Homewatch Message

[admin]

This message has been forwarded on from the Stockport Watch Scheme Administrator:

POLICE ISSUE CHILLING WARNING TO DRIVERS AFTER 20 VEHICLES ARE STOLEN IN TWO DAYS

Greater Manchester Police is warning the public to take care when defrosting their vehicles, after 20 vehicles have been stolen across Greater Manchester* in just two days (Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 February).

The vehicles were stolen when the drivers left them unattended with the keys in the ignition and engines running while defrosting them.

With temperatures expected to continue to plunge over the next few days, police are urging motorists to ensure that they are not the next victims to be left out in the cold by simply staying with their vehicle while de-icing them on frosty mornings.

A wide variety of vehicles have been stolen including a Toyota Corolla, BMW, Mercedes, Ford Mondeo, Citroen C3 and a Ford transit van.
  
Chief Inspector Haydn Roberts of Greater Manchester Police’s Traffic Network Section said: “People can be tempted to leave their car engine running on a frosty morning while they keep nice and warm inside their house.  However, it only takes a few seconds for a thief to steal a car when the keys have been left in the ignition.

“It is not only high-powered vehicles that are targeted and so our advice to all drivers is to stay in their vehicle when defrosting and if at any time they need to leave the car, to make sure they lock it, remove any valuables and take the keys with them.

”Motorists should also remember that insurance companies may not pay out if vehicles are stolen after being left unattended with the keys in the ignition.”

Additional Information:
*The vehicles have been stolen from the following areas:
Stockport -        6 vehicles
Salford -         4 vehicles
Wigan -         3 vehicles
Oldham -        2 vehicles
Tameside -         2 vehicles
Rochdale -        1 vehicle
Bolton -         1 vehicle
Bury -                 1 vehicle

[admin]

This message has been forwarded on from the Stockport Watch Scheme Administrator:

Be aware of Bogus Roofers! Following the recent storms people who have had their roofs/property damaged by the recent storms are being warned not to fall victim to dodgy doorstep rogues offering to carry out repairs.

Trading Standards officers in Stockport are warning people not to be caught out by doorstep visitors offering to replace lost tiles or mend damaged guttering. They are concerned that rogue traders may try to take advantage of the poor weather conditions and consequent damage to homes - whether real or simply made up - in the coming weeks.

Unfortunately past experience shows that rogues will try to "cash in on" a sudden upsurge in demand for roofing work. In order to avoid falling victim Trading Standards offer the following advice.

If property has suffered from storm damage encourage people to check your buildings insurance. Policies should cover storm damage and you should contact your insurer at the earliest opportunity and seek their advice. If in rented accommodation you should contact your landlord about any damage that has been caused.

If you need to have work done then make sure that you use a reputable builder. Ask friends or family to recommend someone or use someone who has worked for you in the past who you can trust.

Be wary of people ringing you up or knocking on your door, especially if they want you to sign up to a special deal on the spot. Be cautious of advertising which comes through the door, particularly adverts which only have a telephone number. Anyone can claim to be a builder/decorator/etc.

Officers say it is their experience that those who do employ roofing rogues will often end up paying far more than they should have to, including paying for work which is not needed.

Anyone offering to carry out work as a result of door to door calling should provide written details of cancellation rights to the customer. If people have concerns about doorstep callers they should contact Trading Standards on 08464 04 05 06.

Advice about repair work and consumer rights in general is also available on 08454 04 05 06 from Consumer Direct who also have information on their website at www.consumerdirect.org.uk

[admin]

This message has been forwarded on from the Stockport Watch Scheme Administrator:

There has been a bogus official burglary on the afternoon of Wednesday 17 January, the victim being an 86 year old female.  The offender gained entry to secure communal area in sheltered housing at Spathfield Court, Heaton Chapel, and knocks on door of victim, posing as a Waterboard official and saying he was checking water pressure in the area.  There was also a similar attempted bogus crime at the same address.  Please remind your members that United Utilities never make unscheduled visits to check water for any reason, visits to households are always by appointment.  Any without an appointment should be refused entry.  To check authenticity of doorstep callers, please note following numbers:

                BRITISH GAS                        0800 300 100
                BT                                      0800 321 999
                POWERGEN                           0800 056 6278
                SCOTTISH POWER                 0845 270 0700
                TRANSCO                             0845 605 6677
                UNITED UTILITIES                0845 746 2200

[admin]

This message has been forwarded on from the Stockport Watch Scheme Administrator:

TRICK OR TREAT POSTERS

You may recall this successful campaign from last year which enabled householders to display a poster in their window which says 'Sorry - no Trick or Treat' in bright eye-catching colours.  The poster can be obtained from local information points - ring 474 3130 for details, or you can download from www.saferstockport.org.uk

Extra police officers will be on duty over the Halloween and Bonfire Night period to tackle any related incidents, so please do not hesitate to report trouble with youths or anti-social behaviour you may experience at this time.

[admin]

Have received this message, which may be worth noting:

CRIME RING MESSAGE FOR WATCH SCHEME CO-ORDINATORS IN STOCKPORT
Please pass on to your scheme members, where appropriate

‘Britannia’ and 'Britannia Home Improvements’

Intelligence received by Trading Standards regarding the trader is that they are about to target the Greater Manchester area next but that the trading name has changed to:

 "Home Improvement Advisory Service"

Past experience of similar companies working in Stockport suggest that this company may be highly active during the next few weeks.

This company has been approaching householders saying they are working in the area and offering a free survey to check for damp and mould problems.

Where the resident expresses interest the caller will arrange an appointment and may give the resident a security code to quote back to the surveyor when they call.

Householders in that area have ended up paying for overpriced, poor quality, unnecessary work.
Trading Standards is urging anyone, or anyone they know, who has been approached by this company, to contact them on 0845 404 0506. It may not be too late to help and as much information as possible is needed to help put a stop to this scam.

If you or a member of the public have an immediate concern regarding anyone at your door please call  999 or after the event you can report it to 0161 872 5050

End of message, thank you.

[Peter]

I have received a new message from Homewatch:

"We are suffering an increasing trend of domestic burglaries where the motive was to  obtain the car keys so the car can be stolen.  In fact nearly a third of all vehicles stolen are now by the thief first stealing the car keys

The most common method is for the thief to "fish" the keys out through a letterbox during the night.  Of course this isn't too difficult as many of us leave our keys near the front  door.

The next most common method of obtaining the keys is due to an insecurity at the home.  The thief can lean in through an open window, often overnight, and grab the keys.

"You don't have to be a Crime Scientist to work out how to prevent these crimes" said Chief Superintendent Neil Wain.  Its an opportunistic crime so simply keeping your keys safe will stop a lot of grief later.  Keeping them out of sight and away from doors and windows really does help."

We are also asking for help from the Home Watch in another way.

The thieves are always unsure of whether there is a vehicle tracking system fitted on the car they've just stolen.  To get round this, we know that as soon as they've removed a vehicle, they often park it up for about 24 hours on a car park or side street where it wouldn't look out of place to someone not familiar with the area.

We would therefore ask you to please be extra vigilant and look out for any high valued cars parked in unusual places.  They would normally arrive overnight and still be there early evening.  If any car does look suspicious, please ring us with the registration number and exact location so we can quickly check if it's been stolen."

[Peter]

Latest local crime information courtesy of the Homewatch Newsletter:

East Area, (which includes Marple District)
Increase in Burglary, mainly in Bredbury/Romiley areas taking place daytime and overnight via insecure and forced entry.  Two bogus burglaries posing as Gas Board.  Theft From Motor Vehicles increased, mainly in Offerton area - items taken mobile phones, laptops etc.  Theft Of Motor Vehicles taking place overnight, 7 taken and 5 recovered.

Go-peds, Mini motorcycles, Motorised Scooters
If you are bothered by off road motorcyles then please help the police by reporting the information and ensure  you:

1. Identify the culprits and owners of the motorcyles;
2. Give as many details as you can in relation to the clothing and and colour/make of motorcycle
3. Give details of time/date and location that this problem took place

Remember,  you can report anonymously using Crimestoppers 0800 555111

[Peter]

I have received a new warning from Homewatch that you may wish to pass on to elderly friends and relatives:

"Please be aware that 'Home Watch Consultants' ( a bogus firm) are again active in the Stockport area.  An elderly lady spent over £300 on a CCTV system she was persuaded to buy.  This lady lives in the Hazel Grove area and is in a Home Watch scheme, but the trader was very persuasive and used high pressure sales techniques to make his sale.  This company, who also trade as 'Neighbourhood Watch Limited' target the elderly and have copies of photographs showing victims of bogus official burglary, using scare tactics to influence householders into purchasing high cost security items.  Please ensure the more vulnerable members of your scheme are aware of these doorstep traders and do not enter into negotiations with them.  Please contact the Trading Standards hotline for further information or if you have general concerns regarding named doorstep callers, on 0845 6444301."

[Peter]

Some items that may be of interest contained in the latest Homewatch Bulletin:

LAST TWO WEEKS - BURGLARIES:
SHAW HEATH (mainly evening from 1500 to 2130) method of entry by insecure rear doors and front door. BRAMHALL/HEALD GREEN, GREAT MOOR/OFFERTON/STEPPING HILL.  CARS TAKEN IN BURGLARIES = 12 .  BOGUS/DISTRACTION BURGLARIES = 2, one posing as police officer.
BOGUS WARNINGS - HEALD GREEN couple posing as Social Services employees came to check on baby.  Householder made checks which were negative.  Description - one white female, early 30’s, 5’8” tall, medium build, dark blonde hair and one white male about 30 yrs, 6’6” tall, dark brown hair.  WATCH OUT for two men trading as GC Roofing Property Services who tricked an elderly lady for £2500 worth of repairs.  Also, Premiere Plastics operating in Heald Green demanding high price and using threats for poor work to property.         
TRADING STANDARDS HOTLINE  0845 6444301  

KISS for your neighbour!
Keep It Safe and Secure
Everyone needs a holiday some time and however much you like your home, there is nothing like a change of scenery, but you want to come home and find everything as you left it.  Almost half of all burglaries happen when a flat or house is empty.  By following some simple steps you can help to make your home and neighbours secure whilst away.  
Make your home look like someone is in: don’t close curtains - ask a friend or neighbour to collect mail, open curtains, even park their car on your drive. Ensure adequate mortise locks are fitted to all outside doors, use timer switches for lights, also make sure vulnerable windows are locked too.  Cancel milk and newspapers, ensure you  tidy up the garden before you go, trim back plants that burglars could hide behind.  Don’t leave valuables like TV, computers, DVD players where they can be seen through  windows.  Make sure valuables are property marked with UV pen.  
Lock garden tools away safely.  Set your burglar alarm and leave the keys with your trusted keyholder.  Enjoy your holiday!

GUIDELINES FOR TERRORISM CONCERNS - www.mi5.gov.uk, this is the MI5 website which provides excellent advice including top ten guidelines.  Who to contact:  999 if there is an immediate terrorist threat. Police anti-terrorism Hotline 0800 789321 if you have confidential information.  You can also leave information on the website of the Security Service (MI5). Don’t forget Crimestoppers also on Freephone 0800 555111.

[Peter]

It has occurred to me that the messages that I receive as Homewatch co-ordinator for my area may not be seen by people whose street isn't covered by a homewatch scheme. What could be simpler than me posting messages on the forum as they arrive.

I have today received the following message:

The following information has been received from Trading Standards - two
traders to watch out for.


1.   PROCLAD UPVC - the work carried out by the trader was substandard and
of poor quality.  Attempts to contact the trader to complete the work
(which had been paid for) revealed the address given was bogus.


2.   SURESALE FACSIA - this trader was employed to carry out repairs to
gutterring.  The resident discovered in the next downpour that the
gutterring leaked and the repairs carried out were of poor quality.
Attempts to contact the trader on several occasions have all been
unsuccessful.


Information regarding either of the above traders, or advice on doorstep
traders, please contact Trading Standards hotline on 0845 644 4301.