Neighbourhood Watch

Todwick Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter

September 2018

Welcome to all those villagers who have signed up to the Todwick Neighbourhood Watch since our last newsletter in June 2018. 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.

Traffic in the village

The volume of traffic travelling through Todwick appears to be rising. This has resulted in a number of complaints about speed, parking on pavements and on double yellow lines, air pollution and noise. We have managed to get a vehicle triggered 30 mph slow down sign erected on Kiveton Lane, but this is on a temporary loan basis. A speed gun session has also been requested and agreed. Please keep your speed down. Should anyone want to speak to the Police on this, or any other matter there is a drop-in session every Thursday from 1 pm to 2 pm at Kiveton & Wales Village Hall. The room is just behind the reception desk by the front door.

Uninsured vehicles

In April 2018, the Police carried out an operation in the Aston / Swallownest area which resulted in an uninsured car with false number plates, being taken off our roads and destroyed.

Scam emails

The latest warnings to appear about scam emails concern fake LinkedIn emails. They claim your media profile has appeared in multiple searches. It then provides links you can click to get further details. Unfortunately these lead to malicious websites. Fake British Gas refund emails claiming to offer refunds. Again there are links to malicious websites trying to harvest your personal details. Some scams are more worrying where a ‘hitman’ states he will cause violence to the email recipient unless a quantity of “bitcoin” is paid. This is a national issue and these emails are sent out at random. You are advised not to respond to these communications as by so doing it shows that your email address is active. Do not give any money, card details or personal information. If you have transferred any money or given out account details, immediately contact your bank and the Police on Tel 101.

Computer software service fraud

We have been advised by Action Fraud that there has been a perceived rise in people being coerced into making a fee payment for fake malware protection service. Sometimes this will take the form of a cold call or even a ‘pop up’ on their computer. Under no circumstances should you allow remote access to your computer and do not be rushed into a decision. Listen to your instincts.

Door knocking

In July we were advised by the Police that an individual is door knocking offering discounted alcohol. They take a deposit and never return. You are advised to ask for identification if someone who you do not know calls at your home and then make the usual checks.

The “Alert” System

As Todwick Neighbourhood Watch does not hold monthly meetings, the dissemination of information can get slightly delayed. This was the first decision made by public request when the Watch was restarted in July 2006.

As such the Police have come up with a computerised alert system for any member who would like to be kept up to date. Once you have registered, from time to time you will receive an email from the Police advising you of issues that may affect our area. To register google alert@neighbourhoodalert.co.uk where you will find the instructions.

AGM follow up

At our July AGM, several attendees raised the issue about the poor response / answering times for non-emergency telephone calls on 101. I have now had a written reply from Dr Alan Billings, the Police & Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire. In 2017 there were over half a million calls on 101 and 240,000 calls on the emergency 999 and the numbers are rising year on year. They acknowledge that the current telephone system is insufficient for this rising trend. Work is underway to introduce a new system called Smart Contact. Details of how the system will work are currently not disclosed, but the letter indicates that a call back facility is likely to form part of the system to save waiting time. In the meantime we are being encouraged to report non-emergency items on line using www.southyorks.police.uk
Further updates will be available as soon as we are made aware of them.

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.

Crime statistics for Todwick

Total reported issues in Todwick for May, June and July 2018 are:

Burglary	8
Vehicle crime	2
Violence and sex	4
Antisocial behaviour	5
Criminal Damage & Arson	1
Public Order	1
Robbery	1
Other theft	3

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.

Many thanks to all the villagers who have contributed to our quarterly newsletters. Also many thanks to all the 22 street co-ordinators who have delivered them.

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