Young people - Have a say in your future

LINK

Are all number plate anti-theft screws the same?

ARTICLE HERE

Best prices for Richbrook

Amazon £4.35

Halfords £5.99

Warwickshire Police are also offering free tamper proof screws but they are possibly less effective. 

ORDER FORM

Trading Standards Update -27/07/2011 - Cold calling telephone scam

27/07/2011 Legal Services Approach Warning

Warwickshire Trading Standards Service has received complaints from consumers who received unsolicited (unexpected) telephone calls offering legal services, specifically the offer to set up a Protective Property Trust, which seek to protect a person's assets if they were to enter a care home later in life.

Consumers reported being asked to pay several thousand pounds for these services.

Trading Standards Officers are concerned because the calls (often made to elderly and vulnerable people) are thought to be from unqualified and unregulated individuals and businesses, using pressure selling techniques. Only a tiny fraction of legal services must be provided by a qualified solicitor.

Warwickshire Trading Standards advises consumers to seek expert legal advice before entering in to a legal contract/agreement.

A number of organisations can assist people to access legal information and advice, some free. For more information visit:

Citizens Advice Bureau        www.adviceguide.org.uk
Advice Now                        www.advicenow.org.uk
Age UK                         www.ageuk.org.uk     


Trading Standards contact details - See LINKS

National campaign to reduce War Memorial theft

A campaign to locate, log and protect thousands of war memorials across the UK, using cutting edge forensic technology has been launched.

MORE HERE

Website launched to circulate details about stolen goods

The aim of the website is to provide a platform for stolen items to be listed immediately a theft is discovered so that all law enforcement agencies - police, port officials (air & sea), transport police and members of the public have a nationwide database from which to operate
London resident Emilie Ashley started the free website for people to use when they have had something stolen from them. "In my nine years of living in London many of my friends have suffered from burglary or theft," Emilie told ChiswickW4.com . "This is why I feel it would be beneficial for other residents of London to know about and benefit from the free service my website provides."

"I came up with the idea eight months ago as friends and family had been victim to a number of burglaries where their, house contents, garden furniture and bikes had been stolen but there was no website that could help publicise what had been taken where they didn't have to pay. I also realised that if your house is burgled there is no internet opportunity to publicise the stolen items. So with the help of my family I started my site",
To use the site visit www.itsbeennicked.co.uk

Trading Standards Update -25/07/2011

25/07/2011 Post Targeted in Identity Theft Scam

Warwickshire Trading Standards has received a report that an elderly Warwickshire resident has been targeted by identity thieves.

It is believed that the fraudsters may have used forged utility bills to attempt to have the elderly person's post re-directed to another address from where they could steal it. Had they succeeded, they might then have been able to use his bank statements and other bills to steal his identity and take out loans and mortgages in his name. He might not have been aware of the scam as his post, including correspondence regarding the loan/credit card applications would have been sent to another address. The individual even received a forged letter from 'Royal Mail' designed to put him at his ease.

Checks by Royal Mail helped detect the fraud and no mail was re-directed.

Are you a victim of identify theft? Here are some of the warning signs:

• you have lost or had stolen important documents such as your passport or driving licence
• post expected from your bank has not arrived or you are receiving no post at all
• you identify entries on your personal credit file from organisations you do not normally deal with
• items have appeared on your bank or credit-card statements that you do not recognise
• you applied for a state benefit but are told that you are already claiming
• you receive bills, invoices or receipts addressed to you for goods or services you haven’t asked for
• you have been refused a financial service, such as a credit card or a loan, despite having a good credit history
• a mobile-phone contract has been set up in your name without your knowledge
• you have received letters from solicitors or debt collectors for debts that aren’t yours
• financial institutions that you do not normally deal with contact you to chase an outstanding debt.

For more information on scams visit our website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/scams

For help and advice on identity theft, visit: www.identitytheft.org

• The email alert system is a quick, simple and cost effective means by which Warwickshire Trading Standards can alert interested individuals, community organisations, businesses, charities and others to the latest Trading Standards issues/scams etc.
• Please feel free to cascade this information to whom ever you feel appropriate (including using the information in your newsletters/websites etc.). 
• If you have any information you wish to provide to Warwickshire Trading Standards Service, either for our information, or to appear in future email alerts, please email me.
• To add, amend or remove your details from this email circulation list, again, please email me.
• A list of all the latest email alerts is available on our website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards

Simon Cripwell
Senior Information Officer
Trading Standards Service
Communities
Warwickshire County Council
tel. 01926 414039
mob. 07771 975570
email. simoncripwell@warwickshire.gov.uk
web. www.warwickshire.gov.uk
My normal working days are Monday to Thursday

SNT Newsletter - 22nd July

WELLESBOURNE NEWSLETTER 22JUL11

• Strategic Alliance agreed by Warwickshire and West Mercia police authorities
• Community Speed Watch
• Contacting the Police (again)

Communication

Communication

·         Southam Police cover an area approximately 100 square miles.

·         Almost 20,000 people live in the area.

·         The Southam Safer Neighbourhood Team covers the following wards: - Long Itchington, Southam, Stockton & Napton, Fenny Compton and Harbury.

·         The Safer Neighbourhood Team consists of Police Sgt Richard Thomas, Beat manager PC Jim Butler, also on the team is PCSO’s Katrina Taylor, Claire Murray, Matt Hodgetts and Ally Streatfield.

·         Main switchboard telephone number for Warwickshire Police: 01926 415000

·         When phoning switchboard you need to clearly state that you wish to report an incident and ask for the control room.  The control room can identify if an officer needs to attend and what response is needed.  The controller can pass on the relevant details to the Safer Neighbourhood Team if required once an incident has been created.  

·         The controller will ask you relevant questions in relation to the incident.  For example they will require address of incident, who is involved, description of offender(s), are they still at the scene.

·         Description could be White, male, glasses, 5’9, heavy built, local accent, white jumper, blue jeans, and white trainers driving a green Renault Clio registration number K888 KKK.

·         If you wish to report a crime and the offender is not at the scene, ask the main switchboard for Crime Desk.

·         Team email address: southam.snt@warwickshire.police.uk

·         Team voicemail: 01926684984  if you wish to leave a message for a team member or discuss an issue with a member of the team. DO NOT USE THIS NUMBER TO REPORT CRIME

Don't Let Going On Holiday Be An Easy Ticket For Burglars

LINK

Released: 20/07/2011

Shed Burglary - Fenny Compton

There was a shed burglary overnight in the vicinity of the surgery. Please check your outbuildings for loss or attempted entry and report anything untoward to the Southam SNT (southam.snt@warwickshire.police.uk) and cc to watch@fcvh.org.uk.

Many thanks,

Sign up to this blog for latest updates. Top RHS of the page.

Useful Numbers:
The PCSO team mobile is 07919887674
PC James BUTLER is 07795052815
The station number is 01926 684984
Although this is not the number to report incidents or crimes on.
That number is 01926 415000 for non-emergencies, if the suspect is still on scene ask for Control Room, if the suspect is gone please ask for Crime Desk
In an Emergency always call 999 

Latest Southam SNT Newsletter - 1st July 2011

http://www.safer-neighbourhoods.co.uk/your-neighbourhood/stratford-district/southam/newsletter/southams-safer-neighbourhood-safety-update-01-july-2011/

Suspicious Vehicle - Bishops Itchington

A suspect vehicle has been seen in the Bishops Itchington area today.
VRM: HN57 TKO
Ford Focus, metallic light grey. 2 occupants with Irish accents.
Seen acting suspicious, around a yard.
Please contact Warwickshire Police on 01926 415000 if this vehicle or it's occupants are seen.
Kind Regards,
Claire Murray
PCSO 6247
on behalf of . . .
SOUTHAM FARM WATCH
Southam Police Station
High Street
Southam
Tel : 01926 415000
Email : southamfarmwatch@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

Trading Standards Update -12/07/2011

12/07/2011 Bogus Emergency Services Publication 

Warwickshire Trading Standards Service is warning local traders to be aware of publication businesses canvassing locally, that falsely claim to represent the fire service and police and request payment for advertisements in a directory. The business is thought to place the listing in the directory without the traders permission and then pester the trader with regular phone calls to try and get them to pay for the ‘advert’. Bogus publishing firms offer advertising in 'safety' type magazines/directories which have little or no circulation and so are useless for advertising.

12/07/2011 Bogus Caller Leamington Spa 

Warwickshire Trading Standards has had a report of someone cold calling at an elderly person’s house in the Leamington Spa area claiming to be from the council and asking for personal information and information about the property. The person was described as being in his 40’s and driving a silver car.

Householders are warned not to provide any personal or financial information to anyone who cold calls, who ever they claim to be. If you think a caller is genuine, ask to contact him/her’s organisation on a publicly listed telephone number. Do not allow cold callers in to your home.

Please feel free to cascade this information to whom ever you feel appropriate (including using the information in your newsletters/websites etc.).

If you have any information you wish to provide to Warwickshire Trading Standards Service, either for our information, or to appear in future email alerts, please email me.
A list of all the latest email alerts is available on our website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards

Simon Cripwell
Senior Information Officer
Trading Standards Service
Communities
Warwickshire County Council
tel. 01926 414039
mob. 07771 975570
email. simoncripwell@warwickshire.gov.uk
web. www.warwickshire.gov.uk
My normal working days are Monday to Thursday

SNT Newsletter - 8th July

Wellesbourne

"Heavens Above!" - More lead taken from Burton Dassett Church

KINETON FARMERS MARKET

MARKET SQUARE, KINETON

NEXT MEETINGS FOR 2011 ARE:-

9^TH JULY

8^TH OCTOBER

OPENING FROM 10am to 1pm

Contacting the police and changes in the local policing structure

OLD

From the 9th May 2011, Warwickshire Police went under a major changes.
The Safer Neighbourhood Team that was previously at Southam and consisted of:

• 4 PCSO's
• 2 Beat Police Officers
• 1 Reactive Police Officer (who covered all emergencies and this was 24hr cover)

NEW

The new Structure is as follows:
The Southam Safer Neighbourhood Team, still based at Southam Police Station consists of:

• 3 PCSO's
• 1 Beat Manager (Police Officer) PC James BUTLER
• and a small team of Specials who volunteer to work as Police Officers (but this is something they do in their spare time)
• The team at Southam cover 100sq miles

Neighbourhood Protection Team, two teams of 4 Police Officers that cover the whole County on specific jobs.
Incident Response Teams, which are made up of Police Officers and dispatch from Leamington, Rugby, Greys Mallory (Leamington) and Nuneaton on 24hr cover.

Southam and its surrounding area down to Gaydon, Farnborough and including the Priors area are now covered by the Rugby Incident Response team.

Investigation Team, made up of Police Officers where all crimes and incidents are now sent no longer dealt with locally.

Front office at Southam has now closed and has been moved to the Library under the new name of Warwickshire Direct and all enquiries are dealt with the Library staff who will contact us if required?

As for communications from the team, the Newsletter has been moved to Monthly so it's more managable for Staff and all NHW messages are via Julie DALE who is based at Leamington Police Station.

Farmwatch is a similar system to NHW for Farms and Rural Businesses, anyone in a rural location can join, and messages are sent out regarding any suspect vehicles or thefts relating to purely rural incidents. Although I have the Farmwatch list it has not been updated in 6 years so making sure that I have the correct details on over 300 contacts is going to take a while!

Useful Numbers:
The PCSO team mobile is 07919887674
PC James BUTLER is 07795052815
The station number is 01926 684984
Although this is not the number to report incidents or crimes on.
That number is 01926 415000 for non-emergencies, if the suspect is still on scene ask for Control Room, if the suspect is gone please ask for Crime Desk

In an Emergency always call 999

Any further questions please feel free to contact me.
Many Thanks,

Claire Murray
PCSO 6247

Southam Safer Neighbourhood Team
Southam Police Station
High St.
Southam
CV47 0HB

Recession and the Over 60s - A CAB Survey

I have received the attached from a colleague at CAB who has asked whether we could help them with a county-wide survey they are undertaking on the effects of the recession on the lives of over 60’s in Warwickshire.

This is completely anonymous and all replies are treated with the utmost confidentiality.

You may know of someone who would like to contribute to this Survey or maybe, if appropriate fill in yourself.

Please return to the Stratford CAB, 25 Meer Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6QB by the end of July.

I am sure CAB would very much appreciate your co-operation.

CAB QUESTIONNAIRE 

WCC consultation on Care Charges - ends 22nd July

Please see text below regarding Warwickshire County Council's current consultation on Care Charges within Warwickshire.
If you wish to complete the questionnaire, please click on the link below.  The deadline for responses is Friday 22nd July.
Many thanks.


"Following on from the charging for community care services consultation held between July and September 2010 we decided that:

• We could no longer afford to subsidise services - other than through means testing - if we are to sustain them in the future;
• We wanted to continue to protect those not able to meet the cost of their charges;
• Further work was needed in some areas to increase fairness, particularly with the move to personal budgets.

Cabinet agreed these findings in October 2010 and approved a set of increases in charges in line with these principles. As part of these changes, charges for residential respite services were increased to the full cost of £51.80 a day (from December 2010). Following this decision we reviewed all our replacement care services. While respite care is chargeable, the carers sitting service is non-chargeable. We are therefore proposing to introduce charges on all replacement care service as soon as possible and to move to full cost subject to means testing by April 2012. This will ensure that there is fairness across all services. We would like to understand how these proposed changes would affect you. This is a genuine consultation and your views really count, so please tell us what you think.The consultation on these services will start on Friday 10 June and finish on Friday 22 July 2011."

http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/replacementcareconsultation


Regards

Ali Mainey
Area Administration Assistant, Stratford-on-Avon Area Office
Communities
Warwickshire County Council
Office Phone External: 01789 260134
Mobile: 07557 565783
Internal: 532134
email:  alisonmainey@warwickshire.gov.ukwww.warwickshire.gov.uk

Fur further information on the LAA visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/laa

For further information on the Stratford-on-Avon Area Office visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/stratfordarea

Village Newsletter

Newsletter No4 July 2011

Trading Standards Update -1/07/2011 - Cold calling scams

01/07/2011 Claims Management Concerns

Warwickshire consumers have recently reported increasing numbers of unsolicited telephone calls and text messages from claims management businesses. The callers suggest to consumers that they may be able to claim money back for them as a result of (for example):

• Mis-sold payment protection insurance
• Mis-sold endowments
• Unfair bank charges
• Unenforceable consumer credit agreements

Consumers report that the callers are often very persistent, calling again and again (including to those on the telephone preference service) and that they often ask for a wide range of personal or financial information. Claims management companies can ask for large up front fees of up to £500, but there is no guarantee that they will be able to claim back money for you or get a debt written off for example.

Warwickshire Trading Standards Service strongly advises consumers not to divulge any personal or financial information to cold callers.

The Ministry of Justice further advices that if you think you do have a case, you do not need to use a claims management business to make your claim. Depending on what sort of claim you are making you may be able to make the claim yourself. For claims where you do need expert help, such as claims for personal injury, you can find a solicitor yourself, rather than being referred by a claims management business.

For more information, visit: http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/inspection-and-monitoring/claims-management-regulation/information-for-consumers.htm


The email alert system is a quick, simple and cost effective means by which Warwickshire Trading Standards can alert interested individuals, community organisations, businesses, charities and others to the latest Trading Standards issues/scams etc.

• Please feel free to cascade this information to whom ever you feel appropriate (including using the information in your newsletters/websites etc.).
• If you have any information you wish to provide to Warwickshire Trading Standards Service, either for our information, or to appear in future email alerts, please email me.
• A list of all the latest email alerts is available on our website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards

Simon Cripwell
Senior Information Officer
Trading Standards Service
Communities
Warwickshire County Council
tel. 01926 414039
mob. 07771 975570
email. simoncripwell@warwickshire.gov.uk
web. www.warwickshire.gov.uk
My normal working days are Monday to Thursday