Notices

Planning Application – Pig Rearing Units, The Nursery Dordale Road

The following planning application is available to view and comment on. Please use this
link to take you to the home page of Public Access
http://publicaccess.bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk/online-applications/ which is the tool for
viewing applications and making comment electronically.

• Click on the link above
• Type in the application number and click, this will take you to the summary page of Public
Access.
• When at the summary page
• To view the documents you will need to click on the tab, then
the .
• To make a comment click on the tab,
• Fill out your details and make your comment and press submit, this will go straight to the
relevant planning officer and be immediately viewable in the comments tab.
• If you have provided an email you can request a confirmation email.

APPLICATION REFERENCE :	22/00058/CUPRIO
APPLICATION TYPE:	COU Prior Approval
DATE ACCEPTED:	17.01.2022
LOCATION:	Pig Rearing Units, The Nursery Dordale Road Bournheath Worcestershire B61 9JX
PROPOSAL:	Change of Use of Agricultural Buildings to 5 dwellings (Class C3), and for building operations reasonably necessary for the conversion.
APPLICANTS NAME:
PARISH COUNCIL:	Belbroughton Parish
WARD:	Belbroughton And Romsley Ward
CASE OFFICER:	Sarah Hazlewood
TELEPHONE:	01527881720
EMAIL	sarah.hazlewood@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk

Planning Application – 39 Parish Hill

APPLICATION REFERENCE :	21/01866/FUL
APPLICATION TYPE:	Full Application
DATE ACCEPTED:	23.12.2021
LOCATION:	39 Parish Hill, Bournheath Bromsgrove Worcestershire B61 9JH
PROPOSAL:	Rear two storey extension.
APPLICANTS NAME:
PARISH COUNCIL:	Bournheath Parish
WARD:	Belbroughton And Romsley Ward
CASE OFFICER:	Nina Chana
TELEPHONE:	01527 548241
EMAIL	nina.chana@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk

Jubilee Party Organiser Needed

Volunteer needed to get the community partying to help mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Green Fingered Volunteer Needed

Wildmoor Quarry Expansion – Briefing 5th Feb 2022

In early January, Wildmoor Quarry requested a Scoping Opinion with regard their intention to extend existing mineral extraction, to quarry adjacent land and to import inert material. For the scoping notice CLICK HERE

Responses to the Scoping request have been given by FVCA, the Parish Council, District Councillor May and others.

Below, presentation given at the Social Saturday community gathering on 5th February 2022, outlining the proposal as detailed in the Wildmoor Quarry’s Scoping Request, plus images taken by FVCA to help residents understand what could be happening.

At present, there is not a full planning application and so there is currently no consultation. The purpose of this presentation is to make residents aware of what could be happening, and should a full planning application be submitted that they have the information to make an informed decision as to whether they wish to support or oppose the planning application.

It is the intention of FVCA to hold a meeting once the full planning application has been published, and FVCA will request an extension to the consultation deadline.

Presentation: slides will move to next slide after 6 seconds

Photos of Wildmoor Quarry – 2nd February 2022

Community Gathering 5th Feb 2022 – Summary

Good turnout for the Chief Constable’s visit last month, thanks to all that came to the hall

Fairfield Dining Group – next lunch 21^st Feb. at the Swan, Fairfield, then at The Fox, Chaddesley, on 21^st March – different venues to previously published. Arrive 12.15pm onwards for a 12.30pm lunch. If you are coming, contact Pat.

Next litter pick – 12^th Feb, 10.30am, meet outside hall.

Swan Lane – work will soon commence to clear ditches and repair gullies.

Volunteer needed for southern planter.

Volunteer needed to coordinate Platinum Jubilee party on Sunday 5^th June.

England V Ireland Six Nations Rugby Match at the village hall on 12th March 3pm onwards.

Fairfield Flicks doing well, now doing Event Cinema & live music. Next film: The Courier, 13^th March 7.30pm.

Overview presentation proposed Wildmoor Quarry extension

Planning Application – Pepperwood Bungalow, Wood Lane

APPLICATION REFERENCE :	22/00060/FUL
APPLICATION TYPE:	Full Application
DATE ACCEPTED:	25.01.2022
LOCATION:	Pepperwood Bungalow, Wood Lane Fairfield Bromsgrove Worcestershire B61 9NE
PROPOSAL:	Conversion of outbuilding to dwelling
APPLICANTS NAME:
PARISH COUNCIL:	Belbroughton Parish
WARD:	Belbroughton And Romsley Ward
CASE OFFICER:	Rosie Paget
TELEPHONE:	01527 881184
EMAIL	rosie.paget@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon

On Thursday 2nd June, a chain of beacons cross the United Kingdom and Commonwealth will be lit to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and her 70 years of service as our monarch.

It has been suggested that a beacon is lit in our community is part of this historic occassion.

Are there any craftsmen/women who can build a Jubilee Beacon Brazier for the village?

At this stage we are after a volunteer and costings.

A location for the brazier has to be greed, and there will be fundraising to cover the cost.

If you can help, get in touch admin@fvca.org.uk

Love Where You Live

A huge thanks to all our Wombles, fighting Grot & keeping our community tidy, whether volunteering at our monthly litter picks or at other times of the month. Unfortunately littering in our community is an issue, with some grot hotspots where litter is always found, and the same stretches of footpath & verge where dog mess can also be found. Please:

· If you are unable to take part in the monthly litter pick, help fight Grot by litter picking outside your driveway and along the road & hedgerow near where you live.

· If you are a dog walker, please pick up, bag and put in the bin dog waste. There are plenty of dog waste bins in the village, so there is no excuse. And don’t leave the dog pooh bag for someone else to clear up.

And if you are free, the next Community Litter will be on Saturday 12th March. The more people that volunteer, the more we can do to tackle the litter along our village lanes. Meet outside the Village Hall 10.30am, wear suitable clothing & footwear, litter picking equipment will be provided.

Platinum Celebrations

To mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, events are being planned to mark this historic occasion including:

Asking residents to help turn our community Red, White & Blue and waving the flag over the four day bank holiday weekend, 2nd-5th June.

Saturday 4th June – Live stream of the Jubilee Concert at the Village Hall. Free admittance & there will be a licenced bar.

Sunday 5th June – The Jubilee Lunch at the Village Hall. A volunteer is needed to help organise this event. Email admin@fvca.org.uk

Do you have an idea to help mark this occasion? Email admin@fvca.org.uk or pop along to our Social Saturday Community Gatherings.

Quarry Expansion Proposal

Wildmoor Quarry seeks to expand its operations by quarrying adjacent land. FVCA will give a presentation at the community gathering on Saturday 5th February, 10am, Village Hall.

Would you like and support a Book Bank in the village?

St. Mark’s have agreed, in principle, for the use of the church’s porch, with shelving on the one side. This location will mean the books, and people visiting the Book Bank, are in the dry.

We need someone to kindly design, for agreement, the shelves and then build them.

There is no budget, so we will be asking for donations.

If you can help, please email admin@fvca.org.uk

Chief Constable Visits Fairfield

At our afternoon Community Gathering on Wednesday 19th January, residents were joined by PC Lloyd Stone for one of his regular policing surgery plus a very special guest, the Chief Constable, Pippa Mills.

The Chief Constable enjoyed meeting residents and hearing their concerns, which included speeding and parking.

Scoping Opinion – Wildmoor Quarry

Seeking Comments – Scoping Opinion – Wildmoor Quarry, Sandy Lane, Worcestershire

Application Ref: 21/000043/SCO Grid Ref: (E) 395000, (N) 276000

Applicant: Wildmoor Quarry Products Limited

Proposal: Request for a Scoping Opinion for a consolidation Planning Application to address a Review of an Old Minerals Permission (ROMP), supported by an extension to existing mineral extraction and for the restoration of the site utilising in-situ soils and imported inert restoration material, supported by recycling activities.

Location: Wildmoor Quarry, Sandy Lane (A491), Near Bromsgrove, Worcestershire

Worcestershire County Council as the Mineral Planning Authority has received a formal request from Kedd Limited (the agent) on behalf of Wildmoor Quarry Products Limited (the applicant) to adopt a Scoping Opinion for the above proposed development under Regulation 15 of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017 (as amended). Scoping seeks to ensure that the information to be provided in the Environmental Statement that will accompany the planning application, addresses the key effects of the proposed development and ensures that the principle concerns appropriate to the local area are addressed comprehensively.

The Scoping Opinion and relevant documents are available to view at http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/eplanning using the application reference: 21/000043/SCO. When searching by application reference, please ensure that the full application reference number, including the suffix are entered into the search field.

The applicant is seeking the continuation of existing activities at the site and to extend phased quarrying activities on land to the west and south west of the application site, measuring approximately 11.29 hectares, to extract approximately 2.6 million tonnes of sand over a 13 year period, equating to approximately 200,000 tonnes per annum. The applicant is also seeking to facilitate the phased restoration of the site in an anti-clockwise direction utilising both in-situ material and approximately 3,220,000 tonnes of inert restoration material, equating to approximately 210,000 tonnes per annum over approximately 15 years and 3 months. The proposal also includes a material recycling facility (MRF) to recover approximately 1,071,000 tonnes of recycled materials from the imported Construction, Demolition & Excavation (CD&E) materials, equating to approximately 70,000 tonnes per annum.

The applicant states that not all land would be disturbed and/or operational at any one point in time.

The current permitted extraction area equates to approximately 16.64 hectares of land and the proposed combined application area would be approximately 27.93 hectares of land for mineral extraction. Two existing vehicular access points off Sandy Lane (A491) would remain unchanged.

The Mineral Planning Authority has only 5 weeks to adopt a Scoping Opinion, therefore, I would be grateful for your comments by 27 January 2022 at the latest. If I do not hear from you by this date I will assume you have no comments.

The agent appointed by Wildmoor Quarry Products Limited for this is:-

Kedd Limited

Fox Studio

King Street

Much Wenlock

Shropshire

TF13 6BL

Advent Calendar 2021 Results

And the winner is……

There were an incredible 1873 votes cast in our Best Village Advent Calendar competition. The competition, which was a bit fun, certainly got people fired up, lobbying for votes.

Of course some properties got more votes than others, and only one property – the miserable old codger at 10 Pepperwood Close (aka the Chair of FVCA) – got none. Votes for first and second place were very close. The property with the most votes winning a Luxury Hamper courtesy of Morrisons Supermarket.

The three properties with the most votes are:

FIRST PLACE: 55 Stourbridge Road with “The North Pole” 163 votes

SECOND PLACE: Fairfield First School with “The Snowman and the Snowdog” 158 votes

THIRD PLACE: 5 Wood Lane with “Christmas Tree” 117 votes

Well done and thank you to everyone that took part in our Village Advent Calendar. Get your thinking caps on for our Advent Calendar 2022.

Mark the New Year with a Cheer NOT with a Bang

Fireworks near the countryside can be a concern for farmers and pet owners.

Loud noises can scare animals and the waste from fireworks can harm wildlife. Last months fireworks killed one cow in Fairfield and traumatised others.

When bringing in the New Year, remember to Respect, Protect & Enjoy nature.

Planning Application – New Barn Farm, Swan Lane

APPLICATION REFERENCE :	21/01807/AGR
APPLICATION TYPE:	Agricultural Notification
DATE ACCEPTED:	09.12.2021
LOCATION:	New Barn Farm, Swan Lane Fairfield Bromsgrove Worcestershire B61 0BU
PROPOSAL:	A general purpose fodder and machinery store
APPLICANTS NAME:
PARISH COUNCIL:	Belbroughton Parish
WARD:	Belbroughton And Romsley Ward
CASE OFFICER:	David Kelly
TELEPHONE:	01527 881666
EMAIL	david.kelly@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk

Do you know where to report scam messages?

Fake emails and text messages are a common tactic used by cyber criminals, their goal is often to convince you to click a link. Once clicked, you may be sent to a dodgy website which could download viruses onto your computer, or steal your passwords and personal information.

In order to try and convince you that their messages are legitimate, criminals will pretend to be someone you trust, or from some organisation you trust. This could be your Internet Service Provider (ISP), local council, even a friend in need. And they may contact you by phone call, email or text message.

Reporting suspicious emails:

If you have received an email which you’re not quite sure about, you can report it by forwarding the email to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service at: report@phishing.gov.uk

As of 31st October 2021, the number of suspicious email reports stands at more than 8,100,000, with the removal of more than 67,000 scams and 124,000 URLs.

Thank you for your continued support.

*In a small number of cases, an email may not reach our service due to it already being widely recognised by spam detection services. The vast majority of reports do reach our system so please keep reporting any suspicious emails you receive.

Reporting suspicious text messages:

You can report suspicious text messages to your mobile network provider, for free, by forwarding the text to 7726.

If you forward a text, your provider can investigate the origin of the text and take action, if found to be malicious. If 7726 doesn’t work, you can find out how to report a text message by contacting your provider.

(On many Android devices and iPhones, pressing and holding on the message bubble should present the option to forward the message)

For more of the government’s latest advice on how to stay secure online, visit the Cyber Aware website: ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware

Thanks for reading! If you found this information useful, please help us spread the word by forwarding this email to your friends.

Cafe to Close for Christmas

Fairfield Cafe will at 12 noon on Christmas Eve, reopening Monday 3rd January.

Lunch Cancelled – January 2022

Due to the increased Covid transmission rates and as a precautionary measure, January’s Dining Group lunch has been cancelled. All being well, the next lunch will be on 21st February at The Gate at Bournheath

318 Bus Service Rumour Not True

Mr. Kevin Nind, proprietor of Kev’s Coaches, has contacted the Community Association say that one of his drivers, Justin, has told been told by some passengers that they have been informed that the 318 bus service is ceasing after Christmas. Mr. Nind says that there is no truth in this rumour.

Billy’s Christmas Present Appeal

Can you help Billy with his Christmas Present appeal?

He will collect from you, all you have to do is leave your presents in a place where he can see them.

If you don’t want to take part in Billy’s Christmas Present appeal, follow the following advice http://fvca.org.uk/notices/preventing-burglars-from-stealing-a-piece-of-you-christmas/

Tools Theft

Recently, some tools have been stolen from an outbuilding on Dordale.

Please review your shed and outbuilding security, for advice visit https://www.westmercia.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/protect-home-crime/secure-shed-garage/

Mark all your tools – SmartWater property marking kits can be obtained Free Of Charge from FVCA for residents and businesses in Fairfield, Wildmoor & Stoneybridge, for a kit email admin@fvca.org.uk Should items be recovered, SmartWater provides traceability of items back to the rightful owner and a 100% conviction rate.

Payment Diversion Fraud

Payment diversion fraud affects businesses and customers where electronic financial transactions are taking place.

Criminals are experts at impersonating people. Stop, think as it could protect you and your money.

For further information visit https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/news/house-buyers-and-businesses-warned-of-payment-diversion-fraud

Getting extra help with the Priority Services Register

The Priority Services Register is a free support service to help people in vulnerable situations. Energy & Water suppliers and network operators offer it. Each keeps their own register. You need to contact your energy supplier or network operator to get on it, i.e. for our area Western Power by filling in their online form ( https://www.westernpower.co.uk/customers-and-community/priority-services/priority-services-register) or by telephoning 0800 9177953, or for Water contacting Severn Trent Water Priority Services register here.

What is the Priority Service Register?

The Priority Services Register (PSR) provides extra help and additional support during a power cut for elderly, very ill or disabled people, or those who rely on power for medical equipment.

Energy Companies

All energy companies, including gas and electricity companies, and network suppliers who deliver the power, work together to care for customers who need some extra help and support.

Help you can get:

Advance notice of planned power cuts. If you rely on your energy supply for medical reasons your network operator can tell you about planned power cuts. For example, when they plan engineering work.
Priority support in an emergency. Network operators could provide heating and cooking facilities if you are cut off supply.
Identification and password scheme. This could include arranging a password or agreed on picture cards if callers need to visit or contact you. This way you can feel confident they are genuine.
Nominee scheme. You can nominate someone to receive communications and bills from your supplier. For example, a family member, carer or someone you trust.
Help with prepayment meter access. For example, moving a meter if you can’t safely get to it to top up.
Regular meter reading services. For example, if nobody can read your meter.
Accessible information. For example, account info and bills in large print or braille.

Suppliers can offer free gas safety checks every 12 months. You can request a safety check if you get a means-tested benefit and either:

live with a child under five years old
live alone or with others and have reached state pension age
live alone or with others and are disabled or chronically ill
live with others who have reached state pension age or are disabled, chronically ill or under 18 years old.

You are eligible if you:

have reached your state pension age
are disabled or have a long-term medical condition
are recovering from an injury
have a hearing or sight condition
have a mental health condition
are pregnant or have children under 5
have extra communication needs (such as if you don’t speak or read English well).

You might still be able to register for other reasons if your situation isn’t listed. For example, if you need short-term support after a stay in hospital.

Water companies

Water companies also offer similar support services for vulnerable people.

You can join the Severn Trent Water Priority Services register here.

Faster broadband for Wildmoor

Earlier this year, Openreach announced that (almost) all of Bromsgrove will be cabled with Fibre To The Premises (FTTP), as part of the national plan to phase out copper wiring for landline telephones and internet connectivity.

Fibre brings substantially higher speeds, better reliability, and future-proofs the properties. (Apparently, the second most popular question that house buyers ask is – how fast is the internet).

As part of the roll-out, most of Fairfield village has been cabled. Catshill is also being connected, including the properties immediately past the motorway bridge on Wildmoor Lane.

Sadly, most of Wildmoor was NOT included in the Openreach plan for Bromsgrove.

At the Sandy Lane end of Wildmoor, a Community Fibre Project (CFP) proposal was put forward last year, in conjunction with Superfast Worcestershire (part of the county council). This proposal, which was successful, means that grants are being made available from central government and the county council, to fund the costs for Openreach to install FTTP to the properties connected to the Rubery telephone exchange.

This leaves approximately 70 premises – a mix of commercial and residential – in Third Road, Mill Lane, Swan Lane and Wildmoor Lane, excluded from any scheme. A CFP proposal for these ‘forgotten’ premises was submitted to Openreach in March, supported by Superfast Worcestershire and by Councillor Shirley Webb.

The outline costing has now been received from Openreach, and it is now down to the occupiers of the premises to decide if they want FTTP. This requires a simple commitment to take an FTTP Internet package from ANY Internet Service Provider which offers FTTP, for a 12 month period. The additional costs (i.e. for FTTP rather than copper-based internet) could be as little as £10 per month.

To obtain the grants, and therefore incur no individual installation costs, requires a certain level of uptake to succeed. This is the best opportunity for Wildmoor to avoid being left behind as technology evolves!

If you are one of the residents in this group, or have a commercial unit in Wildmoor Farm business park, or on Wildmoor Lane, please contact Peter Hunt (peterhunt988@outlook.com, or 07970745487) for more information.

WhatsApp & Lottery Fraud

WHATSAPP FRAUD

There have been a significant number of reports of Scammers pretending to be a family member or friend on WhatsApp.

This was highlighted earlier this month and the warning is repeated here again this week.

The basic method they use is as follows:

• The suspect will send the victim a message via WhatsApp claiming to be their son/daughter/friend and that they have had to change their number, having lost or damaged their phone

• The Scammer will then say they are now using a new phone number

• As a result of this, the Scammers will claim they are getting in touch in order to borrow money to purchase the new device or pay off a debt.

• After this, the Scammer will give their bank details so a payment can be made to them, with some coming back with further demands for money.

LOTTERY FRAUD

Analysis of reports to Action Fraud by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has identified a dramatic increase in Advance Fee Lottery Frauds over the last six months.

Over £925,000 was lost by victims during that period. Victims reported losing an average loss of just over £1,500.

70% of victims reported to be aged 50 or over.

Fraudsters will contact the victim in the following way or similar:

• Lottery fraud occurs when criminals use fake messages and calls to convince a person that they have won a lottery or a prize draw

• The victim is then informed that they will need to pay an advance “fee” in order to receive the winnings

• Victims are commonly asked to pay these advance fees by purchasing gift cards, and relaying codes to the Fraudster.

• In some instances, victims have reported being asked for personal and financial information in order to obtain their “winnings”. Some victims reported providing their bank details thinking they would be sent a small payment to verify the account. In reality, criminals use these details to steal the victim’s money.

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE BEING SCAMMED OR DO NOT RECOGNISE THE CONTACT

• Stop – Taking a moment to stop and think can keep you and your money safe.

• Challenge – Keep your money and information safe from criminals by only purchasing items from authorised sellers and doing your research fully before making a purchase.

• Protect – if you think you’ve fallen for a scam contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Planning Application – 3 Mount Road

APPLICATION REFERENCE :	21/00291/FUL
APPLICATION TYPE:	Full Application
DATE ACCEPTED:	06.11.2021
LOCATION:	3 Mount Road, Fairfield Bromsgrove Worcestershire B61 9LN
PROPOSAL:	Replacment of garage and out houses with triple car garage.
APPLICANTS NAME:
PARISH COUNCIL:	Bournheath Parish
WARD:	Belbroughton And Romsley Ward
CASE OFFICER:	Nina Chana
TELEPHONE:	01527 548241
EMAIL	nina.chana@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk

Be s-careful this Halloween

With Halloween fast approaching in the next couple of weeks, we are issuing some crime prevention advice to keep everybody safe this Halloween!

Adults should always accompany young children when trick or treating

Please, where possible, only knock on the houses of people you know

Keep to well lit areas, carry a torch, wear hi-vis clothing and always remember road safety

Unless pre-arranged, do not visit the elderly or vulnerable in your neighbourhood. If you do not wish to have trick or treaters then please follow the link for a poster https://www.westmercia.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/west-mercia/halloween-activities/halloween-no-trick-or-treat-poster-bw.pdf

Eggs and flour can cause damage and considerable distress and can also lead to criminal convictions. Any premises selling these items will be more vigilant and will inform the police.

If anyone is displaying the “No trick or treating poster” do not visit the address

Don’t let your fun become anti-social behaviourIf you experience any anti-social behaviour please visit our website to report this https://www.westmercia.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/If you are struggling to print the poster above, please contact admin@fvca.org.uk and we can try and arrange for one to be delivered

Stay safe and be sensible

BELBROUGHTON UNITED CHARITIES TRUST

Registered Charity Number 234374

Belbroughton United Charities is a group of historic charities which provides grants to support poor or elderly residents of Belbroughton and Fairfield. It owns and runs allotments and the orchard at Belbroughton.

The charity is in urgent need of Trustees, a secretary and a treasurer as the present officers are retiring or moving from the area. They are not huge jobs but essential if the charity is going to continue to support the villages.

If you feel able to be involved please contact Rev Wyn Benyon c/o the church office, Belbroughton. Bfcoffice@btconnect.com

Post Office News

Fairfield Post Office closes at the end of this week, Friday 22nd October.

Fairfield Cafe remains OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Pepper Wood Appeal Update

Paul Jarczewski, Woodland Trust Site Manager (West Midlands), says “we are getting quite close to our fundraising target, and my fundraising colleagues seem confident that we will reach this fairly shortly”.“We’re not quite there yet, but overall the appeal has gone extremely well.”

If you would like to donate £10.00 to help double Pepper Wood or would like further information about this project visit http://fvca.org.uk/directory/pepper-wood/

Monthly Social Gatherings – Glad to be back

Relaxed, social gathering on Saturday 2nd October, residents were joined by PC Stone from Bromsgrove Police – our local police officer.

Whilst enjoying cake and coffee/tea, residents highlighted parking issues, were updated on community works, and agreed activities to mark Halloween and Christmas. Thanks to all who attended.

The Big Neighbourhood Pumpkin Trail 2021

Over the weekend of 30th – 31st October, carve a crazy pumpkin and put it out front where people can see it.

Firearms Survey

With more than 30,000 firearm and shotgun licence holders in the West Mercia Police Force area, please take a few minutes to complete the survey.

The Association of Police & Crime Commissioners want to hear your views on potential changes to the licensing of firearms and shotguns in England and Wales. Their online survey takes just a few minutes to complete, and will remain open for responses until Weds 20 October. https://www.apccs.police.uk/latest-news/have-your-say-on-potential-changes-to-firearms-licensing

Nominated Neighbour Scheme

This is a free scheme to deter cold callers and rogue traders and help vulnerable and elderly people feel safer in their own homes.

It is funded by the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner to help reduce doorstep crime.

Nominated Neighbour uses bright yellow window stickers to show potential house callers that that they will only been seen if accompanied by a known and trusted person after their identity has been verified by that person.

All it takes is a neighbour, family friend or family member to agree to be nominated and have callers directed to them.

The scheme deters scam callers, who will not want their identity to be checked. In addition to the window sticker, a pack containing useful information on keeping safe is also provided.

Further information can be found at: Nominated Neighbour Scheme.

To join the scheme or if you have questions, contact the Redditch and Bromsgrove Community Safety Team at CommunitySafety@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk or call 01527 534187.

New 159 fraud hotline launched to counter threat

STOP, HANG UP, CALL 159

If you think someone is trying to trick you into handing over money or personal details…

…Stop, hang up and call 159 to speak directly to your bank.

Last year criminal gangs stole over £470m by pretending to be your bank or other service provider.

159 is the memorable, secure number that contacts you directly to your bank if you think you’re being scammed.

159 works in the same way as 101 for the police or 111 for the NHS. It’s the number you can trust to get you through to your bank, every time.

159 will never call you. Only a fraudster will object to you calling 159.

When should I call 159?

Call 159 if:

Someone contacts you saying they’re from your bank – even if they are not suspicious
You receive a call asking you to transfer money or make a payment – even if it seems genuine
You receive a call about a financial matter and it seems suspicious

Remember, 159 will never call you. But you can rely on 159 to get you through to your bank.

Who is behind 159?

159 has been set up by banks and telephone companies who want to fight fraud. It’s a pilot scheme at the moment. The following banks are part of it:

Barclays
Lloyds (including Halifax and Bank of Scotland)
NatWest (including Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank)
Santander
Starling Bank

That covers over 70% of UK primary current account holders.

We want more banks to join us, and we hope they will over the course of the pilot.

Will it definitely work on my telephone?

Almost all major consumer telephone companies are participating, and over 80% of UK mobiles and landlines will be able to use 159 at the outset. We are working to grow this reach to 100% during the pilot.

The telephone companies are:

BT, including EE and Plusnet
Gamma
O2, including giffgaff
TalkTalk
Three
Virgin Media
Sky

What happens if 159 doesn’t work, for any reason?

You should contact your bank in the normal way, using the number on your bank card.

How much does it cost to call 159?

Calling 159 will cost the same as a national rate call; usually part of the included minutes in most phone tariffs.

What’s the idea behind the 159 pilot?

159 is a pilot scheme – the idea is to collect evidence to show that calling 159 helps fight fraud. Then we want to make 159 a universal number – available on all phones and for all banks.

Give Your Community A Voice

With only two people representing Fairfield, Wildmoor & Stoneybridge on the Parish Council, volunteers are needed to help speak up for our community.

Belbroughton & Fairfield Parish consists of two wards, Belbroughton and Fairfield, each with their own representatives that meet at least once a month to discuss issues affecting each area and managing devolved matters.

Currently there are some big issues that affect Fairfield and we need your voice to give extra weights to our community’s needs.

Interested? Visit the Parish Council’s website and email the Parish Clerk http://www.belbroughtonandfairfield-pc.info/

Community Coffee Morning at Bournheath

You are invited to a coffee morning at Bournheath Village Community Centre (Claypit Lane) between 10.30 and 12 on Wednesday 15th September. Catch up on news with the neighbours, enjoy coffee/tea and home-made cakes, or borrow a book from the Book Bank. Just drop in or stay for the whole time.

This is our first coffee morning since March 2020 so it would be great to see people developing a sense of a real community again. If you haven’t been before, please come along to say hello.

Also, between 7.30 and 8.30 on Wednesday 15th September, social table tennis will take place at the Community Centre. It’s free and all are welcome, regardless of standard. (We’re playing singles at the moment to help with social distancing).

Barney on the Move

After many years working as a Safer Neighbourhood Officer for the Bromsgrove North & Rural area, which includes Fairfield, Wildmoor & Stoneybridge, PC Barney Kelso has moved to new challenges within West Mercia Police force area. The Community Association has thanked Barney for his work and have wished him well for the future.

Apple Juicing Service

Gully Update: Swan Lane & Wood Lane

Recently two more gully grids along Swan Lane have been unblocked, leaving one grid and one gully to go. A reminder has been sent to Worcestershire County Council.

After chasing, an update has been provided regarding the gully grid on Wood lane that has been blocked for far too many years, “have made a site visit and raised a 4 week work order to clear it.”

Protect yourself from doorstep crime

A crime prevention message from PCSO Hyder

Protect yourself from doorstep crime. Be aware of people who turn up unannounced, most genuine callers will have a pre-arranged appointment. If in doubt, keep them out!

Doorstep crime can include rogue traders offering home improvement or gardening services, or bogus callers who claim to be the council, police, health carers or energy companies.

Rogue traders may say they are in the area working on another property and they have spotted a problem with your home or garden. They may claim to have materials left over from another job, like paving or tarmac. They may try to pressurise you to buy goods or sign up for services on the spot. Unfortunately all too often they may offer to carry out work cheaply , but charge an extortionate price after the work has been completed.

Bogus callers may claim to be working for the council, water, gas or electric company. They could also say they are a nurse, doctor or even from the police. Bogus callers may say they need to come into your home, or try to get you to go outside. They may try to distract you so they can steal your money. They can be male, female or even children.

A pedlar is someone who calls at your door to sell items that they have to offer, This can often include cleaning or household goods. These goods may be sold at an overpriced value. By law pedlars are required to carry a pedlar’s certificate, which is issues by the police force in the area they operate.

If you are not sure who is at the door, do not open it. Check the identity of any caller. Confirm who they are by calling the company they work for by using the number from the telephone directory or from off one of your bills. Do not call a number provided by them.

If caller does not leave your property when asked to do so, call the police.

A Courtesy Request

Are You Busy? Do you get distracted? If answered yes to one or both questions, then you are like many other people. We live a rush, rush life.

Despite being in a hurry trying to get some where on time and juggling many things at the same time, can you take a few minutes to be:

Considerate when parking your vehicle. Please do not block driveways, park on a junction or double park.
- For school traffic, PLEASE utilise the Swan Inn carpark, it is only a few minutes’ walk away.
- For non-school event traffic, PLEASE consider parking remotely and walking into the village or use public transport.
- Our village is on main road, used by local people, commuters, agricultural vehicles, lorries etc. Inconsiderate parking leads to increased congestion & pollution levels, restricts legitimate vehicle movements and irritates others. Considerate parking helps alleviate these issues and provides a stretch of the legs, which is good for physical & mental health well-being, plus the likelihood of damage to your vehicle (e.g. wing mirror gets knocked off) is reduced.

Don’t drop litter. We live in a village that many people like visiting because it is clean & tidy. Often litter is dropped by accident or by a child that for a few moments was not thing of their consequences. PLEASE think about the potential litter that you or your child could be creating. If you give your child a bag of crisps, ask them to bring the empty bag to you. If you see a bin that is full, take your rubbish home or to an empty bin. Easy solutions that keep’s Fairfield a great place for you and others to visit.

Do you have scam mail?

Please write the date you received the mail on its envelope, then pop it into any mailbag or envelope and send it to:

FREEPOST

NTSST

MAIL MARSHALS

Vaccine Scams

Once again, criminals are using Covid-19 to try and scam consumers out of money and personal details. Currently there are many scams circulating regarding to this, pretending to be from different organisations such as the NHS, the World Health Organisation or even your local pharmacy.

These scams may come in the form of text messages, phone calls, websites or even in person. When using text messages, people may be asked to press a number on their keypad or to reply to confirm they wish to receive a vaccine – this may result in a charge being put on the person’s phone bill and a loss of personal information.

Over the phone, criminals may impersonate health officials so they can offer a vaccine in exchange for a fee or requesting bank details to “verify” your details. Emails are making the rounds which often have an attachment or link to book your vaccine. These attachments may contain malware which infects your device and steals information. The links may go to a fake convincing looking vaccine booking forms and may contain some of your personal details to give you confidence in the website – however at the end of the form they will request bank details or further information about you.

With so many different scams relating to Covid-19, it is important to remember the following about the NHS:

• They will never ask for payment – the vaccine is free

• They will never ask for your bank details

• They will never arrive at your home to administer the vaccine unannounced

• They will never ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as NHS letters, passports or other identification documents.

Charity Scams

Criminals have been using the Covid-19 pandemic to solicit financial donations by impersonating legitimate charities.With the Covid-19 crisis in India being widely reported globally, it is likely that criminals may use the crisis in India to scam members of the public wanting to help.Key advice from Age UK if you receive a suspicious fundraising email or text message:• Be wary of unsolicited communication from a charity or any organisation you have had no previous contact with.• Think about whether you have donated before. Some scammers try to trick you into paying them by thanking you for a donation that you never made.• Do not click on any links or open any attachments in a suspicious email, text or social media message.• Do not reply to spam or suspicious emails or texts, even to say no.• If you receive a text message asking you do donate via your mobile, please be aware that texts from charities are always send from numbers between 70000 to 70999. You can also confirm the phone number on the charity’s official website.• Beware of spoofed email addresses and phone numbers. Criminals can easily make an email, text or call look like it comes from a legitimate source. If in doubt, verify what you have received is genuine with a known verified point of contact

British Gas Scam

Action Fraud received 537 reports in 48 hours relating to fake emails purporting to be from British Gas. The emails state that the recipient is due a refund because of overpayment and there is a link to a phishing website requesting personal and financial information.

As part of the scam alert, an example of the message has been released by Action Fraud. It states: “Hello, British Gas wants to inform you that you are eligible for a payment refund of £594. “Our records indicate that you have paid more than you should have for your British Gas Service from 2017-2019 and because of this reason, we have decided to refund you the total amount which you have overpaid.”

A link is also included in the email, which leads to phishing websites that are designed to steal personal and financial information, Action Fraud said. As with all potential suspicious or scam emails, forward them to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) via report@phishing.gov.uk

Energy Scam Calls

There has been a rise in the number of scam calls which are energy-related recently. These may come in the form of calls which promise you a reduced bill if you sign up to their service or the call may be from criminals pretending to be your energy provider and demanding money.

The criminals try to take advantage of people by calling and demanding payment immediately. The scams can use intimidating and aggressive tactics, such as pretending to be a representative of your energy provider and insisting you are behind on your energy bills. If you are concerned it may be a scam, hang up the phone and call back on a number which you know to be genuine. Here are some warning signs that you can look out for:

• Threats to cut your power immediately if you do not pay

• Unclear details about your current agreement with your energy provider

• Requests for money transfers or prepaid debit cards

New fake NHS COVID Pass emails and texts

The NHS COVID Pass was recently launched by the NHS, so people can prove their COVID vaccine or test status. This pass may be asked for when travelling abroad or if you are attending events and venues in England that ask for proof of your COVID-19 status. The pass can come in a digital form via the NHS app for vaccine or test statuses or a paper copy to prove your vaccination status.

The NHS COVID Pass is completely free and can only be obtained via the NHS app or using the online NHS COVID Pass service via the website NHS.UK. For the paper copy version, you can request it via the NHS website or by calling 119.

Criminals have been using this as a tactic trying to get people to part with their money or their details. These have come in the form of emails and texts which invite you to apply for the pass by clicking on a link. The link takes you to a convincing fake NHS website which will capture your personal details. These are the same tactics that we’ve seen previously relating to vaccines.