Thames Valley Police Alerts

2024 Crime and Community Survey

Today sees the launch of our annual survey looking at your experience of crime and your connection to your local community. The data from the survey goes into a report which we publish on the website, and use to help prioritise our work.

This year we're working with academic staff at the University of Northumbria who have provided some optional questions at the end of the survey related to health. This is linked to their studies on fear of crime and health outcomes.

The survey takes about ten minutes to complete, and if you can spare the time, we really hope that you will make your views known to us - it really is appreciated! 

Take the survey now: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XS85JK5

If you have witnessed a crime or suspicious activity, especially in relation to dwellings, driveways or gardens, please report it to us. 

As additional ‘eyes and ears’ within the community, you can help us to reduce crime, and make communities safer by knowing what to report and how to report it. The police will take your report seriously and check out the situation. What you see and report may be invaluable to an investigation, could prevent crime and potentially save lives.

Suspicious activity can refer to any incident, event, individual, vehicle, or activity that seems unusual or out of place. Some common examples of suspicious activities include: Strangers loitering in your neighbourhood looking at houses, driveways and gardens, a vehicle cruising the streets repeatedly or someone peering into cars and windows or trying to open them.

Please note down descriptions of individuals and details of vehicles, and any occupants, if it is safe to do so. 

We all know that 999 is the phone number for emergencies, but what makes a situation an emergency? There are two questions to ask yourself to determine whether or not your call is an emergency.

 Is a life in danger?

Protecting life is the number one priority for the police, NHS, ambulance and fire services. Every emergency service worker will dedicate themselves to protecting lives.

If there is a real possibility that someone could lose their life or be seriously injured if they don’t receive help immediately, then you need to call 999.

Is a crime in progress?

As the police, we really like to be able to catch criminals in the act.

As well as potentially preventing the crime being committed, someone being hurt and items being stolen, it is also the very best evidence we can get to prove that someone has committed the crime.

You can help us do this by calling 999 when the crime is taking place and if criminals have just left the scene of a crime.

Once criminals have left the scene, we may still send police officers, PCSOs or a member of police staff out to investigate the crime, as this is at the very heart of policing. But, if time has passed, there may no longer be a need for us to get there immediately, so you should call us on 101 or report it online at www.thamesvalley.police.uk

Depending on the crime, we will send someone from the right team out to speak with you as soon as we can, or arrange a time to visit that suits you or you may get a call from one of our investigation teams to discuss the incident over the phone.

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, please use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS service.

Reports are dealt with by our control room in exactly the same way whether you report them online or by telephone. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on free phone 0800 555 111. 

Thank you for helping us combat crime in your neighbourhood. 

Action Fraud is warning savers to stay vigilant and protect their pensions and investments from fraudsters trying to trick people out of their lifetime savings, as new data reveals £17.7 million lost to pension fraud last year with an average loss of £46,959 per person. Thames Valley Police saw a total reported loss of £737,591 across 20 cases. 

Detective Inspector Duncan Wynn of The Central Fraud Unit, said: “Pension fraud can not only cause life changing large financial losses, but it also serves to shatter lifelong dreams and goals with many having to alter their plans for later life. Fraudsters will present as ‘experts’ with your best interests at heart, but their number one goal is always to leave you out of pocket. Always seek advice, being pressured or rushed is a sure sign something is not right. Do not be afraid to challenge, this is your money you have worked for, and you have every right to say no. 

Claire Webb, Acting Director of Action Fraud, said: “Criminals will go to great lengths to trick anyone out of their money, in this case, it’s someone’s lifesavings at risk. Losing any sum of money saved for retirement can be devastating. “Prevent a fraudster from taking away the hard-earned cash you’ve put towards your retirement by protecting your pension and investments and doing the research on who you’re dealing with before making any big changes. “Avoid pension opportunities offered out of the blue, like pension reviews or too good to be true investment opportunities. Don’t let anyone rush you into making big decisions and seek advice from an independent professional service or trusted family and friends.” 

Pension fraud often includes free pension reviews, too good to be true investment opportunities, pension transfer opportunities, or offers to help release money from your pension , even if you’re under 55. which is generally not permitted and can lead to you incurring penalty charges. 

Steve Smart, Joint Executive Director of Enforcement and Market Oversight, at the Financial Conduct Authority, commented: “It doesn’t matter the size of your pension pot, scammers will target anyone to destroy their retirement dreams so it’s vital that consumers know how to protect themselves. “The best way to protect yourself is to know who you’re dealing with. Always check the FCA Register to make sure that anyone offering you pension advice, or any other financial service is authorised by the FCA to perform the service they are providing for you, and that the details they are providing are the same as those on the Register. “Unexpected and unsolicited offers, free pension reviews, promises of high returns which sound too good to be true and pressure to make a decision quickly are all warning signs of scam. Use the information and tools on the FCA Website to protect yourself and your retirement.

How can you protect yourself? Here are some steps to protect yourself fraudsters trying to get your pension. 

• Unsolicited communication about your pension: if you get a call out of the blue (a cold call) about your pension, the safest thing to do is hang up. It’s illegal and probably a fraudster. 
• If you get offers via email or text, you should simply ignore them. Seek advice first: if you’re thinking about changing your pension arrangements, you should get financial advice beforehand. If you want to find an adviser, make sure they’re authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Never take advice from the company that contacted you, this may be part of the scam. 
• Investment opportunities: don’t be rushed into making an investment. Remember, legitimate organisations will never pressure you into investing on the spot. You should treat investment opportunities with extreme caution if there’s: 

Pressure to invest (eg time-limited offers); Downplayed risk of losing your money; or Promised returns that sound too good to be true. 

For more information on pensions, please visit: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/ 

What to do if you have been a victim: 

• Report it
• If you’re worried about a potential scam, or you think you may have been contacted by a fraudster, report it the Financial Conduct Authority. Call them on 0800 111 6768 or use the contact form to get in touch. 

• If you have made a payment: inform your bank as soon as possible, they can help you prevent any further losses. Monitor your bank statements regularly for any unusual activity. 

Retailers and shoppers urged to ‘Shop a Shark’ and report postcard ads for loans.

The Public Protection Partnership (Trading Standards) are urging people across Bracknell Forest, and Wokingham to ‘shop a shark’ by reporting postcards advertising loans in a new national campaign to crack down on illegal lenders.

Anyone who spots such an advert in a shop window or on a community noticeboard is being asked to report it to the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) to investigate.

If the person behind the ad is found to be offering loans whilst not registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), action will be taken. 

A person who lends money and charges interest without authorisation from the FCA is acting illegally. 

They do not comply with the strict rules that protect borrowers and they charge whatever interest they choose.

Sometimes they use threats, intimidation and violence to make sure repayments are made and can make life a misery for vulnerable borrowers, trapping them in a cycle of debt.

The IMLT, also known as Stop Loan Sharks, is a national organisation dedicated to investigating and prosecuting loan sharks and supporting borrowers.

Dave Benbow, head of the IMLT, said: “Illegal lenders will often pretend to be a friendly face at first, offering a favour to someone who needs to borrow money, often a small amount, at short notice.

“On the surface, these postcard ads might appear to be someone offering a service to the local community but in reality the person behind the ad may be a vicious predator, targeting the most vulnerable people in that community.

“Sometimes people need to borrow a small amount at short notice to meet everyday costs or unexpected expenses. If they can’t access credit through mainstream channels like banks, they may feel their options are limited and this is where illegal lenders can strike.

“A small ad in a shop window can be used as a way to reach those people, but with this new campaign, we are hoping it’s also a way that we can root out some of the illegal lenders who cause so much misery at the heart of communities.”

Dave added: “We want to reassure retailers in these cases that they have done nothing wrong, and we would be hugely grateful for their support in reporting these cards. By working together, we can all help to make our communities that little bit safer.”

If anyone spots a suspicious ad, there is a new reporting form on the IMLT website where people can send details of an ad, anonymously if preferred.

The IMLT was set up 20 years ago and since then has supported over 31,700 people, written off over £91.3 million worth of illegal debt and secured over 420 prosecutions for illegal money lending, leading to more than 600 years in jail.

The team can be contacted by calling the 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222 or joining the live chat which is available on the website www.stoploansharks.co.uk from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

To report a suspicious ad, go to http://www.stoploansharks.co.uk/report-a-loan-shark-advert 

To find a credit union go to findyourcreditunion.co.uk

This electric bike was seen riding at 40mph on the Reading Road in Winnersh, Wokingham.

Rider found to have adapted a mountain bike with a 1000 watt battery and a 1500 watt motor, as such this forms a motor vehicle due to the power of it and the speed it can travel at unassisted!

Rider also uninsured and also subsequently drug tested. They were positive for Cannabis and arrested for both offences.

The electric bike was seized and the rider now has to insure it and prove ownership to get it back, plus recovery fees.

If you need advice about your electric bike, e-scooter or electrically assisted pedal cycle, please check the following link:

Electric bikes: licensing, tax and insurance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

WhatsApp group chat members are being warned they could be targeted by criminals, as Action Fraud reveals it has received 636 reports from victims of the messaging app this year.

The fraud often begins when a member of the group receives a WhatsApp audio call from the fraudster, pretending or claiming to be another member of the group. This is done to gain the individual’s trust, and often the scammer will use a false profile picture and/or display name, so at first glance it would appear to be a genuine member of the group.

The fraudster will tell the victim they are sending them a one-time passcode which will allow them to join an upcoming video call for group members. The criminal then asks the victim to share this passcode with them so they can be “registered” for the video call.

In reality, the criminal is asking for a registration code to register the victim’s WhatsApp account to a new device so they can take over their account.

Once the fraudster has access to the victim’s WhatsApp account, they will enable two-step verification which makes it impossible for the victim to regain access their account. Other members of the group, or friends and family in the victim’s contacts, will then be messaged asking them to transfer money urgently as they are in desperate need of help.

How to secure your WhatsApp account:

• Set up two-step verification (2SV) to give an extra layer of protection to your account. Tap Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Enable.
• CALL. If a family member or friend makes an unusual request on WhatsApp, always call the person outside of WhatsApp to confirm their identity.
• Report spam messages or block a sender within WhatsApp. Press and hold on the message bubble, select ‘Report’ and then follow the instructions.

If you live in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and have been a victim of fraud or cybercrime, report it at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, victims of fraud and cybercrime should report to Police Scotland on 101.

Find out how to protect yourself from fraud: https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk

As part of our ongoing commitment to inform the public of the work we do, Thames Valley Police is today (29/4) releasing statistics on our activity from the last financial year, from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.  

It has been another busy year with over 400,000 calls to 999, over 470,000 calls to 101, and over 108,000 online reports to our contact management centres.  

We have attended 160,000 incidents, made 33,000 arrests, and helped find 5,687 missing people.  

On top of that, we policed the King’s Coronation in Windsor, which was another of the most significant policing operations in the history of the Force, additionally we helped people to stay safe at many other events such as Reading Festival, Royal Ascot and Henley Regatta.  

Numbers at a glance   

• 984,280 total contacts from the public – increase of 2% from 2022/23  
• 404,654 calls to 999   
• 471,512 calls to 101  
• 108,114 online reports – an increase of 15% from 2022/23  
• 638 missing people found deemed ‘high risk’   
• 160,127 incidents attended   
• 33,006 arrests made   
• 755 knife crime arrests   
• 9,253 domestic abuse arrests   
• 6% increase in personal robbery (1,022 incidents to 1,088)   
• 3% increase in residential burglary (4,942 to 5,075)   
• 17.4% increase in charges for rape offences (121 to 142)   
• 13.6% increase in charges for sexual offences (426 to 484)  

Thames Valley Police are receiving increasing reports of gardening equipment being stolen from sheds and containers on business premises, in residential locations and on allotments across the Bracknell and Wokingham areas. We are asking businesses and residents to check and secure their containers, garden sheds and allotment plots to prevent thieves from stealing their gardening equipment.

Many people don’t secure their sheds in the same way they do their homes or businesses - often using an easy-to-break lock or padlock to protect valuable contents such as bikes, lawnmowers and other gardening equipment. Opportunistic burglars often try sheds, containers or garages first because they can find the tools they need to break into the main house or business premises.

Please follow the below links for crime prevention advice:
www.thamesvalley.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/non-residential-burglary/secure-shed-garage/

www.thamesvalley.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/residential-burglary/protect-your-home-by-protecting-your-garden/

The National Allotment Society has information about security at: Security on plots – The National Allotment Society – National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Ltd (nsalg.org.uk)

New data released today by Action Fraud reveals £6.7 million was lost to ticket fraud last year. https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ticketfraud

Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service, has launched a ticket fraud awareness campaign, warning people to be alert to fraudsters trying to catch out people planning for popular and sold-out events. Last year more than 8,700 people reported they had been a victim ticket fraud, with a total of £6.7 million lost. This works out to an average loss of £772 per victim. 

 How to protect yourself from ticket fraud:

• Only buy tickets from the venue’s box office, the promoter, an official agent or a well-known and reputable ticket exchange site.
• Avoid paying for tickets by bank transfer, especially if buying from someone unknown. Credit card or payment services such as PayPal give you a better chance of recovering the money if you become a victim of fraud.
• The password you use for your email account, as well as any other accounts you use to purchase tickets, should be different from all your other passwords. Use three random words to create a strong and memorable password, and enable 2-step verification (2SV).
• Be wary of unsolicited emails, texts or adverts offering unbelievably good deals on tickets.
• Is the vendor a member of Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR)? If they are, the company has signed up to their strict governing standards. STAR also offers an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution service to help customers with outstanding complaints. For more information visit star.org.uk/buy_safe.

Report ticket fraud

If you feel at all suspicious, report the email to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) at report@phishing.gov.uk. For more advice on how to stay secure online, please visit cyberaware.gov.uk.

Find out how to protect yourself from fraud: https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk

If you live in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and have been a victim of fraud or cybercrime, report it at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, victims of fraud and cybercrime should report to Police Scotland on 101.

Data from Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service, shows that 22,530 people reported that their online accounts had been hacked in 2023, with victims losing a total of £1.3 million.

How are accounts hacked?

On-platform chain hacking

This is when a fraudster gains control of an account and begins to impersonate the legitimate owner. The goal is to convince people to reveal authentication codes that are sent to them via text. Many victims of this type of hacking believe it’s a friend messaging them, however the shared code was associated with their own account and the impersonator can now use it to access their account. Usually when an account is taken over, fraudsters monetise control of the account via the promotion of various fraudulent schemes, while impersonating the original account owner. 

Leaked passwords and phishing

The other predominant method of hacking reported is leaked information used from data breaches, such as leaked passwords, or account details gained via phishing scams. This becomes prevalent as people often use the same password for multiple accounts, so a leaked password from one website can leave many of their online accounts vulnerable to hacking. 

How to secure your accounts 

• Use a strong and different password for your email and social media accounts. Your email and social media passwords should be strong and different from all your other passwords. Combining three random words that each mean something to you is a great way to create a password that is easy to remember but hard to crack.
• Turn on 2-Step Verification (2SV) for your email and social media accounts. 2-Step Verification (2SV) gives you twice the protection so even if cyber criminals have your password, they can't access your email or social media account. 2SV works by asking for more information to prove your identity. For example, getting a code sent to your phone when you sign in using a new device or change settings such as your password. You won't be asked for this every time you check your email or social media.

If you live in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and have been a victim of fraud or cybercrime, report it at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, victims of fraud and cybercrime should report to Police Scotland on 101.

If you receive a suspicious email, you can report it by forwarding the email to: report@phishing.gov.uk.

Find out how to protect yourself from fraud: Gov.uk/stopthinkfraud

Opportunist vehicle crime is preventable, if you can’t take them with you, you simply need to ensure that valuables are not left on display and that you close windows and lock your car doors whenever you leave it.

Unfortunately though some relatively common makes and models of cars are been targeted at this time, across the local area by organised criminal groups, who appear to be prepared to travel considerable distances to locate the cars they want, often as they are worth more to criminals and easier to dispose of as parts rather than as an actual car.  Over the past few months BMW's, Mercedes, Mustang and Lexus cars have been targeted repeatedly.

If you have a car that requires a physical door/ ignition key, make sure you don’t leave it unattended and at home don’t leave it on display on a window sill or in the entrance hall where it can be “fished” out through your letter box. Some thieves have been known to break into a home in order to simply locate and steal keys for a car that was outside on the driveway.

However increasingly modern cars have keyless entry and ignition systems, these may be more convenient to the car owner but thieves have developed various ways of overcoming the manufacturers security.

Either they utilise electronic devices whilst outside a house to scan for the signal which the vehicle’s key will be transmitting, and then use devices to transmit the signal to the car, to unlock doors and start the ignition without causing any damage.

A vehicle keys electronic signal can be contained by using a purpose made “Faraday Pouch” readily available on line or in car stores, however dropping them in a tin can or storing them in a metal box will also prevent the signal been picked up by a scanner.

Recently though, as featured on BBC’s “The One Show” this week, it has become apparent that certain models of car have design weaknesses that enable thieves to readily access certain physical electronic components and then override the vehicles computerised security in order to gain access into the car and then to start its ignition.

Because of these potential vulnerabilities Police recommend that when provided owners fully utilise the manufacturers security systems, possibly as simple as ensuring a PIN code is entered, so that like a bank ATM card or home Wi-Fi it can’t be used by anyone who doesn’t know the security number.

Police also recommend owners of such cars also consider utilising tried and tested forms of physical security 

Examples are; 

• An overt wheel clamp or Steering lock – either of which are readily available at motorist stores
• A concealed “kill switch” to prevent the engine from starting – a relatively easy installation 
• Installing a rising/ folding security bollard to block your driveway
• Parking so your car is blocked in my other vehicles

 In addition to these measures having your driveway or parking space covered by motion activated lighting and good quality CCTV will be a deterrent. 

If you have seen anything suspicious, have any CCTV or Dashcam footage of suspects, or know anything about these thefts please report this information to police by dialling 101 or using the Thames Valley Police on line reporting portal found on their website at www.thamesvalley.police.uk
If you want to remain anonymous or don’t want to speak to the police you can pass any relevant information via the independent charity Crimestoppers  on 0800 555 111 free of charge.

For more advice on how to keep your vehicle safe, visit the Thames Valley Police website; www.thamesvalley.police.uk

Thames Valley Police have received reports of cold callers in the Wokingham area. Doorstep callers or cold callers are traders who make unsolicited visits or telephone calls in an attempt to sell goods or services. Unscrupulous traders often target the elderly, isolated or vulnerable householders, and those who live alone. They call at homes unexpectedly, offering services or goods that residents have not asked for at a low price. Common types of work offered include pressure washing, tree surgeon services, garden clearance, roof repairs or guttering and driveway work. Once work has begun, the price often increases quickly and claims that extra work is needed to complete the job are common. They may be verbally aggressive in order to pressure householders into paying or agreeing to extra work and use confusion tactics over quotes and pricing in order to make householders doubt what they had agreed. Typically, there is nothing in writing. Often they will fail to provide the required notice detailing cancellation rights, which is a criminal offence and sometimes offer to take householders to the bank to make cash withdrawals. Genuine reputable tradespeople do not need to find work in this way. Residents who buy goods or pay for work are likely to be targeted again. 

Cold Calling can also be a cover for persons planning more serious offences such as Distraction Burglary, Car Crime or ‘Bogus Official’ offences such as pretending to be from the Water Board and needing to fix a leak, or from a Care Agency where entry is gained to a house by deception in order to steal while the occupant is distracted.

If someone does call at your door, please consider the following advice:

Stop: Are you expecting anybody, have you arranged any appointments?
Chain: Secure the door bar or chain before opening the door.
Check: Ask for and double check the caller's ID. Legitimate traders will not mind you asking and should be able to prove who they are.

·  Don’t agree to any work or sign anything on the spot.

·  Don’t feel pressured to buy. It is your home and your right to say ‘No’.

·  Don’t ever go to a Bank or Cash point with a trader. Legitimate traders would never do this.

·       If you have vulnerable neighbours or family members who could potentially fall victim to these types of fraudulent individuals check in on them and report online or call 101 with details of suspicious vehicles or individuals.

·       If you suspect a crime is in progress or about to occur please note descriptions, if safe to do so, and contact police on 999.

Neighbourhood Watch is a successful crime prevention initiative. Getting together with your neighbours to take action can cut local crime. If you would like information on setting up or joining an established local scheme visit www.ourwatch.org.uk

The Public Protection Partnership may be able to assist you and your neighbours by creating a No Cold Calling Zone in your street or area. For more information on how they can help, visit:

www.publicprotectionpartnership.org.uk

Please pass this advice to friends, family members and neighbours who might not receive Neighbourhood Alert emails.

Say NO! to doorstep callers. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

As Christmas approaches many of us will be visiting town and doing a lot more shopping.

Unfortunately fraudsters may not be far behind, some have already targeted shoppers who’ve used either a Credit or Debit card and had to enter their 4 digit PIN at the point of sale, or whilst withdrawing cash from an ATM.

Offenders seem to prefer “Out of Town” store locations, where they can have their get away car parked up close by, but they have also struck at town centre stores and banks.

Offenders working in small teams target shoppers, taking note of the PIN as the victim taps it into the keypad at the till. They then either distract the victim in order to quickly steal the card, or follow the victim, seeking to pick pocket the victim’s purse or wallet as they continue shopping, or in car parks will distract the victim once the handbag and purse have been placed in the car, whilst a second offender sneekily opens the car and snatches the purse.

On occasions the offenders have then simply gone on to withdraw cash from an ATM at the same store before fleeing, other times they have simply gone on their own shopping spree. And all before the victim is aware their card has been stolen.

Offenders seem mainly to be foreign men, but women have been involved in at least one incident.

Whilst intending to withdraw cash from an ATM (cash machine) victims have been distracted by individuals who have been loitering nearby claiming that they know the machine is working or that the victim has just dropped something, they have watched the victim enter their PIN and simply make a distraction in order to steal the actual card.

Other offenders interfere with ATMs using illegal devices that retain a victim’s bank card once it has been entered into the machine whist recording the PIN as the victim taps it into the keypad. The offenders then later retrieve the victim’s card and use it plus the PIN to obtain cash or purchases.

To prevent yourself, friends or relatives falling victim to these type of fraudsters remember the Golden Rules;

1.     Pay by “Contactless” card payment whenever possible

2.     Never let anyone see what  PIN , cover your finger with your other hand as you enter it

3.     Never write your PIN down

4.     Never say your PIN out loud, to anyone

and

5.     If you ever lose your card, report it immediately to your bank.

No one from any bank,  Police Officer or other legitimate investigator will ever ask for or need to know, your PIN.  KEEP IT SECRET!

Residents across the Bracknell and Wokingham police area are being warned to be vigilant and to not become victim to rogue Roofing & Guttering traders.

 At this time of year many rooves develop a growth of moss over the tiles and falling leaves may clog gutters, these are rarely critical situations that require immediate resolution, so never be pressured into accepting offers of cleaning from any Cold Calling tradesman.

There are laws that anyone working at height or on rooves has to comply with, so if your caller has nothing more than a ladder, there is every possibility that they are not genuine.

 If someone knocks claiming to be simply in the area and offering to do the work there and then, there is every possibility that they are not genuine. Reputable tradesmen do not seek work in this manner.

If your roof and gutters aren’t causing you a problem, don’t accept a strangers word that you need work doing, unfortunately rogue traders who are allowed up on a roof often claim to then discover serious damage (which they may well have caused themselves) to tiles or chimneys that they offer to repair at extortionate prices.

Rogue Traders using such scams have recently been reported after targeting vulnerable residents in the Beach Lane area of Earley and are likely to have struck elsewhere.

Protect yourself and your property by following this simple safety advice:

·        If you are not sure who is at your door, don’t open it.

·        Ask the caller for proof of identity, if they claim to be from a legitimate company think about asking if they are a Ltd. Company or a Sole Trader, and ask for and check the company’s VAT registration details. You can confirm any Ltd company’s details on line, via the Companies House website,  check to see if they are registered with Directory Enquiries - don’t use any telephone numbers provided by the caller- they may be bogus.

·        Don’t let them onto your property until you are satisfied.

·        If in doubt keep them out.

·        If you are suspicious report the incident to police on-line or by phoning 101.

If you believe your home requires repair/ cleaning work and you see adverts or receive flyers from individuals or companies offering such work, consider making on line checks to confirm any quoted addresses, phone numbers, email addresses or websites.

Best still is to seek recommendations available from Citizen’s Advice or Trading Standards.

Trading Standards will also be able to advise you on how to set up a “No Cold Calling Zone” in your neighbourhood should you and your neighbours want one.

Don’t be rushed into agreeing work or parting with your money. Obtain written quotes for any work confirming the company’s details and details such as, exactly what needs repairing, (dimensions and materials), who will be removing debris and how much it will cost before you allow it to commence.

As always if you have any information relating to this type of offence or would like to report a crime please contact Thames Valley Police via the on-line portal on their website or by phoning the non-emergency number 101.  For residents across the entire Bracknell and Wokingham Police area you can contact Trading Standards on 01635 519930.

Thames Valley Police is seeing a high number of fraudulent offences involving the selling of items online and through social media.

In the past 13 months, data provided by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau shows that there have been 2,925 victims within the Thames Valley who have been targeted in this particular type of fraud. This is 21% of all different types of fraud which has resulted in losses of £2.3million. 

To find out more about how this happens and how you can spot the signs, go to our website.

Thieves are targeting British countryside icons within the Bracknell and Wokingham areas as the cost of Land Rover Defenders and their spares rocket.

Land Rover Defender owners are urged to take sensible security measures to protect their iconic vehicles as rural criminals and organised gangs are targeting them for their parts value, either stealing the entire vehicle or stripping parts from unattended vehicles.

Although other makes of similar vehicles are also been stolen, the value of thefts from and reported theft of Land Rover Defenders has recently rocketed by 87%.

The advice from Insurers and police is that owners of such vehicles should fortify their vehicles as much as possible, using a combination of measures such as immobilisers, tracking devices and pedal and steering locks. Cost effective measures can make life difficult enough for a would be thief causing them to abandon their attempt.

Top tips for securing classic a Land Rover Defender:

·        Keep the vehicle locked at all times when not in use.

·        Fit an accredited alarm for security and a tracking device to locate your vehicle if stolen- (NFU and some insurers offer discounts on certain products).

·        Fit a mechanical immobiliser such as a steering wheel or pedal lock, and use other vehicles or install security bollards to block your vehicle on your driveway.

·        Consider marking component parts with a forensic marking solution or system.

·        Keep the vehicle in a lockable building if possible, or park in a well-lit area which is overlooked or covered by CCTV.

·        Have the vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etched on every window.

·        Consider fitting a hidden battery isolation or fuel cut-off switch

·        Take photographs of unusual features, modifications, damage or repairs which could aid identification if stolen.

·        Ensure any valuables are removed from the vehicle

·        Don’t share information on social media which could indicate where your vehicle is kept

·        For modern vehicles, keep electronic keys in a faraday pouch or box.

Dear Resident, 
Get Safe Online has partnered with Cifas, the UK’s leading fraud prevention service, to launch ‘Check a Website’.
'Check a Website' is a new, easy-to-use online tool which helps determine whether a website is likely to be legitimate or a scam … before you visit it. It is hoped to prevent thousands of people in the UK falling victim to unwanted online scams every year. 
  To use, simply type in the address of the website you want to check, and your results will appear within seconds. To try it out simply visit www.getsafeonline.org/checkawebsite/
Secondly, for parents and grandparents, you may be interested in this month's online safety awareness campaign - Switched-on Parent. The attached new leaflet provides lots of tips from our experts on how to encourage your children or grandchildren to use the Internet safely. 

Smart motorways are up and running in many places across the country, including parts of the Thames Valley.
What used to be the hard shoulder is now a fourth lane and there are overhead signs above the lanes.
These will display important information such as variable speed limits and lane closures.
It’s important that you obey these signs for your safety and that of other road users.
You’ll see a red 'X' if a lane is closed.
This can often be set far in advance of an incident to help those who are dealing with it.
Make sure to leave gaps in the traffic to allow people to filter into an open lane.
Driving in a closed lane could result in a fixed penalty of up to £100 and three points.
National Highways and Thames Valley Police will be carrying out enforcement on these roads.
For more information, please visit the National Highway’s website. 

More than £50 million was lost last year to scams where victims are tricked into handing over control of their computer or smartphone to criminals.
New data from Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, reveals that 20,144 people fell victim to scams where they were persuaded to grant criminals remote access to their device. Victims reported losing a total of £57,790,384 – an average loss of £2,868 per victim. 
What are remote access scams
Remote Access scams will often begin with a browser pop-up saying that your computer is infected with a virus, or maybe a call from someone claiming to be from your bank saying that they need to connect to your computer in order to cancel a fraudulent transaction on your account. Regardless of the narrative the fraudster’s use, their goal is to steal your money or access your financial information by tricking you into allowing them to remotely connect to your computer.
Detective Chief Inspector Craig Mullish, from the City of London Police, said:
"While remote access tools are safe when used legitimately, we want the public to be aware that they can be misused by criminals to perpetrate fraud. We often see criminals posing as legitimate businesses in order to trick people into handing over control of their computer or smartphone. 
“You should only install software or grant remote access to your computer if you’re asked by someone you know and trust, such as a friend or family member, and never as a result of an unsolicited call, browser pop-up or text message.”
How to protect yourself

• Only install software or grant remote access to your computer if you’re asked by someone you know and trust, such as a friend or family member, and never as a result of an unsolicited call, browser pop up, or text message.
• Remember, a bank or service provider will never contact you out of the blue requesting remote access to your device.
• If you believe your laptop, PC, tablet or phone has been infected with a virus or some other type of malware, follow the NCSC’s guidance on recovering an infected device.
• Protect your money by contacting your bank immediately on a different device from the one the scammer contacted you on.
• Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk. If you are in Scotland, please report to Police Scotland directly by calling 101.

These 10 tips may help your bike remain safe, secure and not a statistic.

1. Register it
Get your bike security marked and registered at www.bikeregister.com It is a highly effective, visible deterrent to bike thieves. They know that if they are caught with a registered bike, the owner can be traced and they could be arrested.

2. Record it
Remember to record details of your bike such as the frame number (normally found underneath the bike between the pedals or where the back wheel slots in), the BikeRegister number plus any other distinguishing features, and take a photo.

3. Double-lock it
It can take thieves as little as few seconds to cut through some locks, so use two good quality locks, at least one of which is a D-lock.

4. Lock the lot
Lock the frame and both wheels to the cycle parking stand.

5. Secure it
Secure your bike as close to the stand as possible to give any thieves little or no room to manoeuvre.

6. Remove the removable bits
Take parts that are easy to remove with you. Or use locking skewers or nuts which can increase security by securing the bike's components to the frame permanently, making it difficult for thieves to steal detachable parts.

7. Park secure
Lock your bike at recognised secure cycle parking. It should be well lit and covered by CCTV.

8. Remember safety begins at home
Take the same care to lock your bike securely at home as you would on the street.

9. Check ownership
Ask for proof of ownership and check the bike frame number on www.bikeregister.com

10. Act fast
If your bike has been stolen, contact us as soon as possible, give us your frame number, BikeRegister number, a photo and any other details and make sure you update the status on BikeRegister. The sooner we know, the sooner we can act, which might stop it being sold on.
https://stolen-bikes.co.uk can help to spread the word on the theft of your bike and offer you advice to help get it back.
www.findthatbike.co.uk lists adverts for bikes placed on online marketplaces, which you can check frequently to see if yours has been listed for sale.

The Rural Crime Action Group (Wokingham) are a group of volunteers and representatives from organisations including Thames Valley Police, Wokingham Borough Council and the National Farmers Union who are passionate about keeping the rural communities safe.

Rural crime tends to fall into one of four categories:

• Agricultural 

Covers working farms, farm machinery, farm buildings and smallholdings. Offences include theft of equipment or fuel, damage to property and livestock worrying. 

• Equine 

Covers working stables and equestrian centres and includes offences like tack theft and livestock worrying.

• Wildlife

Includes hare coursing, poaching and interfering with protected species. You can find out more about wildlife crime on our website www.thamesvalley.police.uk

• Heritage

Defined as 'any offence which harms the value of England's heritage assets and their settings to this and future generations'. This can include offences such as lead theft from churches, damage to ancient monuments and illegal metal detecting.

Rural crime can also fall under environmental crime, which covers illegal waste dumping, fly tipping, polluting watercourses and land.

If you are concerned about rural crime or your own security, a member of the RCAG can visit you and offer security and crime prevention advice for you, your premises or your home. Where, appropriate, assistance is available for those who find themselves in difficult circumstances.

You can contact the chair of the RCAG, Hugh Payen, at hugh.payen@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk or contact the Twyford neighbourhood policing team on TwyfordNHPT@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk 

Please note that as a team of volunteers, your enquiry may not receive an immediate response.

The RCAG do not respond to incidents of rural crime so please continue to report these on 101, online at www.thamesvalley.police.uk or call 999 in an emergency.

If you have information about crime or anti-social behaviour in your area but you do not want to speak to the police, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.