Crime Prevention Round Up
I know from delivering Six Streets info that there are a number of external post boxes in the area so this post may be of interest:
from the police run Derbyshire Alert
Officers are issuing security advice to homeowners with external post boxes after a series of thefts in Derbyshire.
In recent months, a number of thefts from insecure post boxes have been reported. Post containing personal and financial information has been stolen, and documents used to apply for credit cards or loans.
Because the post is intercepted fraudulently, victims often don’t realise they have been targeted. Fraudsters then apply for credit cards and loans in their names, and it can be many weeks before the crime is discovered.
Derbyshire Constabulary’s Fraud and Protect officer, Tammy Barnes, said: “In recent months, we have seen a number of thefts from letter boxes across the county.
“While the piles of junk mail may not be of interest to criminals, bank details certainly would be.
“Recently one of our officers visited a house with an external post box and was able to fit his hand inside and remove the mail. One of the letters was a personal medical record.
“Our advice to homeowners who have an external post box is to check if they are able to remove mail from inside and if so, give some consideration to making some changes. If you can do it then so can they!”
Officers are proactively working on several lines of enquiry into the thefts, but there are measures that can be taken to make your post box more secure.
Make sure your box is made of a robust material and is tamper-proof. It should have a secure locking mechanism, ideally with a coded security key.
The box should also be fitted with a strong internal restrictor, which stops items being removed from the slot.
Keep a look out if you are expecting a new bank card, or bank statement.
Don’t leave mail uncollected for long periods of time; ideally check your post box every day.
If you suspect your mail has been stolen, or receive bills, invoices or receipts from companies you haven’t dealt with, contact Royal Mail immediately and report it to Derbyshire Police, Action Fraud and the financial institution in question.
Also from Derbyshire Alert:
Please do not leave your car unattended with the engine running to defrost as your keys are inside.
We see an increase in theft of motor vehicles at this time of year due to an opportunist thief spotting the cars and taking advantage of an easy steal.
Regards
PC 14408 HILL
Message Sent By
Amy Hill (Police, PC, Allestree, Darley Abbey, West end, Mackworth, Morley )
As well as theft risk, please run engine for as short a time as possible before driving off - it does cause a lot of pollution. btw It is illegal to have the engine running (to keep heating on) while you are parked. Want to know more?
This is a national issue - apparently the scammers are very convincing.
Action Fraud has received more than 5,000 reports about fake emails and texts purporting to be from TV Licensing. The messages contain links to genuine-looking websites that are designed to steal personal and financial information.
Always question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information in case it’s a scam. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text.
For more information about how to stay safe online, visit cyberaware.gov.uk
It can be useful for the police to have video taken by members of the public as evidence of a crime etc. The current system of collecting video has been very slow so there is a new system called Derbyshire Capture
Officers will no longer have to come round to collect your dash cam or other video - just click on the link, fill in the form and follow instructions on uploading video.
If it relates to a road traffic incident, the video must be less than 10 days old for it to be investigated. This then allows officers enough time to contact the vehicle owners. This is to comply with the Road Traffic Act.
Not from Derbyshire Police but
I have received another call claiming there are government grants available for the over 50s to replace doors and windows to reduce your fuel bills.
There are not.
“Scrappage” doesn’t exist.
Some companies are claiming to offer discounts under a “Window Scrappage Scheme” - there is no such government scheme, it is just a way of making you think you’re getting a discount.
You may be able to get govt help with a new boiler, draught proofing, under floor, caity wall and solid wall insulation
depending on your circumstances
but not doors or windows.
It’s not a new thing but latest caller did get quite abusive. It was from a local company that used to be family owned and reputable but now …
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2010/jun/23/window-firms-misleading-public