9788 Press Release, Warning after telephone fraud incidents in Somerset.
We are warning people to be on their guard following two incidents of attempted telephone fraud in the Crewkerne area.
In both incidents no cash was taken but we are concerned that there may have been other victims who have not reported incidents to us.
The victims were contacted by callers purporting to be from Lloyds Bank and advised there was a problem with their bank debit card and they would be sending someone to collect the cards and that a replacement card would be delivered to their home.
In the first instance the card was collected and PiN number provided but fortunately the victim realised their error and alerted their bank.
In the other incident someone visited the victim who refused to hand over their card.
In both incidents the bogus caller was wearing a high visibility jacket.
We are urging people to be vigilant and on their guard to such calls. Banks will never personally attend a home address to collect or deliver cards or important documents, and bank details and personal information – including PiN numbers – should never be disclosed.
Anyone with information, or has been a victim and wants to make us aware should call us.
We would offer the following advice:
Police and banks will never ask members of the public to give out personal details, such as bank account numbers or PIN numbers over the phone or send a courier to collect bank cards or money.
We advise people not to discuss their finances with anyone calling you out of the blue, even if they claim to be a police officer or representative from the bank. Genuine callers will be happy for you to make an appointment to visit them at a branch of the bank or police station.
If you receive what you believe to be a scam/fraudulent call, end it immediately and call your bank or police. Before making a confirmation phone call either Wait five minutes or Use a different phone (eg mobile or neighbour’s phone) in case your line has been locked by the scammer
If you have any doubts about who you are speaking to, ask for identification. Police officers and other official callers will expect you to check their identity. They won’t mind waiting while you do so.
Taxi services and courier companies in the county who have been made aware of the courier fraud offending and continue to pick up ‘packages’ from victims could face prosecution.
We would also appeal to taxi drivers who are asked to collect parcels – especially from elderly.
If you know someone who may be vulnerable to this type of offence, please speak to them and share our crime prevention tips.
If you can help, please call 101and give the call handler the reference number 5219267904
You can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111or via their Anonymous Online Form.
No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court or have to speak to police when contacting Crimestoppers.
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9788, October Crime Figures – AN010
The attached document provides a breakdown of the types of crime that occurred in your area in October 2019.
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7164 FORCEWIDE Suspected Fraud Phone Calls
Please alert any elderly or vulnerable friends, neighbours or relatives to the following scam.
Bath and North East Somerset Trading Standards have been made aware of three residents being contacted by suspected fraudsters who are claiming to be from “Bath Council”, “Safe and Secure” or “Protect Your Home UK”.
The caller say that they are contacting people aged between 50 and 70 to offer home security systems. One resident was offered an ID wrist band for £1, along with a quote for floor sensors which would alert the wristband if there was a flood or fire. The other resident was offered free security equipment, £1 for installation and ongoing maintenance costs to be agreed. Both residents say the caller was extremely convincing. The caller guaranteed that police, ambulance or fire would attend an incident. The telephone number provided to residents does not work and it's believed that this is a SCAM! This may be an attempt to get people’s bank details or to sign residents up to an expensive monthly subscription.
If you have been affected by a similar telephone call, the advice from Trading Standards is to call the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06 or report it online at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/consumer-service/
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9788 Possible Somerset Brexit Scam
There have been reports from people living in the Devon and Cornwall area about a Brexit Scam. Scammers have been contacting people and claiming that the supply of medicines will be affected by the UK leaving Europe and people will have to pay in advance to ensure their prescriptions won’t be affected. The caller will then try to get their bank details. Although this hasn’t happened in Avon and Somerset as yet, it may only be a matter of time before the scammers try our area.
Always be wary of any unexpected callers who ask for your personal or financial information, especially if they are claiming to be from a bank or the tax office. Scammers will always seize on confusion caused by a major event like Brexit to take money from people. If you have any doubts or concerns about a caller, hang up.
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AN010 - Crime breakdown September 2019
Please see the attached document, which shows a breakdown of the different crime type’s that occurred in your beat area during September 2019.
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7164 CN201-CS226, Bristol, Somerset Avoiding Burglaries
We have seen a number of burglaries across the force area where the offenders have targeted homes while the residents are on holiday. There are a number of things you can do to make your home look occupied, which can also be used as the nights are starting to draw in. Please see the attached document for some tips to make your home safer.
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7164 Northeast, Somerset, Bristol - Joint Audit Committee Recruitment
The Avon and Somerset Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC), Sue Mountstevens, wishes to appoint three independent members to sit on the Joint Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable Audit Committee. As part of this volunteer role members will be examining inspection reports, by internal and external auditors, on matters including governance, key systems of control, asset management, people, data management and finance within these two organisations. They will also be directly advising the PCC and Chief on risk management. Therefore, experience and understanding of risk management and audit activity would be particularly valuable.
This vital work will help the Police & Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police to adhere to the best governance practices in their roles overseeing policing in our area and discharging their statutory responsibilities. The committee is an important, independent means of enhancing public trust and confidence in the governance of the office of the Police & Crime Commissioner and Avon and Somerset Police.
Further information about the role, and application pack documents are available from the PCC website which can be accessed by following the link below. The closing date for applications is 12 noon on the 9th October 2019.
To download an application pack please visit https://www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk/Take-Part/Joint-Audit-Committee-Independent-Member.aspx or contact the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner on 01278 646 188.
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AN010 - Crime breakdown August
Please see the attached document, which shows a breakdown of the type of crime that occurred in your beat area in August 2019.
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AN010 - Crime breakdown June and July
Please see the attached document, which shows a breakdown of the type of crime that occurred in your beat area in June and July 2019. I apologise for the delay in sending out the June figures.
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Emergency Services Open Day - Somerset
We delighted to announce that this year’s Emergency Services Open Day will take place on Sunday 15 September at Police & Fire HQ from 10.30am-4pm.
This is our opportunity to showcase the incredible work we do, and how we work alongside other emergency services in Avon and Somerset to keep our communities safe.
This year the programme of events will include displays from Avon and Somerset’s Police Dog, Mounted and Firearms section as well as car cutting and search and rescue demonstrations from Avon Fire & Rescue.
Younger visitors are invited to join the Major Crimes team and become a detective for the day. They will be able to visit a crime scene, investigate the evidence and then find out if their hard work has paid off when the offender is revealed at the end of the day.
Beyond the Constabulary and Avon Fire and Rescue Service representatives from Mountain Rescue, HM Coastguard, British Red Cross, RNLI and Wessex 4 x 4 will be at the event.
How can I attend the event?
• Open Day tickets are free and will be available from 1pm on Monday 22 July from http://www.emergencyservicesopenday.co.uk
Tickets will be available on a first come, first served basis and you will be able to buy up to 6 tickets per order. There are no priority tickets for Avon and Somerset employees.
• We will be releasing further tickets in two batches later this summer. We’ll announce release dates for tickets on the website http://www.emergencyservices.co.uk and social media
• If you have any enquiries about the Open Day please email OpenDayMailbox@avonandsomerset.police.uk but please note the only way to order tickets is using the Eventbrite link on the Open Day website.
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AN010 May Crime Figures
The attached document provides information on the number and type of crime that occurred on your Beat Area in May.
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AN009-AN015 Witness Appeal: Man Injured at Birnbeck Pier
At 12.30am on Sunday 2 June police in Weston-super-Mare were alerted to an injured man at the bottom of a cliff by Birnbeck Pier. The officers provided first aid and alerted the ambulance service. The injured man was recovered with the support of the Coastguard and taken to hospital by air ambulance, where he remains in a critical condition. His family are aware.
Officers are carrying out investigations to establish what happened and are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area of the Birnbeck Pier around midnight on Saturday 1 into Sunday 2 June. Police are particularly interested in hearing from the person who approached the emergency services at the time, crucially allowing for a quick response to the injured man. If you were there, or have any information about what happened, please contact us through http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact, or by calling 101, quoting reference 5219122045. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Motorbike Thefts - North Somerset
Please can all Moped & Motorbike owners be extra vigilant and take extra security when it comes to locking their bikes. We are aware of a group of youths riding around the area looking to steal mopeds or motorbikes in the afternoon and evenings.
If anyone sees a group of three or four mopeds riding around acting suspicious could they please call 101 to report it, if you see a crime happening please dial 999.
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AN001-AN015 Witness Appeal: Weston-Super-Mare Incident
We’re appealing for witnesses following an incident in Weston-Super-Mare.
On Thursday afternoon 23 May, at about 1.10pm a man took hold of a toddler in the Summer Lane ponds area. The boy was with his mother at the time.
The man is described as a white man of slim build, about 5ft 10ins tall, wearing blue jeans and a distinctive light blue hooded top with white patches, similar to a tie-dye effect. He is thought to have left and headed in the direction of the car park at the entrance to the ponds area near Summer Lane.
We’re keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident who may be able to help us with our enquiries or who recognises the man. Officers have been patrolling the area to provide reassurance and receive any information on the incident in order to piece together what happened.
If you can help, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5219114866. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
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7164 AN001-AN015, AE016-AE037, CN201-CS226 Telephone Scams
There have been a number of telephone scams reported recently. Once again HMRC has been used, where the caller says that they are from the Tax Office and that you owe money and a warrant has been issued for your arrest. Another scam currently going around is for someone claiming to be from BT saying that there is a problem with your internet. This one seems to be centre on giving them control of your computer to allow them to see if everything is in order. Once they have control they may demand an astronomical fee to solve the alleged “problem” or want a regular monthly payment to ensure everything stays in order. This type of ransom scam may also makes you vulnerable to viruses looking for financial information.
If you receive any form of phone call from someone you don’t know, never give them any personal or financial information and never let them take control of your computer. If you have any concerns, hang up the phone immediately. If you are still worried, contact the company the scammer claims to be from to check the validity of their claim. Use the phone number from an old bill or written communication or use the telephone directory. NEVER use a phone number given to you by the caller as it will go to an accomplice or to a premium price phone line.
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7164 AN001-AN015 Press Release: Worle Incident Update
The investigation into an incident in Worle in which two men have been arrested on suspicion of causing an explosion is continuing.
The Royal Engineers Search Team have now completed searches at two residential premises – in Appletree Court, Worle and Forth Avenue in Portishead. Police officers completed these searches on Wednesday 15 September. There continues to be no risk to the wider public and the incident is not being treated as terrorism or domestic terrorism related.
A device was recovered by the Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit (EOD) yesterday in a lane at Appletree Court, which we believe was responsible for the loud bangs heard by residents. It was made safe and no further devices were found or are suspected to exist.
DI Rich Horsfall said: “We’d like to reiterate our thanks to the public for their support through yesterday’s disruption. The cordons are now confined to the two properties to allow for police-led searches to take place, so the impact on the wider public should be minimal.
“We’d also like to thank all the agencies who’ve supported our investigation, including the EOD which provided specialist skills and expertise.
“We’re continuing to question two men, aged 20 and 21, and they remain in custody at this time.”
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AN010 - Crime breakdown April
Please see the attached document, which shows a breakdown of the type of crime that occurred in your beat area in April 2019.
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7164 AN001-AN015 Missing Motorbikes
Please see the attached document to read about some motorbikes that were stolen from Winford during the night of Sunday 14 April. They are still missing at the time of sending this message.
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