News from Downderry & Seaton Neighbourhood Watch
29 November 2023: Local scam warning update
We live in a very safe area with a strong community, however, many of you will have seen recent alerts from Neighbourhood Watch about scams taking place mainly in Downderry. Sadly, it is time to reinforce the warning again. We have a couple who are in a sorry state due to drug taking who we should not name and do not wish to encourage people taking matters into their own hands. Several good, kind people have lost money thinking they were helping people in distress. The scam appears to follow a pattern of asking for emergency food or work for payment, this is followed by further requests for advances with an offer to return to work off the debit. If you share your phone number, email, WhatsApp etc you will then receive calls of an urgent nature, “I am at a petrol station and my card will not work, please transfer money” followed by “thanks for the money but it was used up by overdraft, please send a further amount”.
The local individuals are well known to the authorities and are in receipt of more than adequate assistance and support. We are in regular contact with the police who are supporting us in this use of social media. You may have seen the police posting a picture from a visit to the area, this is no coincidence as they are stepping up patrols in our area. Our strong advice is not to engage at all with problem individuals but to record any event, no matter how small, via the police non-emergency contact facilities , press control then click https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/%20 . Please let your neighbours know of this scam and for those already affected, the police and we at Neighbourhood Watch and DaSRA would like to hear from you to make a full assessment of the problem. Rest assured we remain in contact with the police over this matter.
Nigel Jones Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator info@dasra.co.uk
Neighbourhood Watch: DaSRA has joined with Neighbourhood Watch to pass on their Safety Alerts to our local community. Local resident, Nigel Jones has been confirmed by Devon & Cornwall Police as Downderry & Seaton’s local co-ordinator and he takes on the role within DaSRA Management Committee to ensure that matters affecting the safety of our community are quickly passed on. As such he will supervise the scheme locally and liaise with the police and other partners on information, messages and initiatives. Nigel can be contacted via info@dasra.co.uk. DaSRA will be posting Safety Alerts on its Facebook and this web page. Scroll down to see latest Alerts
Neighbourhood Watch in the United Kingdom is the largest voluntary crime prevention movement covering England and Wales with upwards of 2.3 million household members. The charity brings neighbours together to create strong, friendly and active communities in which crime can be tackled. Neighbourhood Watch Network is the umbrella organisation supported by the Home Office to support Neighbourhood Watch groups and individuals across England and Wales.
Neighbourhood Watch groups work in partnership with the police, corporate companies with aligned values, voluntary organisations and individuals who want to improve their communities. Neighbourhood Watch aims to help people protect themselves and their properties and to reduce the fear of crime by means of improved home security, greater vigilance, accurate reporting of suspicious incidents and fostering a community spirit as well as tackling new forms of crime such as cybercrime.
To found out more visit the Neighbourhood Watch website .
Contact the Downderry & Seaton Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator, Nigel Jones email: info@dasra.co.uk . See below for local updates
News from your local Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator, Nigel Jones Flower Boats welcome to Downderry & SeatonApril 2023: Report to Neighbourhood Watch on grant award for Flower Boats.During the autumn of 2021, as the newly recruited Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator for Downderry and Seaton, SE Cornwall, I attended a training session with NW where I was informed that grants were available of up to £500 for community projects. I decided that ,as the villages of Downderry and Seaton did not have any Flower Boats, I thought it would give an ideal opportunity to give Neighbourhood Watch a physical presence in our two villages, so I applied for a grant towards providing at least two flower boats and, in Jan 22, I was delighted to announce to our community that Neighbourhood Watch was awarding our community £350. The grant was awarded to benefit the community and meet the key objectives of NW. It was assessed that the following objectives could be achieved Crime prevention activitiesCommunity cohesionEnhancing the role of volunteersImproving the community environmentThe Initial objectives of the project as stated in NW bid outlined were all met during the project as I trust this report will illustrate.Background to the projectDuring winter 2021-2022 two scrap dinghies were donated by the neighbouring Quay Sailing Club, St Germans, Cornwall. This was to the benefit of the club who had planned to have the abandoned craft removed to land fill by a local contractor. The cost of disposal was planned to fall on club members and detract from other club funding for water sport activities. As the project progressed a 3rd dingy was donated by the club.The dinghies were removed to a safe location and prepared for use as planters, made safe, and where possible fittings were recycled. The work was undertaken by a small group of volunteers including children and retired adults. Through our partnership with our local residents association, DaSRA, we ensured that the progress of work on the Flowers Boats was regularly reported on DaSRA’s website where a dedicated Neighbourhood Watch page was launched. Monthly reports on DaSRA Facebook page and on the villages’ Newsletter kept residents informed. Other neighbours provided very positive feedback about all the boats and have continued to support the project. A fourth boat is now underway after neighbours requested a boat in their residential area.The project brought together a wide range of people including local groups, Parish Council, WI, Residents Association, Village Pub, St Nicolas Primary School, Memorial Garden friends. From outside the village, support was given by Cornwall Council, Cormac,(Cornwall Council contractors) and Radio Cornwall. As the project developed into 2023, and continues to do so, our volunteers were concerned about how to provide water to the boats during the longest drought in many years. This was achieved by a small team ensuring that water was provided to the boats and stored in water containers by the boats allowing the flowers to be watered as required. Indeed, we were encouraged to receive a grant from South West Water and we will be installing water butts in order to collect and store as much water as possible.Volunteering efforts of local residents are always made welcome as they work towards a common aim. Many residents remarked on how much they enjoyed seeing the boats and knowing that the villages were taking greater ownership of their environment. The location of the boats have become areas that attract residents to stop and stare, creating a greater awareness of a safer local environment. The project had to be a proactive effort as funding was very tight but we were trusted by our Parish Council, Cornwall Council and other groups to deliver the project. Collaborating with so many different organisations has provided a basis on which to proceed into the future of the project. The progress of the project As seaside villages watersports, particularly boating, are part of our villages’ DNA, and it is of great interest to many resident and visiting sailors. We wanted to link that interest with Neighbourhood Watch so our plan was to recover some disused dinghies from a local sailing club or from donations.The first planter for which received Neighbourhood Watch funding was cited on a roadside verge on the edge of the Seaton Countryside Park. The location was chosen as it is a prominent position, available to be used with permission from Cornwall County Council and also a location which suffered from frequent illegal parking during summer months.The project was supported by Cormac who provided insurance, high visibility jackets and some through life support as part of a scheme run in partnership with Cornwall County Council. I also had to provide a risk assessment to Cormac to comply with their regulations and ensure safety of participants and public.Deviock Parish Council readily gave permission for the second Flower Boat to be positioned on a site in Downderry Memorial Gardens, a key visitors’ attraction as it is sited overlooking Whitsand Bay. The boat added an extra attraction as it was filled with a colourful display of flowers alongside the evergreen shrubs; donated bulbs have kept the Flower Boat of interest during the winter months.Having made savings during the project and with some additional funding from Deviock Parish Council, a third Flower Boat was installed on a verge opposite St Nicolas School, Downderry. The boat was planted up by school children and decorated as part of a school campaign against plastic pollution of our seas. Ongoing maintenance and replacement flowers will be supervised by the NW coordinator in partnership with local groups, Downderry and Seaton Resident’s Association (DaSRA), the Women’s Institute (WI), and an existing group of volunteers who maintain the village War Memorial Garden. I hope that our report has demonstated that this project has achieved its aims and it is with great enthusiasm that the community of Downderry and Seaton will continue to maintain the Flower Boats as a long term commitment. We thank Neighbourhood Watch for getting this project underway.
Cyber CrimeThree major predictions for 2023: 1. Ransomware will become an increasingly serious problem 2. Scams will continue to be a favourite method for cyber criminals 3. Cybercrime as a business will become even more sophisticated.How to protect yourself against scams 1. Research companies and websites before buying. No matter how urgent the offer may seem, or how badly you want the item or service, do your research first. 2. Pay with a credit card or trusted payment processor. Compared to debit cards and bank transfers, credit cards are far more secure. 3. Avoid unknown links and downloads. Scammers can use attachments and websites to infect your computer with malware. 4. Keep personal information to yourself. Many websites ask you to answer a series of security questions in case you need to recover your password. Remember which information you’ve set as security measures, and don’t share it. 5. Secure yourself online. If a website offers twofactor authentication, use it. It’s not bulletproof, but it’s better than nothing. Use strong, unique passwords on the websites you frequent, and store them more securely with a dependable password manager.To join Neighbourhood Watch and get all this information and more go to www.ourwatch.org.uk/knowledge-hub or contact me via DaSRA. www.dasra.co.uk. email info@dasra.co.uk Nigel Jones Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator
Alert. 6 Dec 2023
WhatsApp groups are being targeted by scammers who infiltrate these groups, then deceive the group’s members into sending them money.
This fraud often begins when a member of the group receives a WhatsApp audio call from the fraudster, pretending, or claiming, to be a member of the group. This is done in order 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 then call the victim and say they are sending a one-time passcode which will allow them to join an upcoming video call for group members. The scammer then asks the victim to share this passcode with them so they can be “registered” for the video call. What’s really happening is that the scammer is asking for a registration code to register the victim’s WhatsApp account to a new device where they then “port” their WhatsApp profile over.
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 access their account. The scammer will then message other members of the group, or friends and family in the victim’s contacts, asking them to transfer money urgently as they are in desperate need of help.
Please be wary when receiving contact via WhatsApp or other messaging platforms. This is particularly the case when being asked to provide account information – despite the fact that you may recognise the individual’s profile picture and / or name.
Never share your account information with anyone, and if you think it’s a fraudulent approach, report the message and block the sender within WhatsApp. To make your account more secure, we advise setting up two-step verification to provide an extra layer of protection. This makes it increasingly more difficult for fraudsters to gain access to somebody else’s WhatsApp account.
What can you do to avoid being a victim?
Never share your account’s two-factor authentication (2FA) code (that’s the six digit code you receive via SMS).
Set up two-step verification to give an extra layer of protection to your account.
Tap Settings > Account >Two-step verification > Enable.
THINK. CALL. If a family member or friend makes an unusual request on WhatsApp, always call the person on a phone number you know to be correct, to confirm their identity.
You can 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 have been a victim of fraud or cybercrime, report it at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Alert 28 Nov 2023
We would like to make residents aware of scams involving QR codes.
The scam works by way of the perpetrators sticking their own fake QR code over a genuine one, when the fake QR code is scanned they are taken to a similar but fraudulent website and payment details are harvested by the criminals.
Please be wary of QR codes that you may need to scan at various locations, such as paying for a carpark, ordering items/services etc, look out for any tampering/alterations to QR codes and the sticking over/replacing the genuine QR code with a bogus QR code.
If you believe a scam is taking place with a potential suspect still close-by please phone 999. If you come across a fake QR code and no suspect is present, please report to Action Fraud and also report via the Devon & Cornwall Police website or by phoning 101.
Alert 23 Nov 2023
Cyber security advice
As we approach the festive shopping period, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has recently launched the latest phase of their Cyber Aware campaign
Devon and Cornwall Police are supporting the NCSC in urging customers to stay vigilant when it comes to shopping online. We recommend that you take these two simple steps :-
1. Use a strong and different password for your email using 3 random words.
Your email password should be strong and different from all your other passwords. Combining 3 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.
2. Turn on 2-Step Verification (2SV) for your email.
2SV gives you twice the protection so even if cyber criminals have your password, they can't access your email.
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.
The NCSC has warned that cyber criminals are likely to use AI technology such as large language models to produce more convincing scam emails, fake adverts, and bogus websites.
However, while scams are increasing in sophistication, by having the basics in place when it comes to email security, such as switching on 2SV and having a strong password made up of three random words, you can stay better protected.
The campaign is also reminding people to shop securely by researching online sellers, paying with a credit card or secure payment platform where possible and only providing enough payment details to complete the purchase.
Alert 16 Nov 2023
Police and volunteers to focus on speed during Road Safety Week
Speeding motorists will be the focus of police and volunteers across Devon & Cornwall next week as part of national Road Safety Week.
Roads Policing teams, Speed Detection Officers and Special Constables will be out in force across the two counties from November 19–25 in an effort to slow drivers down.
They will also be joined by hundreds of volunteers from Community Speedwatch teams in neighbourhoods all over the South West.
Speed is the theme of this year’s Road Safety Week, which is organised by national charity Brake.
Across the UK, police figures show that travelling too fast or exceeding the speed limit was a contributory factor in 25% of deaths, where an officer attended the scene of a collision.
For the full article please see the Devon & Cornwall website here
Alert 13 Nov 2023
Hidden crimes affect our neighbours, our friends, and our family, and we often do not recognise the signs in our communities.
Neighbourhood Watch Network is delighted to bring to you a series of special online webinars with expert speakers, delivering guidance, research and case studies on specific hidden crimes.
The webinars cover a selection of topics that are often not addressed and spoken about, but we feel that you should be aware of.
Topics covered
· Modern slavery and human trafficking – a topic which affects the most vulnerable in our society.
· Domestic violence and abuse - an objective look at how we can spot the signs and what we can do to help.
· Crimes affecting young people: Radicalisation – often a crime that does not get talked about until something happens.
· Controlling and coercive behaviour – another form of abuse that controls how a partner in a relationship behaves.
Over a four day period from Monday 20th – Thursday 23rd November, we invite you to join the conversation with us and ask questions of our independent experts.
If you would like to join the webinars, please either click HERE to book your place, or click on the individual webinars listed below. You will need to book separately for each of the webinars that you would like to join. All webinars will be held on Zoom.
TopicDate and TimeLink to register
Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery
Guest speaker from antislavery.org
Monday 20th November
12.30pm - 1.30pm
Domestic Violence and Abuse
Guest speaker from National Centre for Domestic Violence
Tuesday 21st November
4pm – 5pm
Crimes affecting young people - Radicalisation
Guest speaker from MET Police Prevent programme
Wednesday 22nd November
Controlling and Coercive behaviour
Guest speakers from HER Centre
Thursday 23rd November.
5pm – 6pm
We look forward to welcoming you to our online events and why not share with others to attend. Book your space now to avoid disappointment.
Alert 13 Nov 2023
Frontline police officers in Devon & Cornwall Police have been equipped with a knife arch to help target knife carriers and seize concealed weapons as part of a national crackdown on knife crime.
The knife arch will be used at known high-risk locations, but also as an engagement tool to help raise awareness around the dangers of knife carrying and educate young people at schools and colleges to prevent knife crime.
The Force will also work with partners in locations such as train stations, licensed premises and shopping centres to engage with the public.
The activity is part of Operation Sceptre, which is a national initiative to tackle knife crime, will run from Monday 13 November to Sunday 19 November 2023 and will focus on online knife retailers and responsible selling, raising awareness to parents and care givers to ensure they are aware of what packages are being sent to young people at home and educating young people about the stark dangers of knife carrying.
For the full article please see the Devon & Cornwall Police website here.
Alert 10 Nov 2023
We have received recent reports of scams involving cars advertised for sale. This scam involves two males arranging viewings of cars advertised for sale, when the males arrive, one distracts the owner whilst the other looks under the bonnet and tampers with the vehicle so it will smoke or not run properly, the males will then point out the problem to the owner and ask for a discount on the car.
If anyone comes to view your vehicle, be vigilant, ask a friend to be with you if possible. Do not leave the potential buyers alone with the vehicle or allow them the opportunity to tamper with the vehicle. If an issue is noticed during the viewing or test drive, do not lower the price without having the vehicle examined by your own independent mechanic. Do not accept any deal that you are not happy with.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via our website here or by phoning 101 quoting 50230295927.
All reports of this nature also need to be reported to Action Fraud 0300 123 2040 or online www.actionfraud.police.uk
Alert 8 Nov 2023
We are pleased to bring you the latest edition of our newsletter for Neighbourhood Watch supporters across England and Wales.
Here are some highlights in November's edition:
READ THE NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER HERE.
We are pleased to bring you the latest edition of our newsletter for Neighbourhood Watch supporters across England and Wales.
Here are some highlights in November's edition:
READ THE NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER HERE.
Alert 30 Nov 2023
2023 Crime and Community Survey launched
We are delighted to invite you to take part in our annual Crime and Community survey. The survey is in its fourth year, and we want to hear your views on crime, community, and your experience of Neighbourhood Watch. The survey is open to everyone across England and Wales, regardless of whether you are a Neighbourhood Watch member.
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/surveyCC2023
All responses will be anonymised and aggregated, and everyone who completes the 5 – 10 minute survey can choose to opt-in to the prize draw to win one of three £25 Amazon vouchers.
The results will enable us as a charity to better understand crime and fear of crime, benchmark whether membership in a Neighbourhood Watch scheme or living in a Neighbourhood Watch area impacts crime levels, neighbourliness, and the willingness of communities to work together. This information is vitally important to ensure we can better target our work to meet your crime and community needs and concerns.
Last year our survey received a great response, providing us with rich and useful data.
Please complete our survey and share it via email and social with all the various communities you belong to, whether they be a Neighbourhood Watch community or other such as sport, religious or work community. This will help us receive a good balance of responses from members and non-members, enabling us to compare experiences between these two groups. Alternatively, reshare our social posts (Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn) to your channels.
The survey closes on 17th November.
Alert 17 Oct 2023
Email and Social Media hacking
Email and social media hacking is the most prevalent form of cyber-dependent crime reported to Action Fraud.
As part of Cyber Security Awareness Month, Action Fraud will be raising awareness on their social platforms about how people can secure their accounts properly. Some of these actions you may already be doing yourself, if so, good job! We would ask that you please share the advice with people who you think would find it beneficial.
Advice
There are two actions you can take to instantly help protect your email and social media account. These relate to password use and 2-Step Verification.
Use a strong and different password for your email using 3 random words
Your email password should be strong and different from all your other passwords. Combining 3 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.
Do not use words that can be guessed (like your pet's name). You can include numbers and symbols if needed. For example, “Hippo!PizzaRocket1”.
Turn on 2-Step Verification (2SV) for your email
2-Step Verification (2SV) gives you twice the protection so even if cyber criminals have your password, they can't access your email.
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.
For more information about the above steps, and for other ways to stay secure online and keep your devices safe, visit Cyber Aware - NCSC.GOV.UK
Reporting
If you think you have been a victim of cyber crime, please report the incident to Action Fraud via phone (0300 123 2040) or website at www.actionfraud.police.uk
If you've received a suspicious email, please forward it to the NCSC's Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) at 'report@phishing.gov.uk'. More information, including advice on how to protect yourself against phishing, can be found on the NCSC website.
Advice can also be found on the Devon & Cornwall Police website here Cyber crime | Devon & Cornwall Police (devon-cornwall.police.uk)
Alert 16 Oct 2023
Devon & Cornwall Police Support National Business Crime Week of Action
Officers from Devon & Cornwall Police are supporting a national week of action to strengthen relationships between retail, security staff and police in an effort to tackle business crime.
The initiative begins on Monday 16 October, co-ordinated by the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) that aims to equip business owners and security staff with the tools to tackle business crime and raise awareness of the support available to help protect them and their organisations.
During the week of action local policing teams across Devon & Cornwall will carry out various crime prevention activities and initiatives to increase engagement with local businesses and retail outlets. They will also aim to improve relationships and offer signposting advice to help prevent crimes from occurring in the first place.
Businesses can be affected by a wide variety of crimes from theft, burglary and cyber crime to abusive or violent behaviour directed at staff. A Safer Business Action event is all about partnership working, with the police, business, private security, Business Crime Reduction Partnerships and Business Improvement Districts, working together to reduce crime.
Joe Champness is the Crime Prevention and Business Crime Lead for Devon & Cornwall Police. He said: “In recent years, the business community has experienced a range of new threats that have been further compounded by the rising cost of living. Businesses have become more vulnerable to crime and, through a partnership approach, we are looking to tackle the issues being faced.
“This week of action will enable us to undertake targeted responses to issues being faced in the business community. It also allows us to engage with businesses throughout the force to better understand their issues, and work in collaboration to develop long term solutions. The week of action will see officers and staff carry out targeted operations and store visits, offer crime prevention advice and take part in high visibility reassurance patrols”.
Some of the events taking place during the week of action include:
Pop up crime prevention advice stands in busy shopping areas such as Honiton, Exmouth, Exeter, Barnstaple, Torquay, Plymouth and Newquay. The Exeter event takes place on Mon 16 Oct between 12-2pm at Tesco store in Rydon Lane.
Plain clothed officers taking part in anti shoplifting operations
Linking in with local Business Improvement District (BID) managers and other business community partners to discuss concerns and find solutions
Visits to licensed premises to offer advice around anti-social behaviour
Patrols with local Councillors to better understand the local concerns in places such as North Devon
For the full article please see the Devon & Cornwall Police website here.
Alert 5 Oct 2023
Drugs warrant in Bodmin
On 4 October officers located around 4000 suspected cannabis plants, with an estimated yield of two million pounds, in a disused building in Bodmin.
Officers from the Proactive Disruption Team and the local Neighbourhood Team carried out a Section 8 Warrant under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act at the premises shortly before midday.
Three men, aged 24, 36 and 38 have been arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and remain in police custody.
A scene guard has been put in place whilst officers remain at the premises carrying out enquiries and the plants are tested by Drugs Liaison Officers.
Sector Inspector Adam Stonehill said: “This was an organised and sophisticated set up in a building of around 1500 square feet in size and had an infrastructure in place to produce a substantial amount of cannabis.
“My thanks to the Proactive Team and to the Neighbourhood Team for the work they have done in executing this warrant. But also to the public for reporting this crucial information to us which has ultimately led to this result today.
“Drug related crime has a detrimental effect on those most vulnerable in our communities and there is not place for that no here – as I set out in my priorities. This is a great example of how information reported to us by the public can help to remove both drugs, and the associated crime, from our community.
“What you may think of as an insignificant bit of information may be the piece of the puzzle which means we can take action and so I would urge anyone who has any information about suspected illegal activity to report it to us.”
If you have information about illegal activity in your area, you can report it to us by calling 101 or reporting via our website - Contact us | Devon & Cornwall Police (devon-cornwall.police.uk)
Information can also be reported anonymously to CrimeStoppers by calling 0800 555111 or via their website - www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Alert: 4 Oct 2023
Help us make Devon and Cornwall #NoPlaceForDrugs
Devon & Cornwall Police is appealing to local communities to report drug-related crime and activity so they can target offenders and keep local communities safe.
Drug-related crime and other associated offences, including theft and violence, has a significant impact on communities and tackling them remains a force priority.
Every year the Force takes action to disrupt individuals and criminal gangs who have been directly linked to illegal drug activity across the two counties as a result of information and intelligence from the public.
Information reported to the Force and Crimestoppers means we are able to build up a picture of what illegal activity is happening in communities and use the intelligence to inform how and where operational activity should be targeted.
For the full article please see the Devon & Cornwall Police website here.
Alert: 2 Oct 2023
The October edition of OUR NEWS is here
We are pleased to bring you the latest edition of our newsletter for Neighbourhood Watch supporters across England and Wales.
Here are some highlights in October's edition:
A celebration of our National Crime and Community Conference 2023, and our Volunteer Awards 2023 winners
We announce our new partnership with SimpliSafe, with benefits for our members
The Lookout student magazine is back - you can read it now!
Get Safe Online invite you to join a free webinar on internet safety
The Children's Society shares free resources on spotting and preventing child exploitation, with invitations to free webinars this autumn
READ THE OCTOBER NEWSLETTE here.
Alert 28 Sept 2023
Cross-border county lines gangs being tackled in regional operation
Communities across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are being urged to come forward and report any drug-related activity to help build an intelligence-rich picture as part of a regional campaign to disrupt county lines gangs.
The Operation Scorpion intensification campaign will be taking place across the South West, with exact locations and timings being withheld.
Op Scorpion, now in its sixth iteration since inception, harnesses the collective powers of the region to disrupt drug-related crime and ensure young people and their families are warned about the dangers of exploitation and provided with guidance on how to spot the signs. Police and crime commissioners from Wiltshire, Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Avon and Somerset have agreed with their respective chief constables that their Forces, supported by the South West Regional Organised Crime unit (SWROCU), would combine operational powers to tackle cross-border drugs supply, drug-related crime and associated anti-social behaviour as part of this campaign.
Information and intelligence from the public is a key tool to enabling Devon & Cornwall Police to focus operational activity on those involved in county lines drugs gangs who ply drugs in our communities and target vulnerable people. County lines is where drugs are transported across the country, usually by children or vulnerable people who are coerced by gangs.
For the full article please see the Devon & Cornwall Police website here.
Alert 5 Sept 2023:
September Newsletter
We are pleased to bring you the latest edition of our newsletter for Neighbourhood Watch supporters across England and Wales. Here are some highlights in September's edition:
Guidance from ERA on protecting your home as darker nights draw in
Find out how our local watches spent their Community Grants this summer, and how you can apply for one
How you can support our Better Place to Live campaign
In August’s edition, we highlighted the safety services that help me Angela provide to their app users – you can access excusive discounts for Neighbourhood Watch members here.
We hope you enjoy this edition - please share it with others!
READ THE SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER HERE.
Alert. 28 August 2023
Project NightEye - Devon & Cornwall Police
Devon & Cornwall Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner are committed to tackling violence against women and girls, wherever it happens - not least on a night out, which everyone should be able to enjoy without fear of crime. This has led to the creation of Project NightEye, a policing approach that makes the evening and night-time a hostile environment for men intent on harassment, or sexual or physical violence.
NightEye has been used in selected locations this summer, and learning from these deployments will be assessed and used to refine the project prior to it being used in even more locations across Devon and Cornwall.
https://news.devon-cornwall.police.uk/news-article/289dd875-3447-ee11-9d5a-6045bdd24049
If something doesn’t look right, report it here:
www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/ro/report or call 101.
You can report anonymously through Crimestoppers here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org or on 0800 555 111.
Download the StreetSafe app on iPhone or Android and tell us anonymously where you don’t feel safe, or use StreetSafe online here: www.police.uk/pu/notices/streetsafe/street-safe
If anyone is in immediate danger call 999.
Alerts 7 August
The August edition of OUR NEWS is here
We are pleased to bring you the latest edition of our newsletter for Neighbourhood Watch supporters across England and Wales. Here are some highlights in August's edition:
We celebrate the amazing amount of money raised in our first Crowdfunder towards innovative work with young people, thanks to our members and volunteers
Read guidance on identifying and safely intervening when you see street harassment
Download or buy a copy of our Impact Report 2022/23
Meet Genie, a new AI-powered scam detecting software
We hope you enjoy this edition - please share it with others!
READ THE AUGUST NEWSLETTER HERE
Alert 4 August 2023
Watch out for this WhatsApp scam
Large community and religious WhatsApp groups are being targeted by scammers who infiltrate them to try and deceive their members into sending them money. Since January of this year, 268 people have reported falling victim to this scam.
The fraud often begins when a member of the group receives a WhatsApp audio call from the fraudster, pretending, or claiming, to be a member of the group. This is done in order 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 then call the victim and say they are sending a one-time passcode which will allow them to join an upcoming video call for group members. The scammer then asks the victim to share this passcode with them so they can be “registered” for the video call. What’s really happening is that the scammer is asking for a registration code to register the victim’s WhatsApp account to a new device where they then “port” their WhatsApp profile over.
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 access their account. The scammer will then message other members of the group, or friends and family in the victim’s contacts, asking them to transfer money urgently as they are in desperate need of help
Oliver Shaw, Detective Chief Superintendent and Head of Action Fraud and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) said:
“WhatsApp continues to be a popular platform for community and religious groups, but sadly also for fraudsters. Here, the scammers rely on the goodwill of group members and their intrinsic desire to help others in distress.
“We urge people always to be wary when receiving contact via WhatsApp or other messaging platforms. This is particularly the case when being asked to provide account information – despite the fact that you may recognise the individual’s profile picture and / or name.
“Never share your account information with anyone, and if you think it’s a fraudulent approach, report the message and block the sender within WhatsApp. To make your account more secure, we advise setting up two-step verification to provide an extra layer of protection. This makes it increasingly more difficult for fraudsters to gain access to somebody else’s WhatsApp account”.
Analysis of Action Fraud reports indicate that victims targeted by this scam are often part of large WhatsApp community, alumni and academic, work groups, and religious groups (such as church or prayer groups).
What can you do to avoid being a victim?
Never share your account’s two-factor authentication (2FA) code (that’s the six digit code you receive via SMS).
Set up two-step verification to give an extra layer of protection to your account. Tap Settings > Account >Two-step verification > Enable.
THINK. CALL. If a family member or friend makes an unusual request on WhatsApp, always call the person to confirm their identity.
You can 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 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 have found this information useful, please forward the email to a friend, family member or colleague)
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Alert 7 July 2023
Devon and Cornwall's high visitor numbers likely to influence police funding formula
Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Commissioner has welcomed an announcement that visitor numbers are likely to be considered in a review of the way police forces are funded.
Alison Hernandez has for years campaigned for Devon and Cornwall Police to receive extra money because the force area has more visitors than any other outside London.
Four years ago the Commissioner, backed by politicians from around the peninsula, presented then Policing Minister with a dossier outlining the challenges faced by Devon and Cornwall Police.
Last October (2022) she submitted evidence to the Home Office’s Call for Information on Sparsity and Seasonality – part of its work to develop a new funding formula for policing.
On Monday Policing Minister Chris Philp, in an answer to a question by North Devon MP Selaine Saxby, said “rurality, sparsity and seasonality, particularly seasonal tourism”, were likely to be considered as part of a consultation into a new funding formula.
The formula determines how much each Police and Crime Commissioner receives for their respective forces from central government, with the rest of the budget made up from the policing ‘precept’ added to council tax bills.
The current formula provides no financial recognition of the number of visitors that forces must deal with. The Government intends to consult on a new formula ‘in due course’.
The Commissioner said: “At this time of year the number of incidents that Devon and Cornwall Police must deal with increases substantially. These incidents are not only crime related but are linked to road traffic collisions, missing people and calls for help from people who are experiencing mental ill health.
“Devon and Cornwall’s rurality and sparsity add to the challenge of dealing with the visitor influx and it is fantastic that those in Westminster have heard our message. I will continue to make the case that Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are worthy of additional central Government investment so we can maintain the force area as one of the safest in England and Wales for our resident populations and those who choose to holiday in this wonderful part of the world.
“I look forward to taking part in the forthcoming consultation on this formula.”
In September 2019 the Commissioner headed to Westminster with a delegation of councillors, MPs and police representatives to hand in a dossier of information about the impact of visitors on the force area.
It showed that there had been a 14% increase in incidents between April and October in Devon and Cornwall, the largest increase amongst English and Welsh forces.
Alert 30 June 2023
The July edition of OUR NEWS is here
We are pleased to bring you the latest edition of our newsletter for Neighbourhood Watch supporters across England and Wales. Here are some highlights:
Sign up for one of our ASB Webinars
Nominate for the Volunteer Recognition Awards
Become a Cyberhood Watch Ambassador
Find out how Neighbourhood Watch Week went
We hope you enjoy it, please share it with others!
Alert 21 June 2023
Almost 21 million reports have been made to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS), resulting in the removal of over 235,000 malicious websites.
SERS was launched by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the City of London Police in April 2020 to enable the public to forward suspicious emails to an automated system that scans them for malicious links. Since its launch, almost 21 million reports have been made to the service.
Mobile phone providers also offer a service that allows customers to report suspicious text messages, by forwarding them to the number 7726. The service is free of charge and enables providers to takedown malicious websites and block malicious texts from being sent across their network.
As of 31 May 2023, 54,000 text message scams have been removed as a result of suspicious texts forwarded to the 7726 service.
Commander Nik Adams, from City of London Police, said:
“Every year, thousands of people in the UK are scammed by a fraudulent email or text message. Phishing scams, whether it’s a text message claiming you have missed a delivery and are required to pay a redelivery fee, or an email claiming to be from your bank are a common security challenges that both individuals and businesses across the UK face on a daily basis.
“If you receive an email or text message that you think might be a scam, don’t respond to it or click any links in the message or email. Instead, contact the organisation directly using contact information from the company’s official website, and not the links or numbers provided in the message itself.
“If you think you have been a victim of fraud, report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. By reporting phishing scams or suspected fraud, you are directly helping us in our work to identify and stop these criminals and helping us protect others from these scams. If you are in Scotland, I ask that you report the fraud directly to Police Scotland by calling 101.”
How to protect yourself from scam emails and texts
Received an email or text that seems suspicious? Report it. Your reports enable us to remove the emails and websites criminals use to commit fraud and cyber crime.
1: Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk . Send emails to this address that feel suspicious, even if you're not certain they're a scam - we can check.
2: Forward suspicious text messages to 7726 (it’s free of charge). Your provider can find out where the text came from and block or ban the sender.
3 - If you’ve lost money or provided personal information as a result of a phishing scam, notify your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.
Please note: Sometimes a forwarded email may not reach us because it is already recognised by spam detection services. You can also take a screenshot of the email and send it to report@phishing.gov.uk
(If you found this information useful, please forward it to your friends and family)
Alert 23 May 2023
Increase of ‘livestock worrying’ incidents highlighted by Police
Incidents of livestock worrying increased in Devon and Cornwall throughout May according to Police.
Devon & Cornwall Police are reminding the public to keep dogs on leads when visiting Devon and Cornwall’s open spaces this bank holiday.
Livestock worrying is when a dog attacks or chases livestock, it is a criminal offence and can have a devastating impact on livestock, farmers and in some circumstances the dog and the owner.
Rural Affairs Officer for Devon & Cornwall Police, PC Chris Collins said: “We are hoping that by encouraging people to respect our countryside and communities this bank holiday we can also ensure responsible dog ownership and remind people of the law."
“All land is owned, and access is not a given right, so it is important that users of the countryside understand specific designations of land and ‘rights of way’. For example, on land which is designated as ‘access land’ a dog must be on a lead between the 1 March and 31 July and at all times when livestock are present.”
“Allowing dogs to chase or attack livestock is a criminal offence. Take notice of local signage, respect wildlife and any livestock around you, keeping your dog on a lead to protect livestock and ground nesting birds”.
“If you witness an attack on livestock, do not intervene, keep yourself safe and call 999. All other information relating to attacks on livestock should be reported to the police online or by calling 101”.
For useful free resources with tips about how to keep rural communities safe please see the Devon & Cornwall Police website here.
Alert 23 May
Road safety operation leads to arrests for burglary, kidnapping and drug driving
Officers from the Alliance Roads Policing Team at Devon & Cornwall Police are entering the second week of Operation Vortex, targeting drivers of all types of vehicles who disregard road traffic laws on roads across Devon and Cornwall.
Operation Vortex aims to reduce the number of collisions and casualties, by targeting poor driving as a result of the ‘Fatal Five’ which consists of careless driving, drink/drug driving, failing to wear seatbelts, using mobile phones (and other in-car distractions) and speeding.
During week one of the operation, that started on Monday 15 May 2023, officers stopped a total of 98 vehicles.
Six drivers were arrested for drug driving as well as seven people for other offences including aggravated burglary, kidnapping and false imprisonment. A total of 15 drivers have been reported for using mobile phones and nine drivers for failing to have valid insurance. An additional 30 drivers have been caught speeding, five of whom have been reported to court and a number of vehicles have been seized as part of the operation.
A team of officers will be continuing to carry out patrols and observe driver behaviour in unmarked vehicles across Devon and Cornwall this week.
Motor Patrol Constable Richie Roome of the Alliance Roads Policing Team at Devon & Cornwall Police said: “We’re working hard to reduce the number of people killed and injured on the roads of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
“It is well known that the ‘Fatal Five’ play a big part in the collisions we see across our force area. Our aim is to make sure that we keep everyone safe on our roads by making sure those who commit offences are caught and dealt with appropriately.”
Op Vortex aims to not only deal with road offences, but to also educate the public of the potential life-changing repercussions of their actions.
Drivers who commit offences could receive a fine and points on their licence, a court appearance and even imprisonment for more serious offences.
Constable Richie Roome continued: “There have been a significant number of very serious collisions on Devon and Cornwall’s roads recently and, sadly, many of these have resulted in a tragic loss of life.
“We would like to take this opportunity to remind drivers to be considerate of other road users, and to consider how losing their driving licence would affect them, their employment, their family and their livelihood.
“Law abiding road users have nothing to fear from this operation. Our sole focus is to deal with drivers who are putting other road users at risk and keep everyone on our roads safe.”
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Alert 11 May 2023
Commissioner launches new website for victims of crime
Yesterday, the Commissioner joined local MPs in Westminster to launch a new website to help victims of crime within Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
The new website, which is just one doorway to getting help, is aimed at helping victims to access the care and support they need and provides a single route for all victims regardless of whether or not they have reported the crime. Yesterday, MPs got the chance to learn how to help those in their constituents who may come forward as victims.
The Commissioner was also joined by Victim Support who are working in partnership with her office to deliver services to victims in a landmark 10 year contract, the largest contract of this type outside of London.
The new website provides crucial information about victim’s rights and helps them to understand their journey and what will happen in relation to criminal justice, the police and other agencies.
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Alison Hernandez, said: “I am determined to make sure that victims reach out, especially those who feel less inclined to report crime, and come through the victim’s website.
“My aim is to ensure that every victim of crime feels able to come forward and access the help and support that they need and are entitled to. I want people to have the confidence that they will be believed and to know what the next steps are in seeking justice.”
The Office partnered with Victim Support in April 2021 and was backed by £3.4million budget for 2022/23 with a budget of £3.42million for 2023/24.
During 2021-22 a total of 41,112 people were supported through this pathway, with over 11,000 more than the previous year being referred to therapeutic services. Victims can range from rape, domestic abuse, sexual offences and burglary.
The website can be found at https://victimcare-dc.org and advice and support can be made through a 24-hour supportline number 0808 168 91111 or by 24 hour live chat.
Alert 5 May 2023
The May edition of OUR NEWS is here
We are pleased to bring you the May edition of our newsletter for Neighbourhood Watch supporters across England and Wales.
This month’s edition highlights how you can get involved in Neighbourhood Watch Week, how we can all create safer communities with simple steps, actions against street harassment, MPs signing up to our Community Safety Charter, the national property register, how smart tech can help keep an eye on your home, what is a PayPal scam, and offers from Avast and Patlock.
We hope that you enjoy it.
Alert 21 March 2023
'Why I am reopening 17 police station front desks', explains the Commissioner
I love an opportunity to get out and meet the public we serve and front-line police officers, staff and volunteers, so was in my element on Friday and Saturday when I toured the six police stations where I have funded the reopening of police enquiry offices
The reports I receive at headquarters might describe these projects in detail but there is nothing like seeing these stations in their actual location, checking out the improvements made by my estates team and meeting some of the wonderful people who have been hired to be the friendly face of policing in Devon and Cornwall.
After a hectic 48 hours I had two big take-homes. Firstly, the size and challenges of our geography cannot be underestimated. North Cornwall and Mid Devon might not be that far apart as the crow flies, but travelling between them involved windy rural roads and diversions – and that’s before we hit peak visitor season.
Also not to be underestimated was the enthusiasm and support we have from our communities. In Newton Abbot, Penzance, Falmouth, Truro, Bude and Tiverton we were met by local councillors, police and community volunteers and local groups like the Penzance Red Hats who I am sure our new Chief Constable will never forget.
In Falmouth I was delighted to invite the parents of PC Andy Hocking, who did so much before his tragic death to practice a style of community policing that inspired so many and had such an influence on me that I named my office after him. PC Hocking was the embodiment of the visible community presence that we are working to replicate across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly – picking up on problems before they escalated.
Those communities and their challenges make me more certain than ever that the investment to reopen these front desks is absolutely necessary. That is why I was so pleased to be able to announce that we will be opening another six front desks, in Devonport (Plymouth), Looe, Ilfracombe, Honiton, Okehampton and Kingsbridge in the next 12 months.
There will be a further four opened in the following 24 months, bringing our total number of front desks across Devon from nine in 2020 to 26 by the time the project is complete.
In addition, Exmouth Police Station in East Devon is being rebuilt and the new stations is to include a functioning front desk.
Some have challenged us as to whether these front desks will be used enough to warrant the investment. I believe they already have. Victims of serious offences have come forward because they have seen their station reopen and communities are coming forward to tell us about crime we did not know about.
New technology is also a game-changer. It means police enquiry staff in these offices can help with electronic communication when not dealing with customers face to face, taking pressure off our 101 and 999 call handlers.
So far £1.5m has been earmarked for investment in the project over two years in which the force overall budget will be close to £700m, and that includes set-up costs.
Connectivity with the public is a cornerstone of my Police and Crime Plans, the Chief Constable and I think face to face contact with the public helps victims and provides a long-term solution to rebuilding confidence in policing.
Thanks to investment from our residents Devon and Cornwall Police now has record police officer numbers. Having accessible police stations close to our communities is the missing part of the jigsaw in providing the neighbourhood model of policing that was invented here.
Coming after a time of isolation as a result of the global pandemic, the reopening of these public enquiry desks represents a reconnection with our communities; we are reopening our doors and providing a safe place for anyone to be able to come to us and ask for help.
Our police enquiry staff are on hand to offer prevention advice and support to victims, so if you have a question for the force why not consider popping in and saying hello?
The stations are accessible to the public six days a week. A full list of enquiry offices and their opening times across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is available on the Devon and Cornwall Police website or via Google.
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Nov 2022 OUR NEWS
August 2022 OUR NEWS
April 2022 OUR NEWS
March 2022 OUR NEWS
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NETWORK, Central Support Team
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Reporting crime to Devon and Cornwall Police
Do you need help and advice? Not sure where to look or who to speak to? Why not AskNED – Devon and Cornwall Police’s non-emergency directory. AskNED combines the most commonly asked questions with contact details of those who can help.
If you do need to contact Devon and Cornwall Police about a non-emergency, you can contact them via:
Online webchat
Online crime reporting form
Emailing 101
Calling 101
In an emergency situation, always dial 999.
You can also report crime anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website: crimestoppers-uk.org
(ends)
How to report scams:
If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you are suspicious about an email you have received, you can report it by forwarding the email to:report@phishing.gov.uk. Suspicious text messages can also be reported by forwarding them to the number: 7726 (it’s free of charge).
If you believe you are the victim of a fraud, please report this to Action Fraud as soon as possible by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.
July 2022
While fraud reporting decreased from 54,845 to 50,187 during June, City of London Police’s July monthly Fraud Threat Assessment identified types of fraud that were increasing or commonly featuring during the month: • Passport application fraud • Lottery scams – victims are contacted by phone or social media messages, notifying them they are on a ‘winners list’ or have won a lottery cash prize or other prizes. Fees are required to obtain winnings, or the victims are asked to purchase vouchers. • Rental fraud – increase is potentially due to restrictions easing and the association to holiday rental fraud and individuals and groups renting properties, e.g., students. • Door to door sales – more people at home, fewer restrictions for suspects. • Application fraud – criminals using false information or counterfeit documents to apply for a financial product. • Driving license renewals - websites purporting to offer driving licence renewals requesting victims input their personal and financial information. • Crypto mining scams - victims were persuaded to invest and promised daily returns, but no returns were received, and the website has since been closed. • Covid tests - ordered from a website purporting to be on the governmentapproved list of suppliers, but victims reported never receiving the test or the results despite payment being taken. • Vaccine passport scam emails • Fake emails - purporting to be from Amazon claiming to offer an exclusive reward if the recipient completes an online survey, but it is a phishing email designed to steal login, personal and financial information. Looking ahead: The most vulnerable could be offered a booster Covid-19 vaccine from September 2021 to protect as many as possible from becoming seriously ill due to Covid-19 over the winter period. There is the potential for cybercriminals to target vulnerable or older adults who are eligible for the vaccine. I would advise you all to be on the alert for scams relating to fraud linked to cost-of-living payments.
Finally, a reminder for all cyclists, runners and children and parents heading too and from school or using our lanes as the winter nights draw in, be safe, be seen. Biomotion – by adding reflective pieces to moving parts of your body (feet, ankles, legs etc). This movement draws the human eye. In doing this you are much more likely to be seen.
July 2022
July was a busy month for Neighbourhood Watch with the instillation of the last flower boat on the verge opposite St Nicolas School. I was supported by an enthusiastic team to position the boat and fill with 1.5 dumpy bags of top soil, thanks to David Batiste and Terry Stokes who have helped with the heavy and practical tasks on all three boats. The final boat has been planted and decorated by children from the school under the expert guidance of Suzie Hartshorn, the school’s outdoor adventure leader. It is great to see the environmental aspect in the children’s work , encouraging zero use of plastic. The next part of the project is provision of water butts to encourage us to use rain water. Overall, there has been much positive feedback about all three boats - the other two sited in the Memorial Garden and in the centre of Seaton. If anybody would like to contribute time or money towards future upkeep of the boats, please get in touch. -info@dasra.co.uk
How to report
You should contact Cornwall Waste and Recycling Team if possible on line at https://secure.cornwall.gov.uk/form/auto/cserv_contact_us?Service=Waste or by phone to the Animal Welfare and Enforcement Team on 300 1234 212. The information required is ;
It would also be helpful if you could contact DaSRA and let us know of your formal report so that we can keep track of reporting which will add to our ability pursue the matter. Is also worth highlighting that the fine for dog fouling with a fixed penalty from a dog warden is £100 or £1000 if brought before a magistrate. For those strange dog owners who believe that leaving a package of dog waste in a bag for later collection is Ok, they can be fined and additional £150 for littering or up to £2500 if brought before a magistrate.
Aims of Neighbour Watch in 2022 - raise crime prevention awareness * build more inclusive local networks* develop community cohesion* improve community environment and wellbeing.
If something doesn't feel right, don't wait, report it. Call the Police on 101 or in an emergency 999 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, online or 0800 55511 or call the NSPCC on 0800 800 500
Nigel Jones, Downderry & Seaton Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator, info@dasra.co.uk
