Neighbourhood Watch

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Crime Reports

 

       PENSFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

 

 

There are Neighbourhood Watch Schemes covering the High St and Old Road area and Station Approach. Membership is free and you do not need to attend meetings – or do anything except be a good neighbour. The main benefits of membership are :

 

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You receive a free pack of useful information about Crime Prevention and home security.

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We are informed by the Police of incidents (break-ins, car crime, vandalism etc) in the area. This information is passed to you, by email if possible.

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A possible reduction in house insurance premiums depending on your insurer

 

If you wish to join the schemes please contact the Coordinators:

 

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Chris James, for the High St and Old Road areas by email chrisjbjames@aol.com or by phone 490392 

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Phil Wallhead, for Station Approach by email pwallhead@talk21.com

 
 

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS

 

999

Only use if a crime is taking place or if you need an immediate police presence

 

0845 456 7000 (*) use 101 after 19th September

To report a crime that has already occurred, to contact a member of the police force and for all other police enquiries

 

0800 555 111

Crimestoppers. An anonymous line to report any information about a crime.

 

(*) 101

NEW NON-EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER.

From Monday 19th September 2011, 101 will be the non-emergency telephone number to contact Avon and Somerset Police and other Police Forces in the South West. 101 will replace the existing 0845 456 7000 non-emergency telephone number, although there will be a period when both numbers will be available. This is part of a national programme to make it easier for you to contact your local Police. 101 will be used for non-emergencies such as:

. Reporting crime.

. Contacting local Officers.

. Requesting crime prevention advice.

. Making us aware of Policing issues in your local area.

. Making an appointment with a Police Officer.

. For any other non-emergency.

 

Key Facts

. Calls to 101 from landlines and mobile telephones will cost 15p per call, irrespective of how long that call may last or what time of day you call.

. 101 will not replace 999 which will continue to be used for emergencies.

. Once 101 is launched across the country, members of the community will be able to contact any Police Force by dialling 101.

. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired will be able to textphone 18001 101.

. You can also contact the police by email at www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact  or visit the Information Centre at: www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/information

 

 

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NEWS

 

For latest Crime Reports in our area please click here

 

5th January 2012

 

Cold Calling Advice 

Following a number of reports in the Newbridge Hill area of Bath where some of the door-to-door sellers have become aggressive or pushy when turned away, Police in Bath and North East Somerset are reminding householders not to be taken in by companies making “cold calls” over the telephone and on the doorstep.

 

Never give personal details over the telephone to anyone you do not know and definitely never give out your Bank details.  If you receive an unsolicited telephone call purporting to be from your Bank or other financial institution and you are suspicious about the legitimacy of the call, disconnect and ring the telephone number provided on your statement or card.   No Bank will ever ask you for your pin number – never disclose it over the telephone or to any one at the door. 

 

New scams from the UK and overseas appear every day, so it is important to be sceptical and suspicious.  If something sounds too good to be true then it most probably is.  Be particularly wary if you are asked to send money up front, to give financial details or to ring a premium rate number (all UK premium rate numbers start with 090).  If you discover a scam tell your family and friends.  If you have been a victim of a scam you should report it to Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 www.consumerdirect.gov.uk or contact the Police. You can also get clear, practical advice from Consumer Direct.

 

If you received unsolicited telephone calls you can prevent them by registering with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS), by telephone on 08450 700 707 or on line at www.tpsonline.org.uk or write to The Telephone Preference Service Ltd, DMA House, 70 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SS.  You could also report such incidents to your telephone provider.

 

If you receive an unexpected caller at the door try to look through a window or spy hole.  If you do not recognise the caller and are not expecting them then you should consider not opening the door.  If you have a door chain then this should be used before opening the door.  Legitimate callers should have identification badges and these should be checked and a telephone call made to the company to verify that the caller is genuine before allowing them into your home.  Please be sure to look up the telephone number yourself and not use a number given to you by the caller. 

 

If you have any doubt, keep them out!

 

Never buy goods or services on the doorstep from someone who you do not know.  Know your rights!  If you do decide to allow a salesperson to enter your home following a telesales appointment you have numerous rights.  These include: The right to ask someone to leave your home at any time.  (They must do so immediately).  The right to a written notice explaining that the customer has a “7 day cooling off period” during which time they can change their mind.  This notice HAS to be provided every time.  And many more rights under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Regulations 2008.  Bath and North East Somerset Council produce a Trading Standards directory of approved traders, called Buy With Confidence.  Copies are available at your local library or by Calling Trading Standards on 01225 396753.

 

If you are concerned about a call or visit you have received, please report it to the Police on 101 or ring Trading Standards on 01225 396753.

 

 

23rd August 2011

 

Security advice in relation to pedal cycle thefts

We have recently experienced thefts of high quality, expensive cycles from sheds and garages in the Bath and North East Somerset area. It is important cycles are well secured, ideally in substantial buildings. Security products must be capable of resisting attack; police recommend the use of 'Sold Secure' products a gold rated padlock and chain or D lock that will resist bolt cropping or cutting, attached to a ground or wall anchor. Consider fitting an alarm to the building, battery powered alarms are available for around £20. Police have had a report from one cyclist who believes he was followed by a motorcycle. If anyone sees anything suspicious try to obtain a vehicle registration number and any description to help identify them and call the Police on 0845 456 7000. Alternatively you could contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Keep a record of the frame number along with a photograph of the cycle. Consider registering your bike with www.immobilise.com or www.BikeRegister.com and mark the bike with your postcode and house number in UV pen and/or any other marking method. Consider other methods such as tagging, DNA forensic solutions and tracking devices.

 

 

23rd August 2011

 

Cold Calling Advice

Police in Bath and North East Somerset are reminding householders not to be taken in by companies making "cold calls" over the telephone and on the doorstep.

Never give personal details over the telephone to anyone you do not know and definitely never give out your Bank details. If you receive an unsolicited telephone call purporting to be from your Bank or other financial institution and you are suspicious about the legitimacy of the call, disconnect and ring the telephone number provided on your statement or card. No Bank will ever ask you for your pin number - never disclose it over the telephone or to any one at the door.

New scams from the UK and overseas appear every day, so it is important to be sceptical and suspicious. If something sounds too good to be true then it most probably is. Be particularly wary if you are asked to send money up front, to give financial details or to ring a premium rate number (all UK premium rate numbers start with 090).

 

If you discover a scam tell your family and friends. If you have been a victim of a scam you should report it to Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 www.consumerdirect.gov.uk or contact the Police. You can also get clear, practical advice from Consumer Direct.

 

If you received unsolicited telephone calls you can prevent them by registering with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS), by telephone on 08450 700 707 or on line at www.tpsonline.org.uk or write to The Telephone Preference Service Ltd, DMA House, 70 Margaret Street, London, W1W 8SS. You could also report such incidents to your telephone provider.

 

If you receive an unexpected caller at the door try to look through a window or spy hole. If you do not recognise the caller and are not expecting them then you should consider not opening the door. If you have a door chain then this should be used before opening the door. Legitimate callers should have identification badges and these should be checked and a telephone call made to the company to verify that the caller is genuine before allowing them into your home. Please be sure to look up the telephone number yourself and not use a number given to you by the caller.

 

If you have any doubt, keep them out!

 

Never buy goods or services on the doorstep from someone who you do not know. Know your rights! If you do decide to allow a salesperson to enter your home following a telesales appointment you have numerous rights. These include: The right to ask someone to leave your home at any time. (They must do so immediately). The right to a written notice explaining that the customer has a "7 day cooling off period" during which time they can change their mind. This notice HAS to be provided every time. And many more rights under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Regulations 2008. Bath and North East Somerset Council produce a Trading Standards directory of approved traders, called Buy With Confidence. Copies are available at your local library or by Calling Trading Standards on 01225 396753.

 

If you are concerned about a call or visit you have received, please report it to the Police on 0845 456 7000 or ring Trading Standards on 01225 396753.

 

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