Warning - Pin Numbers.

We know of three instances locally where members have had money taken from their bank accounts by criminals abroad, one each involving Portugal, Spain and an African country.
In two of the incidents the bank recognised the transactions as being unusual and checked with the customer, the other was not noticed until checking their bank statement some time later.
It is assumed that the criminals had somehow got hold of the pin numbers of the accounts.
Please be careful when using your pin number in shops, cash machines and similar situations. Always try to shield the key pad from anyone who may be watching.
- posted by allan on Sunday, February 22, 2009

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Youth Community Week.

The big 'clean-up' day will be on Friday 20th February when all volunteers will be welcome.

Specialist teams will be in the village on Friday to clean all graffiti. Please report any incidents of graffiti in your area as soon as possible to the Parish Council.

The Watch has played an active part in the planning and organisation of the weeks events.
- posted by allan on Sunday, February 15, 2009

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Warnings.

The following warnings have been received from the local police:-

Thefts of Tools from Vans
The police have had reports of tools being stolen from vans during the day, when the vehicle has not been locked. It has been known for a window to be removed to gain entry.
The Birstall area appears to be the most vulnerable, although this crime has happened in villages across the North Policing area.

Insecure Vehicles
Please be aware that insecure vehicles left overnight are being targeted by criminals. If your vehicle is not locked when not in use, it may invalidate any insurance.

Security in Supermarkets and Shops
Customers in supermarkets have been followed to the cash tills by thieves, who then watch the pin number being entered into the machine. Elderly females have been targeted so far, but any one of us can become be a victim, if we are not careful with the security of our cards.
- posted by allan on Saturday, February 07, 2009

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Bogus Caller - "British Red Cross"

A co-ordinator on Greengate Lane has warned us of a bogus caller to their house on January 29th at around 7.30pm.

He claimed to be from the British Red Cross and was wearing a yellow fluorescent jacket. When the homeowner said they weren't interested, he asked if there was a toilet he could use.

As always, if in doubt - KEEP THEM OUT!
- posted by Shreekant on Wednesday, February 04, 2009

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Graffiti - clean up event.

Birstall Parish Council and Charnwood Borough Council are planning a 'graffiti clean up event' to take place in the village very shortly. Representatives of the Watch have been involved in the planning and organisation.
A 'visual audit' will take place prior to the clean up, but to make sure that nothing is overlooked, we have been asked if our members would report any incidents of graffiti in their local area. Please report any local graffiti to the Birstall Parish Council on (0116) 2676191 as soon as possible.
It is intended to remove all graffiti from the village during this event.
- posted by allan on Monday, February 02, 2009

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Co-ordinators/Members meeting.

There will be a co-ordinators/members meeting on Thursday 26th February, 7.45pm at the Methodist Church Concert Hall, Wanlip Lane.
Our main speaker will be Mick Studley of Victim Support. He will be telling us about the support available to elderly victims of crime, including the provision of PRIDE alarms.
Our local beat officers, PC Rich Carruthers and PCSO Mark Butler, will also be attending and available for any questions etc. It is hoped to be able to demonstrate the 'Alco-wand', a police tool for detecting alcohol in apparently soft drinks.
The usual refreshments will be available.
- posted by allan on

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Lottery winners - scam.

We have been made aware of a new wave of letters arriving through the post informing people that they have won a substantial amount of money in a foreign lottery. This one appears to come from Almeria (Spain) and asks you to 'keep it secret' and ring the telephone number provided.
Do not ring the number. There is no winning ticket. All they want is details of your bank account, which they will then empty of all money.
Leicestershire County Council along with the police are currently investigating this scam and need as much information as possible. They have asked that anyone who receives these letters to hand them in at your local Library. They will then be passed on the the Trading Standards Dept.
- posted by allan on

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