Wednesday

6th April 2011

There have been a number of cases of purse snatching in the Guineas Centre, Newmarket in recent weeks.

Wednesday

23rd March 2011

A resident was coming out of the Dyke car park at 6.30am and came across a suspicious looking young man – with two dogs - one was large red mastiff looking and the other was a black spaniel looking dog. Whilst walking across the field back, the resident then saw a white van go towards Burwell. It is suggested that residents continue to be very careful about protecting their property - and if anyone else is ever suspicious in this way, please let me know. This event has been reported to our local PCSO Annie Austin.

Thursday

17th March 2011

Cambridgeshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service and Cambridgeshire Police have been receiving reports from concerned residents who have been called out of the blue by security companies offering them an alarm system for their home. In some cases the sales person has refused to give company details, or has given a telephone number which is just an answerphone. Claims suggesting they are connected to the Police Service are untrue.

It starts with an initial telephone call offering an alarm system at a reduced price, £1 or even for free. A salesman will then visit, pressuring the homeowner to sign up straight away, in order to get a good deal. Initial costs outlined are misleading - when yearly maintenance and monitoring costs are included the cost is substantially higher. The maintenance contract may be for up to 10 years, which will run in to many £1,000’s. In addition salesmen have been known to remain in a person’s home for many hours in order to persuade the customer to agree to the contract.

Advice for residents

Whatever work you want done on your home, we recommend you always obtain 3 quotes to make sure the price is reasonable.

If during a visit to your property a trader refuses to leave, contact the police immediately and make a note of the time of the request and the time the trader leaves. This applies to any trader – not just alarm companies.

When buying an alarm system we would suggest you look for companies that are accredited by N.S.I. (National Security Inspectorate) or S.S.I.A.B. (Security Systems & Alarm Inspection Board). Independent Inspectorates are not-for profit approval bodies who carry out inspection services for the security industry in order to protect customer interests. They are governed by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) the sole accreditation service recognised by the government.

Free home security advice is available from Cambridgeshire Police on the number below.

If during a visit to your home you purchase goods or services from a trader and then you have second thoughts you do usually have a right to cancel for contracts of more than £35. The paperwork that a trader leaves will give the details on how to cancel and will include a cancellation form. You have 7 days in which you can cancel.

If you have been contacted by a security company and feel concerned please contact the Police or Cambridgeshire Trading Standards for assistance.

Cambridgeshire Police: 0345 456 456 4 (in case of emergency dial 999).

Trading Standards: 08454 04 05 06. This is our partner organisation Consumer Direct who will be able to advise you and pass information through to us.

Best wishes,
John Fuller

Community Engagement Manager
Southern Division
Parkside Police Station, Cambridge
Direct Dial - 01223 82 3243
Mobile - 07736 084675 (Mobex 7110990)
Email - john.fuller@cambs.pnn.police.uk

Thursday

10th March 2011

I received my census form yesterday as I am sure many of you did also. The census has to be returned by 6 April. If anyone calls before that date claiming to be from the census office or any other official body they will not be genuine – so beware of scams. Regards, Kevin KEVIN EVANS, SECRETARY, EAST CAMBRIDGESHIRE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH ASSOCIATION 01353 614892

Friday

4th March 2011

I have had a report of cold callers phoning up elderly residents in one of the villages to persuade them to have a free survey for home insulation, for which there is a government grant. The person or people phoning do not leave the name of their company or telephone number and thus are unlikely to be genuine.I think it is unwise to accept any offer of a free survey. I know it is tempting just to find out what is involved or how much something might be, but these people doing the survey are trained salesmen, they are trained to make sure they do not leave without making a sale and if they are not successful they will soon be out of a job. So remember it is not an equal contest when you are matched with one of these people, they are trained, they know all the tactics and the tricks. Elderly people are particularly vulnerable and some of these salesmen know it and target them.

Thursday

24th February 2011

Police are warning motorists who are driving a vehicle not belonging to them using their own fully comprehensive insurance, that they may no longer be covered to do so. Despite the assumption by many that a fully comprehensive insurance policy would cover drivers to use another person's vehicle with their permission, there has recently been a change in a lot of insurance policies and this often no longer comes as standard.
One issue that officers specifically want motorists to check is in relation to driving another person’s vehicle with the owner’s permission when the vehicle does not have an insurance policy in place. With recent changes, the majority of insurers now stipulate that the vehicle being driven must at least have third party cover.
If a person is stopped in a vehicle that is not their own and are unsure if their policy covers them to drive another vehicle, officers will have to complete a check. If it is discovered that the driver is not correctly covered it could result in a fixed penalty notice fine of £200 and 6 penalty points or a day at Magistrates Court . The vehicle will also be seized.

Saturday

19th February 2011

The government is holding a consultation on scrapping Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) in England and Wales and replacing them with a new range of measures to combat anti-social behaviour. A BBC News item with further information can be downloaded by clicking on this link.

Saturday

19th February 2011

"This afternoon, in broad daylight, we have had four road drain covers stolen from our road leaving dangerous holes! I understand from a neighbour that the same thing happened in Fairfield, Sutton. Both roads are cul-de-sacs. I reported it to the Highways Department who sent a truck, two men and road cones within the hour. I understand from the two guys from Highways that about 40 have been stolen in the area this week".