Messages
for 2013
Index - click on a
date
Jan 4
Steer Clear of Cycle Theft
Jan 18 Wheelie
Bins Fires & Shed Security Advice
Jan 31
Scams
Mar 1 Scam Calls Alert
May 24 Holiday
Security Checklist
June 7 Police
Impersonation - Card Fraud
July 5 Hot
Weather Burglaries
July 10 Theft
from occupied vehicles
July 19 Yellow
Pages Delivery/Vehicle Crime Alert/Distraction Burglary
July 25 Off-Road
Bike Crush
July 30 Rogue Traders
Operating in your area
Operation Whistler
Arrests - Blowing Time on Crime
Aug 1 Operation Whistler - More Arrests!
Distraction Burglary
Sep 17
Operation Whistler Update
Message
Received: 17
September 2013,
17:26
Operation
Whistler Update
The Operation Whistler Team has yet again had a great week with the key
emphasis of ‘blowing time on crime’. Thanks to all the
intelligence coming through from the public and from work by our
partners, we have had numerous arrests covering all offences and even
more vehicles taken off the streets that were either uninsured or used
in committing crime. The community impact side of Operation Whistler
has been significant with local communities now feeling safer and more
involved with the local police. Rest assured Operation Whistler will
continue in this vein all geared to making Stockport a great and safe
place to live and work.
Enjoy the nice weather this weekend. Don't let the burglars ruin it!
Remember: Alarms! Locks! Lights!
Please also remember that if you see anything suspicious or wish to
report anything please contact us on 101 or via Crimestoppers if you
wish to remain anonymous on 0800 555 111 (or 999 if an emergency).
Message
Received: 1
August 2013, 16:34
Operation Whistler - More Arrests!
Operation Whistler continues to 'Blow Time on Crime' since it was
launched this Monday to disrupt Stockport Criminals involved in crime.
We are again pleased to inform you, officers on patrol with Operation
Whistler made more arrests in your area.
A wanted burglar was arested in Reddish by officers patrolling one of
our target areas.
A known shoplifter was arrested as a result of information received
from the public.
Another known Burglar stopped by Operaton Whistler staff in possession
of a suspected stolen pedal cycle and property recovered.
6 males were arrested in Hazel Grove for cannabis cultivation.
Approximately 500 plants were seized with an estimated street value of
£390,000. The warrant was executed as a result of
information received from the public.
Residents can help bring criminals to justice by calling crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555 111 or dial 101 if you see anything suspicious
in your area.
For more information on Operation Whistler please visit: http://www.saferstockport.org.uk/campaigns/saferinstockport2013/operationwhistler/
Message
Received: 1 August 2013, 16:34
Distraction Burglary
When did it happen: 27/07/2013
Where: Davenport
General Information: POLICE FRAUD UNIT - offender buzzes the intercom
and the victim’s friend answers it. Offender states they are from
the police fraud unit and is allowed into the complex. Offender states
that he is looking for fake bank notes and asks victim to get any cash
she had. She produces £150. Offender states he will take
the cash to his colleague who is outside with a scanner, victim says
she would rather he brought the scanner into her flat. Offender
grabs the cash and runs off. Victim hears a vehicle leaving but
doesn’t see it.
Offender/Vehicle Description: white male, 25/30 years old, dark short
hair, stubble, Scottish accent, wearing a dark t-shirt under a navy
sleeveless top, dark jeans carrying a clipboard with a piece of paper
with "students and tutors" written on it, and a laminated Identity card
with a photo on it and the words, " fraud protection" in green and
white.
Message
Received: 30
July 2013, 16:34
Rogue
Traders Operating in your area
Driveways, alarms, roofing, gardening, rubbish removal?
Every year rogue traders fleece the public of more than £1
billion!
Follow our top tips to make sure you don't get caught out.
Roguetraders_leaflet.pdf
If you are concerned about a trader or work that has been done call
Consumer Direct on 08454040506.
Message
Received: 30
July 2013, 16:34
Operation
Whistler Arrests - Blowing Time on Crime
You will be aware there have been a number of burglaries in your area
over recent weeks. Operation Whistler was launched this Monday to
disrupt Stockport Criminals involved in crime.
For pictures from the launch please click the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmpolice1/sets/72157634859626660/
We are pleased to inform you, officers on patrol with Operation
Whistler made a number of arrests in your area overnight, before they
had the opportunity to commit crime.
Burglary suspect - offence location Hazel Grove
Robbery suspect - offence location Reddish
Burglary suspect - offence location Romiley
Residents can help bring criminals to justice by calling crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555 111 or dial 101 if you see anything suspicious
in your area.
Message
Received: 25
July 2013, 09:24
Off-Road Bike Crush
In order to reduce
anti-social behaviour, the Safer Stockport Partnership are holding an
Off-Road Bike Crush event on Friday 2nd August, from 1pm until 3pm in
Tesco Car Park, Tiviot Way, Portwood, SK1 2BT. Click here for more information.
Message
Received: 19
July 2013, 16:21
Yellow Pages Delivery
Vehicle Crime Alert
Distraction Burglary
Yellow Pages Delivery
Throughout August an authorised company called DEYA will be delivering
the latest edition of the Yellow Pages to addresses very shortly across
Stockport. The representatives who are delivering the Yellow Pages are
all trained and will have the correct and appropriate identification if
they are ever challenged.
Ideally, the directories are put through the letterbox or handed over
the each householder, but when it’s not possible they will leave
it in a dry secure place out of site from passersby or with a
neighbour, and with a card through the door saying where or with whom
it has been left. Alternatively, a card may be left with a number to
call to arrange delivery.
Please be extra vigilant at this time.
Car Crime Spike
We have seen an increase in incidents of vehicle crime recently. These
include theft of number plates, items being stolen from insecure
vehicles and car windows being smashed in order to steal valuables left
on display.
Due to some insecure vehicles being targeted, officers are urging
motorists not to make things easy for thieves, and are reminding them
that insurance companies may not pay out if vehicles are left unlocked
or with windows open. Valuables should also be removed from cars when
leaving them unattended.
The Police are responding to the recent increase in car crime by
increasing patrols in the affected areas at relevant times, and our
traffic officers will also be using automatic number plate recognition
equipment to target offenders.
To avoid becoming a victim of car crime, motorists should park in
secure or well-lit areas wherever possible. They should also close all
windows, set any security devices and remove all valuables, especially
sat-navs and their mounting cradles. All doors should be locked and
checked manually, as automatic locking devices can sometimes suffer
from interference.
If you must leave your vehicle unattended with valuables inside, make
sure you lock them in the boot out of sight.
Police are also urging motorists to register valuables at
www.immobilise.com and to security mark them with their postcode and
house number or vehicle registration number.
For non-emergency calls or to report a crime call police on 101, or for
more information visit www.gmp.police.uk/stockport. Alternatively, call
Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Use 999 only in emergencies
where there is a threat to life or property or a crime in progress.
Distraction Burglary
Incident
General Information: Drink of water - Unknown offender knocks on
victims door asks for glass of water, victim gives him a drink, he then
has a second glass of water and asks to use the telephone, he pretends
to make a call and victim sees him messing with her handbag and asks
him to leave; she then realises her purse is missing
Offender/Vehicle Description: White male late 20's, 5'10", stocky
build, short fair hair, round face, wearing a white zipped hooded
jacket and white tracksuits bottoms.
When answering the door, always use a door chain, check who is there by
looking through a window or door viewer and always ask for
identification – IF IN DOUBT KEEP THEM OUT!
Don’t do business or accept services from a cold caller on the
telephone or at the door
Lock all doors and windows securely
Message
Received: 10
July 2013, 08:20
Theft from occupied vehicles
There have been a couple of recent cases where an occupied car has been
stationary, another car driven alongside, the car door opened, goods
stolen and the offending vehicle driven away.
Be extra vigilant about having valuables visible in your car whilst
driving.
Lock car doors and be careful about open windows.
Message
Received: 5
July 2013, 10:48
Hot Weather
Burglaries
In around 25 percent of
burglaries that take place in the spring and summer months, entry is
gained through insecure windows and doors, especially at the rear of
the property. Ensure that windows and doors are closed and locked when
you are out. Don’t leave small windows open believing them to be
safe.
Message
Received: 7
June 2013, 13:46
Police
Impersonation - Card Fraud
Police are urging
residents to be wary of
scam where offenders claimed to be police officers.
Just before 11.10am on Saturday 1 June 2013, police received a call
from an elderly couple from the Cheadle Hulme area of Stockport to
report a fraud.
They had received a phone call from a man around noon on Friday 31st
May saying that he was a detective from the Metropolitan Police
claiming their bank card had been used in fraudulent transactions. The
‘detective’ then told the victims they would transfer them
through to their bank.
Another man’s voice came on the phone and believing they had been
transferred, the victims gave him their card PIN numbers after being
asked to type the PIN numbers into the telephone keypad.
Half an hour later a taxi was sent to the address in Cheadle Hulme and
the driver unwittingly collected the victim’s bank cards before
driving off.
The same day the victim's realised a large amount of money had been
taken out of their accounts. Police Sergeant Adam Shuttleworth from
Stockport West INPT said: “We want to make the public aware of
this scam and ask people to let their friends, relatives and neighbours
know. Police would never send a taxi to your home address to collect
personal documents including credit cards or ask for your PIN numbers.
“We believe there was a similar attempt to defraud an elderly
woman in the Ashton-under-Lyne area back in April. Fortunately, the
taxi driver who had been called grew suspicious and contacted police.
“If you are called by someone claiming to be a police officer and
you are concerned or suspicious, take their details including name and
collar number and call police on 101 to verify their details.
“If you believe your credit card has been cloned or stolen, call
your bank straight away.”
Message
Received: 24 May 2013, 16:26
Holiday
Security Checklist
In around 25 percent of burglaries that take place in the spring
and summer months, entry is gained through insecure windows and doors,
especially at the rear of the property.
• Ensure that windows and doors are closed and locked when you are
out. Don’t leave small windows open believing them to be safe.
• If you want to leave windows open while you sleep, fit window
restrictors so they cannot be fully opened, or make sure they are not
large enough to allow access to a burglar.
• When out in your garden ensure that windows and doors to the
front of the house are secure. It only takes a second for someone to
get into your home and take things without you noticing.
• Do not leave valuables on display in front of windows or in
reach of open windows or doors.
• Ensure that all barbecue and garden equipment and tools are
securely locked up in a shed and out of sight. Tools can be used by the
potential offender to break in to your home.
• Consider fitting outside security lighting or a visible alarm to
help deter burglars. Even using pea shingle or gravel on a driveway and
spiky plants in garden beds can help.
• Don’t leave any keys near entry points where they can be
‘fished’ or ‘hooked’ out through the window,
letter box or cat flap.
• Ensure any internal handle operated locks on UPVC doors are
fully secured with a key.
For additional advice please see attached Holiday Security Checklist:
Holiday_Security_Checklist_2013
Message
Received: 1 Mar 2013, 13:54
Scam Calls Alert
Please be aware that Action Fraud, the national fraud reporting centre,
have issued a warning about scam calls claiming to be from a Local
Authority Education Welfare department. The caller claims a child has
been absent from school and a fine is due. Action Fraud have published
details. It is very useful site that has up to date information on the
latest suspected frauds doing the rounds and it is well worth a visit
every so often. More details are available at: http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/home
We also had an incident in Romliey with someone claiming to be from
'Care Call' telephoned asking for bank details of the client. Please
note this is not an approach that Care Call would use. They use written
communications when dealing with finances. Please remind people of the
importance of not disclosing their bank details over the telephone.
Message
Received: 31 Jan 2013, 13:32
Council Tax Scam Warning in Stockport
Stockport Council today issued a new warning to residents to be on
their guard against scam phone calls regarding Council Tax bands.
Dozens of residents throughout the borough have contacted the
Council’s Trading Standards team reporting to have been phoned by
companies who offered to save them thousands of pounds in Council Tax
overpayments on the basis that their property is in the wrong Council
Tax band.
The Council’s Trading Standards team are concerned with how these
companies may be obtaining their business and are investigating into
complaints of misrepresentation and fraud. A sales representative was
recently arrested in the Marple area in connection with these enquiries
following a complaint from a local resident.
Many residents claim that the caller misled them into believing they
were acting on behalf of Stockport Council or the Valuation Office. The
companies cold call residents and advise that they are most probably
paying too much council tax and often also that their neighbours could
be paying a lot less than them.
They will then arrange a visit from a representative for the necessary
paperwork to be signed and it is only explained during the visit that
there is a fee upfront, often around £170, to process the
paperwork and that the company will take a percentage of the successful
claim which is usually around 25%.
Councillor Kevin Hogg, Stockport Council’s Executive Member for
Public Realm, said: “Some of these businesses do not make it
clear during the initial phone call exactly who they are and residents
can be under the impression they are dealing with someone from the
Valuation Office or the Council. Also, they cannot guarantee that you
will move to a lower Council Tax band without knowing full details of
your housing circumstances. The decision is made by the Valuation
Office Agency (the VOA), not a private company.”
Stockport Council automatically refunds any over-payments and does not
phone householders to ask for bank details. If you think you may
have overpaid, phone the Council on 0161 217 6014 and ask for it to be
checked.
If you want to check whether you’re in the right Council Tax
band, contact the Valuation Office on 03000 501501 or visit their webpages.
If you wish to appeal against the band you are in, this is dealt with
free of charge.
Residents who wish to report a Council Tax scam are urged to call the
Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 04 05 06.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Little Book of Big Scams
Every year, the British public loses billions of pounds to scammers who
bombard us with online, mail, door-to-door and telephone scams.
Scams (or frauds) are often difficult to investigate; they can be
complicated and often involve many people (both victims and suspects).
They can take a lot of resources to investigate and courts can find it
difficult to convict suspects because of the grey area that exists
between dishonesty and sharp practice. Prevention through awareness is
therefore a vital strand in combating scammers.
Please follow the link below a booklet produced by Thames Valley
Police. The booklet will increase your awareness of the vast array of
scams that are being used and teach you some easy steps you can take to
protect yourself. It should be seen as a general guide to many of the
scams currently operating in the UK.
Request
the booklet here
Message
Received: 18 Jan 2013, 12:04
Wheelie
Bins Fires & Shed Security
Advice
Wheelie Bins
There have recently been a number of fires involving wheelie
bins. These have either been stored close to front doors or moved
against a front door.
Advice from the Fire Service is to put bins out for collection
as late as possible, away from your door and put them away as soon
after collection as possible.
If bins have to be stored near footpaths or in front gardens
then try and ensure they can’t be moved, either by fastening a
group of bins together or securing them to something that can’t
be moved.
To arrange a free Home Safety Check call Freephone 0800 555 815
or visit the Greater Manchester Fire & Resuce Service
website: www.manchesterfire.gov.uk
How secure is your shed?
Thefts from sheds, garages and out-houses are on the increase.
The following crime prevention leaflets offer some practical
steps you can take to secure your shed and its contents.
LINK [Ringmaster_leaflet_shed_security.pdf]
LINK [Ringmaster_leaflet_re_shed_security_2.pdf
Message
Received: 4 Jan 2013, 15:12
Steer Clear of Cycle
Theft
The Reddish and the Heatons areas of Stockport are suffering a high
number of burglaries where expensive mountain bikes are being targeted.
Take care on public biking forums not to disclose your home address
where you keep your push bike.
Increase security where the bike is kept. Don’t clean your
bike at the front of your property and keep bike carrying equipment out
of sight.
Please see attached poster for more advice:
LINK [Ringmaster_bike_theft_poster1.pdf]
Please report any suspicious circumstances to Greater
Manchester Police on
101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Wendy Warburton
PCSO 65374
J Div. East NPT
Marple & High Lane
Greater Manchester Police
0161 427 0115
Ext: 69792
Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/@GMPStockEast
-------------------------------------------------------
Remember to report
anything suspicious to the police and/or your Neighbourhood Watch
Coordinator.