Rogue Traders have recently been cold-calling across Worcestershire offering to tarmac driveways. Residents are warned NOT to buy on the doorstep and to report suspicious callers to Trading Standards (Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 or the Police on 101).
| West Mercia Police have seen an increase in the reports of thefts/attempted thefts of and from caravans and motorhomes over the last few months. If you are a caravan or motorhome owner, here are a few tips which may help in protecting your property: When your caravan/motorhome is not in use: · Remove all your personal belongings and contents. Leave cupboard doors and curtains open, this may help to deter opportunist thieves if they can see it’s empty. · Store your caravan securely. If you are choosing a storage site, don’t just look at the price. Check to see that it offers good security measures. · If you are leaving your caravan/motorhome at home, ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your caravan/motorhome as well as your home. Consider fixing good security posts on your drive to prevent your caravan/motorhome being stolen. Store your caravan/motorhome securely · Choose a site operated by the Caravan Storage site Owners Association (CaSSOA) · Check to see if it offers good security measures for example secure posts to which your caravan can be hitch-locked, ground anchors, security staff or CCTV. · Remember if you can enter the storage area and remove your caravan without being approached, then so can a thief. Devices for securing your caravan/motorhome · Installing a reliable alarm system (GSM) and tracking device. · Locking the coupling head into a cover using a good quality hitch lock. · Using locking wheel nuts and a good quality clamp on the caravan wheels. · Chaining your caravan to a robust and secure point. Use a heavy duty chain that is made out of hardened steel to reduce the chance of it being cut through. Protect your belongings · Ensure you close and lock your doors, windows and roof lights when you leave your caravan. · Don’t leave anything valuable on display, laptops etc. · Consider security marking any valuables and make sure you have the serial numbers for any items. · Never leave Caravan Registration and identification documents (CRis) or V5 documentation in your vehicle. Buying · Check that the chassis number hasn’t been removed or altered / Check the vehicle registration matches the type of vehicle its on. · Before buying privately, consider checking the caravans history on CRiS. · Check all the keys are available and correct. · Check the number plate is the same as the one on the tow vehicle. Be wary if temporary or handwritten number plates are used. · Always ask about built in security features such as an alarm or tracking device, caravan safe, hitch-lock or wheel clamps. Caravan facts Caravans manufactured since 1992 by the National Caravan Council members are recorded on the CRiS database by their unique 17 digital Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) The 17 digit vehicle identification document (VIN) should be stamped onto the caravan chassis and etched on the windows. Even if you own a pre-1992 caravan, or imported your own caravan into the UK, you can still register it with CRiS yourself. All caravans manufactures since August 1997 are electronically tagged for added security. |
Hollie Guard is a free personal safety app that can be downloaded onto any iOS or Android device.
With Hollie Guard, if ever you feel threatened, you can send out an alert by either shaking your phone or pressing the icon button. Once you activate an alert, your location along with video and audio evidence is automatically sent to your emergency contacts via SMS and/or email. Your emergency contacts can then take action to help you quickly.
There are multiple features which can be used:
As well as all the features of Hollie Guard, you can now choose to upgrade your service to Hollie Guard Extra, a brand-new service through which an alert response centre will monitor any alerts you trigger.
Useful Links:
Website: https://hollieguard.com/
Email: info@hollieguard.com
iPhone Download: http://tiny.cc/u9pioz
Android Download: http://tiny.cc/l8pioz
Twitter: @hollie_guard
Instagram: hollieguard
Tuesday 6th May, there was an attempted break in around 3.15/3.30pm at Fairfield Court units, intruders were spotted and raced off.
There were 3/4 men wearing COVID face coverings in a blue estate car.
Have you seen any suspicious activity recently or you may have seen these men/vehicle? Please contact the police, tel. 101 or
Somebody has fly tipped in lay-by/access road by Farcroft/Fairfield Court. Did you see anything/suspicious activity? Do report to Bromsgrove District Council, tel. 01527 881188.
| We have received a report of a scam text message claiming to be from DPD. |
| The message states you have missed a delivery and asks you to follow a link to book a redelivery. |
| Don’t follow the link, they are after your details. |
It’s here… The July newsletter http://bit.ly/OurNewsJuly2021 featuring the new SLING YOUR HOOK scams awareness campaign, a partnership with Deliveroo to train riders in community safety, discounts from Patlock, & a chance to win a fun-filled Croods 2 inspired family holiday.
Nominated Neighbour scheme is designed to deter cold callers and rogue traders and can help neighbours work together to give cold callers the cold shoulder.
A bright yellow Nominated Neighbour sticker, prominently displayed shows potential callers that their identity will be checked by a trusted neighbour and they will only been seen if accompanied by a known and trusted person.
All it takes is a neighbour, family friend or family member to agree to be nominated and any callers will be directed to them for their identity to be verified.
The scheme makes it clear to any callers that their identity will be checked, deterring those callers who are not genuine.
The nominated neighbour scheme is funded by West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner to help reduce doorstep crime. It is free and delivered to homes by the North Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership represented by Council Community Safety officers or your local police officers.
In addition to the Nominated Neighbour window sticker, a pack containing useful information on keeping safe is also provided as part of the scheme.
Further information and details of how to join the scheme can be made by contacting Community Safety at Bromsgrove District Council by calling on 01527 534187 or email at community safety@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk
Paul Jarczewski, Woodland Trust Site Manger (Central England) has provided the Community Association with the following update:
The online consultation was very successful. We had 79 responses, which indicated very obvious support for our plans to establish the new wood. I’m sure this interest was in no small part due to the Community Association championing the project locally, so many thanks for that.
We are just about to submit our final design plans to The Forestry Commission for their approval. The consultation response is an important appendix to this, as it provides evidence to the Commission that the new wood is something that local people will value.
One of the things we wish to do is set up some monitoring as the new land develops (hoping of course that our fundraising is successful and we acquire the land). The monitoring will look at how well trees establish on different areas of the site, but also look at how the biodiversity changes/improves with time. It is very interesting to know we already have some potentially rare species.
We are still fundraising to buy the land, so any opportunity you have to let people know would be greatly appreciated.
If you would like to know more about the proposed Pepper Wood Expansion visit http://fvca.org.uk/directory/pepper-wood/
Just 15% of people have heard of a ‘ghost broker’.* Do you know what one is?
Have you ever heard of a ‘ghost broker’? No, we are not talking about things that go bump in the night – this is a lot scarier. ‘Ghost brokers’ are fraudsters who sell fake or invalid car insurance policies. Victims are sold fake insurance documents for a policy that does not exist, or for a genuine policy that has been set up using false details to lower the price of the premium.
How do ‘ghost brokers’ operate?
Fraudsters lure victims in with the offer of cheaper insurance premiums, usually via social media or by word-of-mouth. These individuals or groups pose as middlemen for well-known insurance companies, claiming they can offer you legitimate car insurance at a significantly cheaper price.
This type of fraud is typically carried out either by forging insurance documents, falsifying your details to bring the price down, or by taking out a genuine policy for you but cancelling it soon after.
Often, the victim is not aware that they have been scammed until they are involved in an accident and try to claim on the policy.
Who do ‘ghost brokers’ target?
‘Ghost brokers’ tend to target vulnerable communities, including members of non-English speaking communities who may not have full knowledge of UK insurance and laws, as well as young people looking for cheaper insurance deals.
Last year, Action Fraud received 694 reports of ‘ghost broking’, with almost a third (29%) coming from victims aged 17-29. The reported losses for these victims alone totalled £113,500, with each individual losing an average of £559.
Figures also indicate that over half (58%) of all reports in 2020 were submitted by men.
What could happen if I drive without valid insurance?
As policies sold by ‘ghost brokers’ are either invalid, non-existent or fraudulent, this means that the driver is technically uninsured, meaning that you could face:
How can I protect myself from ‘ghost brokers’?
There are simple steps that you can take to spot the signs of these scams and avoid being taking for a ride by ‘ghost brokers’: