Category: Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch – October 2023

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Our village PCSO has reported few incidents in the village during the last couple of months which is very pleasing. However, Autumn is here and it is worth repeating the Watch advice about how to reduce the possibility of your house being burgled.

Criminals will look for homes that:

• Seem unoccupied

• Have little or no security

• Have doors or windows left open or

• Where they think they won’t be seen

 

As a general rule if it looks as if there is someone inside, the burglar is likely to go elsewhere.

Here are the things to remember:

Windows

• Are they closed and locked?

• If sensors are fitted, are they activated?

• Don’t forget garages, sheds, or outhouses.

 

Doors

• Are all outside doors (front. rear and patio) locked, preferably deadlocked?

• Are keys kept out of sight but readily available for your use?

 

Inside

• Are your lights on a timer?

• If you have one, is your house alarm switched on? Make sure a friend or neighbour can act if the alarm is triggered when you are out.

• Do you have a photographic record of valuable items?

 

Exterior

• Are your outside lights on a sensor?

• Are your vehicles locked and valuables removed?

• Are your garages, side gates, sheds and outbuildings locked?

• Are items which can be used to break in put away? ie bricks, rubble, ladders, or garden equipment.

 

Alan French

 

Neighbourhood Watch – November

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

 

Hate Crime – This type of crime has been in the news recently. It is motivated by someone’s hostility or prejudice towards another person because of their race, gender, religion, sexuality, disability or another prejudice. Hate crimes include posting offensive or abusive messages online about a person or group of people.

Anyone can be a victim of hate crime. For example a person may be targeted because someone else thinks they are gay, or because they have a child with a disability.

These incidents have a devastating effect on the victim’s family as well as the victim. They are an attack on a community or group.

Reporting Hate Crime

All hate incidents should be reported so that the police and other agencies know the extent of the problem and can take action.

Police can be contacted through 101 or by the police online reporting form.

Other ways of reporting are:

Crimestoppers. Phone 0800 555 111 or online.

Citizens Advice Bureaux.

Victim Support. 0333 2710094 or online.

Stop Hate UK. Has a 24-hour helpline.

True Vision Online via their website.

Meeting of Co-Ordinators

Co-Ordinators met on October 18. The main points were:

  • The 20mph vehicle speed limit was, in general, observed past the school where it was entirely justified. Outside Wenvoe it was felt there were many places and times of day, when the limit was poorly observed and caused frustration to drivers. It was recommended that our views be passed to our Vale Councillor.
  • Crime prevalence data from the PCSO for the last few months were reviewed. Most frequently reported was anti-social behaviour followed by fly tipping and then vehicle crime.
  • It was noted that the St Lythams Estate Facebook page was well used by residents and a useful source of information. An example of current crime in the Estate is of 2 masked individuals on bikes stealing opportunistically in the middle of the night.
  • It was recommended that owners should ensure their property, including residence, be securely locked when not in use.

 

Alan French

 

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH – Opportunistic Theft

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Opportunistic Theft

There is still a problem in the Vale with thieves prowling and trying car doors.
Things to do to protect yourselves include:
• Keep house and car doors locked. It only takes a moment for a thief to enter the house if you are in another room.
• Keep items of interest out of sight.
• At night close house curtains to prevent a thief seeing in.
• If you become aware of someone prowling around, ring 999.

WhatsApp Scam
Action Fraud has reported a scam against members of large groups relying on the goodwill of members and their desire to help others in distress. Examples of groups targeted are alumni and academic groups, work groups, and religious groups such as church or prayer groups.
Scammers infiltrate the group to try and deceive members into sending the scammers money. From January to August this year 268 people nationally have reported falling victim to this scam.
To protect yourself against scammers:
• Never share your account’s two-figure authentication (2FA) code. (That’s the 6-digit code you receive via SMS)
• Set up two-step verification.
• Think. Call. If in the slightest doubt, ring back to check identity.
• Report spam messages or block a sender within WhatsApp.

Alan French

 

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

 

Our PCSO
S Wales Police have modified policing
arrangements for Wenvoe. There are now 2 PCSO’s
allocated to Wenvoe and Cowbridge each with
primary responsibility to one area and able to
deputise when the other is off duty. Our dedicated
PCSO is Adam Wood with our previous PCSO,
Stephen Davies, able to deputise. We should expect
to see Adam Wood patrolling the village and he
wants to meet us, so please introduce yourselves.
He will also continue the practice of regularly
visiting the Library/Hub to report current crime
incidents and answer questions from residents. The
dates are publicised on the Wenvoe Community Hub
page of this magazine and on Facebook.
The police welcome video evidence from members
of the public about anti-social or potentially criminal
activity. At the 31 May visit the PCSO clarified that
a member of the public can video others without
permission, if in a public space.
Fires
Many residents will be aware of arson incidents
recently around the village. The suspected teenage
culprits are known and the Police have taken
appropriate action. It is hoped that this will be the
end of the matter.
Scams
We make no apology for raising this issue again.
There have been reports from Barry of rogue traders
calling unannounced and offering to do work.
Residents are warned to be alert and not accept these
callers unless absolutely sure about what is being
offered.
Alan French

 

 

Annual General Meeting

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Annual General Meeting

The Wenvoe Neighbourhood Watch AGM will be held at 8.00pm on Wednesday 8 February 2023 in the Community Centre. Any Resident is welcome to attend. Reports will be received and officers elected for the coming year.

Crime Nationally

A national Crime and Security survey took place in Autumn 2022 in England and Wales. It was an online survey resulting in just over 25,000 replies of which only 263 were from Wales. Whilst caution should be taken in interpreting results from such a survey, there was some interesting information.

30% think the police in their area do a good or excellent job.

23% of respondents had been a victim of crime in the past year. Of these the type of crime experienced was:

  • Street harassment 36%
  • Criminal damage 24%
  • Online crime 16%
  • Vehicle theft 15% (items from a vehicle or the vehicle itself)

 

Figures for burglary were interesting in that only 12% had been subject to burglary in the past year yet 63% worried about becoming the victim of a burglary.

Perception of crime levels also varied. Locally, concern centred around fly tipping (73%), speeding (73%), burglary (67%), and car crime (66%). Similar topics are reported at Co-ordinators meetings in Wenvoe. At a national level concern was about arguably more serious crimes, for example, terrorism and modern slavery.

Alan French

 

AGM Notification

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Advance Notice

The Wenvoe Neighbourhood Watch AGM will be held at 8.00pm on Wednesday 8 February 2023. Any Resident is welcome to attend. Reports will be received and officers elected for the coming year.

Home Security

It is winter time so the police and Neighbourhood Watch advise you to take particular care over the security of your home. Suggestions are:

  • Lock windows if possible.
  • Put interior lights on a timer if you are out or away at night.
  • Ensure doors are locked particularly patio doors.
  • Make sure any exterior lights are working.
  • Keep a helpful eye out for neighbours.

 

Watch out also for your garage. Recently an intruder broke into the garage of a Resident. Luckily only minor items were taken but it shows that these events happen in Wenvoe.

Cyber security

Information from Action Fraud shows that large amounts of money were lost to fraud involving online purchases over the festive season in 2021-22. Advice is:

  • Protect your account. Set up 2-step verification and use strong passwords.
  • Choose carefully where you shop. Research first to make sure that you are buying from a reputable business.
  • Pay securely. Use a credit card in preference to a debit card because of the legal protection available. Also consider using a payment platform such as PayPal, Apple Pay or Google.

 

PCSO visit

The PCSO holds regular question and answer sessions at the village Hub building. At the last visit a police officer came and explained the procedure if the village wanted to conduct a traffic speed operation through the village. This is where a team of residents are authorised to use a handheld radar speed machine (gun) with results sent to the police who can issue warning notices to speeding vehicle owners. The police provide training and supervise the operation. A minimum of 9 volunteers are required to form teams of 3. Volunteers must complete a police vetting process which can be conducted at home. Any interested Resident can obtain further information from Jackie Gauci, 029 2132 8539.

 

October Meeting

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Watch Co-ordinators met on 12 October and items from their meeting and from wider Watch groups, included the following.

When to ring the Police – 999 is for urgent calls. The Police prefer to hear from you when the incident is actually happening. Call if you see something suspicious, for example excessive domestic arguing, disturbance (such as a party or gathering) at unsocial hours (use 101 for daytime), suspicious activity day or night. If it is happening now the Police can investigate and speak to those involved; the call will also be logged.

101 is for non-urgent items such as those where damage has already been done. Crimes can also be reported online. Just Google “Report South Wales Police” where you will see various options. Choose the appropriate one and complete the questionnaire before submitting. Facebook also has a South Wales Police site where crimes can be submitted.

Scams – We make no apology for again warning residents against scammers. A current scam relates to the government energy bill discount scheme where a fake text purports to be from the UK government and contains a link which is false. Remember, you do not need to apply for the £400 discount, it will be applied automatically from October 2022.

Operation SNAP – Operation SNAP is a police response to increasing submissions of video and photographic evidence relating to driving offences that members of the public have witnessed. Until now, these reports have been submitted to the police in all sorts of ways and so a streamlined process has now been developed to deal with them. The police hope this will make it easier for all involved. Enter “gosafesnap.wales” into Google for more information.

Local items – Two members attended the AGM of the Vale of Glamorgan Watch and reported that the police are placing more emphasis on educating offenders rather than arresting them and that the police want to recruit more members of the ethnic minority groups into the force.

A report was received of bulk rubbish being dumped in the lanes near Wenvoe quarry. This is an ongoing problem which seems impossible to solve. The Vale council will remove rubbish on public land but that on private land is the responsibility of the landowner.

Alan French

 

 

“Are You OK?” Campaign

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Last month our national Neighbourhood Watch launched an “Are you OK?” campaign against street harassment. Although street harassment is unlikely to be common in Wenvoe we may see it elsewhere. It is usually directed towards women, girls, and gender-diverse people.

Street harassment is on the rise and is often not an isolated incident. We know the long-term impact can harm mental health and change people’s behaviour. Victims often feel guilty, ashamed and blame themselves.

Witnessing street harassment and not safely intervening sends the message to those experiencing it that it’s okay and society normalises it.

The campaign encourages those who see someone being harassed in public to ask the victim “Are you OK?” when they feel safe doing so. Those three little words let the victim know they have support and street harassment is never okay.

Alan French

 

Criminals Are Still Busy

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

 

During this holiday time it is easy to relax, but criminals are still busy trying to scam you via emails or texts.

Phishing

Phishing is when a criminal impersonates trusted organisations by creating legitimate-looking messages and websites. This is done to trick the user into giving some of their personal information.

It is a common problem faced by individuals and businesses on a daily basis.

Through our membership of the national Watch organisation we can pass on to Wenvoe residents the following advice to deal with phishing scams.

  • If you have any doubts about a message, contact the organisation directly. BUT don’t use the numbers or addresses in the message; use the details from their official website.
  • If you think an email could be a scam, you can report it by forwarding it to: report @phishing.gov.uk
  • Most phone providers are part of a scheme that allows customers to report suspicious texts free by forwarding them to 7726. The provider can block or ban the sender if the text is found to be malicious.
  • If you’ve lost money or provided personal information as a result of a phishing scam, notify your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud: www.actionfraud.police.uk

 

Alan French

 

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