_____
Monthly Crime Figure Update
As a reminder, we are changing the way we send you the crime figures that you receive every month. In future we invite you to visit https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/your-area/. Simply type in your address in the box at the top of the page you will be taken to your local neighbourhood policing team webpage. This will not only give you the crime figures, but also shows you the members of your local beat team, the local policing priorities and a way of contacting your team. You can also click on a link to see information for other areas of the Avon & Somerset constabulary.
The current figures for June are now available, these are released inline with National figures and as such can and often do take up to 30 days to release.
_____
Police Face Busy Weekend
In a follow-up to the activities of Avon and Somerset Constabulary during the weekend of 17-19 July, please see the attached document to see some of the significant incidents we faced last weekend. Chief Constable Andy Marsh commented on the work of your officers, and how you can help everyone as Covid-19 restrictions are eased.
Attachments: police-face-busy-weekend
_____
Wanted appeal to find Jack Coleman.
Police have issued an appeal to trace a wanted man believed to possibly be in Somerset.
Jack Coleman, 26, is wanted on recall to prison.
He is described as white, with short dark hair, clean shaven, around 6ft and of slim build.
It’s believed that Coleman may be in the Yeovil area.
If you see him please do not approach, call 999 immediately and quote reference number 5220152471. If you have information on his whereabouts that you think may help the police, call 101 and quote the same reference number.
_____
Theft from a Garden Shed.
A garden shed has been broken into in West Rolstone Road, Hewish, WSM on the 21st between 10:30am and 12:15pm. The owner of the shed reported they had gone out between these times and upon returning noticed that the shed had the lock broken off and entry had been gained. Once inside a Blue Mobility Scooter has been stolen from within.
To contact the Police about this incident, please call 101 quoting Reference number: 5220162029 Neighbourhood Watch / Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 Attachments: sheds-and-garages
_____
Chief Constable outlines increasing demand as lockdown eases.
The attached document contains a statement from Chief Constable Andy Marsh, who explains the demand the police faced over the last weekend. Please share this as widely as possible as it provides an insight of some of the things the police have dealt with during just one weekend.
Attachments: chief-constable-outlines-increasing-demand
_____
Somerset Guide to Online Shopping
The current virus situation is just one of the reasons for a huge increase in the number of people doing their shopping online.
ActionFraud has produced a handy guide on how to stay safe when shopping online, and this is attached to this Alert message. Please pass it on to your friends, relatives and neighbours. Attachments: are-you-shopping-online
_____
Update on Weston-super-Mare murder investigation
A provisional trial date has been set for early December for two men accused of the murder of Mikhail Hanid in Weston-super-Mare last month.
Mr Hanid was found seriously injured by officers in Ridgeway Avenue in the early hours of Saturday 27 June. The 47-year-old was taken to hospital in Bristol, but died three days later.
Two men – 30-year-old Samuel Ford and 27-year-old Curtis Ford – have been charged with his murder. They have been remanded in custody and are next due in court on Monday 7 December.
Two men, aged 28 and 31, remain under investigation. No further action is planned following the arrests last month of two other men, aged 30 and 56, in connection with this inquiry.
Detective Chief Inspector James Riccio said: “We continue to investigate what happened but we can confirm we’re reviewing a suggestion since charges were brought that it may have been a racially-motivated incident.
“We would like to reassure everybody that despite this, there is no evidence to suggest there is a heightened risk to any members of the public following this incident. We believe it to be an isolated matter and do not consider Mr Hanid was the victim of a random attack.
“We wish to be as transparent as we possibly can about our enquiries, however as the case is going through the court system, we cannot go into further details at this time for legal reasons as we do not wish to jeopardise the trial, which is provisionally planned for the end of this year.
“We are liaising with SARI and other key partners to assist our local neighbourhood team in managing any concerns within the community arising from what happened a fortnight ago.”
Anyone with information about what happened, and has not yet contacted the police, should call 101 and give reference 5220140603.
_____
Northeast/Somerset Public reminded to report suspicious activity and concerns about vulnerable people
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cullen is reminding people to report suspicious activity and any concerns they may have about vulnerable people. Please read and distribute the attached document and help keep your area safe.
Attachments: report-suspicious-activity-and-concerns
_____
Scam Automated Phone calls (Visa).
Please be aware that one of our schemes has reported another potential scam. This time an automated call from Visa stating a transaction for £299 to Tesco has been authorised and asking for confirmation. The telephone number that called was 02039 669 829.
Several members have reported to have received the same call already.
Should you receive the same call, simply hang up and notify Action Fraud on this number 0300 123 2040 or report it via their website.
_____
Warning after phone fraud in Somerset costs victim £13,000
People in Somerset are being reminded to be vigilant of telephone fraudsters following several reports of scams in the past fortnight.
We’ve been contacted by one person who lost £13,000, while we’ve received four similar reports this month from others. The five victims live in the area around Chard.
In all five cases the victims received calls from scammers posed as police officers from London. They claimed the victims’ money was at risk from a rogue bank employee and asked them to make a substantial withdrawal from their bank, but not tell staff why they wanted to take out such a large amount of cash. Two of the victims hung up on the call and reported the matter to the police.
The other three victims attended their local bank, but in two cases the bank staff felt the circumstances were suspicious and informed Avon and Somerset Police.
In the third instance, the victim took out £13,000 and left the money to be picked up by a male courier, described as white, 5ft 10ins to 6ft, with messy hair – dirty blond to grey hair in colour – dark trousers, dark grey top, logo on the right side and of medium build, with no discernible accent.
The two victims – both women in their 70s – who were prevented from withdrawing the money by their bank, have issued advice to people who may find themselves in a similar situation.
One said: “My advice would be to discuss it with a family member or talk to someone who is close to you before you proceed.”
The second victim said: “I feel very, very stupid. I feel so small, stupid and pathetic.
“I’ve never come into contact with that side of life so it didn’t occur to me that it might be a scam.”
When asked what advice she would give to others who may find themselves in a similar situation, she replied: “Put the phone down and report it to police.”
Neither the police nor the banks will ask you for banking details or PIN numbers on the phone. Similarly, they would never send a courier to collect bank cards or money.
Our message is – don’t discuss your finances with anyone who calls you out of the blue, even if they claim to be a police officer or a representative from a bank fraud department.
Genuine callers will be happy for you to make an appointment to visit them at a bank branch or police station. They will never ask you to withdraw cash on their behalf; arrange for cash to be collected by a courier; ask for details about your bank card; or ask for the PIN on your card.
If you know someone who may be vulnerable to this type of offence, please speak to them and share our crime prevention tips and remind them of the threat from telephone fraudsters.
People who receive a call on their landline and are asked to contact their local police station or bank to verify the caller’s details ideally need to put the receiver down and not touch it for five minutes, just in case the fraudster has kept the line open. Ensure you have a dialling tone before re-using. Ideally use another phone such as a mobile phone or a neighbour’s phone and use 101 to verify the call.
We would also appeal to taxi drivers who are asked to collect parcels – especially from elderly – to be vigilant and contact us if they are suspicious.
DS Louise Sinclair said: “The trusting nature of elderly and vulnerable victims is often preyed on by criminals who target them.
“Under no circumstances should people withdraw cash from their bank accounts as a result of a telephone call, and if you have received a call like this, or ever do so in the future, please do report it so we can put a stop to this crime.
“I can understand why anyone who has lost money to fraudsters in this way may be reluctant to report it because of feeling ashamed or embarrassed, but there is no need to be. We know how devious and cunning these people are.
“Any legitimate bank employee or police officer would never ask you to withdraw money, transfer it to a different account or send a courier to pick up your money. Bank staff will never ask you to reveal your full banking password or PIN and they would never ask you not to tell bank staff why you are withdrawing money.
“Contact your bank immediately if you think you have fallen victim to a scam and report it to Action Fraud.”
Anyone with information about the incidents in Somerset should call 101 and quote reference 5220128467.
More information on protecting yourself from fraud is available on our website and from Action Fraud.
_____
Residential Garage Burglary & Theft from a Garden Shed.
A garage has been broken into in Leedham Road, Locking on the 20th just before 1am. The informant heard a loud bang closely followed by the sound of the garage door swing open, this was then followed by the sound of footsteps running down the road. A member of the household went out to check what had occurred to find the garage door bent and ripped away from the framework. Nothing has been stolen from within.
If you contact the Police about this incident, please call 101 & quote Reference number: 5220134563 or Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, thank you.
22/06/20 9788 AN010 Theft from a Garden Shed.
A garden shed has been broken into in Shiplate Road Loxton, Bleadon on the 21st at around 3 – 4am. The offender has entered 2 sheds, 1 of which has had the lock cut off to gain entry, once inside nothing has been stolen.
If you contact the Police about this incident, please call 101 & quote Reference number: 5220135449 or Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111
_____
THEFT FROM VEHICLE
WESTFIELD ROAD, BANWELL, approximately 3am on Sunday the 14th of June, two males both large build and wearing hoodies were seen on CCTV, breaking into a van, power and hand tools have been stolen.
We suggest when leaving a vehicle remove items that are on display, If possible leave the glove box open to show nothing of value has been left make sure the vehicle is locked, it is a laborious task removing items but there will be a cost and an inconvenience in replacing any stolen items and damaged caused.
If you have any information regarding this incident, contact the Police on 101. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111,
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.
Please quote Reference number 5220131991
______
Another Covid-19 Scam
A phone call has very recently been received by one of our members who has reported this to their local coordinator.
The caller stated they were from the NHS track and trace service and according to their system the member had come into close contact with someone who had tested positive for Covid-19, therefore they needed to self-isolate for 7 days and take a Covid-19 test. (First mistake Isolation is 14 Days)
The member queried who this person was and advised this was confidential, but must take the test in 72 hours. The caller asked for the members address and this was provided and was then asked for a payment card and a one off fee of £500 (Second mistake, they will not ask for payment) as there are penalties for not complying.
Fortunately the member spotted this scam and hung up the phone.
It is important to note:
Contact tracers will never:
• ask you to dial a premium rate number to speak to us (for example, those starting 09 or 087)
• ask you to make any form of payment or purchase a product or any kind
• ask for any details about your bank account
• ask for your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts
• ask you for any passwords or PINs, or ask you to set up any passwords or PINs over the phone
• disclose any of your personal or medical information to your contacts
• provide medical advice on the treatment of any potential coronavirus symptoms
• ask you to download any software to your PC or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet to anyone else
• ask you to access any website that does not belong to the government or NHS
Guidance on NHS Track and Trace can be found here
______
Theft & Handling Stolen Goods.
A car parked on the owners driveway in The Chestnuts, Winscombe has had the Catalytic Converter removed at some point between the 6th and 8th. The owner of the vehicle was alerted to the fact when they went out and started the car and it made a strange noise.
If you contact the Police about this incident, please call 101 & quote Reference number: 5220125245 or Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, thank you.
Attachments: catalytic-converter-theft-prevention
Make A Comment
Comments (0)