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ALERTS This
page gives details of crimes and scams that are relevant to residents in the
Lewes area. If
you know of any
cautionary information that may be helpful to Neighbourhood Watch please use the
Contacts page to send information by email to the Web Developer.
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This page is part
of the website for the Lewes Town and Rural Neighbourhood Watch Association.
Click here
to enter the website.
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ANOTHER TELEPHONE SCAMThis message was sent out to all NHW
Coordinators in July 2010 to raise awareness of a current trend in fraudulent
telephone calls. This telephone fraud has occurred in the
"There has been a report of cold
callers advising that the receiver has won the lottery in another country.
They are asked to send money - usually around £100 to receive the winnings.
More calls are then received later asking for additional money with the excuses
that the cheque has been 'lost in the post' or in this incident, 'lost in a
fire at Heathrow'. In this instance the caller asked for
money to be sent via Please make your neighbours aware. To contact your local officer or PCSO
visit www.sussex.police.uk or call
0845 60 70 999 Return to Top |
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DIRECT RESPONSE SECURITY
I would like to make you aware that a
salesperson from the above company, which is a legitimate company, has been
cold calling by telephone to interest the householder in purchasing an alarm
system. This company has been misleading people by informing them that
this system is approved by the Police. This is false. If you do
receive a call I would suggest you refuse to engage in conversation with them
and replace your receiver. Do not divulge any personal information to
the company. Yvonne
Mortlock Neighbourhood
Policing Team Return to Top |
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Theft From Unattended Motor Vehicles
Although weather patterns rarely effect hardened hikers or
dog walkers using rural locations to exercise themselves and their dogs with
a change in seasons there is an increase in the amount of people who will
visit beauty spot locations for leisure pursuits or to enjoy the fresh air.
With this in mind I would ask you all to consider the opportunities given to
offenders who pray on the motorists who park their vehicle at these locations
and leave items of value in the car. The people committing these offences are
well versed in the habits adopted by car owners who tuck handbags, sat navs
and mobiles under the seat or put them in the boot before locking up leaving
it unattended. These actions are usually viewed by offenders from a distance. If
you must have valuables with you limit them to their use and take them with
you on your walk carrying them in a small rucksack or gym bag. The mobile
could be an asset if you witness an incident from a distance and are able to
make a 999 call. Enjoy
the countryside but please don’t become a victim. Mick Cogger Crime Prevention Officer / ALO 0845 60 70 999 Ext. 80213 Direct Dial: 01243 52021 Fax:01243 520207 Chichester Police Station Return to Top |
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SCAMNESTY East
Sussex Trading Standards 2010 “Scamnesty” campaign is off to a flying start
with over 3500 mailings being handed in the first week of the campaign which
is set to run throughout February. The campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the problem
within East Sussex, and helping victims of scams receive advice and support. Trading
Standards will have a “Scamnesty” information stall in the Hastings Priory
Meadow Shopping Centre on the 16th February and Eastbourne Arndale Centre on
the 18th February, where people can hand in suspicious mailings and speak to
officers about scams or about any friend or relative they may be concerned
may be a victim of scam mail. There
also is a free “Scambuster” theatre event on Tuesday the 9th March
from 10am-1pm at the Horntye Park Sports Centre, Bohemia Road, Hastings
and Monday 15th March 2pm -5pm at the Communitywise centre,
Ocklynge Road, Eastbourne. All
of the County Council’s libraries are taking part in the campaign which is
being replicated by Trading Standards across the UK with the support of the
Office of Fair Trading. For
more advice please call 08454 040506 Louise
Baxter Return to Top |
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DOORSTEP TRADERS
The
following advice was received from Trading Standards in September 2009, in
response to a request for information:- The Regulations covering the rights for consumers
when shopping at home were changed on 1st October last year. The Cancellation
of Contracts made in a Consumer's Home or Place of Work etc. Regulations 2008
are aimed at traders who contract in a consumer's home or place of work. Now for contracts worth £35 or more,
whether the visit was solicited or unsolicited the consumer gets the right to
have a minimum 7 calendar day cooling off period. The cancellation rights
have to be clearly and prominently displayed in any written contract or
provided as a separate document if no written contract is supplied. There is
no requirement for all contracts to be in writing but the notice of the right
to cancel must be in writing. The wording of the cancellation notice is
detailed in the regulations and includes giving the identity of the trader
and an address to which the cancellation notice can be sent. For certain contracts the consumer can sign a
written request for the trader to commence within the 7 day period. This
would be along the lines of an emergency call out say for a plumber to fix a
burst pipe or services needed after an emergency situation. The
following link gives guidance on the Regulations for your information: East
Sussex Trading Standards Return to Top |
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DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN? Over recent days
Sussex Police have had an increased number of calls in relation to a male that
has been described as using befriending behaviour to gain entry into the
properties of elderly and vulnerable people. These incidents have
occurred between 28th April to 7th May in areas as far apart
as Barcombe, Bexhill, St Leonards, Lewes and Seaford. The male has been
described as being mid forties to mid fifties and of stocky build. He has
also been described as unshaven or with a moustache.
Whilst wanting to
reassure you that these incidents are rare, Sussex Police are concerned about
the way this man is repeatedly managing to win the trust of residents. On
some occasions he claims to have previously left a business card at the
address or that he knows the householder concerned before engaging them in
conversation. Once in the house he identifies goods that he is interested in
purchasing and actually offers money for them before leaving and saying that
somebody will come back to collect the items. To date, there is no suggestion
that anything has been stolen. Sussex Police advise
you to be extremely cautious in allowing entry of any strangers into your
home, for any reason, but especially if you are not expecting them. Stop and
think! When you hear a knock at the door ask yourself whether you are
expecting any visitors? Always ask for identification from any callers
indicating an interest in buying any of your property. You are also asked to
make a note of the description of callers and any vehicles that may be
outside at the time and never feel pressured into selling any of your
property to anybody. If you are not
thinking of selling property prior to a knock at the door, why let somebody
into your house if you do not know who they are? If you are at all concerned
call Sussex Police. Whilst it is appreciated that the weather is
getting warmer, local residents are advised to please ensure that doors and
windows are closed when you are not in their immediate vicinity to prevent
the cowards that prey on our neighbours from being able to take advantage. Residents with elderly neighbours are also
asked to keep an eye on them over the Summer months and ensure that they are
not targeted. Anybody with information in relation to this
series of incidents, either by having had a call themselves or who may have
witnessed a similarly described male in similar circumstances are asked to
call Sussex Police quoting serial number 1550 of 7th May 2009. If the man described is you then you are also
asked to contact Sussex Police as detailed above in order that we can discuss
the concern and eliminate you from our enquiry. Natalie Carron
Lewes District Commander Newhaven Police Station Return to Top |
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Distraction Burglary
They asked Mr Jones where
his money was as the burglar they had in there van had a large amount of
money on his person Mr Jones took them into his kitchen and showed them £100 one
of the male's said this is not enough money you will have to come to the
station to make a statement at this request Mr Jones realised they were bogus
police men and showed them out of his house. When Mr Jones returned to his
kitchen the £100 was missing as was his wallet that contained a further £10
and some id cards. Can I please ask that you
all make as many people aware of this on Wallands Park especially the
elderly, there have also been other distraction burglaries in Lewes in the
last week with the offenders claiming to be from the water board. Many thanks PCSO Alan Ash
PCSO 19020 Alan Ash Return to Top |
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WATER BOARD CONMEN WARNING
Sussex Police are
reminding householders to be vigilant following several recent incidents in
which three men claiming to be from the water board has either entered, or
tried to enter, the home of an elderly person. The offenders
tend to claim to be investigating a water leak, or problems with the pipes,
and have given the ruse of working on a neighbour's kitchen. The offenders
are pushy and make reference to it being an emergency. Descriptions of
suspects seen in the vicinity of offences indicates that the offenders are
likely to be a team of three males, aged in their twenties to thirties. At
least one of the males is described as Eastern European, Southern European or
North African. Detective
Inspector Rob Walker said: “If anyone comes to your front door you must ensure
you know whether or not they are genuine. Always ask for ID. If you are not
certain, do not open the door and do not let them in. Genuine callers won’t
be offended and will not mind if you check. The same advice goes for any
caller to your door." “If you have any
suspicions whatsoever about a caller to your home contact the police
immediately by dialling 999.” Natalie Carron Lewes District
Commander 20 February 2009 Return to Top |
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New
twist to telephone scams
East Sussex County Council's Trading Standards
is warning consumers about a sinister new twist to bogus foreign prize draw
scams in which victims are unwittingly being used to help defraud others. An investigation, led by the City of Westminster Trading Standards Service, uncovered a complex national network of elderly fraud victims, who were called by phone and told they had won up to £500,000, and in a new development, some victims have been groomed by the scammers into acting as unwitting 'money mules' to bank money received from other victims, and then send cash transfers over to the fraudsters in Canada having themselves been conned into thinking these payments were from "sponsors" who would all be repaid out of their own "winnings". One elderly victim in Hastings, East Sussex
lost over £35,000, having sent off numerous cheques over a period of a year,
to five other people, all based in the UK. Caught up in the same scam
was another victim from Storrington, West Sussex, who was groomed into acting
as a "money mule" and she unwittingly transferred over £21,000 of
UK victim’s money over to the scammers in Canada. In the case of the Hastings resident, the
telephone calls she received were so regular that a Trading Standards Officer
was able to visit and intercept an expected call from one of the scammers.
The scammer politely and calmly lied to the Officer, who posed as a friend of
the victim, about being a Canadian tax official and why the victim now needed
to pay a further £3,000 to pay the "import levy" before her cheque
could be released. Councillor Bob Tidy, Lead Member for Community
Safety at East Sussex County Council said: "This is an example of how
sophisticated and devious these scams can be. The victims of these crimes
were elderly people from across England, and are being ruthlessly
exploited by those engaged in this type of callous financial abuse. Our
advice to anyone who receives a telephone call, letter or email telling them
that they have won a large cash prize is to stop, think and be
sceptical." Anyone who is contacted about an alleged prize
draw or lottery win and suspects it may be a scam should immediately contact
Consumer Direct for clear, practical advice on 08454 04 05 06 or http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk. Reference ESCC PR2172 29 October 2008Return to Top |
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PURSE
THEFTS
Lewes police are again investigating a spate
of purse thefts, which have occurred over a seven day period at the end of
October. During that time a total of eight purses or handbags have been stolen, seven of which were from Lewes town centre. The other occurred
in Ringmer. Three of the thefts
occurred on a Saturday. PC Duncan Ellison said: “We continue to remind
people not to be complacent with their handbags and wallets. It only takes
one second to steal the items when they are left unattended. We are currently
working proactively, not only in an attempt to apprehend the offenders, but
also to reduce the number of incidents occurring. We are working closely with
members of Lewes ‘Shopwatch’ and together monitoring CCTV. I continue to
stress that people should not leave their belongings unattended on trolleys
or in any shop so as to reduce opportunities for the thieves.” Police Initiative To Reduce Thefts Of Bags And Purses
· Never leave them unattended in shops, cafes, pubs or restaurants. They could be snatched by thieves! · Always make sure the clasp is closed shut and out of the way of pickpockets. · Do not
carry them over one shoulder where someone could easily grab them - wear them
so the strap crosses from shoulder to hip. Return
to Top
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Postal ScamThe
Trading Standards Office are making people aware of the following scam:
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THIRD
WORLD CLOTHING COLLECTION
A number of Lewes
residents have received a flyer requesting unwanted clothes etc. for the
Third World from a company called 'Helpmates'. Neighbours considering donating items should be aware that there is a large
amount of adverse publicity about this company on the internet. In particular
there is a transcript of the speech given by Jo Swinson MP in a parliamentary
debate on bogus charities, Feb. 2007 The full transcript is at http://www.joswinson.org.uk/speeches/000015/ Return
to Top |
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RURAL GARAGE BREAKS
Across rural locations
in the Lewes District, since the 7th of November, there have been
five reported garage breaks. The offences are thought to have occurred
overnight and property taken ranges from outboard motors to lawn mowers and
power tools. The areas affected to
date are North Chailey, Plumpton, Barcombe, Newick and Ringmer. Police
Sergeant James Vitler from the Neighbourhood Policing Team said “We are
asking that residents ensure that their properties are secure and where possible
with added security measures. We also need the assistance of local
communities to report any suspicious behaviour to us.” Return to Top
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This page is part
of the website for the Lewes Town and Rural Neighbourhood Watch Association.
Click here
to enter the website.
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