Latest News – Page 2 – Rutland Neighbourhood Watch

Doorstop Tea-towel sellers.

On Tuesday evening 12th February, a pair of unduly persistent young men with North East accents (said to be from Middlesborough), visited most houses in Main Street, Belmersthorpe, area trying to sell tea-towels, dusters etc.

Most of these itinerant sellers, usually men, operate in teams and are usually dropped off from a mini bus, are illegal (they should have a pedlars certificate from their local Chief Cconstable in this case Teeside Police). It is strongly suspected the visits are used as a means of checking an area for later criminality. Whilst it must always be your decision, you are strongly urged not to buy items. Ask to see a pedlers certificate and read it, they often produce any card.

Should you see the men using a vehicle, please obtain the index number and pass it to the local Police. On this occasion a white minibus van was seen nearby. The number has been taken and passed to local Police.

Don’t let scammers fool you – stay a step ahead

Be A Step Ahead From The Scammers Don’t Let Them Fool You

Dear Members

Scammers use clever techniques to part people from their money and gain their personal details that are then used to commit fraud. Trading Standards has some tips as to how you can avoid becoming a victim of scams and protect your personal and financial information.

• Don’t assume those contacting you, whether that is over the phone, by e-mail or in person, are genuine, even if they tell you information about yourself or show you some kind of identify card that looks ‘official’. Contact the organisation they claim to be from to check they are genuine using the details on their website rather than any the caller gives you
• Remember, a genuine organisation will never ask you for security details such as your PIN or passwords. If you’re not 100% sure who you are talking to, DON’T give out ANY personal or financial information, even if you are told you have been a victim of fraud or a scam.
• Be confident to refuse unusual requests for your personal or financial information. Don’t be afraid to end conversations you’re not comfortable with.
• Sign up to the Mail Preference Service (0207 291 3310) and Telephone Preference Service (0345 070 0707) to stop unwanted e-mails and telephone calls
To report a trader to Trading Standards or for consumer advice contact Citizens Advice on 03454 040506. You can also report non-emergency matters to your local Police on 101.

Furthermore Severn Trent Water has recently advised us that they can setup a password if anyone has to attend your premises. This is obviously to reduce the fraudsters faking they are from the company cold calling at your door and to reduce Distraction Burglaries. Only the owner will know the password and so should the ‘real’ staff from Severn Trent Water.

Stay Safe

PCSO Ali Haq
Wigston Police Station

Rutland NHW Brief

Rutland Neighbourhood Watch Brief

RUTLAND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH BRIEF
Local Crime Alert
Since the last Neighbourhood watch brief we have had one report of criminal damage in Alpine Close, Oakham. Unknown person(s) have smashed rear vehicle window. This incident occurred between 16/01/2019 23:00 & 17/01/2019 11:30.
One report of the attempted theft of lead from St Botolphs Church in Main St, Wardley. Unknown person(s) have attempted to remove lead from the Knave. This incident occurred between 01/01/2017 12:01 & 18/01/2019 11:54.
One report of the attempted theft of a vehicle in Welland Way, Oakham. Unknown person(s) have attempted to force door lock. This incident occurred between 17/01/2019 22:00 & 18/01/2019 07:30
Events
Beat Surgery at Uppingham Town Hall on 29^th January between 18:30 & 19:30.
Beat Surgery at Oakham Town Hall on 6^th February between 10:00 & 11:00.
Beat Surgery at Ryhall Post Office on 14^th February between 10:00 & 11:00.
Beat Surgery at Barrowden Community Shop on 23^rd February between 11:00 & 12:00.
Latest News
Transforming our online services
As more and more people use the internet in their daily lives there is an expectation that organisations will offer their services online. We are improving our service to the public by enabling members of the public to do more online.
The Single Online Home (SOH) is a national website that offers the public an easy to use digital platform where they can communicate effectively with their local police. To date, 40 forces have signed up to the platform meaning we can offer a range of nationally consistent online services to the public but with our own local identity. It will allow the public to do everything they can do via 101, through an online channel.
The SOH will be delivered over three phases, starting in January 2019 and finishing in March 2019 with a new force website – moving it from a repository for news and information to a more customer-friendly format built around demand and online services.
Kids & Teens – New information zone for kids and teens. Lots of advice and information for Young People of all ages, Teachers, Professionals & Parents and Carers. https://leics.police.uk/advice-and-information/kids-and-teens
Online thanks and complaints service – Your feedback helps to shape us. So whether you’d like to say thanks or make a complaint we’d like to hear from you.
https://www.service.police.uk/fo/feedback/tc/thanks-and-complaints/?frc=33
Report a road traffic incident – If you’ve been involved in a road traffic collision, or think you might have witnessed an offence on the roads, find out how to report it using our simple online tool. Just answer the quick questions below to make sure we give you the right advice and gather all of the relevant details.
https://www.service.police.uk/ro/report/rti/report-a-road-traffic-incident/?frc=33
Anyone with information about a crime in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland can call Leicestershire Police by dialing 101 (calls cost 15p) or call Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Trading Standards report on Rogue Traders

Trading Standards Advice On Rogue Traders

Dear Members

Now that winter has arrived, Trading Standards would like to remind residents of some of the steps they can take if approached on the doorstep by traders offering home repairs as well as being clear about their legal rights.
• If in doubt, don’t open the door. Ask a family member or friend to make some enquiries about the business on your behalf.
• Be wary of those who cold-call at your door – they could be a rogue trader. Never forget that you can close the door and end any conversation you are uncomfortable with
• Get as much information about the business as you can before you make a decision to have work carried out. Don’t be rushed into agreeing to any work. Obtain quotes from elsewhere if you think work is required on your home before making a decision.
• Remember that consumers have a 14 days cooling off period to cancel contracts made in their homes. If the business won’t give information about these rights they may be a rogue trader.
• If you decide to have work carried out never pay cash up front and never let the trader take you to the bank to withdraw any money.
• If you suspect a rogue trader calling at your door dial 101. In an emergency call 999. You can also report Rogue doorstep callers please to Trading Standards on 03454 040506