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Neighbourhood Watch Tackle Car Crime With New Campaign

Credit AA

PROTECT YOUR CAR CAMPAIGN

Due to Covid-19 and repeated lockdowns, people haven’t been using their cars as much as they used to. However, car crime remains a pressing problem in the UK – alarmingly, one car is stolen every ten minutes(1). The latest figures from the Police National Computer (3) indicate car crime decreased during Covid-19 restrictions but with the expectation of social restrictions soon easing we could see a surge in car crime. Neighbourhood Watch are launching a new campaign on the 31st March to encourage everyone to keep their car’s safety top of mind.

Key Messages of the Campaign

  • Leave your car locked
    A simple mistake that can prove calamitous: 44% of cars are broken into via an unlocked door. (2)
     
  • Leave your car well-lit
    80% of car crime occurs during the evening or at night.(2) Parking near street lamps or in a busy area can deter thieves.
     
  • Leave your car empty (or with no items on show)
    Owners often forget that personal belongings within the car are at as much risk of being stolen as the car itself.  
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St Mary’s Church Services – April

SERVICES AT ST MARY’S BEPTON
APRIL 2021
WE ARE OPEN FOR WORSHIP OVER THE EASTER PERIOD BUT
MUST STILL OBSERVE THE COVID RESTRICTIONS OF WEARING A
MASK AND KEEPING 2M APART IN CHURCH. The schedule for April
is below:
GOOD FRIDAY 2nd April at 10am* (please note time)
Service of hymns and readings led by Michael Abbott, Reader
EASTER SUNDAY 4TH APRIL AT 11.15AM
Matins followed by shortened Holy Communion led by the Rev Canon
Nigel Nicholson
SUNDAY 11TH APRIL AT 11 .15AM
Matins led by Janice Sayers, Reader
SUNDAY18th APRIL AT 11.15 AM
Matins followed by shortened Holy Communion led by the Rev Roger
Williamson
SUNDAY 25TH APRIL AT 11.15AM
Matins led by Janice Sayers, Reader
Any queries please ring Sheila Ryan, churchwarden, at 01730 813971

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Do Not Get Caught Out By A Covid-19 Vaccination Scam

With the UK vaccination programme in full swing, the most recent wave of scams has focused on fraudulent offers of vaccinations, attempting to persuade recipients that they can ‘jump the queue’.

The scams, which are perpetrated via email, text or telephone call, either request payment for a vaccination, or link to authentic looking but fake websites which harvest your confidential information. Those who fall for such scams fall victim to financial fraud, identity theft or both.

Avoiding COVID-19 Vaccination Scams – Top Tips:

Remember that COVID-19 vaccines in the UK are available only via the NHS of England, Wales and Scotland, or from Health & Social Care Northern Ireland.

Remember that the NHS will never:

  • Charge you for a COVID-19 vaccination
  • Ask you for your bank account or card details
  • Ask you for your PIN or banking password or memorable details
  • Arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine
  • Ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as passport, driving licence, bills or payslips.
  • If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up.

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Take a survey to help fight dog theft crime

The 60-second survey will be open until 17:00 on Friday 12th March. Make sure to have your say today: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/dogtheft
 
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne, in partnership with the Association of Police & Crime Commissioners (APCC), has launched today (19 February) a national survey, designed to understand public perception of dog theft, enforcement and the prosecution of offenders.

The Home Secretary is currently reviewing the issue of pet theft, and what future enforcement may look like with potentially tougher penalties for perpetrators.

The responses to this survey will help inform the discussions that PCCs will have on this issue nationally, and allow police forces to better understand the public’s views on this crime and how they might improve their response to those concerns.

Demand for dogs as pets has increased during the coronavirus pandemic. The cost of some puppies, on Pets4Homes, is currently as high as £3,000, making them a valuable commodity to criminals. 

According to Dog Lost, the UK’s largest lost and found dog service, it is estimated thefts have risen by 250 per cent, with criminal gangs involved.

PCC Bourne says: “I am incredibly eager to get more detail around this issue and understand residents’ views and if they feel more could be done to respond to their concerns or for more preventative measures to be put in place to better protect their pets.”

“I hope that the results of this survey will give the Government the evidence it needs to take more robust action against perpetrators.”

The 60-second survey will be open until 17:00 on Friday 12th March. Make sure to have your say today: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/dogtheft
 
Message Sent By
Derek Pratt MBE (NWN, Administrator, Sussex)