Halloween Advice from Gloucestershire Police

Posted on By Admin Officer

Halloween Advice:

Halloween can be a lot of fun for children and young people, but it can also be distressing and intimidating for older people. If you are going to go “trick or treating” please respect and consider others and follow some simple guidelines, that way everyone can have a safe and enjoyable time.

DON’T

  • Go alone – trick or treating is more fun and safer if you go in a small group with friends and family
  • Go into houses – stay on the door step, where a responsible adult can see you
  • Play pranks that may damage property – this could result in arrest and a criminal record
  • Demand money or intimidate people – Halloween can be a night that some neighbours may dread, so be respectful and polite. Observe and comply with any notices declining trick or treaters at the address
  • Don’t throw eggs or flour – it is classed as a criminal offence and you could be arrested

DO

  • Take extra care crossing roads – more accidents occur in the dark
  • Go with a responsible adult – they can help, in case there are any problems
  • Dress to be seen – wear light or reflective clothes, or carry a lamp or torch, so that drivers and your responsible adult can see you
  • Respect other people’s rights – be  polite, do not knock on doors too late. Ring or knock once only and be prepared to take no for an answer

Please enjoy yourself, but remain safe!  For a copy of the poster click here

 

Police Message: Multiple Vehicle & Contents Thefts

Posted on By Pauline

We have receieved a Police alert detailing multiple thefts this weekend.

Please note their advice in bold below.

Kind regards
Cat Crompton, Town Clerk

—

Police have received the following reports:

  • Inc. 443 05/04/19 – Ebrington theft from vehicle with trailer and tools stolen
  • Inc. 503 05/04/19 – Sherborne theft from vehicle parked in NT car park, hand bag stolen
  • Inc. 100 07/04/19 – Northleach theft of a grey Mitsubishi L200 registration WR57 GUW, vehicle contained tools. Stolen with keys.
  • Inc. 102 07/04/19 – Ebrington theft of two vehicles Blue BMW M140 registration LJ67 XVX and a Grey Audi A3 sport registration KS58 AXP both stolen with keys in burglary
  • Inc. 163 07/04/19 – Northleach theft from vehicle tools stolen
  • Inc. 182 07/04/19 – Northleach theft from vehicle tools stolen

Police are advising residents not to leave valuables in vehicles either at isolated car parks or outside their homes. Vehicles have been mainly targeted for tool thefts that cost the owner thousands of pounds to replace.

Also high powered vehicles are being stolen by organised crime groups to use in further crime. Police are advising that keys are not left on show in homes near to where cars are parked on driveways. It is best to either buy a key protection bag for keyless entry cars (available from police stations) or hide the keys.

This is an unusually high number of incidents over the past weekend.

Many thanks,
PC 2201 Nick Westmacott
Stow Neighbourhood Policing Team

National Warnings Issued About Fraudsters

Posted on By Pauline

Dear all,
The following has come from Cotswold District Council. However I am getting a number of alerts in regards fraudulent calls, emails and letters from people pretending to be from TV Licensing, HMRC, local councils, insurance companies and banks. Please read the following and be aware of who is asking you for information.
Kind regards
Cat, Town Clerk

Action Fraud has issued national warnings about fraudsters who are pretending to be from local councils or the HMRC.

People are receiving cold calls and emails about a council tax over payment from individuals who appear to work for a local council. The emails often contain phishing links, which direct the recipient to a website where they will be asked to provide personal data.

Action Fraud has also experienced an increase in the reporting of malicious calls, voicemails, text messages or emails to members of the public which appear to originate from HMRC.

The fraudsters state that as a result of their non-payment of tax or other duty, the victim is liable to prosecution or other legal proceedings such as repossession of belongings to settle the balance but can avoid this by arranging for payment to be made immediately by method such as bank transfer or by iTunes gift cards.

If the victim is hesitant or refuses to comply, the suspect makes a threat such as immediate arrest, bailiffs or – in cases where the victim appears to be of overseas origin – deportation.

Often, the period for which the tax is allegedly due is distant enough to guarantee the victim will have little, if any, paperwork or ability to verify the claims. Once the money is paid the suspects sever all contact.

What you need to do

Always question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information. Just because someone knows your basic details (such as your name and contact details), it doesn’t mean they are genuine. Instead, contact the company directly using trusted methods such as a known email address or phone number.

Listen to your instincts. If something feels wrong then it is usually right to question it. No genuine organisation will ask you to pay taxes, bills or fees using iTunes Gift Cards, or any other type of voucher.

Don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision. Under no circumstances would a genuine bank or some other trusted organisation force you to make a financial transaction on the spot.

Report Phishing attempts. If you receive a call, text or email of this nature and have not lost money, report this as a phishing attempt to Action Fraud.

Attempted Burglary, Midwinter Road On 29 November

Posted on By Pauline

Incident: 211 29/11/18

At around 13:00 on 29/11/18 two unknown males entered a property in Midwinter Road, Northleach via a window. They were scared from the property a dog inside and did not take anything at all. If anyone in the vicinity of Midwinter Road, Tayler Road or The West End has any CCTV or has seen anything at all then we would very much like to speak to you.

Please send me an email via Charlie.Symes @ gloucestershire. pnn. police. uk

I have also heard a few rumours whilst on foot patrol in Northleach that there is a spate of burglaries in the town, this is untrue so there is no need to worry!

PCSO Charlie Symes

—

(Note from the Town Clerk: There have been a number of people reporting on Facebook that someone entered or attempted to enter their properties. These incidents must be reported to the police so they are aware of the issues and can deal with these appropriately in terms of resourcing and reporting).

 

Attempted Break In, Northleach on Monday 12th November

Posted on By Pauline

Message from Neighbourhood Alerts:

At 22:30 on Monday 12/11/2018 we received a report of suspicious activity in the area of Bassett Rd, Northleach which enabled prompt police attendance. Person, or persons unknown stole a JCB from a nearby business and used it to break through the steel doors of a barn. Fortunately due to the prompt action of the member of the public reporting suspicious activity, it appears that the offenders fled the scene before being able to steal anything from the barn.

If you have any information that may relate to this incident, please phone 101 and quote Incident 466 of 12/11/2018.

Robert Hardie (Police, Reception, Stow)

Police Issue Advice to Dog Walkers on Farm Land

Posted on By Pauline

Gloucestershire Police have received calls from concerned farmers regarding dog walkers leaving dog faeces on farm land especially in fields used for livestock. If a dog has worms this can be treated but if cows and sheep pick up the dog worms this cannot be treated and the animals become sick.

The Police are asking dog owners to be responsible and pick up after their dogs in all rural areas and open fields and take the bags to the nearest bin.

The Police have been asked to clarify the following points:

  • The law only covers public areas and footpaths across farm land.
  • The fine of £1,000 is a maximum fine that can be imposed and this is only awarded at court if the dog owner refuses to pay the set fine given by the local authority. This set fine differs from council to council area.
  • The intention is not to single out dog walkers but to raise awareness that if a dog has not been wormed then the dog faeces if ingested by sheep and and cattle can lead to severe illness and stillborn lambs and calves, costing farmers  hundreds of pounds in the loss of their stock.

This message came from PC2201 Nick Westmacott

Cotswold North Local Policing Team