Drink and driving

Over the last week there have been two incidents involving drink and driving. The second resulted in a death.

People always ask me " how many drinks can I have before I'm over the limit" the answer is simple, non.

It doesn't matter how many you think you can handle, how close you live Etc. 

The only safe way is if your driving you don't drink. Simple.

I've been in the King William on many occasions and seen people drink three or four pints then drive back home. It takes minutes to walk, try it.

Drone for sale

Online shopping websites are being utilised by fraudsters to advertise nonexistent drones of various specifications for competitive prices.

Drones are personal flying devices that often carry cameras and can be navigated remotely by smartphones or hand-held controllers. Fraudsters are capitalising on their recent popularity and advertising non-existent drones at a lower value than their recommended retail price to tempt buyers.

After victims agree to purchase the drone, the fraudsters request payment to be paid via bank transfer saying that it will quicken the delivery process. After transferring the money the buyers never receive the drone and the fraudster blocks the victim to prevent further conversation.

How to protect yourself: 

• Check the validity of the post.
• Avoid paying by bank transfer and instead use an online payment option such as PayPal, which helps to protect you.
• Check feedback online by searching the associated phone numbers or email addresses of the seller. Feedback will give you useful information about recent transactions other buyers may have made.
• If the item is below market value consider whether this is an opportunity too good to be true. 
• If you have been affected by this, or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk

Time for your holidays.

Now that summer is on the way people can become complacent about home security. The most common cases of opportunist summer burglary involve offenders that:
 

• enter an insecure front door while residents are in the back garden
• enter doors that are closed but unlocked at night while residents are asleep
• reach through windows to take valuable items

Crime reduction advice
 

• Ensure that windows and doors are closed and locked when you are out. Don’t leave small windows open believing them to be safe.
• If you want to leave windows open while you sleep, fit window restrictors so they cannot be fully opened, or make sure they are not large enough to allow access to a burglar.
• When out in your garden ensure that windows and doors to the front of the house are secure. It only takes a second for someone to get into your home and take things without you noticing.
• Do not leave valuables on display in front of windows or in reach of open windows or doors.
• Ensure that all barbecue and garden equipment and tools are securely locked up in a shed and out of sight. Tools can be used by the potential offender to break in to your home.
• Consider fitting outside security lighting or a visible alarm to help deter burglars. Even using pea shingle or gravel on a driveway and spiky plants in garden beds can help.
• Don’t leave any keys near entry points where they can be ‘fished’ or ‘hooked’ out through the window, letter box or cat flap.
• Ensure any internal handle operated locks on UPVC doors are fully secured with a key.

Sheds - Easy pickings?

Offenders see sheds as easy pickings because they are unprotected and lack basic security measures. The buildings often contain property that can be sold on or implements that can be used to force entry into the owner’s home.
 

• Many sheds whilst being of good construction fall short on basic security.
• It is easy to unscrew the ironmongery, steal contents and in some cases replace the screws to make it look as if the shed has not been tampered with.
• By using tamper proof screws or coach bolts together with a good quality pad bar or hasp and staple and close shackled padlock, the shed owner will make it harder for the would-be thief.
• It is also a good idea to bond any window glass in, with mastic to prevent easy removal.
• Ensure all tools and equipment are locked away when not in use.
• High-quality locks should be used on doors. Windows can be fitted with a grille or, as a cheaper alternative, chicken wire, to slow a thief down.
• A shed alarm can also be installed.
• Post-coding or indelibly marking all property such as lawnmowers, bikes, and tools using ultra-violet pens, forensic marking such as Selecta DNA or Smartwater or engravers.
• Installing security lighting as a deterrent, and plants such as thorny shrubs to act as a barrier at potential access points.
• If building a shed, putting it where it is most visible to you and neighbours.

Going on holiday?
 

• Make your home look occupied.
• If you're out or going away, ask a trusted neighbour to open and close your curtains for you.
• Ask a neighbour if they don't mind parking their car on your driveway and trimming your garden to make your home look occupied.
• Cut the front and back lawns before you go away and trim any plants that burglars could hide behind.
• Cancel milk and newspaper deliveries.
• Before your holiday, don’t advertise that you are going away on Facebook, Twitter etc.

Inheritance Fraud

Inheritance fraud usually occurs when you are told that someone very rich has died and you are in line to receive a huge inheritance. A fraudster who claims to be a Business Relations Manager from an overseas bank or legal official contacts you through email or a letter stating that a person sharing your family name has died and left behind a vast amount of money. The fraudster suggests that as you share the same family name as the deceased, you can be the beneficiary of the estate and rather than handing any ‘Inheritance Tax’ over to the government you can split the inheritance with the fraudster.

The fraudster will emphasise the need for secrecy and warn you not to tell anyone else about the deal. To hurry you into making a hasty decision, they will also stress the need to act quickly.

If you respond to the fraudster, they will ask you to pay various fees – for example: taxes, legal fees, banking fees etc. – so they can release your non-existent inheritance. Each time you make a payment, the fraudsters will come up with a reason why the inheritance cannot be paid out unless you make another payment. If you ask, they will also give you reasons why the fees cannot be taken from your inheritance and have to be paid up front.

If you become reluctant to pay a fee or suggest you cannot afford it, the fraudsters will put pressure on you by reminding you how close you are to receiving a sum of money much greater than the fees you’ve already handed over, and of how much you’ve already paid out. The fraudsters may also ask for your bank details so they can pay the inheritance directly into your bank account. If you hand over your bank details, the fraudsters can use them to empty your account.

You could be a victim of inheritance fraud if:
 

• You’ve received an email or letter informing you that someone you may be related to has died without leaving a will and you may be in line to inherit.
• You’ve paid fees to ‘research specialists’ who offer to sell you an estate report that includes information on the inheritance and how you can claim it.

What should you do if you’re a victim of inheritance fraud?
 

• End all further contact with the fraudsters. Don’t send them any more money. Don’t give them your bank details.
• If you have already given the fraudsters your bank account details, alert your bank immediately.
• If you receive any threats from the fraudsters once you have stopped co-operating with them, alert the police immediately.
• Be aware that you’re now likely to be a target for other frauds. Fraudsters often share details about people they have successfully targeted or approached, using different identities to commit further frauds. People who have already fallen victim to fraudsters are particularly vulnerable to the fraud recovery fraud. This is when fraudsters contact people who’ve already lost money through fraud and claim to be law enforcement officers or lawyers. They’ll advise the victim that they can help them recover their lost money – but request a fee. 

Protect yourself against inheritance fraud

• Although there are legitimate companies who make a living by tracking down heirs, they do not do it in this way. If you are asked for a fee for a report, it is very likely to be bogus.
• Letters/documents provided by the fraudsters are generally badly written. Look out for spelling mistakes and poor grammar.
• Beware if you are asked to contact a webmail address such as @Yahoo or @Hotmail. As a rule, legitimate law firms do not use them.
• As in most cases of fraud, if the promise seems too good to be true, it most probably is.
• If you have been affected by this fraud or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk

Email scam

Fraudsters are sending phishing texts and e-mail messages to members of the public, claiming to be from Apple. The messages typically state that the recipient’s iCloud or iTunes account is out of date and that they need to follow a link to avoid account suspension. Once the link has been followed, victims are prompted for personal information, such as their bank account details.

Protect Yourself:
 

• Don’t open web links contained in unsolicited texts or e-mails.
• Never provide your personal information to a third party from an unsolicited communication.
• If you have provided personal information and you are concerned that your identity may be compromised consider Cifas Protection Registration which can be found here: https://www.cifas.org.uk/protective_registration_form.
• If you receive what you believe to be a phishing message purporting to be from Apple, report it to reportphishing@apple.com

If you, or anyone you know, have been affected by this fraud or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Red Kites

Thames Valley Police is appealing for information after two birds of prey were found injured in Oakley Wood, near Crowmarsh Gifford.

On 29 March an injured Red Kite was found, and another was found on 5 April, both in Oakley Wood.  The Red Kites are being cared for by TiggyWinkles, and X-rays have shown that both birds contain shotgun pellets.

Enquiries have revealed that on 22 March a dead Red Kite was found in Oakley  Wood but the cause of death is not known.

The Red Kite is afforded the highest degree of legal protection under the Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

It is an offence to take, injure or kill a Red Kite or to take, damage or destroy its nest, eggs or young. It is also an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb the birds close to their nest during the breeding season. Violation of the law can attract fines up to £5,000 per offence and/or a prison sentence of up to six months

Enquiries are ongoing, and officers would like to hear from anyone with information about the shooting of Red Kites in Oakley Wood.

PC Robert Searle, Wildlife Officer, said:

“Fortunately incidents of this nature are very rare in the Thames Valley and a thorough investigation is underway.

“The two birds were lucky to survive and I would like to thank Tiggywinkles for caring for the birds so well.

“I’m appealing to anyone who might have information that could assist us with our investigation.”

If you have any information about the incidents please call the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101 quoting URN ‘372 06/04/16’.

If you do not want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers (opens new window) anonymously on 0800 555 111. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

Email fraudsters

Fraudsters are targeting members of the public who are expecting to make a payment for property repairs. The fraudsters, via email, will purport to be a tradesman who has recently completed work at the property and use a similar email address to that of the genuine tradesman. They will ask for funds to be transferred via bank transfer and once payment is made the victims of the fraud soon realise they have been deceived when the genuine tradesman requests payment for their services.

Protect Yourself:

• Always check the email address is exactly the same as previous correspondence with the genuine contact. 
• For any request of payment via email verify the validity of the request with a phone call to the person who carried out the work.
• Check the email for spelling and grammar as these signs can indicate that the email is not genuine.
• Payments via bank transfer offer no financial protection; consider using alternative methods such as a credit card or PayPal which offer some protection and avenue for recompense.

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online at:  http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or by telephone on: 0300 123 2040.

Local burglaries

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following burglaries in Benson, Roke Marsh, Cholsey and Wallingford.

Overnight between Saturday (6/2) and Sunday (7/2) two properties in Roke Marsh Roke, were burgled.

Offender(s) stole a 44” LG flat screen TV and two handbags.

At around 4.20am on Sunday (7/2), a property in The Cedars, Benson was burgled.  A male offender wearing a dark hooded top was disturbed and made off.

Entry was gained to the above properties via insecure doors.

Between 6.30am and 6.35pm, on Monday (8/2) a property in Station Road, Cholsey was burgled.

A safe, two Ipads, a DVD player and jewellery was stolen.

Between 8.30am and 6.20pm on (8/2) a property in Wantage Road, Wallingford was burgled.

Jewellery and cash was stolen.

Offender(s) jemmied front doors to gain entry.