Beware! Burglars only need a gap of 23cm (9″) to get through!
In one third of break-ins burglars get in through a window.
Make sure your doors and windows are secure when you leave your home, even if you’re only going out for a few minutes (even into your garden!).
Burglars steal tools from sheds to break into homes. Make sure your shed is securely locked. Shed alarms are available. A simple ‘Window Alert Alarm -batteries included costs £4.74 from the Safety Supply Co’ online today, this could be all it takes to avert a break-in.
There is usually a notable correlation each year between when we get the warmer months and opportunistic burglaries where windows and doors have been left open.
Make sure windows are closed fully when leaving your home or even when you are in your garden (if you are fortunate enough to have one!) and make sure your front door is locked.
Sadly some people see this as a window of opportunity to quickly enter homes and take items they can then sell on, often going unnoticed for some time.
Also, homes without basic security features are five times more likely to be burgled than homes with security, therefore our advice is to put in place simple yet effective, precautionary measures to reduce the chances of becoming a victim of burglary. See some security measures here:
PROTECT YOUR CAR CAMPAIGN Due to Covid-19 and repeated lockdowns, people haven’t been using their cars as much as they used to. However, car crime remains a pressing problem in the UK – alarmingly, one car is stolen every ten minutes(1). The latest figures from the Police National Computer (3) indicate car crime decreased during Covid-19 restrictions but with the expectation of social restrictions soon easing we could see a surge in car crime. Neighbourhood Watch are launching a new campaign on the 31st March to encourage everyone to keep their car’s safety top of mind. Read more
“Please keep your eyes peeled and everything locked up. We have just had a silver 4×4 with muddied number plates come into our farm yard in Barton. 4 hooded men in the car. When our farm help approached the car, they tried to reverse into him twice and then drove off. Thankfully he wasn’t hurt and nothing taken. Police informed.”
If anyone knows anything please contact the Police on 101 or Anonymously on Crime Stoppers 0800 555 111
Teresa Harrold NHW – Haslingfield Village Co-ordinator
Scammers continue to take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to commit fraud. Fraudsters are sending fake text messages, claiming you are entitled to a dose of the newly-approved vaccine. Bogus message states that you are entitled to a vaccine and to receive more info should click on the link. Unfortunately, these texts are fake. Once you click on the link, you find a webpage, branded to look like a genuine NHS page, which requests to see ‘proof of ownership of address’ in the form of your bank account, sort code and a full bank card number. Do NOT give your bank or card details to make payment for a vaccine or to prove your residential address.
Coronavirus vaccines are FREE and the NHS will never ask for any money or your bank details. Further information about scams is available here.
Nigel Sutton Cyber Protect Officer Cambridgeshire Police
Neighbourhood Watch launches PROTECT YOUR Pa$$W0rD campaign with 3 quick and easy steps
As we spend more time at home and on our online devices, over one third (34%) of people say that they’re more concerned about cybercrime than physical crime and a startling 1 in 5 people are a victim of cybercrime!* You could be more at risk than you might think.
If strengthening your passwords is something you keep putting off, or you feel overwhelmed by the sea of online security information, you’re not alone. Read more
On Thurs 29th Oct just before 3pm, a vigilant NHW member had his suspicions aroused when he spotted an unknown man entering the premises of one of his neighbours. The man left the premises around 25mins later. However, the NHW member had the presence of mind to take a photo of the man. As it turns out this man had made a distraction burglary, after having offered the resident gardening services, the man had excused himself and taken the residents wallet. The police were called, the photo of the man is now on the Police FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/SouthCambsCops/ From the photo, the man appears to be middle aged with balding hair and of portly build. Wearing a cream coloured zipped jacket, with a black hood and black breast patch/pocket on the left. The jacket has a black zip fastening, with black zips to the waist pockets too. He wore blue jeans and black/navy trainers with white edged soles. The man is wearing a turquoise blue face mask. If you know this man or have any information please contact the police either by speaking to a web-chat operator on their website www.cambs.police.uk/report quoting 35/73674/20 or, if you don’t have access to a computer, by calling 101. Thank you, Teresa Harrold Haslingfield NHW Co-ordinator
Cadets from St Neots and their leaders joined forces with regular officers to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation in and around the Cambridgeshire area.
The operation was a huge success and a number of establishments visited; this raised the profile of Child Sexual Exploitation & provided education to the public.For more information on Child Sexual Exploitation and how to recognise the signs of child exploitation, please visit: https://www.cambs.police.uk/information-and-services/Child-protection/CSE Read more
Cambridgeshire police would like to highlight a recent series of car key burglaries, which are taking place across all force areas.
Please be alert to suspicious activity at homes or addresses with high powered vehicles such as BMW’s, Audi’s, Volkswagen’s, and Mercedes. Burglaries are being committed to obtain vehicle keys as improved security means that these vehicles are more difficult to steal without a key. We are encouraging residents to remain vigilant during the day, lookout for any unusual people or vehicles paying attention to the driveway of a house where a desirable car is parked, even if it is not there at the time, similarly late at night, if you are coming or going be on the lookout for unusual activity. Read more
Cadet Leader Recruitment – Could you be a Cadet Leader?
Do you have what it takes to inspire and encourage a young generation?
The Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC) is the nationally recognised police uniformed youth group throughout the UK.
The purpose of the VPC is not to recruit police officers of the future, but to encourage the spirit of adventure and good citizenship amongst its members.
We believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of his or her background. We encourage young people from all backgrounds to join, including those who may be vulnerable to crime or social exclusion.
We have a diverse group of young people aged 13 to 18 years, who have the desire to support their local communities and gain an understanding of policing. The aims of the Voluntary Police Cadets (VPC) are to; Read more
Based on local information, (not verified by myself) it would appear that an elderly person has received a telephone call purporting to represent NHS test and trace service.
The suspect told the person answering the phone, that they had been in contact with someone who had tested positive for COVID-19 and that they now needed to be tested within 72 hours.
The caller then said there was a charge of £50 for the test and took bank card details over the phone. (The long card number, expiry date, name on the card and CVC code giving the criminal all the detail they need to fraudulently use the card). Any test under the NHS Test and Trace service is free.Read more
A total of 22 vehicles were broken into between 19th Apr – 12th May including incidents in Stapleford, Sawston, Duxford, Gt Shelford, Haslingfield, Grantchester, Swavesey, Milton, Oakington and Fen Drayton. Police are urging all motorists to make sure your cars are locked. Incidents are occurring when windows are left open and doors unlocked. In the majority of cases purses, wallets and handbags have been targeted and in some instances the thieves have gone on to use the victims’ bank cards in shops. Please make sure all valuables are removed from vehicles.
I would like to make you aware of a scam
An email or text message that sates it’s from HMRC.GOV.UK
The government has taken urgent action to list coronavirus as a notifiable disease in law as a result of this they are issuing a new tax refund programme. You are eligible for a refund of…….
Access your fund now. Read more
If you or anyone in your household are displaying symptoms, please follow NHS guidelines.
Be mindful – with all good intentions – that if you are in the high risk category you will not be able to participate in outdoor volunteering roles in the community, however you could be proactive in other ways, by communicating with people via social media, email or on the phone.
23cm (9″) to get through!