26/03/2008 - WARWICKSHIRE POLICE COMMUNITY SAFETY TEAM WATCH SCHEMES
Distraction burglary at home in School Road, Henley in Arden INC 188 of 25 March
Alcester police are keen to hear from anyone with information relating to a distraction burglary which occurred at the home of an elderly lady in School Road, Henley in Arden at around 4.45pm on 17 March.
2 males stating that they were from Southern Electric called at the house and said that they could save the resident money on her electricity.
They were allowed inside and one male asked to use the toilet. They left the property after about 30 minutes. The resident noticed some time later that aprroximately £70 had been stolen fron her bedroom.
If you noticed anything suspicious in the area of School Road or you too received a visit from these males please contact Alcester police quoting incident number 188 of 25 March.
Please also remain alert, on the lookout for suspicious vehicles, persons or activity around your own or neighbouring homes and please report anything unusual or of concern to police. Thankyou.
Julie Dale Watch Co-ordinator Community Safety Team
If you call the Police about an incident please ring 01926 415000 and ask for the Communications Centre. Please tell them that you are ringing in response to a message. Please quote the incident number.
19/03/2008 - VISA SCAM WARNING - our Community Police Officer
WORTH READING - IT HAS HAPPENED LOCALLY
Quote: This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.
One of our employees was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called on Thursday from "MasterCard". Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it.
The scam works like this: Person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card that was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for £249.99 from a Marketing company based in (name of any town or city)?"
When you say "No" the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from £150 to £249, just under the £250 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?"
You say "yes". The caller continues - "I will be starting a Fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 0800 number listed on the back of your card and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?"
Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works. The caller then says, "I need to verify you are in possession of your card". He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers". There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security Numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him.
After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?" After you say No, the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back; if you do", and hangs up. You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of £249.99 was charged to our card.
Long story made short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them.
Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card directly for verification of their conversation. The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN you think you're receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost to late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.
What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a "Jason Richardson of MasterCard" with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of these reports daily!
They also urged us to tell everybody we know that this scam is happening. Please pass this on to all your family and friends. By informing each other, we protect each other.'
Warwickshire County Council Email Alert: Friday 7th March 2008
07/03/08 Doorstep Callers Spinney Hill area Warwick
Local residents are advised to think carefully before accepting offers of work from door to door trades people offering a variety of services including block paving, gardening, and fascia work. The Trading Standards Service advises residents not to make instant decisions on the doorstep and to seek a range of quotes from local tradespeople, preferably on the basis of recommendation.
07/03/08 Pyramid Letter Scam Leamington Spa
A resident has reported receiving a pyramid scam letter. The letter claims that the sender was able to turn £87 in to £43,540 by following a series of simple steps. The schemes are called pyramid schemes because there are hundreds of people at the bottom paying cash to join and just a few at the top. The money works its way up to a few people at the top and it's only those people that get the financial benefits.
The scheme would only deliver benefits for those that join at the bottom if there were an infinite number of people also prepared to join at the bottom, which would push those who had joined earlier further up the pyramid. As this won't be the case, sooner or later the scheme runs into trouble and the cash dries up. People who have put money in then lose it and can't get it back. It is a mathematical impossibility to deliver benefits to all through such schemes. The Government estimates that up to £100 million a year could be lost by people who respond to bogus promotions.
07/03/08 Pet Scam Warwickshire
A consumer contacted the service after responding to an advertisement for puppies in a local free ads newspaper. The consumer contacted the seller by email and was told to deposit £130 in to a bank account in Cameroon. The puppies were then to be delivered from an address in Aberdeen. The consumer then did some research on the Internet and found that several other people has paid money to the seller for puppies that had subsequently never arrived.
07/03/08 Home Security Warwickshire
The Trading Standards Service has been alerted to the activities of traders operating door to door in the Warwickshire area offering intruder alarms. The homes of elderly people are being targeted and complainants have reported receiving direct presentations and being sold £3000 alarm systems that are not worth even £1000. If you are concerned about home security, speak to your local Police Crime Prevention Officer.
07/03/08 Suspicious Automated Call Coleshill
A resident has reported receiving a call that purported to be from her home phone service provider The automated call told her she had not paid her telephone bill and requested her credit/debut card numbers. Warwickshire Trading Standards cannot verify if this was a genuine call or not but advise consumers not to provide their personal or financial details to anyone over the phone, where they themselves did not initiate the call. If you receive such a call and believe it to be genuine, phone the company back yourself using a telephone number printed in a directory - not a number they may give you.
07/03/08 'Excellence' Award Rugby
A Rugby business has reported receiving a phone call from someone claiming that the business had won an 'Excellence' award. The business queried the award after the caller asked for two payments of £59 for a 'nomination entry' fee. The business asked what the payments were for and the caller told them it was for a nomination pack. Needless to sat the business then put the phone down on the caller. Businesses are strongly advised to check and query all unsolicited invoices and associated telephone calls.
07/03/08 On-line Banking Notice Warwickshire
Email users are warned to beware of an on-line banking 'phishing' email circulating. The email asks the recipient to click on a link in the email to complete a mandatory Commercial Banking Online Form. Never click on a link in an email from anyone you don't know or trust. Never provide your personal or financial details in this way. Emails are not secure and your risk becoming a victim of fraud, identity theft, or exposing your PC to malware (viruses trojans etc.)
The Henley, Claverdon and Tanworth Sector Community PolicingTeam Crime Newsheet
Week ending Weds 26th March 2008
This crime summary is a look at the crimes of public interest that occurred in Henley of shoplifting, bilking, domestic violence or fraud
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BURGLARY DWELLING
In the two weeks prior to 25th March 08 two males approached a property on School Road, Henley-in-Arden. The elderly occupant of the property let the males in as she believed they were from Southern Electric and wanted to save her some money. One male asked to use the toilet upstairs and after they had left the occupant noticed some money missing from her bedroom.
Incident 188 of 25th March 08 refers.
BURGLARY COMMERCIAL AND OTHER BUILDING
In the three weeks prior to 5th March 08 unknown offender/s approached business premises on Well Lane, Tanworth-in-Arden and removed 2500 chickens.
Incident 214 of 25th March 08 refers.
Between 1700 hours on 13th March and 1645 hours on 14th March 08 unknown offender/s approached a property on Brook Road, Aston Cantlow. They then forced the lock on the shed door and removed a quantity of power tools from within.
Incident 371 of 14th March 08 refers.
Between 1800 hours on 9th March and 0900 hours on 12th March 08 unknown offender/s approached a property on Earlswood Common, Earlswood and attempted to gain entry to a shed at the rear.
Incident 201 of 12th March 08 refers.
In the two weeks prior to 20th March 08 unknown offender/s approached a property on Malthouse Lane, Earlswood. They then gained entry to a shed at the rear and removed a Stihl garden strimmer.
Incident 137 of 20th March 08 refers.
Between 19th and 21st March 08 unknown offender/s approached a property on The Green, Claverdon. They have then gained entry to a shed and removed a silver and black mountain bike. They also attempted to gain entry to a garage and office building.
Incident 222 of 21st March 08 refers.
Prior to 21st March 08 unknown offender/s approached business premises on The Green, Claverdon. They then forced open a door and removed a laptop computer.
Incident 132 of 21st March 08 refers.
AUTOCRIME
CRIMINAL DAMAGE
Between 1815 hours on 12th March and 0650 hours on 13th March 08 unknown offender/s approached a motor vehicle on Billesley Road, Wilmcote and fired an unknown object at the rear windscreen.
Incident 369 of 13th March 08 refers.
At 2330 hours on 22nd March 08 unknown offender/s approached a property on Beaudesert Lane, Henley-in-Arden and smashed a pane of glass.
Incident 190 of 23rd March 08 refers.
Overnight between 23rd and 24th March 08 unknown offender/s approached a property on Alne Close, Henley-in-Arden and caused damage to a fence panel, which then fell onto a greenhouse breaking a pane of glass.
Incident 233 of 24th March 08 refers.
THEFT
Between 1st February and 1430 hours on 14th March 08 unknown offender/s approached a church on Church Road, Claverdon and removed lead from the roof.
Incident 332 of 14th March 08 refers.
Between 1900 hours on 20th March and 0700 hours on 21st March 08 unknown offender/s approached a VW motor vehicle on Ullenhall Lane, Beoley. They then gained entry and removed items including Nokia mobile phone. Offender/s also gained entry to an insecure BMW and removed an Olympus digital camera.
Incident 248 of 21st March 08 refers.
HENLEY POLICE SURGERY
Henley In Arden Police will be holding a 'drop in' facility at Henley Police Station for you to come and discuss any issues or problems, within the community, with your local policing team!
Wednesday 2nd April - between 1100 and 1300 hours
Wednesday 30th April - between 1100 and 1300 hours
Wednesday 28th May - between 1100 and 1300 hours
For more information regarding meetings, events, up-to-date local news and how to contact your local Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams, please visit our website:-
Please note you can visit the official Henley Gateway Website at www.henley-in-arden.org
LATEST NEWS
PACT MEETING HENLEY
The next PACT meeting will be on 10th April 2008 at 7pm in Henley Baptist Church Hall.
PACT MEETING EARLSWOOD/TANWORTH
The next meeting for Earlswood/Tanworth will be on 17th April 2008 at 7 pm in Earlswood Village Hall
TRADING STANDARDS EMAIL ALERT
The Service has received a report about the activities of some individuals who are knocking on people's doors in the Nuneaton area falsely claiming to be from Warwickshire Trading Standards. Warwickshire Police have issued an alert, visit:
Trading Standards Officers are also warning that there is a possibility that this approach is being used by rogue tradespeople returning to properties they have visited previously and done 'work' at. On their return, and posing as a Trading Standards Officer, they then claim that they can reimburse the householder the money they have already lost by taking them to a bank.
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
The definition of anti-social behaviour in Section 1 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 - "behaviour which causes or is likely to cause harrassment, alarm or distress to one or more people who are not in the same household as the perpetrator".
Anti-social behaviour (ASB) can therefore cover a wide range of activities, from those that cause minor nuisance or irritation to major incidents of harrassment, threats or actual acts of violence.
Individual incidents of ASB may be dealt with by means of Warning Letters, ABCs and ASBOs.
If you have any information or have witnessed the above incidents, please can you contact Alcester Police on 01789 762207. Thank you.
All to note a Public Service Desk at Headquarters is now operational. The Public Service Desk (PSD) is designed to put Police Officers back in the control room, thus enabling a better service delivery to members of the public wishing to speak to a Police Officer, on any matter which does not necessarily need Police deployment. Persons wishing to speak to the Police about any issue that does not require a Police Officer to attend can do so via this Desk. Contacting any of the Police station telephone numbers will direct you to the switchboard where you can then simply ask for the Public Service Desk.
We are often asked the best way to report an incident or to make contact with a Police officer. Should a member of the public witness or be affected by a crime whereby there is a threat of injury, injury or damage or theft of property and the incident is ongoing and offenders are still at the scene, they should ring 999, classed as an emergency or an immediate response incident.
Should the incident have already occurred and is not ongoing, for example waking up and finding your car has been broken into, you should ring one of the normal Police station numbers and ask to report a crime or an incident. You will be put through to the force control room or the crime desk. Please ask for an 'incident number' - you should be given one. If a crime has been committed against you, you will be given a crime reference number by the crime desk or by the officer who attends the incident. Such incidents are 'managed' and you should be given an inidication of when an officer can attend.
If you wish to speak with an officer about a non-urgent matter, please use the list of contacts, which are always included in our newsletters.
Hopefully the Public Help Desk will help members of the public when they wish to speak to the Police.
Please note it is an offence to let off fireworks after 2300 hours except on Bonfire Night and New Year's Eve.
CRIMESTOPPERS
If you did have information regarding the displayed incidents, but for whatever reason do not wish to contact the police directly, then you can ring 0800 555 111 and give the information to the Crimestoppers Charity. Crimestoppers will then pass the information to the Police without revealing any details of the caller. You may also receive a reward.
HENLEY, CLAVERDON AND TANWORTH COMMUNITY POLICING TEAM
Below is a list of some of officers on the community Policing Team who police your communities - please feel free to contact the team direct.
Warren AYERS Inspector 818
Robert Shaw Community Safer Neighbourhoods Sergeant 542
Andrew Dunbar CBO 418, Tanworth, Earlswood and Ullenhall
Simon Bennett CBO 1536, Henley, Wootton Wawen, Claverdon and Bearley
