Vandalism and Crime in Wenvoe

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Vandalism and Crime in Wenvoe

We have been made aware of acts of vandalism and crime occurring recently in Wenvoe.

  • Patio doors damaged while the owners were out.
  • House door handles tried at night.
  • Cars vandalised.
  • Doorstep milk stolen.
  • Garden solar lights stolen. The thief emptied a garden waste bag onto the drive and stole the bag, presumably to carry away the lights.

 

These events have been localised to The Grange and St Lythams estates. Residents in the rest of Wenvoe are advised to be alert and report anything suspicious to their Watch Co-ordinator. If you do not know the name of your Co-ordinator please contact Jackie Gauci who can help on 07876 207843.

Call for Co-ordinators in St Lythams estate

The St Lythams estate is fully established and we urgently need more co-ordinators for the estate. The role of a Co-ordinator is not onerous and would suit a person who is prepared to help their fellow residents. You are asked to keep an eye open in your local area or street in the estate, and in the event of any unusual or suspicious activity to inform the police or the Watch Secretary. If you wish to help please contact Jackie Gauci, on 07876 207843 or jackie.gauci47@gmail.com

 



 

Parking Email Scam

Parking Email Scam

Dyfed Powys Police are warning residents not to respond to a parking email scam targeting their residents. If you receive such an email do not click on the ‘pay here’ box or telephone the number. H M Courts and Tribunal Service are not sending out penalty charge notices. Delete the email and tell your friends and family. The more people that know this is a scam, the less victims there will be.

 



 

Action Fraud Reports

Action Fraud has received 63 reports about a scam in which fraudsters target people with offers of “low cost” loans or “free” government grants. What the victims aren’t told is that the money they’ll receive is actually an advance payment for Universal Credit. The criminals use the personal information they’ve obtain under false pretences to make an application in the victim’s name. After the fraudsters have taken their “fee” from the advance payment, the victim is then left to pay back the total amount once their repayments begin.

How you can protect yourself:

  • Never share your personal or financial information with someone you don’t know and trust, especially if it’s in response to an offer of “free money” or a “free grant”.
  • Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) staff will never approach you in the street or ask for your personal/financial details over social media.
  • If you have concerns about your benefits, you should visit www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus.
  • If you suspect your identity may have been stolen, you can check your credit rating quickly and easily online. You should do this every few months anyway, using a reputable service provider and following up on any unexpected or suspicious results.

 



 

Unsightly Litter Surrounding Wenvoe

 

I am sure that the amount of unsightly litter surrounding Wenvoe’s roadsides has not gone unnoticed.

Whilst on a recent walk along Station Rd East on route to the Salmon Leaps, I was appalled at the amount of litter in the trenches alongside the road, so much so that I took it upon myself to return and collect it.

Armed with a pair of plastic gloves and one black bag, I set to work & in twenty minutes the bag was full with rubbish from one side of the road only!

I contacted the Vale Council’s Refuse & Re-cycling department & informed them of my collection and that the rubbish contained much which could be re-cycled. They were very accommodating, arranging to collect the bag from outside of my house the following day – which they duly did.

However, whilst grateful for this efficient service, I was mindful of one driver and one van coming to collect one bag!

I don’t know the answer to the problem of individuals dropping litter or throwing litter from their cars, but I wonder if any village residents who, like myself, have a spare hour in which they could collect litter from a designated area and collectively have it collected by the Vale. Thus attempting to keep the village devoid of unsightly litter.

Any responses to What’s On or the Wenvoe Community Council (see page 2 for contacts)

 



 

Wenvoe Neighbourhood Watch AGM

 

The AGM of Wenvoe Neighbourhood Watch took place on 20 February 2019.

Two new Co-ordinators were welcomed, one covering Springfield Close and the other Old Market. There are now 32 Co-ordinators covering the whole village including most of the new housing developments.

A small number of criminal acts were reported from within the village. Fly tipping occurred at St Lythams but was cleared very quickly by the Council after notification by the Co-ordinator. On another occasion vehicle headlights were stolen but the thief was caught, and the headlights returned. In one area it was reported that residents were proposing to install a surveillance camera in response to local thefts.

On the Saturday after the meeting some lead was stolen from the roof of the Church. If anybody has any information about this, please would they contact Vicar Jon.

Residents are advised to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity or criminal act to their Co-ordinator. If unsure of your Co-ordinator please contact Alan French: 02920 59 8092.

Officers elected for 2019 are:

Chairman Alan French

Vice Chairman Trevor Case

Secretary/Treasurer Jackie Gauci

Minutes Secretary Bert Bates

Future Co-ordinators meetings in 2019 are July 3 and October 23.

Alan French

 



 

Please Help To Find Edge

Our missing cat’s name is Edge. He is about two and a half years old and has black and white short-hair, with a fairly distinctive black dot on his chin. He doesn’t have a collar but he has been chipped so if found, a vet would be able to get him back to us. Edge was last seen on Wednesday 27 February around Old Port Road near the primary school.

If spotted or found, please contact myself (Ben) on 07445308404 or my wife (Hannah) on 07856607570. Alternatively, pop a note through our door at 8 Wenvoe Close (up the road from Wenvoe Library).

Kind regards, Ben Jones

 



 

Scams – How to Stay Safe

STAY SAFE

SCAM – We have recently had a number of victims of a scam in the Penarth/Barry area. Each time these individuals were called and asked to withdraw large amounts of cash from the bank. Each time they alleged they were police officers and not to tell anyone. If the bank ask why you need the money they are giving the victims a number of excuses, e.g. new kitchen, new car.

Please let’s encourage everyone to talk openly about Scams. The police will never ask you to take money out. Always contact 101 or 999 but ensure the line is cleared before dialling. (Listen for a dial tone).

VISITORS – Please be vigilant when letting people into your homes.

There has recently been a theft in a Barry property, where by a man has alleged to be from the water board. He has entered the property to speak with the resident, whilst another male has entered the property and has stolen a handbag.

Do not let strangers into your home, ring companies to clarify and always check for ID.

 



 

Advice From Action Fraud

Action Fraud has received more than 5,000 reports about fake emails and texts purporting to be from TV Licensing. The messages contain links to genuine-looking websites that are designed to steal personal and financial information.

Always question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information in case it’s a scam. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text.

For more information about how to stay safe online, visit cyberaware.gov.uk

Action Fraud has also experienced an increase in the reporting of malicious calls, voicemails, text messages or emails to members of the public purporting to be from HMRC. (HM Revenue and Customs)

The fraudsters state that as a result of their non-payment of tax or other duty, the victim is liable to prosecution or other legal proceedings such as repossession of belongings to settle the balance but can avoid this by arranging for payment to be made immediately by method such as bank transfer or by iTunes gift cards.

If the victim is hesitant or refuses to comply, the suspect makes a threat such as immediate arrest, bailiffs or in cases where the victim appears to be of overseas origin, deportation.

Often, the period for which the tax is allegedly due is distant enough to guarantee the victim will have little, if any, paperwork or ability to verify the claims. Once the money is paid the suspects sever all contact.

It is vital that the public exercise caution when receiving messages or telephone calls of this nature.

What you need to do:- Always question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information. Just because someone knows your basic details (such as your name and contact details), it doesn’t mean they are genuine. Instead, contact the company directly using trusted methods such as a known email address or phone number.

Listen to your instincts. If something feels wrong then it is usually right to question it. No genuine organisation will ask you to pay taxes, bills or fees using iTunes Gift Cards, or any other type of voucher.

Don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision. Under no circumstances would a genuine bank or some other trusted organisation force you to make a financial transaction on the spot.

Report Phishing attempts. If you receive a call, text or email of this nature and have not lost money, report this as a phishing attempt to Action Fraud.

 



 

Fake Netflix emails.

 

WARNING FROM CRIMESTOPPERS

Please watch out for these fake Netflix emails.

We’ve seen an increase in reports about fake Netflix emails claiming that there’s an issue with your account, or that your account has been suspended. The email states that you need to “update” your account details in order to resolve the problem. The link in the emails leads to genuine-looking Netflix phishing websites designed to steal your username and password, as well as payment details.

Always question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information in case it’s a scam. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text.

For more information on how to stay secure online, visit www.cyberaware.gov.uk

 



 

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