Neighbourhood Watch

Todwick Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter

May 2019

Welcome to all those villagers who have signed up to the Todwick Neighbourhood Watch since our last newsletter in January 2019. We hope that you find these newsletters informative and useful and we always value your information and feedback. We never publish anyone’s name, address or any other private details.

2019 Annual General Meeting

Our Annual General Meeting will take place at 7.30 pm on Thursday, 4th July 2019 at Todwick Village Hall – hall 2 – which is the new one.

Reported crime and issues in Todwick

I recently attended a NHW meeting where the speaker was Dr Alan Billings, the Police & Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire. He covered many topics including one that was raised at the 2018 Annual General Meeting of Todwick Neighbourhood Watch.

Non-emergency calls to the Police can be done by telephone on 101 or on the South Yorkshire Police website on the internet. Much criticism about the delays in answering of these calls was expressed. At least one police authority in the UK has actually closed the 101 facility during night-time. I asked Dr Billings about this issue I was told that around 40% of calls to 101 do not relate to police matters, however it is NOT policy to close our 101 facility at night.

Eight scam telephone calls happen every second

This headline clearly shows that scams are now a part of our daily life. In the last 12 months 63% of us have received a suspicious telephone call and 43% of us have been targeted in the last month.

One of the attempts is to try to get people to transfer money directly into the criminals account. The caller may pretend to be your bank, the police or even a utility company. To the unwary the stories they tell are believable. If you are not expecting the call, do not give any personal details away and most certainly not your bank or card details. ALWAYS find the telephone contact number from your bank or card statement or utility bill. As far as the spam ‘police’ call is concerned it is highly unlikely the police would ring you out of the blue on such a matter. Most certainly call 101 – you may have to wait until answered and seek advice. Alternatively, telephone Action Fraud whose number is at the bottom of this newsletter.

Also beware of automated telephone calls as they may appear to be from your bank as they follow a script that mimics calls from a bank.

From time to time, we receive information from Action Fraud, the National Fraud & Cyber Crime Reporting Service. Since our last newsletter they have alerted us to HM Revenue & Customs where malicious calls, text messages and emails have been sent to members of the public purporting to come from HMRC.

Fraudsters are also using fake Virgin Media emails threatening Automatic disconnection unless you pay there and then. If your bills are up to date, then it has to be a scam. The list goes on and on.

If anyone attempts to make contact firstly DO NOT PANIC. Just because someone knows your basic details, it does not mean that they are who they say they are. Ask awkward questions e.g. can you prove who you are? Ask them to write to you.

LISTEN CAREFULLY and use your instincts. It may be a good idea to keep a notepad and pencil or biro handy to make notes. If it feels wrong, the chances are that it is wrong.

NEVER BE RUSHED into making a decision.

REPORT ANY ATTEMPTS to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Distraction burglaries and other break-ins

Now that the nights are getting lighter and the weather a bit warmer, there will be more outside activity in and around the gardens. Please ensure that if you leave the house, even for a short time, to lock the doors and keep the keys safe.

Make sure there are no windows left open – especially on the ground floor or where they can be reached from a flat roof.

Recycling and rubbish bins are easy to give burglars a ‘leg up’ to higher parts of your home.

Be aware of people who you do not know asking for directions or just wandering around. Whilst you are being distracted, an accomplice may be trying to get into your home.

Never leave keys (house or vehicle) near your outside doors.

Purses & wallets particularly left in kitchens are tempting to thieves. The back kitchen window if one of the favourite points for break-ins.

If you have a burglar alarm, always set it when you go out.

In 2018, in Todwick, there were 18 burglaries and 14 reports of other theft reported to the police. Anyone who has been the victim of these types of crime will know how distressing the aftermath can be. Items stolen, often of sentimental value, damage caused on entry and exit, and also during the offence.

Don’t make it easy for them. If they get away with it once, there is a good chance that they will return for a second (or even a third) attempt when you have replaced your losses.

Bags of things to do

The Todwick Tote bags are currently on sale for £4 from Sheila Pantry, the village newsagents and the village tea shop. All proceeds are to be donated to Todwick Neighbourhood Watch to enable us to continue to provide the service to you free of charge. Many thanks to Sheila for her initiative in this issue. Please buy some.

Just a brief reminder – if your uPVC door locks are not up to the new Euro specifications, please contact Norman for further details on this subject.

Reported issues for January & February 2019

Burglaries	3
Other theft	1
Vehicle crime	2
Public Order	5
Violence and sex	5
Bicycle theft	1
Antisocial behaviour	5

Total 22 issues in 2 months!

Contact information

S. Y. Police non-emergency calls to report crime or give information dial 101.

S. Y, Police / Ambulance / Fire & Rescue emergency dial 999

Crimestoppers to give information about crime (you do not have to give your name) dial 0800 555 111 freephone open Mon-Fri 8 am to 10 pm & Sunday 10 am to 4 pm

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

Streetpride part of Rotherham Borough Council. For most general problems with bin emptying, damaged bins, street lighting, potholes & other problems associated with roads & pavements telephone 01709 336003

Electricity emergency 0800 375 675

Thanks to all the villagers who have provided details of incidents and issues.

Thanks also to Sheila Pantry for ensuring that our village website www.todwick.org.uk shows our newsletters as well as details of upcoming village events and for supporting our village Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

Norman Anderson – chairman.