Neighbourhood Watch Roundup
Good Neighbourliness is what it’s all about, and here in Seaford & Bishopstone, we do that really well. It is not too many towns that can boast the closeness and care that we demonstrate so regularly to each other and for our community. Testament to that is our very low crime rate compared to other East Sussex towns.You are the Great Neighbours that make Seaford & Bishopstone a special place to live. Feedback from Sussex Police regarding Seaford is always positive with commendation to us for our use of the Police reporting tools, our swift and considered action when we spot something dodgy, and our cooperation with SusPols efforts to keep us the safe town that we are. Operation Blitz is used to excellent effect and incidents of Anti-Social Behaviour are decreasing as a result.
Our efforts, and the correct use of the Operation Blitz hotline, has led to one arrest recently which itself discourages more anti-social behaviour – there are consequences and they are enforced. Burglaries and break-ins average five reported incidents across the Lewes district per week with Seaford seldom on the statistics. This again is testament to our Great Neighbourliness when it comes to crime prevention. However, scam crime is rife and, on the increase. Scams are by far the most threatening crime that we can fall victim to. Knowledge is power and shared knowledge is the best prevention against Scam Crime of any nature. Become Scam Savvy and share that knowledge with neighbours and friends. Typically Scams fall into seven distinct categories:
1. Doorstep Crime: Rogue Traders and Distraction
Burglars use your doorknocker as an open invitation for fraud. If you aren’t expecting a visit from a trader or from any service provider, turn the caller away. If the caller will not leave, call the Police on 999. If you feel the caller will prey on neighbours, call 999. Adopt a zero-tolerance policy to doorstep callers. Always ask for ID, always be sceptical and if in doubt, shut your door. Display a No Cold Calling decal at your door.
2. Postal Crime: Winning the lottery by post, a 10 Lindfield Ave, Seaford BN25 4DY
GENERAL HOUSE & HOME MAINTENANCE CARPENTRY WOOD & LAMINATE FLOORING PAINTING & DECORATING DRY LINING OF WALLS COVING l KITCHEN FITTING SOFITS, FASCIAS & GUTTERING FENCING l FLATPACK ASSEMBLY SUMMER HOUSES & SHEDS NO JOB IS TOO SMALL
100
lottery that you never entered, is a fraud, plain and simple. If you get a letter that asks for admin fees before the prize can be paid out, it is a fraud. Any letter asking for money, other than bills you expect and recognise, is a fraud. Report the attempted fraud to Trading Standards and do not, under any circumstances, send any money no matter how convincing the letter may seem.
3. Email Crime: By far this is the most vulnerable
space for all of us as email crime is tricky, convincing and often downright intimidating. Not only do we fall victim to fraudulent licence renewals, refunds, account closures and false threats of bailiffs, but opening attachments on dodgy mails can open us up to viruses, malware, trojan horses and worms, phishing scams, identity theft and theft of our passwords and banking credentials. Use a rugged and resilient virus protection package – NHW recommends AVAST, which can be found here https:// www.avast.com/. They offer a free package and a premium package and with one licence you can protect all of your devices that connect to the internet.
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