday, 15th August an untaxed silver vehicle (reg: BN61 EQJ)

was spotted outside Two Hoots in Oving Road. There were 3 occupants

and the rear window had been smashed, along with damage to the boot.

The vehicle sped off towards Aylesbury. If you have any information

about this, please contact the police by ringing 101 or reporting online at

https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

quoting crime reference number 0781 – 15082022.

Illegal Parking – Cars have been regularly parked at the junction of Castle

Lane and the High Street, making it very difficult for a local farmer to pull

out onto the High Street with his tractor. Indeed, parking too close to a

junction makes it more dangerous for everyone. So can we remind

residents that it is illegal to park opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a

junction, except in an authorised parking space.

Nottingham Knockers – On Tuesday, 6th September many houses in

the village were visited by two male ‘Nottingham Knockers’. These illegal

traders were claiming to be part of a rehabilitation scheme (no such

schemes exist). One of them became abusive when asked to leave by a

resident. They were presenting Hawker’s ID cards showing a Scunthorpe

address. These cards are not valid and they are breaking the law by

using them. In order to trade door-to-door, a person MUST have a

Pedlar’s Certificate issued by the Chief Constable of the police force

where they live. They are only granted to applicants with no previous

convictions. The police were informed – Crime Ref: 0891 – 20220906.

It goes without saying that we should not buy what these criminals are

selling as they are more than likely using their visits to obtain personal

information about you, which is then passed on to the criminal fraternity.

You would also be encouraging a return visit! Instead, turn them away

and contact the police immediately.

No cold calling door stickers can be obtained by sending an email with

your name and address to tsd@buckscc.gov.uk

Moving forward – Following several reports to us over a period of months,

of an aggressive husky dog attacking other dogs on the recreation ground,

we have been told by a neighbour of the owner of the dog that it is always

well-behaved, muzzled and on a lead. She maintains that it is other dogs

running up to the husky that cause trouble. We have been informed the

dog will always be on a lead, muzzled and that the owner’s back gate

adjoining the recreation ground has been reinforced.

Scam Alert

Scammers are using the cost of living crisis to target households. They

are sending text messages and emails that appear to be from the energy

regulator, Ofgem. The message invites recipients to apply for a rebate

and instructs them to follow a link to a malicious fake Ofgem website

designed to steal personal and financial information. For most people any

discounts will be applied to their energy bill automatically.

If you receive an email which you’re suspicious about, forward it to the

Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) at report@phishing.gov.uk

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will investigate it.

Forward any suspicious text messages to 7726 – it’s free. Your provider

can investigate the origin of the text and arrange to block or ban the

sender if it’s found to be malicious.

Leave a light on – and burglars in the dark!

The nights are drawing in – and with the clocks going back at the end of

October, it’s a good time to invest in light timers or a fake TV to make your

home look occupied while you are out.

Halloween

It’s that time of year again and some older teenagers sadly see what

should be harmless fun for children as an opportunity to prey on the

elderly or more vulnerable, such as those living alone. Young children

should always be escorted by a responsible adult and anyone who is old

enough not to need an escort should not be ‘trick or treating’!

Wishing you a safe and crime-free October. Andrea Scagell 

 REPORTED CRIMES AND INCIDENTS 15th JUNE TO 14 th JULY

Vandalism on Oving Road – We’ve received a report that front-facing windows at an
empty property near the wild flower bank on Oving Road had been smashed on Monday, 27 th
June. If you have any information about this incident, please contact the police on 101 or
online at https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/
 quoting Crime Reference No: 4322 0282 428.
A reminder to make your property look as though it is lived in when you have to leave it –
even if only for a few hours. Using lights on a timer is one simple way of doing this.
Attempted car theft – In the early hours of Tuesday, 5 th July four men were involved in the
attempted theft of a car in Swan Close. They were caught on CCTV and disturbed by
security lights so fortunately nothing was taken. Please be extra vigilant and report any
suspicious behaviour to the police by calling 999 immediately.
Damage to digger on recreation ground – This happened on Thursday, 7 th July to a digger
used by contractors who were working on the outdoor gym and play area. The window of
the digger was smashed. The damage was only discovered on Friday, 8 th July when the
digger was collected.
Increase in youth crime in Whitchurch – It’s a matter of concern that over the last few
months the instances of vandalism and youth-led crime has seen a steep rise – all taking
place within a few hundred yards of each other:
 Theft and vandalism at Newman Close building site
 Fire in school grounds
 Damaged metal football fence at the recreation ground
 Arson of new garden fence
 Arson of post box
 Graffiti in bus shelters and on information boards
 Smashing of doors and windows at a property in Ashgrove Gardens
 Window smashing at a property in Oving Road
 Digger window smashed at the recreation ground
With the school summer holidays now here, please be on the lookout and ring 999
immediately if you see a crime in progress. If it’s not urgent you can contact the police on
101 or online at the address above.

WHITCHURCH
Neighbourhood Watch

If you prefer to do so without giving your name, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800
555111 or via https://crimestoppers-uk.org
Please ensure you receive a crime reference number. We’d really appreciate it if you could
let us at Neighbourhood Watch know about it too. We may be able to help. Contact Neil
Smith on 07411 368540.
Parenting a teenager is not easy, but run-ins with the law go beyond the norm of teenage
rebellion. So please stay in touch with what your children are up to and hopefully we can
curb this behaviour before their lives are blighted by a criminal record.
Parents of teenagers may find this website helpful:
https://www.relate.org.uk/relationship-help/help-family-life-and-parenting/parenting-
teenagers

Scam Alerts:
‘Check a Website’ is a new, easy-to-use online tool which helps determine whether a
website is likely to be legitimate or a scam. You type in the address of the website you want
to check and your results will appear within seconds. To try it out visit:
www.getsafeonline.org/checkawebsite/

Victim Support
If you’ve been a victim of crime, Victim Support is an agency with trained people to help
you. You can call their free 24/7 Supportline in confidence on 0808 168 9111. Visit:
https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

What would you like Whitchurch Neighbourhood Watch to do for you?
We are hoping to hold a public event for residents in the autumn. We’d like to make sure
that we are covering topics of concern and interest to you – the residents of Whitchurch,
whatever your age group.
So it’s over to you…. Do let us know your concerns – for example, online security,
vandalism, anti-social behaviour, burglary, theft, drug-dealing, neighbourhood policing.
Do ask your family members what they think as different age groups may well have different
issues of concern. Please email Neil Smith at neil.h.smith@hotmail.co.uk
Many thanks for your help. We look forward to hearing your views.

Wishing you a safe and crime-free August. Andrea Scagell

REPORTED CRIMES AND INCIDENTS 15th FEBRUARY TO 14th MARCH 

Sadly, the bus timetable by the Methodist Chapel was daubed with green paint around the third week in February.   Also around that time the Church Headland Lane sign was unscrewed from its mount.  

Scam Alerts

NHS PCR scam warning – scammers have been impersonating the NHS and sending texts claiming that the recipient has been in close contact with someone with Covid-19.   They demand that they order a PCR test, with the aim of stealing their personal data and bank details.

Travel-related scams to look out for – the pandemic has spawned a new breed of Covid-related scams, especially those concerning travel.   These include:

• Charging for passenger locator forms, which are free

• Offering fake vaccine passports

• Charging for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which is available free from the NHS

• Clone travel companies or flight comparison / booking websites taking your money for holidays or flights that don’t exist

Ukranian crisis warning – scammers are using the war in Ukraine as a way to extort or scam money out of people who believe they are helping victims.   Please be mindful of this and check the origins of requests to support the crisis. 

Reducing burglaries – just think of the acronym – WIDEN

• W: WINDOWS: Keep your windows locked

• I: INTERIOR: Put inside lights on a timer/smart bulb

• D: DOORS: Double or deadlock your doors

• E: EXTERIOR: Put outside lights on a sensor

• N: NEIGHBOURS: Keep an eye out for your neighbours

Have you got a doorstep  ‘NO COLD CALLING’ sticker?   

If the answer is no, Bucks. & Surrey Trading Standards can provide you with a free sticker.   To receive yours, please email trading.standards@surreycc.gov.uk

Wishing you a safe and crime-free April.                                        Andrea Scagell                                                                                                                                     #