If you have information about any crime, phone the police on 101 or you can call anonymously to the independent charity CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111.   For general information about Neighbourhood Watch nationally see the www.urwatch.org.uk website.

If anyone is the victim of a crime, or even sees a suspicious incident, we would like to know as Neighbourhood Watch so that we can advise the other parishes on our network i.e. Churchstanton, Pitminster, Buckland St Mary, Corfe and Yarcombe. This very rarely happens and we do need your co-operation.   Thank you.

A tractor battery has been stolen between Stockland and Dalwood today, 23rd November 2018.   The vehicle and occupants were seen and described as a small green Fiesta-type car with 3 occupants, one male about 20, one middle aged and another older.   This has been reported to the police.   Any sightings or information to the police please - you can find all the ways to contact them at www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/contact/

If you can help the police with any information regarding the theft yesterday, the police report number is CR10828578.   Obviously they can link the information to the investigation much quicker with this number.

It seems that battery theft is prevalent because of the scrap value of the lead in a battery and because individual batteries are usually unidentifiable.   In 2017 there was a spate of battery theft including theft from the Wilmington recycling centrehttp://www.midweekherald.co.uk/news/wilmington-recycling-centre-targeted-by-car-battery-thieves-1-5310038
Batteries were stolen from temporary traffic lights in February this year.

It helps if you mark expensive batteries with your postcode or a dab or two of paint and take a photo on your phone. It won't always deter thieves BUT it makes it much easier to prove if the police do catch someone in possession.
 

Copper Tank Theft

On Tuesday 20th November at 1420hrs, a white male drew up to premises in the Stockland area in a white van with chevrons on the back.   The male approached the front door of a property with some leaflets - when there was no response he picked up, without consent, a copper tank which he then put in his van and drove off.   The male was wearing a blue mixed bobble hat, blue jeans and a blue t-shirt with a red and blue North Face logo.

If any members of the public have any information relating to this incident or saw anyone fitting that description in the area, they are asked to contact the Police on 101, quoting ref CR/109717/18 or to email the Axminster Neighbourhood Police Team at axminster@dc.police.uk

Message sent by:     Chris Bolsover (Police, PCSO, Axminster)
 

Action Counters Terrorism - trust your instincts

Report suspicious activity to www.gov.uk/ACT or 0800 789 321

March 2018:  There is no increase in the threat level for international terrorism in the UK, which remains at ‘severe’, nor is there any specific threat within Devon and Cornwall.   However in support of the national effort to tackle the ongoing threat Devon & Cornwall Police / Dorset Police urges the public to help them tackle terrorism and save lives by reporting suspicious behaviour and activity.   Communities defeat terrorism, and your actions could save lives.

Never worry about wasting police time.   No call or click will be ignored.   What you tell the police is treated in the strictest confidence and is thoroughly researched by experienced officers before, and if, any police action is taken.   Any piece of information could be important, it is better to be safe and report.   Remember, trust your instincts and ACT, because Action Counters Terrorism.

How can I report something suspicious?

Reporting is quick and easy.   You can report in confidence online via our secure form: www.gov.uk/ACT.   Alternatively, you can call the police confidentially on 0800 789 321.   All reports are kept confidential and you can report anonymously.   In an emergency always call 999.

What should I report?

You can report suspicious activity or behaviour – anything that seems out of place, unusual or just doesn’t seem to fit in with everyday life.  
Terrorists need to plan, so behaviours that don’t seem right fall into five categories: research, gathering materials, storing materials, hostile reconnaissance and financing. Some examples of suspicious activity or behaviour could include:

. Research

. Do you know someone who looks at extremist material, including on the so-called Dark Web, or shares and creates content that promotes or glorifies terrorism?

. Have you noticed someone embracing or actively promoting hateful ideas or an extremist ideology?   Meetings, training and planning can take place anywhere.

. Do you know someone who travels but is vague about where they’re going?

. Do you know someone with passports or other documents in different names, for no obvious reason?

. Gathering materials
Suspicious materials can be ordered online as well as in store.   Have you noticed someone receiving deliveries for unusual items bought online?

. If you work in commercial vehicle hire or sales, has a sale or rental seemed unusual?

' Have you noticed someone buying large or unusual quantities of chemicals, fertilisers or gas cylinders for no obvious reason?

. Have you noticed someone acquiring illegal firearms or other weapons or showing an interest in obtaining them?

. Storing materials
Terrorists need to store equipment while preparing for an attack.   Have you noticed anyone storing large amounts of chemicals, fertilisers or gas cylinders?

. Have you noticed anyone storing illegal firearms or objects that could potentially be weapons?

. Hostile Reconnaissance
Observation and surveillance help terrorists plan attacks.   Have you witnessed anyone taking pictures or notes of security arrangements or CCTV?

. Financing
Cheque and credit card fraud are ways of generating cash.   Have you noticed any suspicious or unusual bank transactions?

If you’d like more information or resources, visit www.gov.uk/ACT or follow Counter Terrorism Policing on social media: Facebook Twitter YouTube #ActionCountersTerrorism
 

Tool & Knife Sharpening Rogue Traders

Devon and Somerset Trading Standards have received reports which suggests rogue traders offering tool/knife sharpening are operating in the Devon area.   We would advise residents to exercise caution before agreeing to any work offered by unsolicited doorstep callers.   Work can often be of poor quality and cost more than first agreed.   If you need to have tools etc sharpened or any general maintenance works undertaken, take time to get three quotes from reputable businesses you trust and make your decision on who to use in your own time.   Get recommendations from family or trusted friends or via www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk.

If someone knocks on your door and you are not sure, don't open the door.   If you are concerned rogue traders are operating in your area, always report it.   If you are concerned someone is at risk, always call the Police.   Would recipients of Community Messaging make your elderly and vulnerable neighbours aware of this message.   Thank you.

www.devonsomersettradingstandards.gov.uk/consumers/rogue-traders-doorstep-crime/
 

This document includes information on a new service launched in September 2016 - the national 105 number to ring regarding Power Cuts.

This new service enables people to ring 105 to get information on Power Cuts in their area or to report welfare concerns in the face of power interruption.

Theft From Vehicle In Yarcombe

Lottery Scam

Dodgy Tarmac Operators

April 2016: Police have received two reports of males offering to tarmac driveways in the Woodbury Salterton area on 27th and 28th April.   Two males dressed in high visibility clothing state they are working for the Council and have spare materials and offer to tarmac driveways.   The males will only take cash for the shoddy work and have escorted one victim to the bank for payment.   No quotes or paper work were supplied to the victims and excessive sums are charged for very poor quality work.   These males are driving a grey Nissan Nivara pickup, registration number FN65FWZ.   Please have nothing to do with these males and look out for neighbours who may be approached.   If you have a call from these males please contact the Police straightaway quoting Log No. 319 of 28th April 2016. Thank you.

Burglar Alarm Scam

Theft of Gas Cylinders

Police received a report of the theft of Orange Calor Gas Cylinders from Farleigh Trinity Field on Old Chard Road in the Monkton areas of Honiton. 
Heavy chain link fencing was cut for access between 1900-2200hrs on Thursday 14th January 2016, a white transit was seen in the area between these times.   Rural property owners are asked to be aware of this incident and be vigilant.   Report any suspicious activity you see to police, dialling 999 if offenders are still in the area at the time of your call, trying to note any vehicle description and registration. Thank you

Check the authenticity of websites before making any purchases on electrical goods and domestic appliances especially if the price is well below the retail price.   Conduct a 'who is' search of the website.   Check the Trusted Shops facebook page.

 
You may receive a telephone call from scammers advising you that a package is being delivered via a courier and requires your signature.   By very wary of accepting any surprise gifts or packages from couriers which you neither expected or personally ordered especially if it involves any kind of payment as a condition of receiving the gift.   Never accept anything if you do not personally know or there is no proper identification of who the sender is.   You may be advised by the courier that a payment is due and that they only accept payment via credit or debit cards.   Using their hand held device will give them your card details and your PIN number enabling them to use your data at ATM machines.

Scam re EU Grants

Farmers are being warned to be extremely wary of any suspicious calls, texts or emails as fraudsters specifically target the agricultural sector when EU grants begin to arrive in bank accounts this month.   From December farmers start to receive funds from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).   Information about these payments is publically available meaning criminals are able to target directly victims and make their approaches appear more convincing.   Be very wary of any phone calls, texts or emails asking for personal or financial information or to transfer money to another account.   If you receive such a call hang up, wait 5 minutes and ring your bank to alert them of this scam using a phone number that you trust.   Never disclose your 4 digit card PIN to anyone including the bank or police.   Never disclose your password or online banking codes.   Never disclose personal details unless you are certain you know who you are talking to.
 

Fraud in Honiton

Police are asking the public to remain alert to a new type of fraud occurring in the area.   This follows an incident in the car park of Lidls on Wednesday 25th November 2015 where a gentleman was scammed out of £250.

The male suspect is described as Italian, quite tall and with black hair.   He has a pronounced nose and jaw and thick rimmed glasses, and was wearing a dark grey jacket and tan coloured shoes.   The male was driving a black car.

The offender will ask the victim to come and help them with directions, usually to a nearby airport, and in return will offer 'gifts' of items of clothing from the back of his car.   These items are believed to be counterfeit goods.   The offender will then persuade the victim that they need to give him money for these 'gifts' and will often use 'confidence trickster' techniques to either fool or pressure victims into handing over the cash.   This follows a previous report where a lone gentleman was also targeted near Turks Head on Wednesday 18th November.

If anyone is approached by a male matching this description Police advise them not to engage and call 101 if you feel pressured or the situation is suspicious.   Victims of fraud are urged to log a report with Action Fraud via their website www.actionfraud.police.uk.

 

Financial Phone Scam

Devon and Cornwall Police have received reports relating to a professionally run national scam.   This has led to many vulnerable people, who are often elderly, being ruthlessly defrauded out of thousands of pounds.   There have been a considerable number of victims nationwide, including many locally in the Devon and Cornwall area.   The average age of victim appears to be 70 years old, with losses ranging between £4,000 - £100,000+.

The offenders call unsuspecting victims pretending to be an official body, such as the police or bank.   At present the common theme is for the caller to claim to be a Metropolitan police detective.   The offenders then convince the victim that there has been some form of fraudulent activity with their bank account.   They sometimes claim to have someone in police custody who was found with the victims bank details, or that their account has, or is being used, to withdraw substantial sums of money.   The caller requests bank account details, PIN numbers and other details as a matter of urgency to prevent further substantial losses.

The caller often invites the victim to hang up the phone and call their bank or local police to confirm events.   What the victim is unaware of is that the caller has maintained an open phone line, so on re-dialling the victim is actually connected to and conversing with the same offenders throughout the whole process.   Once having attained all bank details the caller eventually tries to convince the victim to package their bank cards, seal them in an envelope and wait for a courier to arrive and collect.   On occasion the caller also convinces the victim to visit their bank and withdraw substantial sums of cash from their accounts and await further instructions, usually involving a courier as described.   The offenders sound professional, use decoding electronic devices as part of the process and even have automated messages and background music if on hold; it is a sophisticated and well planned operation which gives the impression of being genuine.

If you believe a member of the public is in the process of being defrauded or has been the victim of this type of incident, please contact Devon and Cornwall Police on 101 immediately.

This message relates to Crime Reference 75188/15.   Police are trying to locate the owner of a black 4 door saloon car with a broken driver side wing mirror which was described as hanging off.   The driver was described as having grey hair worn in a pony tail and wanted in connection with an offence that took place in the Seaton area on Thursday 29th October 2015.

Anyone recognising this vehicle and its owner is asked to call the 101 no: email: 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting crime ref 75188/15.

Police Spam Email

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online or by telephone on 0300 123 2040.

Doorstep Crime and Rogue Traders

It is important to know your rights and to raise awareness of this issue.

You have a right to cancel a contract you’ve entered into at home.   Traders must give a consumer a ‘Notice of Right to Cancel’ which allows the consumer a cooling off period of 14 days.

You must also be given written information on how to cancel a contract.   This must contain information on your rights to cancel and is relevant to any contract that you take up in your home over the value of £35.00.

You can cancel a contract after work has started, but only if you are still within the cancellation period.   (This is if you have agreed with the trader to start works before the end of the 14 days cooling off period.   The trader must get the consumer’s written agreement on this early start).

Q: If you spot a couple of men /women up a ladder on your elderly neighbour’s roof, what should you do?
A: Never ignore it. You should speak to your neighbour - and check they are happy with the situation.   It’s good advice to make a note of the description of the workers and their vehicles.

If you have any suspicions or are concerned about door-to-door callers, please call the Police on 101.   If you think a crime is in progress always call 999.

Did you also know:

A trader breaks the law if they visit your home and refuse to leave when requested to do so.
Claiming a product is available for a limited time to pressure a sale, is illegal.
Inaccurately claiming you are at risk if you don’t buy the goods, is illegal.

 

On the evening of Saturday 26th September 2015 a new white BMW 5 series car with blacked out rear windows was seen acting suspiciously in Farringdon.   The male driver was stopping and looking in all the field gateways between Farringdon Church and Farringdon Cross.   We would ask residents to report any further suspicious activity to the police immediately; and ask Farmers and Land Owners to check their gateway security.

Parcel Mule Alert

September 2015: People are being targeted to become “Parcel Mules” as part of a reshipping scam, which results in them handling stolen goods and losing out financially.

Victims are predominantly recruited through job advertisements and dating websites.   They are persuaded to have items delivered to their addresses, and to pay for postage before sending the items elsewhere.   Victims are contacted through Freelancer websites and invited to become a “Freight Forwarder” as an employment opportunity.   The work is advertised as processing packages and forwarding them to clients.

The items being delivered have been purchased through fraudulent means, including the use of stolen/fraudulently obtained cards.   The items being delivered are often pieces of electrical equipment or high value goods such as trainers, perfume and the latest phones.

If you act as a “mule” you are not only handling stolen goods, but also losing out financially.   You will not get paid the promised salary and you pay for the postage and delivery of the packages personally.   Additionally, you will have provided enough of your personal details to allow identity theft to occur.

How To Protect Yourself:

If you, or anyone you know, have been affected by this fraud or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.
 

Assault in Honiton

Police in Honiton are investigating an assault that occurred around 03:30 to 04:00 hours on Sunday 30th August 2015, on Kings Road in Honiton leaving the victim requiring surgery.   The victim was walking down the hill towards the High Street when a vehicle approached him on the opposite side of the road.   The vehicle was travelling uphill away from town - towards Axminster.   Police are investigating the possibility that the victim was injured by an air weapon pellet or 'bb' gun pellet.   The vehicle seen in the area at the time was described as a dark blue or purple colour with blacked out windows, the same length as an estate car - but taller.

Police are appealing to anyone who has any knowledge or information regarding the assault or similar vehicle, to please contact them on the 101 no: or email 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk quoting Police Log 697 30/08/15, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Avoid Being A Victim Of Bogus Websites

Theft of Ride-on Lawnmowers

August 2015:  Somerset is experiencing an increase in thefts of ride on lawnmowers.   In most cases they are being stolen from secure sheds and barns.   We are advising owners to check and review their security - upgrade locks to those with 'Sold Secure' approval.   Be sure to mark your mowers with an approved marking system and to register them with Immobilise.com.   Call 101 to report any suspicious activity and check with any neighbours, who you know have ride on lawnmowers, who may not get this message.

Attempted Break-In

We have been informed about an attempted break-in in Dommett, Buckland St Mary, at 12.30am today, 11 August 2015.   Fortunately it triggered an alarm which was investigated along with large barking dog by which time the would be thieves had fled.   Other than a jemmied hasp & clasp nothing appeared to have been taken.   Tyre tracks in the field indicated they came in a 4x4 with a trailer.   A new heavier duty hasp & clasp is now bolted to the door and the field gate is chained and padlocked.

The police would like to ask everyone to keep an eye out for two suspicious vehicles, one with a trailer, which may or may not be related to the above.   One is a large black pickup and the other a black Range Rover with tinted glass.   The latter was possibly seen driving very slowly past the properties at the top of Dommett a couple of months ago.   If you have any information on these vehicles please let PC Brown 4769 know at Chard Police Station.

Beware of Distraction Thefts

Police have received numerous reports across the Devon and Cornwall area regarding distraction thefts which have occurred in supermarket car parks.   We believe Asian males are targeting lone females engaging them in conversation asking for directions to specific locations.   Having been distracted an accomplice enters the victims car and steals cash or bank cards.   Please lock your cars and keep all valuables and handbags with you if leaving your motor vehicle unattended even for a short time.   We ask you to be vigilant.   If you see any suspicious activity contact the Police immediately noting if you can descriptions of the offenders or registration numbers of vehicles used. Thank you.

Rio 2016 Olympics Lottery Scam

Wine Investment Fraud

Guard Your Properties

Royal Mail Email Scam