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LATEST INCIDENTS                                                                                                                                                                             



Dear Watch Member,

Police are urging people using credit and debit cards to take precautions when using their pin numbers.

The warning follows an incident at midday on Sunday 27 June at the Tesco store in Heath Hayes, Cannock.

A woman returned to her car after shopping in the store and put her bag on the passenger seat of her car. She was then approached by a man who placed a map on the bonnet of another car and asked for help with directions. It is believed a second offender then stole the woman's debit card.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to contact Staffordshire Police, quoting reference number 1095 of 27 June.

Fraud investigator at Chase divisional crime bureau, PC Neil Powell, said: "Unfortunately this type of crime, where offenders look over the shoulder of people using their credit or debit cards to see their pin number and then one person distracts a victim while the other steals the cards, is quite widespread nationally.

"We would urge everyone using credit or debit cards in any situation - whether at an ATM, in a store, restaurant or pub, to take precautions when using their cards, ensuring that no one sees you tapping in your pin number.

"Make sure no one is looking over your shoulder and use your free hand to cover over the hand you use to enter your pin.

"Examine an ATM closely to make sure there is nothing stuck in it or in the card slot. If there is, don't use it and report it to your bank and the police.

"When withdrawing cash from an ATM, don't let anyone see how much you've withdrawn and put it immediately in a purse or wallet and place securely in your bag or pocket before moving away from the machine.

"Cancel your card immediately if you have difficulty getting your card out of the ATM or if it is lost or stolen.

If you need to reply by email click on my address here: beverley.rounds@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk.

Regards,
Bev Rounds
Citizen Focus Project Team
Neighbourhood Watch
Email: beverley.rounds@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk
Tel: 01785 232469

Also

Staffs Trading Standards issued the following alert today. Please be aware.

Trading Standards Officers are urging computer users to be wary of spoof emails purporting to be from online retailer Amazon.

The emails purport to be order confirmations for high value items such as televisions, and claim that the said items have been shipped to the recipient's address. They carry a .zip file attachment which opens what appears to be a Word document. However, the said file is in fact malware that will compromise the security of the user's PC.

Officers advise recipients to delete such emails immediately and not to open attachments under any circumstances.

Effective online security is crucial, and users should ensure that their PCs are running up-to-date anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall software. Internet Explorer 6 users should upgrade their browsers without delay, and all users should ensure that their operating systems are kept fully patched by installing published security updates promptly.

Crucially, Internet security software should be supported by user commonsense and awareness of Internet-based threats. For this reason, Officers advise PC users to read up on online security via http://www.getsafeonline.org/. They also advise turning off any ‘auto-preview' features in their email software, and encourage all email users to follow their advice for avoiding email spam (Avoiding Spam).

If you need to reply by email click on my address here: robert.nunn@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk.

Regards,
Rob Nunn
Watch Liaison Officer
Neighbourhood Watch
Email: robert.nunn@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk


 

PLEASE REPORT ALL SUSPICIOUS INCIDENTS IMMEDIATELY TO THE POLICE ON       0300 1234455 or 999 for an emergency situation 

Hopefully, we will not be using this page too much, but should any incidents occur within the village they will be posted here.


Most areas of the Village have a local Group Co-ordinator who keeps them up to date with any relevant information.


The main role of a Group Co-ordinator is to act as the Neighbourhood Watch representative for a small group of residents, being the point of contact to receive information about incidents in your area.  It takes very little time, but can have a very positive effect on your neighbourhood.  Most residents are grateful if someone takes the trouble to do this.


By joining Neighbourhood Watch you are making a positive contribution to help reduce crime in your area.  The likelihood of being seen can act as deterrent against criminal and anti-social behaviour.  As a member of Neighbourhood Watch, you qualify for a discount on your household insurance from most insurance companies.

 

Interested in being a Group Co-ordinator or a would like to be a member please contact Ruth Redgate at:-


Hunnypot Cottage

3 The Square


or 383149


or snipton@yahoo.co.uk


 

Please be aware of a male calling at doors in Elford.  He was a white male, carrying a large black holdall, suggesting he was an ex-offender and trying to sell items from his bag.  He was seen later getting into a red Peugeot car.  Please do not purchase anything from such callers, but inform the local police quoting incident 601 of 19th April.

 

There has also been site of 2 gentlemen trying to sell  items to the elderly in Burntwood.  They were driving a silver hatchback.  Again, do not purchase anything and call 999 immediately.

 

There has also been another suspicious incident on the 19th April a male, 50-60 big build, short balding grey hair, put his hand through a residents letter box in Main Road, Wigginton.  Fortunately he was disturbed and ran off.  If you have any information or are aware of a similar incident, please contact the police, mentioning incident 170.