|
Dear Coordinators,
The UK government is testing the Emergency Alerts system on
Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3pm. Compatible mobile phones and
tablets will receive an alert, make a loud siren-like sound
and vibrate.
You will not need to take any action.
Please see the attached for more information.
Attachments:
|
|
A serial fraudster who stole thousands of pounds in romance
scams has been jailed for almost
three years.
Please see the attached for more information.
Attachments:
|
|
The Home Office has launched its Ninja Sword Surrender and
Compensation Scheme, which runs for the entire month of
July. Please read the attached document for more information
on where these weapons can be handed in across the Avon and
Somerset policing area. Please share this on any social
media accounts you may have, so we can reach as many
residents as possible.
Attachments:
|
|
There have been a number of burglaries that have occurred
while the residents were away. As the peak holiday periods
are approaching, please consider improving your home
security if you’re leaving your property unoccupied. The
attached document gives you tips on things to do and things
to avoid while you’re away.
Attachments:
|
|
Please see the attached document for examples of phishing
emails you may receive from scammers, trying to steal your
money!
Attachments:
|
|
We’ve received
reports from areas including Weston-Super-Mare, Bath and
Bristol, where items including laptops, game consoles and
mobile phones have been advertised for sale on Facebook
Marketplace and upon collection of the item, the buyer pays,
often hundreds of pounds, with counterfeit currency which is
sadly worthless.
Please see the
attached for more information.
Attachments:
counterfeit-cash-fraud.pdf
|
|
In an effort to
make it easier for the public to report rural and wildlife
crime, we are excited to announce the launch of our new
online reporting form.
This initiative is
designed to streamline the process of reporting crime,
making it more accessible, efficient, and user-friendly for
everyone.
The new forms
provide clear guidance on which type of crime to report and
the appropriate form to use.
Please see the
attached for more information.
Attachments:
rural-and-wildlife-crime.pdf
|
|
Please see the attached document for information on scams
that have been reported by residents of Avon and Somerset
recently.
Attachments:
|
|
A home was burgled in Balsom Close, Winsham, between 8:20am
and midday on the 7th. It appears an opportunist thief
entered the property via the rear door, without force. Once
inside the kitchen, cash was stolen from above a microwave,
before the offender made off.
Any information, CCTV images, please contact the Police on
101 quoting reference number: 5225071003 stating NHW. Or
call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Thank you for your
support.
Attachments:
|
|
Just received the attached guidance from Trading Standards
regarding Rogue Traders.
Do please take a moment to view the attached and share with
your members where possible.
Attachments:
|
|
Avon and Somerset Police are
warning people to be vigilant as fraudulent texts on
winter fuel payments are being sent from criminals.
The texts encourage people to
click on unsafe links to register for, or claim,
fuel allowance.
However, clicking the link opens
the door for fraudsters to steal personal and
financial data. This can be used by the criminals to
commit identity fraud – and take money.
“Even clicking the link and not
entering any information could result in malicious
software being downloaded onto your device.” said
Fraud Protect Officer Claire Bounds.
“We have seen a spate of these
texts being circulated in our area and it’s
important for people to understand the best course
of action to take. We’re asking people to share this
advice with friends and family and especially
elderly or vulnerable people who may be at risk.”
If you receive unsolicited
content like this:
• Stop! Think Fraud and don’t
click on any links
• Take your time to read any
unexpected messages. There are often signs to
indicate fraud, such as spelling and grammar errors
or strange use of language
• Forward the SPAM message to
7726 free of charge so your mobile phone provider
can investigate
• If you have become a victim and
have lost money notify your bank immediately, by
calling 159. Also report to Action Fraud on 0300 123
2040.
Action Fraud publishes an A-Z of
scams and shares tips to avoid fraud at
http://www.actionfraud.police.uk
|
|
|
There
have been recent reports of “Nottingham Knockers”
operating in Shepton Mallet and the surrounding
areas. These are cold callers who usually tell
residents that they are ex-offenders trying to go
straight, then try and sell poor quality and
over-priced cleaning products, they may also offer
services such as roof or driveway repairs and
cleaning.
The police want to remind
residents they are under no obligation to answer the
door to anyone they don’t know or aren’t expecting.
If you do talk to them, they are
supposed to be able to provide a valid Pedlar’s
Certificate and should leave your property when
asked.
Police always recommend using a
door chain and asking to see the identification of
unexpected callers.
If you are suspicious of a caller
ring 101 straight away or 999 in an emergency • keep
your cash in the bank, not at home
• keep windows and doors secured
if you’re not in the room
Remember, genuine callers:
Expect you to check their
identification before opening the door • would never
try to rush you by claiming there’s an emergency
• will happily make an
appointment to come back when you can have a
relative or friend with you.
Take time to consider your
options and research costs from other providers, if
in doubt contact your local trading standards.
There are many types of doorstep
crime, including:
• Bogus callers exploit
vulnerable people within their own homes to steal
cash/valuables or carry out fraudulent schemes.
• Rogue traders cold call at
homes and overcharge for unnecessary work, damage
property deliberately and use intimidating behaviour
to extort money.
• Distraction burglary is when a
person tries to gain access to your home by trying
to trick you into believing they need help or are
officials in the area. Very often they will operate
in pairs, so one attempts the distraction whilst the
other one takes the opportunity to steal things in
your home.
If you feel pressured by any cold
caller, have the confidence to be firm and say no.
If you know someone who may have
been a victim of doorstep crime and you don’t want
to talk to the police, contact Crimestoppers 100%
anonymously on 0800 555 111 or the below link:
https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously
|
|
|
|
|
Avon and Somerset’s Roads Policing Team
has launched Operation Limit, a dedicated winter campaign to
combat drink- and drug-driving.
Throughout December, officers will be
conducting proactive roadside checks, engaging with
motorists about
the dangers of impaired driving, and
acting on intelligence provided by the public.
Please see the attached for more
information.
Attachments:
|
|
If a friend reaches out on social media,
our natural reaction is to help.
But is it a friend? Or a criminal, who
has compromised your friend’s account and now wants to
access your social media or email account - and your
valuable data?
If you agree to help, you’ll likely be
sent a link to help the friend ‘recover’ their account. This
will take you to a cloned social media page controlled by
the criminal – so when you log in, you’re giving your login
details to them.
Once they have your login, they can hack
into your account using your credentials – giving them
access to your personal photos and messages, contact details
of your friends and family and private information.
This can be used to extort money, send
malicious links to your contacts or trick your family and
friends into sending them money.
Action Fraud, the National Fraud and
Cyber Crime Reporting Centre, has good advice on how to keep
hackers out of your email and social media accounts, how to
act fast if your account is hacked and how to report:
http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/secureyouraccounts
Remember: always be wary of social media
messages that ask for your login details or authentication
codes - even if the message appears to be from someone you
know.
Attachments:
|
|
Dear Coordinators,
Some important information regarding ASB
(Anti Social Behaviour)
Please view the attached information.
Attachments:
Dear Coordinators,
As part of our ASB Awareness week, we
wanted to share a video with you. It features a resident
telling his story of how persistent anti-social behaviour
affected his family’s life. There’s lots of useful
information in there about the reporting process and how the
police were able to support him.
Please follow the link below for the
video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp6Kz8cmO8U
|
|
Dear Coordinators,
Attached is an update on Crypto currency
fraud, do please take a few minutes to read.
Attachments:
|
Does your car have keyless entry?
Criminals can now intercept and clone
key fob signals from a few metres away, even if the key fob
is inside your home and they are outside.
The device they use fools your vehicle
into thinking the original fob is nearby, unlocking the car
and allowing the thief to use its push-button ignition and
drive away.
This can take place in just 20–30
seconds.
According to Aviva, owners of keyless
entry vehicles are twice as likely to make a theft claim.
What’s more, almost 70% of all SmarTrack vehicle recoveries
were related to keyless theft in 2023 – a figure likely to
go up in 2024.
A Faraday pouch will block the radio
signal your key fob emits, and physical deterrents like
steering wheel locks are highly effective against
opportunist thieves. You can also sign up to our
Neighbourhood Watch Scheme to deter crime in your local
area: Neighbourhood Watch Scheme | Avon and Somerset Police
Stay vigilant against vehicle theft.
Follow our tips to keep your car safe.
Attachments:
keep-your-car-keys-safe.pdf |
|
You may be familiar with the names,
Street Safe, Walk & Talk - we hope you are - but for anyone
that isn't, the attached documents provide information on
both initiatives. These show why both are so beneficial to
our communities and how you can get involved.
Please take a moment to view these
documents and share them with your families and friends.
Attachments:
|
|
Dear Coordinators,
A link to Neighbourhood Watch has now
been posted onto the Avon and Somerset police’s webpage as
we continue to encourage people to start or join a new
scheme. We’d like to ask you to share the attached document
with your friends and relatives so they, too, can enjoy the
benefits of being a member.
Attachments:
|
|
Dear Coordinators,
No doubt anyone with a Social Media
account will be familiar with the occasional missing pet
appeals, but did you know there could be another reason
behind these posts.
Do please take a couple of moments to
read the attached advice.
Attachments:
|
|
Dear Coordinators,
Please see the attached document
for information that dispels some of the most commonly
perceived thoughts around fraud.
Attachments:
|
|
Dear Coordinators,
One of the most commonly experienced
fraud types occur when online shopping, so please read the
attached document from our Fraud Team for some helpful
advice.
Attachments:
|
Help defeat Phishing
E-Mails and Texts
Follow the link below- learn how to protect yourself in a
couple of minutes
CLICK
HERE
|
|
