Todwick Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter
March 2012
Welcome to all those villagers who have signed up to the Todwick Neighbourhood Watch and to our new street co-ordinator since our last newsletter in December 2011. We hope that you find these newsletters informative and useful and we always value your information and feedback.
BBC1 – Look North Programme – Euro Locks
Recently on the BBC1 “Look North”, there was an article about Euro locks fitted on uPVC doors. If you have any uPVC doors on the outside of your home, this may affect you!
The majority of standard uPVC doors come with a standard lock which can be broken very quickly using every day tools. These standard locks can be snapped in two – they can also be “bumped” which means that the locking mechanism is tricked into thinking the correct key has been inserted in to the lock. South Yorkshire Police tell us that “The vast majority of euro profile locks on existing uPVC doors will be vulnerable and easy to snap.” For anyone with good DIY skills, replacement locks can be easily purchased at a reasonable cost and quickly changed. If you do not wish to do the work yourself we can supply you with the names and contact numbers of local approved locksmiths who will be pleased to quote for this work. Perhaps some of your neighbours may wish to join you to help to reduce any call out charge? We strongly recommend that you have your locks checked as soon as possible. We also have a contact where, subject to certain conditions, there is no call out charge. Please contact Norman for further information.
Suspicious Emails & Telephone Calls
Emails purporting to come from high street banks are still being seen on computers in the village. They may threaten suspension of your bank account or talk about unusual activity on your bank account and tell you to complete a verification process. Please do not respond to them but report the issue to the bank. Similar emails purporting to come from British Telecom and Yahoo have also been seen. Again, these are bogus and should be deleted. Also be aware of undelivered e-mail advices which contain attachments. Another peculiar scam purports to come from American Airlines stating that your flight ticket to Philadelphia or JFK Airport is attached to the email & should be printed immediately. Do not open these attachments as they may contain viruses that could adversely affect your computer. I have also been made aware of unsolicited telephone calls still being received by villagers telling them they have a virus deeply embedded in their computer. Strange, as one of the recipients of these calls does not even own a computer! UK originated nuisance calls can be reported to British Telecom on freephone 0800 661 441 or contact your own telephone supplier for advice.
No Cold Calling Zones
Cold calling continues to be an issue in Todwick. Through Trading Standards and South Yorkshire Police we are currently looking to get De Houton Close & Osborne Road designated as “No Cold Calling” Zones. All the properties on these roads will have received a “Dear Resident” letter from SY Police. These need to be completed and sent to the local council using the freepost envelope provided. If the council do not receive at least a 50% response, your road cannot be classed as a no-cold calling zone. In your own interests we would ask that the forms be completed and sent off as soon as possible. If you would like to take part in this initiative please let me know by letter, telephone, email or just stop me in the street! Currently there is a short delay with implementing this scheme as Trading Standards are moving offices to another building in Rotherham. Dear resident letters will be sent as soon as possible.
Loudspeakers in the Street
With certain exceptions, the use of a loudspeaker in the street to advertise a trade or business is an offence which carries a maximum penalty of £5000. The Police, Fire and Ambulance services are exempt. Also exempt are loudspeakers operated between 12 noon and 7 pm when used to inform that a perishable commodity for human consumption is on sale from the vehicle and when operated so as not to give reasonable cause for annoyance to others in the vicinity. Vehicle horns when operated to give warning of their presence to other traffic have the same caveat about not causing annoyance. Finally vehicle radios, tape and CD players operated for the entertainment of the driver and passengers are exempt and again provided they are not giving reasonable cause for annoyance to others in the vicinity. If you are affected by this problem please let me know as soon as possible. A note of the vehicle registration number could be useful.
Crime Statistics
The crime statistics for Todwick for December 2011, January and February 2012 inclusive, kindly provided by South Yorkshire Police are:
Interference with a motor vehicle |
1 |
Criminal damage to vehicles |
2 |
Theft of motor vehicle |
3 |
Theft from a motor vehicle |
1 |
Burglary – not a dwelling |
1 |
Miscellaneous theft |
1 |
Wounding with intent to do GBH |
1 |
Burglary in a dwelling |
1 |
Anti Social Behaviour |
NONE reported |
Our thanks to all the villagers who have provided details of incidents in the village so we can alert others to these undesirable activities. Thanks also to Sheila Pantry for ensuring our village website shows the newsletters. For further details please contact Norman Anderson (chair)