Sent: Saturday, November 21, 2009 2:46 AM

Consumers were warned to be vigilant today after it emerged fraudsters were

trying to trick people into handing over their bank account details through a

council tax scam.

Reports emerged from across the country of people being approached by telephone

or on their doorsteps and told they have either paid too little or too much

council tax.

They are then asked to provide details of their bank account, so that a refund

can be paid or to avoid a fine for late payment.

Trading standards officers are warning people to be on their guard and report

any calls or emails they receive to their local council or the police.

Paul Bettison, chairman of the Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory

Services, said: "People must be made aware that this scam is growing across the

country.

"No council would ever contact a resident in this manner on such issues.

Homeowners must remain vigilant and if possible, keep a close eye on vulnerable

older family members or neighbours."

There are a number of variations on the scam, with people in Bury told they

were due a refund because their property had been rebranded.

Residents in the area covered by Redcar and Cleveland Council were targeted by

a fraudster offering a 'no win, no fee' service, who promised people a £1,500

refund.

Councils in South Bucks, Northumberland, Fareham, Portsmouth, North Tyneside

and Stafford have already warned residents about the scam.

=====

( Received: 2009-11-12 11:20 )

CAROL SINGERS NOT WELCOME

Carol singers are being warned to keep away from doorsteps this Christmas in

case they frighten vulnerable people.

Signs have been given out to residents in South Ribble and Chorley in

Lancashire reading: "Sorry no carol singers, I won't open my door to you."

More than 10,000 cards were produced by the Safer Chorley and South Ribble

Partnership, an umbrella body for police, local councils and neighbourhood watch

groups.

The move, which follows a similar Halloween initiative aimed at trick or

treaters, has been criticised by some in the community as going against the

festive spirit.

Father Timothy Lipscomb, the Vicar of Preston, told the Lancashire Evening

Post: "It is a terrible state of affairs that people are terrified of answering

their doors, so this is what they have to do."

Mary Robinson, a Conservative member of Penwortham Town Council, said: "Are

they saying that they have replaced hoodies with Father Christmas hats?"

But a spokesman from Chorley Borough Council defended the idea, explaining the

cards were produced for residents who are too nervous or physically unable to

answer their doors.

He said: "The signs were produced because of a demand from vulnerable people

who are not comfortable answering the door.

"We decided to extend our Halloween trial after a lot of positive feedback

from residents."

Lancashire Police Chief Inspector Richard Robertshaw said carol singing is a

wonderful tradition but children must be considerate.

He said: "Similar cards were first used two years ago for Halloween and they

have been very effective.

"I hope carol singers will be as co-operative and understanding as the

trick-or-treaters have been

"The cards are available from our community police teams and local

Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators. They have also been left in libraries and

doctors' surgeries for people to collect if they so wish."

=====

Borough Commander Charles Griggs said:  "As a local resident, I share the community's concerns about the violent incidents that have occurred over the last few days. However, I can assure people that our investigations in to all the incidents will be thorough and our operational response will be both firm and proportionate".

Howard Clark, Chair of the Bromley Community Engagement Forum said “Although the incidents in the borough over the past few days have been of a concern, I must ask all residents and community members to remember Bromley remains a safe and pleasant place to live. There is not and has not been a sudden crime wave and you should not be discouraged to enjoy the many amenities the borough has to offer. It is business as usual and please support our local police’s efforts to ensure this continues”.

Regards,

Julian Hurst
Media & Information Manager
Metropolitan Police Service - Bromley Borough

Bromley Police Station
High Street
Bromley
Kent
BR1 1ER

http://cms.met.police.uk/met/boroughs/bromley/index  

(Received: 2009/10/21 13:08)

CONSUMERS WARNED AFTER HUGE RISE IN CARD FRAUD

Consumers were warned to be vigilant today following a 250% jump in the number

of people who were tricked into handing over their credit or debit card and Pin

to fraudsters.

Financial Fraud Action UK said it had seen a huge increase in the number of

cases of the telephone scam during the year so far, with fraudsters often

targeting particular groups, such as pensioners and members of the Asian

community.

Under the scam, fraudsters phone their victims and pretend to be from the

security or fraud department of their bank, claiming their records have flagged

up fraudulent transactions on the victim's card.

They ask the victim to write down their Pin number and place it in an envelope

with their card, and promise to send a courier to collect it.

The group said the fraudsters often won victims' trust by appearing to offer

assistance.

They also used genuine courier companies to collect the cards and deliver the

package to them.

Once they had the card and the Pin the fraudsters used it to withdraw money

from cash machines.

Katy Worobec, head of fraud control at Financial Fraud Action UK, said:

"Fraudsters have been targeting particular groups of cardholders.

"So far some of the victims have included pensioners and members of the Asian

community. However, what is now clear is that the scam is becoming more

widespread."

She warned consumers never to disclose their Pin or other personal financial

information to people cold-calling them.

She advised people who were approached in this way to hang up and then call

their bank themselves on a number that they know is correct.

People who think they may have been the victim of the scam are advised to

contact their bank or credit card company immediately.

=====

Police counter service shut due to lack of help

14 October 2009

A POLICE office has closed to the public after it failed to attract enough volunteers to work on the front desk.

The office for the Mottingham and Chislehurst North and Chislehurst Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) in the High Street, which was opened in 2007 by borough commander Charles Griggs, closed to the public last month.

A sign in the window advised visitors to go to Bromley or Eltham police stations but the Safer Neighbourhood Teams will still remain at the base.

Head of Bromley police's SNTs Chief Inspector Ian Gallehawk said: "There is no plan to close any of our 14 Safer Neighbourhood bases in Bromley and never has been.

"The front counter service provided at the Safer Neighbourhood bases is staffed by volunteers from the local communities.

"Given the fact that there has not been a sufficient number of volunteers available to provide the required service, and that footfall at the location has been minimal to say the least, a decision was taken to cease to advertise a front counter service.

http://www.bromleytimes.co.uk/content/bromley/times/news/story.aspx?brand=BMLYTOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsbmlyt&itemid=WeED14%20Oct%202009%2017%3A07%3A12%3A637

Community Crime Fighters training – London – 25^th November 2009

I am writing to ask for your assistance in promoting and publicising the forthcoming London Community Crime Fighters training event.  The event is taking place at the Oval Cricket Ground on Wednesday 25^th November. 

This event will actually be the last opportunity during 2009 for community activists and volunteers to attend one day Community Crime Fighters training.

The event is aimed at those local people who are currently active in their communities, people that are involved in their local residents or tenants groups; people that go along to Police PACT meetings/panels: people that are part of Neighbourhood Watch or other community groups and organisations.

Louise Casey, the Government’s Crime and Justice Advisor will be making the key note presentation at the event and during the course of the day delegates will get the chance to participate in workshops looking at the Policing Pledge; the tools and powers councils have to tackle anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood crime. They will also hear about the services available to victims of crime and ASB and learn how to get the best from their local services.

The event is free of charge and lunch and refreshments are provided. Assistance with travel costs is also available.

I hope you are able to distribute the attached flyer to people in your partnership who are the most likely to have day to day contact with local residents, volunteers and community activists to encourage them to book onto the event.

Interested delegates can book a place by calling the Community Crime Fighters registration desk on 0800 197 2965 or electronically at: www.communitycrimefighters.org.uk  quoting booking reference ccf02

These events are ideal for volunteers and community activists but not aimed at workers in the criminal justice system. People should not book to attend if they have already attended a 1 day Community Crime Fighters event. Finally these events are open to people who are over the age of sixteen and not in full time education.

More information about the Community Crime Fighters programme, including the Community Crime Fighters awards can be found on the crime reduction website;   www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk/communitycrimefighters/

Thanks in advance for your assistance in cascading information about this programme.

Best wishes

Miriam Minty

From: Rob.Goodwin@...
Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 11:00 PM
Subject: Crime prevention alert

Two crime prevention circulars for onward transmission

Kind regards

PS Rob Goodwin 16PY
Penge & Cator Safer Neighbourhood Team
Copperfield House
Maple Road
London SE20 8RE

ALERT

Please be aware we have had a recent spate of people receiving telephone calls allegedly from BT stating that unless an outstanding amount is paid they will cut off their phone.

To demonstrate they are from BT they then give the illusion that the phone has been disconnected so no outgoing or incoming calls can be made.

Credit or debit card details are then taken and money is taken from the card holders’ account.

Please be aware that this is a scam never divulge credit or debit card details via the phone unless you can confirm the callers identity for example by phoning them back!

If you would like any more information please contact Plaistow and Sundridge Safer Neighbourhood Team on 0207 161 8936 or 0208 721 2613

Suspect arrested yesterday.....

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/2566411/One-Show-goes-Crimewatch.html

One Show goes Crimewatch

By DAN MENHINNITT

Published: 31 Jul 2009

COPS have commended the One Show's viewers after an appeal broadcast on the programme resulted in an arrest.

The show's reporter and former cop, Rav Wilding, made an appeal for information into an alleged sex assault on a teen on Wednesday night's episode.

Viewers called in after seeing footage from the alleged attack on the 13-year-old in Sundridge Park, Bromley on July 14.

A Met Police spokesman said: "We would like to thank the public and viewers of The One Show for their help in this matter."

Suspect Stephen Douglas Mackay, 47, appeared before Bromley Magistrates' Court today charged with kidnapping and sexual assault.

Mackay, an engineer from Aldershot, Hants, was remanded in custody to appear at Croydon Crown Court in October

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/video_audio/videonews/87773/read/

Video: Teenager assaulted in Plaistow Lane

3:50pm Friday 24th July 2009

·         Play Video

(To avoid advert, try this: http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/resources/flash/flashplayer.swf/?file=http://newsquest.coull.com/newsquestflash/london/ns-sexattack.flv )

DETECTIVES investigating a sexual assault on a 13-year-old girl in Bromley have released CCTV footage and images of a man they want to trace in connection with the incident.

The teenager was walking along Plaistow Lane near St Joseph’s School when a man started talking to her.

She walked on but he approached her again as she got to the junction with Edward Road, opposite Sundridge Park Management Centre, and grabbed her and pulled her into an access road.

There he sexually assaulted her before she managed to run away and seek help.

It is not known in which direction the man went.

Police say the suspect is a white man, possibly aged 45 to 50, of heavy build with dark hair.

He was wearing a navy blue polo shirt and navy blue trousers and had sunglasses pushed to the top of his head at the time of the incident at around 9am on July 14.

Bromley police spokesman acting Detective Chief Inspector Alex Phipps said: "We are urgently trying to trace this man.

"It was a quiet, residential area, around 9am.

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the area either on foot or in car.

“Did you see anything of this suspect?

“Did you see him in the area prior to this incident or leaving the area?

"Do you recognise the man from the images?"

Anyone with any information should call the police on 020 8284 8859 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 to remain anonymous.

(If you have a problem seeing the video, try upgrading Adobe Flash Player at :

  http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash )

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/video_audio/videonews/87773/read/

Video: Teenager assaulted in Plaistow Lane

3:50pm Friday 24th July 2009

·         Play Video

(To avoid advert, try this: http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/resources/flash/flashplayer.swf/?file=http://newsquest.coull.com/newsquestflash/london/ns-sexattack.flv )

DETECTIVES investigating a sexual assault on a 13-year-old girl in Bromley have released CCTV footage and images of a man they want to trace in connection with the incident.

The teenager was walking along Plaistow Lane near St Joseph’s School when a man started talking to her.

She walked on but he approached her again as she got to the junction with Edward Road, opposite Sundridge Park Management Centre, and grabbed her and pulled her into an access road.

There he sexually assaulted her before she managed to run away and seek help.

It is not known in which direction the man went.

Police say the suspect is a white man, possibly aged 45 to 50, of heavy build with dark hair.

He was wearing a navy blue polo shirt and navy blue trousers and had sunglasses pushed to the top of his head at the time of the incident at around 9am on July 14.

Bromley police spokesman acting Detective Chief Inspector Alex Phipps said: "We are urgently trying to trace this man.

"It was a quiet, residential area, around 9am.

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the area either on foot or in car.

“Did you see anything of this suspect?

“Did you see him in the area prior to this incident or leaving the area?

"Do you recognise the man from the images?"

Anyone with any information should call the police on 020 8284 8859 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 to remain anonymous.

(If you have a problem seeing the video, try upgrading Adobe Flash Player at :

  http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash )

BROMLEY: Olympic star Iwan Thomas set to send Safer Bromley TV live

8:10am Thursday 23rd July 2009

A NETWORK of TV screens broadcasting community safety messages is set to be switched on next week.

Safer Bromley TV will go live across the borough in 10 locations including shops, cafes and community centres.

The screens will broadcast short film clips on crime, antisocial behaviour and health issues.

Organisers say the TVs will give helpful information about staying safe and making the borough a pleasant place to live and work.

The organisation behind the idea, the Safer Bromley Partnership, will also broadcast in the Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough and Bromley College.

The £60,000 initiative will be launched by Olympic 400m runner Iwan Thomas at The Glades shopping centre on Tuesday (July 28).

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/4506147.BROMLEY__Olympic_star_Iwan_Thomas_set_to_send_Safer_Bromley_TV_live/

http://cms.met.police.uk/news/appeals/man_shot_dead_on_playing_field

Latest News

Man shot dead on playing field

DCI McFarlane said: "Mr Musgrove parked at the side of the playing fields just after 18:00hrs last night.

"He walked through the gate and met two friends. The three men were standing talking at the side of the fields. Suddenly a man jumped out of the bushes, fired several shots with a small handgun, then rode away on a mountain bike across the adjacent field in the direction of New Addington.

"The suspect was dressed in dark clothing. He was quite tall, between 5'10 and 6'2, and wore a hat covering the whole of his head, large goggles and a white mask over the bottom half of his face. We believe he was under thirty years of age, possibly in his late teens. We do not know his ethnicity.

"The gunman appeared to deliberately target Mr Musgrove. He said nothing.

"I have no idea why Mr Musgrove was targeted. He had been going to the playing fields on Tuesdays and Thursdays regularly for football practice.

"I am pursuing a number of lines of inquiry but I am keeping an open mind as to any motive.

"Mr Musgrove was well respected and well liked within Coney Hall Football Club.

"I am appealing for anyone who might have been in the area to give us any information they can think of. This is a very popular open space, which is well used by dog walkers, joggers, people coming to play games and walkers. It is also next to one of the busiest roads in south London and, at that time of the evening, the road was very busy with traffic from both Bromley and Croydon.

"Did you see anyone in dark clothing with a bike approaching the playing fields before six o'clock on Thursday evening?

"Did you see anyone in dark clothing riding a bike away from the playing fields? He would have been very agitated and cycling as fast as he could."

There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

Anyone with any information should call the incident room on 020 8721 4205 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous.

BROMLEY: CCTV released after attempted robbery

8:00am Sunday 5th July 2009

CCTV images of a man wanted in connection with an attempted knifepoint robbery at a St Mary Cray shop have been released.

The store owner was threatened with a large black handled knife by a man who demanded money.

But the would-be robber fled from the shop in Kent Road in the direction of Sevenoaks Way when the owner shouted for the police.

The suspect is described as a white male, aged about 26 and around 5ft 8in tall.

He was wearing a dark jacket, dark trousers with paint splattered on them, white trainers, white gloves and a dark woolly hat.

Anyone with any information about the incident which took place at around 1.30pm on June 18 should call the police on 020 8284 9966.

Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/4474542.BROMLEY__CCTV_released_after_attempted_robbery/

Dear Coordinators and Members of BromleyNWA,

We are working to build a comprehensive directory  of links and information related to Neighbourhood Watch in Bromley, and other groups involved in community crime prevention and safety.

We are especially interested in any Coordinators that have setup a webpage for their Watch, so that we can provide a link to their page.

For example :

    http://www.cudhamvillage.org.uk/neighbourhood_watch.htm   - Cudham Village - Neighbourhood Watch

    http://www.plnw.org.uk                                                                                - Park Langley Neighbourhood Watch

    http://www.cpra-nw.info                                                                              - Chelsfield Park Residents Association Ltd (CPRA) - Neighbourhood Watch

If you have any similar links that you think may be useful to appear on our page, then we would be very grateful if you could let us know.

Many thanks in advance.

Best Rgds,

Dave Stewart

BromleyNWA Executive

Bromley police using headcams as evidence in court

11:50am Sunday 28th June 2009

FOOTAGE from headcams worn by police is being used as evidence in around 18 court cases each month.

Since Bromley police began a pilot scheme to use body-worn cameras in October last year, around 100 films have been made which could be used as evidence if required.

The 45 sets purchased with Home Office funding are used by officers on patrol, transports teams and safer neighbourhood teams.

Using headcams to respond to calls about anti-social behaviour or domestic violence is seen as particularly important.

PC Tony Lewis-Webber from the Headcam unit said: “As soon as officers receive a call they press record so that as soon as they arrive it will be on film.

“People at court would be able to see that. Whatever comes across the radio is being recorded too.

“If they bring someone in to the station, they can leave the camera on until they are at the custody suite.”

Chief Inspector Marshall Kent, head of operational policing at Bromley said: "Headcams give officers the ability to collect the best possible evidence in order to assist in investigations and support the prosecution of offenders.

“It's like seeing an incident for real and the Magistrates can see how obnoxious and nasty offenders are and sentence them accordingly. The footage provides powerful and compelling evidence, especially in cases of domestic violence.

“There has also been a noticeable improvement in people's behaviour on buses when officers patrol using body worn videos".

The light-adjusting headcam is the size of a marker pen which feeds images and sound to a digital recorder.

Officers can also wear a camera on their chest.

To avoid any possibility of the evidence being tampered with, the film cannot be edited.

Images are uploaded onto a computer in an office designed to store and deal with the footage.

Officers must make people aware they are being recorded at the first available opportunity.

For more crime news visit our website at www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/community

24 June 2009

Statement on Gumtree and Craig’s List

The Deposit Protection Service (DPS) would like to make all tenants aware of a new scam

involving property advertised for rent over the internet.

People looking for property to rent have seen adverts on websites such as Gumtree and Craig’s

List asking them to show that they can afford to pay a deposit by transferring money to a friend

or relative using a money transfer agent.

They are then asked to send a scanned copy of the transaction receipt to the 'landlord' as proof

that they have enough money to rent the property.

However, the receipt contains enough information for the criminals to collect the money before

the victim's friend or relative can do so.

The DPS, the only custodial tenancy deposit protection scheme accredited by the Government,

advises all tenants to ask their landlords how their deposit is protected and recommends that

anyone in doubt should seek advice immediately as to whether their funds are at risk.

Kevin Firth, director of the DPS, said:

“For peace of mind tenants can ring the DPS on 0870 707 1707 to find out whether their

landlord is registered and their deposit protected. Landlords who fail to register a deposit face

being fined up to three times the value of their deposit.

“Tenants should only transfer money to reputable landlords who can prove they are registered

with an approved tenancy deposit scheme so it is important that you double check – ideally

they should meet the landlord first and view the property before handing over any cash”.

If you have already transferred money, the DPS recommends you seek legal advice. The Deposit

Protection Service is the only custodial tenancy deposit protection scheme accredited by the

Government. It is provided free of charge, and funded entirely by the interest earned from

deposits held in the scheme.

ENDS

For any further information, please contact:

Alex Finnegan or Gary Cleland

Mandate Communications

T: 020 3128 8166

E: alex.finnegan@... or gary.cleland@...

Editor’s Notes:

About The DPS

The Deposit Protection Service is the custodial tenancy deposit protection scheme accredited by

the Government. It is provided free of charge, and funded entirely by the interest earned from

deposits held in the scheme. The DPS is run by Computershare Investor Services PLC. Online

self-service allows landlords to register and make deposit payments, transfers and repayments

24 hours a day. Help and advice is available through a dedicated call centre during office hours.

An impartial Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service, helps to resolve any disputes quickly

and without the need for court action.

For more information, visit www.depositprotection.com

About Computershare Limited (CPU)

Computershare (ASX:CPU) is a global market leader in transfer agency and share registration,

employee equity plans, proxy solicitation and stakeholder communications. We also specialise

in corporate trust services, tax voucher solutions, bankruptcy administration and a range of

other diversified financial and governance services.

Founded in 1978, Computershare is renowned for its expertise in data management, high

volume transaction processing, payments and stakeholder engagement. Many of the world’s

leading organisations use these core competencies to help maximise the value of relationships

with their investors, employees, creditors, members and customers.

Computershare is represented in all major financial markets and has over 10,000 employees

worldwide.

For more information, visit www.computershare.com