Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter - Winter 2020

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NEWSLETTER Edition 10 – Winter 2020 Over the last few months we at the PCSP, have not underestimated the challenges facing our communities and neighbourhood watch coordinators and we thank each and every one of you for your continued commitment.

It is extremely heartwarming to see the vital and positive role you have played in supporting local communities and helping to prevent crime. Mid and East Antrim PCSP, recognise that community groups, volunteers and neighbourhood Watch schemes have adapted

your communication methods, with many choosing to adopt social media, Whatsapp messaging service and virtual meetings, in order to distribute those essential safety messages on crime prevention, scams and how to protect yourself and your property. For this we thank you.

As we approach Christmas, we are appealing to everyone in the community to play your role in keeping you and all our communities safe by adhering to PHA and government guidelines, and being considerate and

making Mid & East Antrim safer

caring of others, as this continues to be a difficult time for many.

Finally, you will see at the back of this edition are useful contacts, including a list of the new PCSP membership. Please do not hesitate to make contact if and when required.

Wishing you a Happy and Safe Christmas and 2021!

Mid and East Antrim PCSP Chair, Cllr John McDermott

CORONAVIRUS SCAMS TO WATCH OUT FOR The Consumer Council advises that unfortunately scammers are taking advantage of consumers during the coronavirus pandemic so it is more important than ever to take extra precautions.

15 common COVID-19 scams to watch out for

Pension scams

Free COVID-19 testing

Tax rebate scams

Word Bank

Watch out for unsolicited telephone calls, automated voice messages, emails, texts, social media posts and doorstep scams.

DVLA refunds

Free supermarket vouchers

Fake competitions

Investment scams

Free school dinner vouchers

Travel scams

Automated messages from your service providers

Free payments from the government

Doorstep scams eg collecting groceries/cleaning services

Websites selling fake PPE

Charity scams eg posts asking you to donate to a sick loved one

Fake ďŹ nes for leaving your property

Report scams to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or the PSNI on 101 2

www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk

THE QUICK CHECK SCHEME

DEALING WITH UNEXPECTED VISITORS

The Quick Check Scheme has been running for a number of years and exists to provide reassurance to members about callers to their door claiming to be from Utility Companies

Members of the public should follow this advice when dealing with unexpected visitors:

The Police Service of Northern Ireland in collaboration with the Utility Regulator and five energy network companies, Firmus energy distribution, Northern Ireland Electricity Networks, Northern Ireland Water, Phoenix Natural Gas Ltd and SGN Natural Gas, is relaunching the scheme.

Working in partnership with the Utility Regulator and the companies listed above anyone who wishes to check the identity of someone who says they are calling on the pretext of inspecting gas, electricity or water supplies can now call the 101 number to verify their identity.

The principle difference in the service is that callers to Quick Check will now speak directly to the police on the 101 number.

If you are concerned about the identity of someone at your door, call 101 and you will be given the option of going through to the Quick Check facility.

The majority of callers to your home will be there for genuine reasons.

However, there are those who may pose as official callers from utility companies.

Your call will be answered by a trained police call handler who will take the details of the company which the caller claims to be working for.

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The call handler will then contact the organisation/utility supplier to determine whether the caller is genuine.

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If they are not who they say they are or you think that there is something suspicious, the operator will be able to send the police directly to you.

Callers should always be asked for proof of identity. Genuine callers will be only too happy to provide this information and to wait outside the property until it is verified. No caller should be given access to the property until the householder is sure they are genuine.

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Never leave doors unlocked and do not to leave keys in an unsafe place (such as under doormats or flower pots).

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Follow this advice when answering the door:

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www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Before answering the front door, make sure the back door is locked.

2. If there is a door chain, remember to

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use it before opening the door.

Ask the caller for their identification and check it carefully.

Ask them to wait outside and close the door - genuine callers will not mind.

Ring Quick Check on 101. The call will be answered personally and promptly by a trained police call handler. They will check with the company that the person at the door is genuine. If they are not or they think that there is something suspicious, the operator will be able send the police to you.

Do not let anyone into the property until you are satisfied as to who they are.

Calls to the Quick Check 101 number

from landlines or mobile phones* cost 15 pence, regardless of the length of time you are on the phone or the time of the day you call. *Members of the public should dial 028 9065 0222 if they are unable to dial 101. ** Some mobile providers or contracts do not permit you to dial 101 – please check with your provider.

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CYBER SECURITY MEASURES

BANN MAINE WEST COMMUNITY CLUSTER

As part of the ongoing restrictions around the Covid-19 pandemic, many of us will be working from home. This may present new challenges in terms of protecting yourself against online security.

Bann Maine West Community Cluster has been working for the past 10 years with the communities in the West area of Ballymena including Portglenone, Cullybackey, Tullygarley, Grange, Hillstown and Cloney.

During this unprecedented situation, it is becoming more evident that criminals are exploiting Coronavirus online by sending phishing/scam emails to try and trick users into clicking a bad link. If clicked, these links could lead to malware infection and loss of data like passwords.

The email may use the subject Coronavirus or Covid-19 as a lure, however you should be suspicious of any unexpected emails you receive.

The scams may claim to have a ‘cure’ for the virus, offer a financial reward, by encouraging you to donate money or even just provide a link that will allegedly take you to the latest guidance.

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These ‘phishing’ attempts have been seen in several countries and can lead to loss of money and sensitive data.

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Here are five ways to spot phishing attacks: 1.

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The email asks you to confirm personal information.

The web and email addresses do not look genuine or are from unusual domains.

It’s poorly written, e.g. there are spelling mistakes or grammatical errors.

There’s a suspicious attachment.

The message creates a sense of urgency or makes you think you will benefit by clicking.

“Phishing/scam emails may appear authentic and be difficult to spot, therefore if you receive any suspicious internal emails or any emails that ‘don’t feel right’, it is important that you do not click on any attachment or link.

Trust your instincts. If you think something appears unusual or suspicious, it probably is.

We have been involved in a wide range of different projects over the years and the latest project is a development of an online community shop.

These are products which the community have had direct involvement such as the ‘Remembering’ publication. This was part of a community relations project which involved gathering information from local people from our area who had relatives that were involved in World War 1.

The book is full of stories of how our rural communities were affected by the War. We are very appreciative of all the help we received along the way – in particular Heritage Lottery and Mid & East Antrim Borough Council.

www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Also online are Christmas cards which involved receiving a number of photographs from local people of winter scenes and four ‘winners’ were chosen and cards printed.

We also have and will continue to have other products which we are developing with our local older people e.g. knitted brooches.

The current COVID pandemic has forced us to look at different ways of interacting with our local communities and these products have been one way of doing this.

We would like to thank The National Lottery Community Fund for their support.

All profits go directly back into the local community.

For more information visit our website www. bannmainewest.co.uk 7

SUPPORT FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN Women’s Aid ABCLN is following Public Health Agency guidelines on Coronavirus (Covid-19). Our priority is to keep everyone safe, and support women and children affected by domestic abuse.

Although our offices are closed to the general public, staff are available in your local area to provide information, support and guidance by telephone across Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey.

If you are affected by domestic abuse you can call 028 2563 2136 Monday to Friday 9am— 5pm or Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline on 080 8802 1414 evenings and weekends.

We know Home is not always a Safe Place.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse you can take steps to keep you and your children safe.

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Always keep your mobile phone with you. Make sure it is charged and you have credit if you

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need to call for help.

Save important telephone numbers on your phone, so that you can access them easily in an emergency.

Think about where you can go if you don’t feel safe Are there family, friends or neighbours near-by that you can trust?

Talk to family, friends or a trusted colleague, if you can.

Have a code word you can use to alert family or friends if you need help, to come and get you or call the police.

Reassure your children, and identify a safe place for them.

Be prepared to leave the house in an emergency.

If you feel threatened move to a room with

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easy access to an exit, NOT a kitchen.

Keep your car keys, money and bank cards in a place where you can grab them easily.

If you can, bring your passport and other important documents with you. Don’t forget medicines and any personal items you value.

In an emergency do not hesitate to call 999.

www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk

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BEAT THE BURGLAR THIS WINTER

SUPPORT SERVICES AVAILABLE

The dark evenings can often act as a cover for criminals who are intent on making off with your personal possessions. Crime Prevention Officer Paul Black explains some of the simple steps you can take to make your home safer this Christmas.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council have teamed up with the PSNI, Public Health Agency and local community groups in an attempt to highlight the range of services available to those who suffer from mental health and wellbeing issues including the misuse of drugs and alcohol.

“Don’t make it easy for anyone to get access to your home. The simplest step you can take is to make sure doors and windows are closed and locked. So many burglaries happen because the criminal was able to walk in through an unlocked door or climb through an open window and the first you know about it is when you wake up in the morning or return home to find your TV, laptop, tablet or wallet is missing.“ Before you leave the house run through this checklist: • • •

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Did I lock all the doors?

Did I close and lock all the windows?

Is the garage door secure?

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Did I leave a light on?

If I go out will the house look unoccupied?

Can valuable items be seen through the windows?

Should I close the blinds/curtains or ask a neighbour to keep an eye on my house?

Did I set the house alarm?

“All valuables, including jewellery, should be permanently marked with the house number and postcode so that items will be more difficult to sell.

Jewellery should be properly valued and itemised for insurance purposes, photographed against ruler for easy identification, and placed in a safe that is secured

to the fabric of the building.

If you are out shopping in the car, anything valuable should be kept in the boot or out of sight of passers-by.

Make these home security steps part of your everyday routine and you will significantly reduce the chances of becoming a burglary victim.”

www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Here2Help Smartphone App has been developed in order that local residents can quickly access contact details for range of support services available to them within the borough.

It aims to provide helplines for users to get support instantly while also providing a wide range of links to

reading materials that can help people in their time of need.

The #Here2Help app is now available and FREE to download from Google Play Store and the Apple iTunes App Store for your smartphone or tablet device.

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YOUR PCSP MEMBERS 10 Elected Members

9 Independent Members

7 Statutory Partners

Ald Gregg McKeen Ald John Carson Cllr Andrew Wilson Cllr Lauren Gray Cllr Timothy Gaston Cllr Thomas Gordon Cllr Cheryl Johnston Cllr John McDermott (Chair) Cllr Danny Donnelly Cllr Marc Collins

Mary Watson Marjorie Hawkins Brenda Leslie Wendy Kerr (Vice Chair) Thomas (Lexie) Scott Norman Hamilton Sharon Maxwell Gillian Gordon Charlene Thompson

Northern Ireland Housing Executive Police Service of Northern Probation Board Youth Justice Agency Northern Health and Social Care Trust Education Authority Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service

PSNI contact details

Name

Rank

Role

Station

Mobile

Inspector Neighbourhood Ballymena 075 5726 1877 Police Team Ballymena Ciara Inspector Neighbourhood Carrick 079 1758 6430 Mullan Police Team Larne and Carrick 077 8713 3250 Simon Sergeant Neighbourhood Carrick Coupland Policing Team Carrick Rory Bradley

FOR UP-TO-DATE CRIME AND COMMUNITY SAFETY INFORMATION PLEASE FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING FACEBOOK PAGES: Mid and East Antrim PCSP - Police Mid and East Antrim

Chris McIlroy

Sergeant

Michelle McKillop

Sergeant

Stephen Rainey

Sergeant

Email Rory.Bradley@ psni.pnn. police.uk Ciara.Mullan@ psni.pnn. police.uk

Simon.

Coupland@ psni.pnn. police.uk Neighbourhood Carrick 077 8722 4732 Chris.McIlroy@ Policing Team psni.pnn.

Carrick police.uk Neighbourhood Ballymena 079 1709 4898 Michelle.

Policing Team McKillop@psni.

Ballymena pnn.police.uk Community Ballymena 079 2050 2825 Stephen.

Planning Rainey2@psni.

Sergeant pnn.police.uk

Contact Mid and East Antrim PCSP Contact the PCSP staff by email: pcsp@midandeastantrim.gov.uk In an emergency call 999 PSNI non-emergency number 101 • • • •

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This newsletter is supported by The Northern Ireland Policing Board and The Department of Justice.

With thanks to PSNI, Crimestoppers and Neighbourhood Watch for providing information for this leaflet.

Victim Support: 028 2563 0784 Crime stoppers: 080 0555 111 24 hour Domestic and Sexual Violence helpline: 080 8802 1414 Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey (ABCLN) Women’s Aid: 028 2563 2136 Crime Prevention Officer Stuart Willkie: 075 0003 6996 / Ext 86008 / phone

making Mid & East Antrim safer