Community, Parish Council & Village
Essex Community Watch MagazineThis December’s edition of the Essex Community Watch magazine contains over 20 pages of great information and advice. Topics addressed range from practical advice, ways to avoid fraud and scams, how to keep safe, and some ideas for Christmas – it’s well worth a read
Winter ResilienceColchester BC is launching a Winter Resilience programme to see us through winter with COVID. The intention is to ensure all residents are prepared and/or have access to support when they need it.
This year they are going mobile and will be out and about in the community, so look out for the Community360 minibus in your area. Soon they’ll be dropping off packs to Continue reading “Winter Resilience – Coping with COVID”
Day 50 of LockdownDay 50 of lockdown is the last day of the soft lockdown as we look forward to tomorrow’s slightly softer version. Topics today include:
Today is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. Continue reading “Day 50 of Lockdown – the Florence Nightingale edition”
Crime Prevention in SummerColchester Neighbourhood Watch recently issued some crime prevention advice to help protect your property at this time of year.
During the summer months we see a rise in the number of “Creeper Burglaries” where burglars take advantage of open gates, and windows and doors left open for ventilation or that you forgot to close.
If you have unoccupied rooms that are accessible to others from outside or off flat roofs make sure the windows are closed, if you need ventilation in these rooms whilst at home at least lock the larger window and only have the small window open, even during the daytime. If you only have bigger windows consider a lockable window restrictor and a small alarm sensor on the window to detect entry.
Leave any external door open door and in comes trouble, even during the day. If that door is accessible (garden gate left insecure?) an opportunist thief will pop in and anything lying around will be gone. You may have only popped next door, or down the end of the garden or having a quick shower; it only takes a second for a thief to steal.
Crime Prevention in SpringColchester Neighbourhood Watch recently issued Crime Reports showing no incidents in West Bergholt between 27th March & 2nd April. They also had some advice to offer to help prevent crime at this time of year.
Well, spring has sprung and the migration into the garden has commenced with all the extra jobs that it brings. Unfortunately, with the spring season also comes seasonal crimes too and we need give this a little consideration to prevent them and help others avoid becoming victims too.
Crime Reports & Advice – January 2017Suspect(s) unknown have gained entry to the victims rear garden via a low level fence located at the bottom of the victims garden. Suspect has then Continue reading “Crime Reports & Advice – January 2017”
Garden Security Hints & TipsWith the weather steadily improving and with the nights getting longer, it is even more important that your garden is secure from would-be criminals. Making your garden more secure could prevent an intruder from getting into your home, garage or shed.
Essex Police have offered the following hints and tips for securing your garden:-
The onset of spring with the sunshine and blossoming trees may brighten up some peoples’ lives, for others it means the start of hay fever misery.
The condition, which affects around one in four people nationally, is an allergy to pollen and usually results in sneezing, blocked noses or itchy eyes.
Local GP, Dr Gary Sweeney who is also Chair of the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, said:
Normally around this time of the year, when the weather starts to warm up, more and more of us start experiencing hay fever symptoms. This is when different pollens start to grow which can affect people’s daily lives as well as interfere with their sleep.
However help is at hand through your local pharmacist who can recommend a range of treatment to reduce symptoms including nasal sprays, eye drops and tablets. There are also herbal remedies which are also available over the counter or from chemists.
But the condition can be more serious for some people – particularly those with long term conditions such as asthma. Dr Sweeney added:
People with these conditions should be very careful about what they take to treat hay fever and if they feel the condition is getting worse, they should consult with their GP.
There are some measures we can take to alleviate some of the symptoms.
The Self Care Forum was founded in 2011 by doctors, nurses and patients’ organisations to provide information and advice for common conditions, long-term conditions and healthy living. Fact sheets and symptom check lists to help people become more expert in preventing and managing health conditions at www.selfcareforum.org. Its hay fever guide is at http://www.selfcareforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/hayfever.pdf.
NHS online advice about hay fever is at http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Hay-fever/Pages/Introduction.aspx.
November saw absolutely NO crime report for West Bergholt after what was also a quiet October.
A few information releases arrived though, mostly dealing with fraud/scammers, including caution to be taken responding to phone callers trying to elicit confidential information, security companies trying to pressure sale alarm systems and a spoof HMRC email offering a tax rebate..
A new phone scam – known as number spoofing – is netting millions of pounds for fraudsters, consumers are being warned. Financial Fraud Action UK (FFA UK) said the scam has become increasingly common in recent weeks. Typically criminals fool people into thinking they are talking to their bank, or the police, on the phone. To help gain the target’s trust, they display a fake number on the phone’s caller ID screen. They then persuade the victim to hand over details of their bank account, or passwords, or suggest that they move money to keep it safe.
Using those personal details, they then steal money from that person’s account.
Frequently it is businesses which are being targeted, as well as some well-off individuals.
There’s a big surge in criminals using this,
…said an FFA UK spokesman. He said they had seen hundreds of such cases, with some companies losing as much as a million pounds.
When indulging in phone “spoofing”, criminals will often draw attention to the number that is showing on the recipient’s screen. Officials warn people to watch out for such odd behaviour, as it is a big clue that something is wrong.
Remember that if a caller is trying to draw your attention to the number on your phone display, it’s very unlikely the call is genuine as there is no legitimate reason to point it out,
…said Craig Jones of the FFA.
The technology being used has existed for a number of years, but fraudsters have only recently started using it.
It’s not difficult for the criminals to fake a caller ID,
… said Mr Jones.
Earlier this month some of Britain’s High Street banks launched a campaign to warn consumers about the dangers of “vishing” – otherwise known as voice phishing.
That is when fraudsters telephone victims, to try to get them to give out details of their accounts.
The campaign listed eight things a bank will never ask its customers to do, including asking for details of PINs or passwords.
Stephen Armson-Smith, Crime Reduction Advisor for Braintree district, says:
There has been a rise in the number of unsolicited sales calls both on the doorstep and by telephone calls, especially to the elderly to sell alarm systems. These companies quite often make false claims and can be aggressive in their sales pitch.
Please always consider:
If you do received unsolicited calls from security companies contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
Security advice can always be obtained free from your local Crime Reduction Advisor by ringing 101.
We have been advised that some unscrupulous scammers are sending emails purporting to come from Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC). It looks like the real thing (although for those who understand English grammar, the writing is a little bit ‘iffy’), but, as HMRC say:
We would never inform tax-payers of rebates by this method or request personal details.
Please be aware of any post/emails/phone calls that offer unexpected money or ask for payment that you weren’t expecting to make, and, in particular, do not click those links or download anything you are not 100% certain about.
The MUST knows about caring for your oil tankIf you have a domestic oil storage tank it’s your responsibility to keep it safe. Oil leaks can cause damage to property and the environment. Prolonged exposure to vapours could cause harm to health. It could cost you thousands of pounds and take months or years to clean up an oil spillage and there is a risk of prosecutions and fines. So, why take the risk? To prevent problems from occurring make sure your whole system is regularly checked and serviced by professionally qualified engineers.
Are there any visible leaks or stains? Are there any cracks or damage to the tank, pipes, sight gauges or the support system? Is your tank old or in poor condition? If any of these apply, get advice from a qualified and experienced engineer as soon as possible. If a repair or replacement is required, do not attempt to do this yourself.
Make sure your oil storage tank has space and cut back any plants which are growing near or over the tank, as they could damage it.
Make sure that any deliveries of oil can be made safely and supervise them whenever possible. Do what you can to prevent vandalism or theft, but do not make any changes that would affect how your system works.
Check your insurance cover! Some policies will only cover you for the cost of replacing lost oil, not for any clean up. Most companies will not cover you at all if a leak is caused by lack of maintenance.
Know what to do in an emergency. Don’t wait for a problem to occur! Read advice on our web page as mentioned below.
Keep a copy of emergency telephone numbers handy – or obtain a sticker for your tank from the Environment Agency by calling 03708 506 506.
Contact your insurance company immediately if a spill does occur. If your insurance policy does not cover you, you will need to employ your own accredited spill company.
Get advice and read the Essex Contaminated Land Consortium’s Domestic Heating Oil Care Guide at www.colchester.gov.uk/youroiltank.
We cannot clean up any oil that is spilt, or undertake any repairs for you but we may be able to help you find someone to clean up the oil to the correct standards.
