Neighbourhood Watch

Todwick Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter

September 2019

Welcome to all those villagers who have signed up to the Todwick Neighbourhood Watch since our last newsletter in May 2019 and to our two new co-ordinators. We hope that you find these newsletters informative and useful and we always value your information and feedback and questions. We never publish anyone’s name, address.

Please read the following report very carefully

Anyone with a telephone can be a victim of fraud without you realising it – until it is too late. If you get a telephone call that you are not expecting telling you it is the Police or your bank or any other official sounding organisation calling you, PLEASE do not respond on that call. You have the option to cut the call at that stage. Or listen carefully and make notes of what is said. The call may even be threatening if you do not do what the caller is telling you. STAY CALM. If you are unsure what to do, please ring someone who you know and trust for advice on how to deal with it. Fraudsters are convincing in their work. They will try to persuade & convince you that you are at risk. If you follow their advice – you could well be at risk. Phone a trusted neighbour, a friend, a close relative, or by using a phone number from a bill – even phone the actual company concerned. KEEP CALM. There are some phone numbers at the end of this newsletter for emergencies and help.

2019 Annual General Meeting

Our Annual General Meeting took place on Thursday 4th July 2019 at Todwick Village Hall. Thanks to all those who came. If you would like a paper copy of the meeting, please telephone me.

Change of my email address

To make communication by email quicker and easier, can you please use the following address. todwick.nhw621@btinternet.com (please note the full stop between ‘k’ and ‘n’).

Safety in the Home – Part one: Unlocked doors & windows

With the warm weather, it is tempting to leave windows & doors open. If you are sitting or working in the garden, it is good practice to lock any doors and windows that are not in your sight. If you go out, please ensure all means of access to your home are locked, it only takes a minute. Opportunist crimes – sneak thefts & distraction burglaries – take very little time to commit. Don’t leave yourself open to being a victim of crime.

Safety in the Home – Part two: Free fire checks & smoke alarms

It is some time since we mentioned the FREE Home Fire Safety checks carried out by South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue. Their phone number has changed to 0114 253 2314 for you to book a visit. On their visit they will also look at your smoke alarm and renew it if necessary – free of charge. If you are hard of hearing, please make this known to the fire official in charge of the visit as there are special facilities available.

Safety in the Home – Part three: Carbon monoxide alarms

If you have one of these alarms, ask yourself – is it still working? How long is it since it was checked? Is it 5 years old or older? If so, it may need replacing as they have a limited life span. Carbon monoxide is an invisible gas with no smell or taste. It is produced by incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels (including gas, oil, wood, petrol or coal.) If you use any of these fuels, you may be at risk. Whilst many DIY stores sell them, I have a small supply if you need one urgently. Please telephone me.

Safety in the Home – Part four: It’s time to go......... for a sleep

Do you have a bedtime routine? Are you sure all the doors are locked? Did you remember to turn the cooker off? Have all electrical appliances that are not needed been turned off – even the TV? For you computer buffs, has your desktop / laptop / printer been turned off? Never underestimate what could happen when you are asleep.

For a brochure on Fire Safety, please contact me.

For anyone aged over 65 there is a facility of a home visit by fire service staff which can offer a broader range of advice. This can cover lowering fire risk, signposting to provide health information, identifying cold homes and looking at efficiency reviews & access to benefits, reduction in slips, trips & falls and finally advice about crime prevention and cold calling. Now, I think that is a fairly comprehensive set of ideals? Telephone South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue on 0114 253 2314.

Keeping your personal details safe and secure

By law, we are all required to complete the council form of Register of Electors. There are 2 registers. One is the FULL legal requirement where everyone is listed. The second one is one which is available to any member of the public who wishes to buy it. If you feel so inclined, you could even buy it. This means that your name and your address is available to – well – anyone. BUT you have an option to opt out of this which you must declare to the local council. We advise this course of action for your data safety.

Register with the Telephone Preference Service. This should cut down on the number of unsolicited sales calls you get......... but does not cut down on those who ignore your preference not to be contacted by telephone. So be very aware of to whom you are giving out your telephone number, your name and address, even your age. Product guarantees? Be aware of your legal rights without giving away unnecessary personal details. These days the harvesting of your personal details is big business, profitable business and you are at the receiving end of it. BE AWARE.

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.

Please remember Todwick Neighbourhood Watch is provided free of charge to all those who wish to be members. We appreciate all support given to us to continue this service to you.

Finally, just a brief reminder – if your uPVC door locks are not up to the new Euro specifications, please contact me for further details and contacts on this subject.

Reported issues for March to June 2019 inclusive

Burglaries	2
Criminal Damage & Arson	1
Other theft	2
Vehicle crime	6
Public Order	2
Violence and sex	6
Antisocial behaviour	5

Total 24 issues in 4 months!

Contact Information

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

S. Y. Police / Ambulance / Fire & Rescue EMERGENCY ONLY dial 999

Crimestoppers to give information about crime (you do not have to give your name) dial 0800 555 111 freephone

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

Gas emergency 0800 111 999

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.

Thanks also to Cream Creative for their professional services in printing your newsletter.

Norman Anderson – chairman.

Watch out for the next newsletter.