Welford Incidents 

• Theft. B439. Approx 50 metres of lead flashing stolen from the roof of utilities building. Offender(s) have cut the chain off the gate to gain entry to the compound. Found and reported on the 4^th December. 0143 04/12/2017
• Theft. Long Marston Road. Nine batteries stolen from roadwork traffic lights. As a result the lights were cut off and found not working. Between 3^rd and 4^th December. 0056 04/12/2017

Christmas Crime Prevention Advice

 To help keep you safe during the festive season, please follow the below advice.

When using your vehicle:

• Never leave presents or valuables on open display in your car. Even plastic carrier bags could attract a thief.
• Park in safe, well-lit areas.
• Use secure car parks, lock your vehicle & remove valuables.
• Remove your SatNav and any associated cradle. Wipe off any marks left on your windscreen.

When out shopping:

• *Carry your wallet in an inside pocket, preferably one that has a zip or a button closure.
• *Never put your wallet or purse in your back pocket.
• *Make sure your handbag is securely closed at all times and your purse is placed near the bottom of the bag.
• *Make sure that the zip or clasp to your handbag is fastened securely.
• *Don’t leave purses, wallets or bags unattended for even a second, whether on a supermarket trolley, or on a counter while paying for goods.
• *Do not put bags on the floor or purses on stall tables or shop counters when paying for goods.
• *In a busy shop or market they can be taken in an instant. Always make sure you replace your purse or wallet safely when you have finished a transaction. Do this whilst still in the shop and do not attempt to secure your purse or wallet in the street.
• *At shop checkouts do not feel pressured to leave the counter until you have secured all your money, cards and goods – even if there is a big queue behind you.
• *If possible keep you credit cards in a holder separate to you purse and wallet. Do not write down your PIN number anywhere.
• *Be aware of people standing near you at the cash point. Cover the number pad when you enter your PIN and put your money away safely before moving away from the machine.
• *Don’t carry large amounts of cash with you. Use a payment card or take money from the cash point in smaller amounts, returning to withdraw more if you need to.
• *Check your receipt at point of purchase to ensure that cash back you have not requested hasn’t been added to your shop.
• *Try to avoid carrying too many bags. The more you have the more vulnerable you are as you try to keep check of all your bags and belongings

When at home:

• Don’t advertise to thieves what you have in your home.
• Don’t put presents under the tree until Christmas Eve.
• Don’t have your presents visible from the outside of your home. Place your Christmas tree away from windows and external doors.
• Don’t store presents in sheds/outbuildings.
• Don’t leave discarded present boxes outside and in view.
• Property mark and register your new gifts.

Don’t risk a drink drive conviction this Christmas

Motorists across Warwickshire are today being reminded of the dangers of driving under the influence of drink or drugs during the festive period. With the season of festivities nearly underway Warwickshire Police are launching a publicity and enforcement campaign to raise awareness of the issues around drink and drug driving.  The topic is being highlighted across social media and local radio advertising will be taking place across the region.  Increased enforcement activity from police officers across Warwickshire will also be in place. There is no fool proof way of calculating how much you can drink and remain under the limit, or knowing how much an individual person can drink and still drive safely.  Importantly, it is hard to calculate how long alcohol may stay in your body if you are driving the morning after so the safest option if you are driving is to drink no alcohol at all. There are plenty of alternatives available with public transport, taxis and sharing designated drivers.  Pedestrians are also being encouraged to stay safe during the festive season and to plan safe routes home and to drink responsibly. Figures indicate that, over the past 3 years, 8 people were killed and 81 seriously injured in Warwickshire following collisions where drink or drugs were recorded as a contributory factor.

The campaign supports the month long winter drink drive campaign (starting 1st December) by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC).  Police forces throughout the UK will be working hard throughout December to make sure the roads are safe for everyone this Christmas and Warwickshire Police will certainly be no exception to this.  Enforcing the drink and drug drive law is a 24/7 commitment for Warwickshire Police and to reflect this police officers will be enforcing at all times of the day and night. Assistant Chief Constable Richard Moore for Warwickshire Police comments: “There are still people out there who feel they can gamble with drinking and driving and think they know how much the limit is but the simple fact is, there is only one way of being sure that you are safe to drive and that is not to drink at all.  Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive. Worryingly, and despite many warnings over the years about the dangers of drink/drug driving, there are still far too many reckless drivers ignoring the devastating consequences.  Alcohol and drugs both affect your ability to judge speed and distances accurately and slow down your reaction time.  We’re urging people to think hard about the consequences that a collision and a conviction could lead to”.

Security warning over phishing email using police branding

We have been made aware of a phishing email that is using police branding to provoke responses. The email says that the recipient is being summoned to court as a witness and asks them to follow a link, which could then lead to a virus or malware being placed on their computer. It uses a police.uk heading and suggests it is from the CPS online portal, but is clearly not official and represents a risk to security. Do not to click on any links and delete it from your account as soon as possible.

Farmers Grant Fraud Alert – Payment Diversion Fraud.

 The purpose of this alert is to provide knowledge and prevention advice to farmers in order to protect themselves from falling victim to ‘Payment Diversion Fraud’. CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) payments are expected to be paid to farmers in December 2017. Information on last year’s payments are easily obtained via the government website allowing fraudsters to know when and how much potential targets will receive.  Fraudsters who purport to be a trusted senior colleague or established customer may request that you change their direct debit, standing order or amend a bank transfer so that the payment can be diverted to a bank account which is in control of the fraudster. Fraudsters will often make the request under the pretence of a highly sensitive or urgent transaction. Contact is made via phone, letter but most commonly via email (personal or work address) used by the organisation or employee (which has either been spoofed or hacked). The fraudster then provides bank account details into which the monies should be paid.

PROTECTION AND PREVENTION ADVICE:

• Ensure all staff, not just finance teams are aware of this fraud.
• Always verify email payment changes to financial agreements with the organisation directly using established contact details you have on file. If called ask the caller to give you a main switchboard number for you to be routed back to them. Alternatively, hang up and call them back using established contact details you have on file.
• Have a system in place which allows staff to properly verify contact from their CEO or senior members of staff; for example having two points of contact so that the staff can check that the instruction which they have received from their CEO is legitimate.
• Always review requests to change ‘one off’ payment requests. Check for inconsistencies or grammatical errors, such as a misspelt company name or a slightly different email address. Ensure computer systems are secure and that antivirus software is up to date.

New Health Watch Website

Healthwatch was set up by the Government in 2013 as part of the 2012 Health and Social Care reform, to ensure that people are at the centre of health and social care services such as dentists, GP practices, hospitals, pharmacies and residential care homes. Healthwatch England is the national independent consumer champion for health and social care across the country and its role is to advise the Department of Health about concerns raised by local Healthwatch organisations. There is a Local Healthwatch in every Local Authority in England. Visit the Healthwatch Warwickshire website for further information – http://www.healthwatchwarwickshire.co.uk/