Neighbourhood Watch

Todwick Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter

December 2012

Welcome to all those villagers who have signed up to the Todwick Neighbourhood Watch since our last newsletter in September 2012. We hope that you find these newsletters informative and useful and we always value your information and feedback.

Christmas Shopping

There has been a high incidence of thefts of bags and purses whilst out shopping in markets and supermarkets. Ask yourself whether someone could take your purse, handbag, wallet, keys or mobile phone when you are looking at goods either inside or outside a shop or market stall? If you put your bag in a trolley, do not turn your back on it. Ensure any shoulder bag is securely fastened and the opening flap is towards you. Thieves look just like anyone else in a busy place, so don’t leave yourself vulnerable to being a victim.

Scams – Emails – Letters – Phone Calls – Unexpected Gifts

We bring to your attention the latest scams and tricks to try to “extract” money from you. Be very aware if you receive a recorded call about mis-sold loan insurance from 0121 4690045. This is a genuine BT number which has been high-jacked by an overseas caller.

Be aware if a delivery van brings you an unexpected basket of flowers and /or wine. They may ask for a “delivery charge” of £3 to prove it was delivered to you. They will not accept cash, only a debit or credit card. Please be on your guard.

Mobile phones are also being used to make contact with you by text about supposed loan protection refunds, frozen pensions and more recently preapproved loans. Whilst most of the callers do not try to hide their mobile number, they will not answer if you return the call. Numbers recently seen are +4475 57856654, +4477 47584621, 07979 251536. If you are receiving nuisance calls either by text or voice message, please contact your phone provider for further help.

Rotherham Neighbourhood Watch

Jason Harwin, the Borough Commander of South Yorkshire Police, gave a very informative talk recently about the issues of policing in the Borough of Rotherham. Briefly over the next 2 years, the police authority has to save some £2 million – quite a challenge for the force. Generally crime is reducing except burglary which is going up mainly at sheds, garages & shop premises particularly hairdressers. Violent crime without injury is also a cause for concern. 22% of houses burgled were insecure. 17% of cars broken into were insecure. One other issue that was raised was the lack of feedback from the Police to complainants – this we were assured was being addressed. The underlying message of the meeting was that if crime and incidents are not reported, then the Police do not know and cannot do anything about the problem. The contact telephone numbers are at the bottom of this newsletter. If you are in any doubt whether to report an issue, please contact Norman.

No Cold Calling Zones

Since our last newsletter, Guildway and Mill fields in Todwick have been nominated to join the “No Cold Calling Zones”. Residents have been leafleted and a 50% return of the questionnaire is needed for the roads to be accepted into the scheme. We are looking to bring more roads into the scheme in early 2013. The no cold calling scheme is actively supported by South Yorkshire Police, Citizens Advice Consumer Service [ex Consumer Direct] and Trading Standards. If you feel that you and your neighbours would benefit from being part of this free scheme, please let me know. Remember it is a free service. If we can eventually get a large proportion of the village onto this scheme, it will help to reduce the number of cold calls to your home. Action by Trading Standards will be taken against persistent cold call offenders.

A New Communication System

We have been advised that a new communication system is being set up by South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Neighbourhood Watch. It is open to ALL members of Todwick Neighbourhood Watch. If you would like to receive urgent messages directly, rather than wait for quarterly or interim newsletters, then this system may be for you. The means of communication available are – telephone, text, mobile or email. I must stress that newsletters will continue to be produced if you do not wish to take part in this exercise. If you would like any further information, please contact Norman. For those co-ordinators already on the “Speak easy” telephone system, this will be a replacement.

Contact Information

SY Police for non-emergency calls, to report a crime or give information dial 101

Crimestoppers to give information about crime (you do not have to give your name) dial 0800 555 111. Open Mon–Fri 0800 to 2200 hrs, Sat–Sun 1000 to 1600 hrs

Action Fraud this is a government run reporting centre for fraud. Calls can be made to 0300 123 2040 anonymously or text on 0300 123 2050

Street pride – part of the Borough Council. For most general problems with bin emptying, damaged bins, street lighting, potholes & other problems associated with roads and pavements. 01709 336003

Crime Statistics

The crime statistics for Todwick for September, October & November 2012 inclusive, kindly provided by South Yorkshire Police are as follows:

Burglary dwelling	2 + 1 attempted
Burglary other	4 + 1 attempted
Motor vehicle theft	1
Theft from motor vehicle	3
Miscellaneous theft	4
Anti social behaviour	0

Thanks to all the villagers who have provided details of incidents & issues in the village. Thanks also to Sheila Pantry for ensuring our village website www.todwick.org.uk shows our newsletters. For further details please contact Norman Anderson (chair)

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR