Safer Melbourn

cambridgeshire

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk/safermelbourn/

Trading Standards

Many of us receive junk mail through the post, with the vast majority going straight in the recycling bin. However for some it can be tempting to try your luck on a ‘prize draw’ letter that comes through the letter box.

The cost of this temptation can be seen in figures released from the Office of Fair Trading which shows that last year, 1 in 25 people lost money to a scam, be it bogus prize draws, foreign lotteries, miracle health cures or money transfer scams. Seven per cent of those lost £4000 or more and those are only the ones that were reported.

The organisers of these scams are smart – the letters look professional, they are often personalised so they have your name throughout (sometimes appearing to be handwritten), and there is often a short deadline to respond so that you don’t have time to think.

By replying to just one of these letters, your information will be shared by other scammers who will then write to you, inundating you with letters.

The message from Trading Standards is simple: if it looks too good to be true it probably is and if it asks for money up-front, even in the form of an admin. charge for processing your winnings, it is almost certainly a scam.

If you are in any doubt or think you may have responded to a scam, speak to friends, family or Consumer Direct for advice. Consumer Direct provides advice on behalf of Trading Standards and can be contacted on 0845 404 0506.

Most of the scams we come across have affected older residents, many of whom experience loneliness. If you are over 60 and could do with having someone visit you for a chat on a regular basis, or perhaps you know someone who would benefit from this, then Age UK (Age Concern and Help the Aged combined) may be able to help you. They offer a voluntary visiting scheme for residents across the County, and you can ring to find out more on 0845 5213481.

You can register with the Mailing Preference Service which is free. It won’t cut out all scams but it should significantly reduce the amount of marketing mail you receive. Their phone number is 0845 7034599, you can register online at www.mpsonline.org.uk or you can write to Mailing Preference Service, Freepost 29 LON20771, London, W1E 0ZT.

If you are tempted by prize draws because you are struggling financially, speak to your local Citizens Advice Bureau. They can provide you with free, confidential and impartial advice and check you are receiving all the financial benefits and allowances that are available to you. You can telephone 0844 411 1444 or visit www.adviceguide.org.uk to find your local bureau.

Antisocial driving seizure of vehicles

Section 59

Police Officer’s and PCSOs have the power under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act, to seize vehicles to prevent their use in anti-social behaviour, these include Cars, Vans, Scooters and Mopeds.

This policy will ensure that the owners of the vehicles are aware at an early stage, that their vehicle is being used in a manner that could lead to its seizure.

To initiate the process of the Section 59 there has to be evidence of growing concern from the public about the antisocial use of vehicles, particularly by young inexperienced drivers using motor cars / cycles around estates, public car parks, across footpaths and grassed areas etc. to the annoyance of the public.

If a person is to be found driving in an anti social, careless or inconsiderate manner or being driven off road after a previous warning under Section 59, the vehicle may be seized. This will involve the vehicle being towed away by a recovery company and incur costs for the owner of the vehicle. If the vehicle is not claimed within 21 days of being seized it will be destroyed.

New Melbourn Police office

At this time the office is not manned. We are using it for a Police base for staff to ensure that we are in and near the communities we serve. The premises have also been used to take statements, crime reports and interview individuals.

NON EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER 0345 456 456 4

MINICOM helpline for the deaf and hard of hearing, anywhere in the force area: 01480 422493 RNID TypeTalk is a national telephone relay service which enables, deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing and speech impaired people to communicate, to access the service dial: 0800 515152 Emergency 999

We want to help get you moving

A company called Kickstart, also a registered charity, has come to my attention, it might be the answer for some to their transport problems.

The company offers loans of mopeds and my understanding is that this scheme is supported by a number of funders and partners including Cambridgeshire County Council, East of England Development Agency and Cambridgeshire ACRE.

How it works

If you need transport to get to work, or training, or education then Kickstart offer moped loans across East Anglia.

Kickstart can arrange and pay for the Compulsory Basic Training if you don’t already have one, they will also bring all the safety equipment you’ll need when they deliver your moped. Loan charges for 50cc mopeds range from £6 to £40 per week. These charges depend on which type of moped loan suits your needs.

For more information either visit there website at www.kickstart.btck.co.uk or call them on 01362 699923. Drinksense is a registered charity providing advice, information, therapeutic counselling and a range of support services for people with alcohol related problems and their carers and families in Cambridgeshire

We see people who are concerned with their own or another’s alcohol use. We work toward reducing the harm that alcohol may be causing a person whether that involves health, employment, relationships or lifestyle.

As we are able to provide a safe setting with trained professionals, many different kinds of people access our service. For some this may mean asking a few questions regarding alcohol units, for others it may mean meeting on a one-to-one basis to explore deeper-rooted issues affecting their behaviour.

For access to Therapeutic, Young People and Adult Outreach Services in Cambridge and the surrounding area Dashwood House, 185 East Road, Cambridge. CB1 1BG Tel: 01223 350599. http://drinksense.org There is no charge for our services.

Our clothing banks are being raided

We’ve lost out on £3 million over the last financial year due to a 25 per cent drop in household collections and theft from doorstep donations and clothing banks. This could rise to £6 million this year.

This money could be put towards life-saving research and care for heart patients.

We have over 900 clothing banks across the UK and just one of those full of good stock could be worth up to £1,000 to us. But we have had at least 30 clothing bank thefts over the past year. Sometimes these thefts are hard to spot, so the figure could actually be higher. The rising value of textiles on international markets has been blamed.

Combined with the devastating problem of doorstep theft, this year we are set to lose £6 million.

We’re doing all we can to highlight the issue to both the police and the public to make them more vigilant towards these devious acts of theft and we would urge people to contact their local shop if they see any suspicious activity.

Stealing stock that is intended for our charity is akin to robbing people with heart conditions of a better quality of life.

What can you do to help?

•Donate to your local BHF Shop directly – it’s the best way to ensure your donations reach us. • Check it’s a legitimate collection – BHF van drivers carry ID cards, all BHF vans display BHF logos, and you can contact your local shop to make sure. • If you are donating to a clothing bank, ensure you close the chute properly after putting your bags in. • If your local clothing bank is full please tell your local BHF

Shop or call our head office by phoning 0844 412 5000.

Bags left outside are vulnerable to theft. • To find out more information or to locate your nearest BHF shop please call 0844 412 5000 or explore our website.

In Melbourn on the whole vehicle crime has significantly reduced and we endeavour to ensure this is maintained as part our most recent Panel Priorities for Melbourn at the end of April 2011, which include to tackle antisocial behaviour associated with moped/motor cycle use in the High Street, in the vicinity of the car park and adjoining streets. We are also concentrating on excess speed, obstructive parking and use of mobile phones whilst driving as a priority.

Antisocial behaviour is an issue that we are currently addressing mainly at the The Moor and Melbourn Village College and we will be conducting routine patrols in the particular areas of concern to address the situation.

Crime Statistics in the Melbourn area can be viewed at www.police.uk

If you wish to report antisocial behaviour please call the police on the non-emergency number 0345 456 456 4 or 999 in an emergency.

Incidents from jan 18th to april 8th

Vicarage Close 21-02-2011: Reports of damaged caused to the door and evidence of paper being set alight. 27-02-2011: Group of about 10 lads on scooters, not causing any problems. 01-04-2011: Anon female reporting a group of 8 youths running around screaming and shouting. 01-04-2011: Informant states someone kicked his rear gate and there is a hole. (Criminal Damage) Orchard Way 20-01-2011: Reports for the fifth night running of older youths banging on front door. Beechwood Av 27-01-2011: Dwelling Burglary 29-01-2011: Garage burglary. 28-01-2011: Youths throwing things at windows 11-02-2011: Informant reporting there has been problems recently with vans collecting charity bags. Reporting suspicious vehicle that morning. 18-02-2011: Informant stated her daughter saw a black Peugeot 107 park outside and a male got out and starred at their address. 05-04-2011: Informant reporting approx. 10 youths banging and knocking on her front door. Russet Way 20-01-2011: Garage Burglary. The Moor & MVC 05-0-2011: Informant reporting that there has been banging on the window. 23-02-2011: Informant states that for 1 1/2 hours there have been vehicles roaring back and forth along the location beeping horns and engines revving. 09-03-2011: Drugs at MVC. 12-03-2011: Informant states someone knocked on her window and ran off. 19-03-2011: Car with doors open and music blaring out. To help pinpoint problems and find practical solutions to reduce anti-social behaviour in the village, Melbourn’s Practical Solutions Group (PSG) has recognised that a less formal and more inclusive approach is required to achieve its aims. This group remains multi-agency, and can work with and include Melbourn residents (young and old). If you are affected by ASB would like to be involved in this worthwhile project then please get in touch by using the contact form at; www.melbourncambridge.co.uk/ problemsolving or phone 01763 221323

Maple Way 04-04-2011: Groups of youths on bikes – running around, knocking on doors and windows and running. 06-04-2011: Group of 14 children knocking at doors and gathering on the green area. Cambridge Road 4 incidents of highway disruption with regards to the sugar beet lorries, up to 12 loading at one time. Also reports of mud on the road. The High Street 10-02-2011: Lots of cars in the car park playing, loud music and tearing around the car park. 01-04-2011-0595: Informant reported a group of youths are out screaming and shouting and driving vehicles at high speed round the car park. Dolphin Lane 15-03-2011: Youths have just thrown a lump of wood at informant window. 17-03-2011: Youths are again in the area throwing beer cans at their windows. 28-03-2011: Informant reporting they have been having ongoing issues with local youths hanging around knocking on front doors, banging on windows. Medcalf Way 19-02-2011: Informant calling to say that a group of youths have smashed the rear window of informant’s car. 08-03-2011: Reports of two males looking into rear window of houses. They were in a white transit van. Hale Close 25-01-2011: Two males taking wires / lighting equipment from skips. 21-03-2011: Robbery at the Co-op. 153 Incidents have been reported to the police these include a variety of calls for service to include domestics, bail checks, concern, BDV, RTC & neighbourhood disputes.

Next neighbourhood policing panel meeting 19th July at Bassingbourn Village College Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start. All welcome