Welcome to Fyfield Parish Council's Neighbourhood Watch pages. If you know of anyone who does not have internet access but would be interested in receiving updates please ask them to call 771029 with their name and address details.
The OFT is today urging consumers, especially the elderly and vulnerable, to be on their guard against rogue traders knocking at their door.
A"Being Safe" leaflet has been produced as a quick reference for more mature or vulnerable residents, many of whom are living independently. If you know of anyone who would like a copy of this leaflet please ask them to call 771029 with their name and address details.
Can I just advise you all that Kimpton school has reported a large quantity of heating oil has been stolen from their vast tank over the last three weeks. The school setting is rural anyway, between Thruxton and Kimpton with no houses near it, but the crime was even easier because of the location of the tank. Like many, its been positioned on the edge of the boundary of the plot near the road, making it simple to deliver the oil, but also to steal it. The tank is in view from the road and access to it is easy. The lid on the top of the tank was not padlocked. This is not a criticism of the school, I'm just pointing out the MO. The oil may have been siphoned/pumped out from the top lid or from the tap at the bottom using jerry cans. It may have been taken in one visit or over many visits.
As always, if you see any vehicles parked up looking out of place let me or Crimestoppers know on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously. It may be nothing but it might be someone casing a site in readiness to return later with a suitable vehicle to steal all the oil.! I saw one recently which was a flat bed with a dirty white plastic tank the size of a washing machine on the back, with a pump and even the hosepipes as well. It was stopped and was in order but clearly that is exactly the sort of vehicle that would serve the task very well. Equally, a transit van could do just as well, with the tank inside it, a pump and pipes etc all ready to be used.. Finally, just to balance things out, even a regular hatchback m/v, perhaps with a line of stacked jerry cans which you can see. If you feel it deserves it, note the registration and let me know about it.
COLD CALLERS
DOORSTEP - Cold callers at the doorstep can range from legitimate companies such as the Red Cross or Avon, or Utility companies such as British Gas, Southern Water etc. to possible unscrupulous callers who will offer to buy your old gold/jewellery, ask you to buy tea cloths/household goods etc, as always, advice would be: NEVER give out personal information including, full name, address, telephone numbers, bank account details, passwords or anything else that is personal to you over the doorstep. Whilst some cold callers may be genuine, it is not worth taking the risk, if you need towels, cloths, want to sell jewellery etc then go to the nearest reputable outlet. If you feel intimidated by a doorstep caller then call the Police on 101. Many areas have No Cold Calling Signs up, this will not stop cold callers entirely but gives residents more empowerment to say NO and GOODBYE. Always remember to check identity cards if a caller comes to the door and don't be afraid to take the card, close the door and ring a recognised number for the company to double check they are who they say they are. I regularly check with the gentleman who comes to read my gas meter how many calls he has made on that day - he usually says approximately 2/300 and then I ask how many of those people have asked for his id card, sometimes he says '2 or 3', last time I asked the answer was 'noone'. Reputable, legitimate company representatives will have id cards, they will want you to check who they are, some company's will also offer passwords for when their representatives are calling.
TELEPHONE - If someone is calling you by phone to offer you money or a supposed 'good deal' say no thank you, nobody gets something for nothing and in 9 out of 10 calls they are after your money. No matter how plausible/realistic/friendly/genuine the callers sound they may not be, so don't take the risk. If the caller says they are from a legitimate company, tell them you will call the company yourself and discuss matters further, then call the company - using a recognised telephone number for the company obtained from a telephone directory - do not use any number supplied by the caller. If they are calling to say you have defaulted on a payment, or won some money/gift, want to repair your computer, chances are that it is not a genuine call. Obviously it is your choice who you speak to on your phone, and if you choose to continue the call then please remember NEVER give out personal information including, full name, address, telephone numbers, bank account details, passwords or anything else that is personal to you to the caller. Check with your telephone service provider about the telephone preference service which can reduce cold calling, make sure all the members of your household are aware that a caller may not always be genuine and never to give out any personal information about the family.
COMPUTER/EMAIL - If you have received an email saying you have won some money and you need to send a small amount of money to claim the gift/prize - delete it. If you receive an email saying your friend is in dire need of money having gone on holiday and been robbed - call your friend to double check first, tell them their email may have been hacked and then - delete it. If you receive an email saying a long lost relative has left some money and it is in a bank abroad all you have to do is send a small amount of money to them and they will release the inheritance - delete it. If you receive an email supposedly from your or another bank - delete it. Unscrupulous people make a lot of money out of scamming people, if you are taken in by their words, or in a rush and don't check thoroughly, you could end up losing a lot of money. Make sure you warn other members of your family that there are scam emails around, older and younger members of a household may be taken in by clever wording or a realistic looking logo. Recently I had a bank send me an email to my police email account telling me I had a problem with my bank account and it had been temporarily suspended whilst they looked into the matter for me, all they needed was my account number and password! The logo on the scam email was the official one used by the real bank, the link on the scam email led me to the real banks home website, however, there were a few minor alterations as it had been copied. I do not use this particular bank so I knew instantly it was a scam, however, had it supposedly been from my bank I would have checked with them directly by phone or in a branch. Banks do not send that type of email, if they want to contact you they will write to you. Younger members of the household who have perhaps just started banking may well have believed this email, please warn them.
UKASH Vouchers
I have received some emails about Ukash/Ucash vouchers. Telephone calls have been made to residents giving various different scenarios as to why they are going to receive some money, some say it is a tax refund, some say it is an insurance payout - but ALL of these callers have asked the resident to obtain a Ucash voucher and they will call back so that you can give them the voucher number and they can then release the money to you. Some say they will post the cheques, some say they will drop the money round. DO NOT DO THIS it is a scam.
I have however tried to check out the legitimacy of Ukash Vouchers and indeed it would appear that there is a company who supplies vouchers for you to use to purchase goods via the internet or shops if you do not want to use your credit or debit cards. The link to the company is: http://www.ukash.com/uk/en/home.aspx and if you go to the 'What is Ukash' section and scroll down there are security tips. I am not recommending this company as it is not my place to do so, I did try to ring the company and was met with an ansaphone message saying they would put me through to someone, unfortunately the line went dead - so I am putting the link for you to check for yourselves.
SECURITY SYSTEMS
Some people have been contacted by supposed security companies offering their security devices and giving special offer details, worrying residents about the actual safety of their area, giving false information about police response time and in turn relieving people out of a lot of money. I am attaching a document which gives advice on how to chose a security company:
Should you wish to check the incidents that have occurred in your area sign up to Crime Reports on: https://www.crimereports.co.uk/ you can ask for an alert email to be sent to you directly if an incident occurs, this can also be set up for relatives home areas if they live in Hampshire.
GOODS SOLD FROM CARS OR VANS
I have been caught out by this myself, where I was in a petrol station and the guy filling up the van next to me offered me a nice new tv! I said no thanks, called the police, gave the registration number of the van and they caught up with him and after a little chat reported back that he was legitimate as he had bought some ex stock from a reputable company and was trying to sell it on. HOWEVER, this is not always the case and sometimes the goods being sold out of the back of a vehicle are stolen. Advice would be to say a polite no thank you and try to gain the registration number of the vehicle in question then call the police so that they can check.
For information on the latest scams and hoaxes please see: http://www.snopes.com/ or http://www.hoax-slayer.com/ both of these websites offer a service whereby you can sign up and receive an email of the latest scam/hoax.
If you want further advice or need to speak to someone about an incident then please speak to your local Safer Neighbourhood Team or check the Hampshire Constabulary website on www.hampshire.police.uk (Information provided by Police Force Neighbourhood Watch Co-Ordinator 20/4/20120
9th April. Assault. Fyfield. One arrested and dealt with.
9th Ragged Appleshaw. Noise complaint.
12th. Weyhill. Assault. One arrested. Crown Pros Service decision
12th April. East Cholderton. Sus males. FOREIGN EASTERN EUROPEAN MALES DRIVING SMALL SILVER VAN, ASKING IF LOCATION WAS SCRAP YARD.
14th April. Fyfield. Dog bite. Inft has been bitten by a dog, hospital attended, dog owners details gained. Ongoing.
Police are appealing for information following an attempted theft of a vehicle in Andover on Friday, March 23.At some time between 10am and 11am the victim was driving from Andover on the Stockbridge Road when he was flagged down by a man by the second A303 layby. The victim stopped to see if he could help. The man, who spoke with a European accent, described as Algerian or Macedonian, told him that he needed fuel for vehicle, which was a purple coloured Nissan Primera, and that "his money was no good here". The victim noticed that there was a woman in the driver's seat of the car, and a baby seat in the back. The victim had some fuel in a gerry can in his car so offered to help the man. While the victim was refuelling the car, the man got in the victim's car and tried to steal it. The victim saw what was happening and, after a struggle between the two, the victim managed to push the man away from his car.
The man police want to speak to is described as: aged in his 20s, around 5ft 6ins, skinny build, of Algerian, Italian or Macedonian appearance, with olive skin. He was wearing a black fake leather jacket and black jeans. Detective Constable Ben Lee, said: “The victim was trying to help another person and the offender has taken advantage of his good nature. It is difficult to advise members of the public not to help one another, and I don't want to do that. However, I would advise motorists to be vigilant and when leaving their vehicles, take their car keys with them and lock their car doors.
I am looking for anyone else who was flagged down by this man or woman, who might be able to offer further help in relation to the identification of the pair and more details on the vehicle they use. “This is an unusual occurrence which took place on a busy road which leads in and out of Andover. Did you see the incident take place? Did you see the purple Nissan Primera in the area around the time of the incident?”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC Lee at Andover Police Station on 101 or via the website www.hampshire.police.uk/internet/contact/message_officer.htm You can also call the charity Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously. Minicom users should call 01962 875000.
Crime Prevention Initiative - CESAR Security marking Events. The Hampshire Constabulary Northern Country Watch Team and East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) have joined forces with the UK’s only official security marking scheme for agricultural machinery - (CESAR) - to offer Farmers and Land Owners in the East Hants area the opportunity to have their machinery and equipment protected by CESAR at a heavily discounted price.
The 66% discount is limited to one system (CESAR or Compact CESAR) per customer on a first come first served basis. Additional systems can be purchased and installed at the normal CESAR discount price of £99 (plus VAT) for a CESAR System and £89 (plus VAT) for a Compact CESAR System.
It is our intention to run these events in other areas of North Hampshire throughout the year, and dates and venues will be published in due course so watch this space!
This is an excellent opportunity for members of the rural community to help prevent the theft of their machinery, or assist in the detection of crime should it be stolen.
If you are interested in finding out more about these events please contact the team via the Country Watch mailbox.
Illegal Encampments. Please can all land owners take precautions to ensure that your land is secure to prevent travellers from setting up camp. Please check your gates, barriers and locks are in good order. This may prevent access being gained but can also assist the Police to investigate and use powers to prove if locks or gates etc have been damaged to gain entry.
Please remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity using the 101 number. Take action sooner rather than later because prevention is always better than cure.
There are a number of companies purporting to be working for or with Microsoft who are calling residents in different areas around the County telling householders that they have a virus or problem with their computer and are calling to fix it. No matter how convincing a caller like this may sound:
NEVER give personal details
NEVER give computer information to these callers
NEVER make payment to these callers
NEVER BE AFRAID TO HANG UP THE PHONE
As a follow-up to the above I have received notification of a new twist to this scam: Calls have been received stating that the "Verification Team" are calling in relation to an insurance claim that has been made. These are ruses, however, residents need to be aware as they may think that a member of their family has made a claim.
Microsoft are grateful that we are putting out the message and requested that the following information is circulated to residents: MICROSOFT WILL NEVER CALL CUSTOMERS DIRECTLY TO DISCUSS THEIR PROBLEMS AND REQUESTS THAT RESIDENTS LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING LINK WHICH MAY BE OF ASSISTANCE: http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.aspx Microsoft are dealing with this problem and will be giving more help to members of the public soon.
Hampshire Police UK is the official Hampshire Constabulary web site. Details of your local Safer Neighbour Teams (SNT) can be found on this, along with other information in relation to Hampshire Constabulary. If you wish to contact the Hampshire Horse Watch regarding any Equine related crime prevention advice or to request tack marking you can E-mail them at equine@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
In date order, are incidents which may be of interest from Mon 27th Feb 12 -15th March 12.
27th Feb Manor Farm Monxton, two padlocks on gates tampered with superglue.
Around the 27th Feb Weyhill. Graffiti sprayed onto road. Suspects identified. Enquiry ongoing.
28th Feb Location unclear, possibly A342 but just on the Wiltshire side/Ludgershall.. Fly Tipping (tyres) reported. Partial index of vehicle given. No trace of vehicle or dumped rubbish which may be in a wooded area.
28-29th Feb Weyhill. Theft of steel from outside of garage.
29th Grateley. Non dwelling burglary at scrap yard. Offender(s) u/k have entered premises via insecure fence line over fields. Once in, they have attacked 4 lock ups by cutting open the side panels with (probably) a cordless jig-saw or similar. Entry through relatively small (approx 20" hole) and doors opened from within. Offenders appear to have sprayed diesel and some sort of acrid blue chemical over entry points and inside containers in an apparent effort to thwart Scenes of Crime efforts. Large amount of various scrap metal and diesel 'barn engine' stolen.
Between 25th -26th Feb not reported until 1st March. Penton Mewsey. Informant REPORTING THAT BETWEEN TIME STATED AND BY PERSONS UNKNOWN, THE INFT HAS HAD THE HORSE LORRY BROKEN INTO AND SEARCHED, THE OFFENDERS HAVE ALSO DAMAGED THE REAR TAILGATE OF THE LORRY.
Between 23-29th Feb(leap year!) but not reported until 1st March. Weyhill. Amesbury Rd. Person(s) unknown, without permission, have entered a locked and secured yard and removed a brass concertina door which weighs approx 90kg.
1-2nd March. Manor Farm Monxton. INFT PART OWNS THE FARM FIELDS WITH ANOTHER FARMER. THEY HAVE A LARGE FIELD THE SIZE OF 3 FOOTBALL PITCHES WHICH HAS THE WINTER CORN IN IT. OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF NIGHTS PERSONS HAVE GOT ONTO THE FIELD AND BEEN NIGHT HAWKING. INFT EXPLAINED THEY COME ONTO THE LAND WITH NO PERMISSION WITH METAL DETECTORS AND DIG UP ANY METAL OR VALUABLE FOUND IN THE FIELD. INFT STATES IN THE PROCESS THEY HAVE DAMAGED THE CROP AND LEFT 100'S OF LITTLE MOLE MOUNDS ALL OVER THE FIELD. INFT STATES HE WILL NOW HAVE TO TURN THE FIELD TO MAKE GOOD OF IT.
2nd March 1730-1800hrs. Theft from motor vehicle which was parked outside Kimpton Thruxton Fyfield Primary school. Vehicle was parked on the road close to the school field in a line of cars. Passenger side of the car against the pavement. Numerous cars parked outside the school Agg'd handbag was left situated in the passenger side foot well in on full view. No sign of search. Bank card stolen and used enquiries ongoing. 2nd March. Weyhill. Assault. One arrested. 3rd March . Amport. REPORTING THERE ARE TWO YOUTHS ON MOTO X BIKES RACING DOWN THE LANE DOING WHEELIES AND RIDING UP THE VERGES. NEITHER HAVE REG PLATES AND WERE RIDING DANGEROUSLY THROUGH AMPORT VILLAGE. 3-5th Shipton Bellinger. Theft of a chain and padlock from a school gate by person/s unknown between times stated. Some damage was caused to a storage unit in the school grounds during the same time and is believed to have been made by the same offender/s. 29th Feb but reported on 7th March. Thruxton. Youngsters playing on wire fencing at Rectory Fields, wire fencing has become damaged. Ongoing enquiries. 24th-25th Feb, reported on 8th March. Kimpton. Overnight unknown person/s have broken into an out buildings and stolen a quad bike which was later recovered.. They have also searched through an unlocked vehicle however nothing was stolen from this.
Officers across North Hampshire are mounting a crackdown on metal theft as part of a national initiative to target this type of crime.
Metal theft and associated criminal activity can have a devastating effect on the victims. This is not just scrap metal being stolen from skips, it can include drain covers, roofing materials, internet broadband cables and railway lines to name just some examples.
As part of this drive to reduce this type of crime, officers will be out at various locations stop-checking people visiting scrap yards and patrolling areas vulnerable to this sort of crime.
The main aims of the day are to disrupt criminal activity and provide reassurance to the public.
Officers will be visiting premises across North Hampshire which are thought to be vulnerable to this sort of crime – such as churches and schools - and providing crime prevention information as appropriate.
They will also be working with the Environment Agency and conducting visits to scrap metal dealers to ensure they are complying with the correct protocols and procedures for taking receipt of and disposing of scrap metal.
Officers from the Roads Policing Unit will also be involved and will be working with teams to carry out stop-checks on members of the public and vehicle searches as part of the high-visibility patrols across the area.
Officers will also be giving out appropriate crime prevention advice to members of the public about protecting themselves against this type of crime and marking their property in case it is stolen.
Superintendent Dave Powell said: “Metal theft is becoming a crime of first choice. It affects many people who live in North Hampshire and we will do all we can to try and stop it. The key to tackling this and any other type of crime, is knowing who is doing it, so please tell us.
Rogue Traders have been cold calling vulnerable residents in the County. The caller is unknown but believed to be male and very threatening. He tells residents they have subscribed to a telephone monitoring service and have run up bills up to £6000 and defaulted on payment. They are asked for immediate card payment over the phone and told unless they pay up they will be arrested within hours and transported to Queens Court in London. Anyone receiving a call like this should hang up and is advised to register with anonymous call barring from their telephone provider or to consider changing their telephone number ex-directory.
Please see link below regarding a credit card scam. Should you receive a call NEVER give card details and ASK QUESTIONS. Check it out here: http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp
Warning Rogue traders are reportedly cold calling the surrounding area of Hampshire claiming residents need to replace their TV aerial in order to receive the digital TV signal. However, most people with a good aerial now, will not need a new aerial for switchover and remember, there is no such thing as a ‘digital aerial’. Whether you need a new aerial for switchover will depend on the condition of your current aerial and where you live. If you currently have poor reception on your analogue TV, then you may need to replace your aerial at switchover. A small number of households may also need a wideband aerial to receive all the channels available. To find out if this affects you visit www.digitaluk.co.uk/youraerial or call 08456 50 50 50. Trading Standards would advise consumers not to agree to any work that is instigated as a result of a cold call or via a leaflet drop. If you do need to replace your rooftop aerial, look for a Registered Digital Installer (RDI), who has been trained and security checked. To find an RDI near you visit www.rdi-lb.co.uk or call the Digital UK advice line on 08456 50 50 50. Please note, if you are over 75, disabled or on certain benefits you may be eligible for help from the Switchover Help Scheme. This means you could get one TV set at your home switched to digital for just £40. Those who are entitled to help should have already received a letter and information pack though the post, but to check if you are eligible please visit www.helpscheme.co.uk or call 0800 40 85 900. And finally, if anyone has any information about traders who are cold calling claiming TV aerials need to be replaced or any other doorstep crime issue they should contact Hampshire County Council Trading Standards Service where specially trained officers are on hand to provide advice. Quick Response Team on 01962 833666 (Monday – Friday 0900hrs to 1700hrs) Hampshire County Council Trading Standards Service Montgomery House Monarch Way Winchester Hampshire SO22 5PW Tel: 01962 833620 Fax: 01962 833698 E-mail: doorstep.crime@hants.gov.uk
Update from our area Police Officer 21/2/2012
Can I ask you to consider the following incident which I attended yesterday in a village near our patch. Elderly female discovers small amount of water dripping from her ceiling into a room. Sources via a local paper a tradesman advertising his services. He attends the following day and quotes the repair the leak at £495. He then inspects the chimney and discovers the pointing and brickwork needs work and quotes £1650. He then inspects the ridge tile and yes....they need refixing at £695. Finally he inspects the flashing on the flat roof and that needs doing for another £370.
We end up with a figure of over £3200. The lady, who was not under any duress, agreed to this and the work was carried out. It took a day and a half for two men and for a brief time , three of them, to do this work. I am not a roofer but that amount of labour, say 12 hours worked in total, divided between three men (at best) works out at £89 an hour which seems incredible to me. They were paid cash as well. There is no complaint from the female, there is no deception or other criminal offences because she knew and agreed to the price and work to be done before it commenced. My point is that she probably should have get a few quotes first….please spread the word !
I have done all that I can, that being to notify Trading Standards and ask them to look into this. They are gloomy about it as well because of the reasons I have stated. If they had seen the condition of the roof beforehand it may have been a different outcome of course…ie Did the work need doing in the first place ?
Hampshire County Council is warning of untrustworthy cold callers. Residents are called on and asked if they want their drive resurfaced by a company recommended by the council and its maintenance partner, Amey.
Hampshire County Council maintains Hampshire's public highways and footways, working with Amey, Hampshire County Council’s maintenance partner, and has no responsibility for maintenance of private streets.
Residents who see any suspicious callers in their area can contact the County Council’s Trading Standards Quick Response Team (QRT), who will aim to confront the trader while still in the area, or when scheduled to return. The objective is by catching the culprits red-handed and by intervening in cases of shoddy or overpriced work on their homes and gardens, the QRT are able to protect residents from potentially handing over thousands of pounds.
Trading Standards advise consumers not to agree to work as a result on a cold call or via a leaflet drop. Consumers should obtain at least 3 written quotes from reputable businesses or traders who belong to a recognised trade association, such as the Hampshire County Council's Buy With Confidence Scheme. Details of this scheme can be obtained by telephoning 01962 833620, via email at buy.with.confidence@hants.gov.uk or via the website www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk
Traders who agree to do work at someone's home are required by law to provide a Notice of Right to Cancel, which gives consumers a 7 day cooling off period. Work should not commence until this period has ended, unless written agreement is first obtained from that consumer beforehand.