October 2017
NOT SURE? DON’T OPEN THE DOOR!
Protect yourself from doorstep crime. Follow our advice to reduce the risk of being scammed.
Preventing doorstep crime: Doorstep crime can include rogue traders offering home improvement or gardening services, or bogus callers who claim to be the council, police, health carers or energy companies.
What should I look out for?
Rogue Traders: May say they are in the area and have spotted a problem with your home or garden. May claim to have materials left over from another job, like paving or tarmac.
May try to pressurise you to buy goods or sign up for services on the spot.
May carry out work cheaply but charge an extortionate price after it has been completed.
May offer to drive you to a bank so you can withdraw money to pay them.
May provide false names, addresses or telephone numbers.
Pedlars: A pedlar is someone who calls at your door to sell items that they have on offer. This can often include cleaning or household goods. By law, they are required to carry a pedlar’s certificate, which is issued by the police force in the area where they live. Pedlars often claim to be ex-offenders who are on a rehabilitation programme designed to get them back into employment. They generally aren’t local to West Mercia Police force area and usually travel with associates where they target areas of vulnerable and elderly residents. It is not advisable to purchase items from such sellers as it is unlikely they hold a current pedlars certificate. If a pedlar or anyone becomes abusive or aggressive, contact the police immediately.
Bogus Callers: May claim to be working for the council, water, gas or electric company. They could also say they are a nurse, doctor or from the police.
May say they need to come into your home or try to get you to go outside.
May try to distract you so they can steal your money.
Can be male, female or even a child.
Tips to keep you safe!
If you are not sure who is at the door, don’t open it.
Check the identity of any caller.
Confirm who they are by calling the company they work for using the number from a telephone directory or a bill.
Tell them to come back at a time when someone will be home with you.
Use a door chain every time you answer the door.
Display a NO COLD CALLER sign on your door. These can be obtained from your SNT or Hereford Council Trading Standards
Hereford Trading Standards 01432 261987
Reports of fraud can be made directly to Action Fraud 0300 1232040 or speak to an online advisor at www.actionfraud.police.uk
Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime where you should report fraud if you have been scammed, defrauded or experienced cyber crime
With Halloween on the approach, not everyone likes to receive a knock on their door. Think about elderly and vulnerable people in your neighbourhood who may struggle to get to the door easily or could be worried by the disturbance. Ask your SNT for NO TRICK OR TREAT door signs.
Latest updates
Crimes and incidents of interest from 1st September to 30th September 2017
Sutton St Nicholas/Marden/Moreton on Lugg
Sutton St Nicholas. Between 26th Aug and 7th Sept. The victim had left a Specialise red Hard Rock mountain bike on an exercise stand in the front area of the garden at home. Between stated times an unknown suspect has stolen the pedal cycle with the exercise stand attached. Photos of stand shared on SNT Twitter page.
We have received a number of complaints of a group of males riding off road motorbikes on various patches of land within the area. The males usually push the bikes when on the road and then ride them once they are out of sight. Please report any sightings of these males via 101 so that we are able to deal with the problem accordingly.
Dormington/Mordiford/Fownhope/Tarrington/Stoke Edith/Hampton Bishop
Tarrington. 16th September. Person(s) unknown have attempted to break into a van outside a residential property. They have been unsuccessful but have broken the locking mechanism in the process. Property is sited in a rural location.
Mordiford. 24th September approx 23:30. Suspicious vehicle seen driving around Mordiford with two female and two male occupants. Car was driven into a driveway and then backed out once they saw the residents looking. Vehicle – WN02XCF, Suzuki Grand Vitara in blue. Vehicle drove off once the residents were alerted
Credenhill/Breinton/Stretton Sugwas/Swainshill/Bishopstone/Kingsacre
Credenhill. Between 14th and 15th September damage has been caused to a residential property. Unknown person(s) have damaged the letter box, although it appears no attempt has been made to enter the property.
Stretton Sugwas. Between 10th and 11th September. Person(s) unknown have caused damage to padlock in an attempt to gain access to a horse tack room. Person(s) possibly disturbed in progress as no entry gained. Tack room is sited in a rural location.
Between 28th and 29th September. Person(s) unknown have broken into the victims shed by unscrewing the hinges. They have taken a Apollo fusion pushbike in blue but left other items of value.
Bishopstone. Between the 16th and 17th September. Person(s) unknown have broken into the victims shed by cutting the lock, they have proceeded to look around but have not taken anything. Property is sited in a rural location.
Swainshill. Between 28th and 29th September. Person(s) unknown have gained access to a stationary vehicle and taken various items such as the victim’s wallet and car log book. No sign of any damage to the vehicle
Kingsacre. Between the 28th and 29th September. Damage has been caused to the victim’s property. Person(s) unknown have smashed a window of the house but have not entered the property.
Burghill/Tillington/Lyde/Holmer
Report of dangerous driver received. Between 07:30-07:45 dark metallic grey VW Golf GTi regularly seen driven by a male, in a dangerous manner through Burghill. No vehicle registration obtained at this time by witness. If this or any other vehicle is witnessed being driven in a dangerous manner please call 101 giving location of incident, vehicle registration number, colour, make and model if possible.
Bartestree/Lugwardine/Westhide/Withington/Whitestone/Preston on Wynne
Withington. 8th September approx 15:00 suspicious vehicle seen in Vine Tree Close. White Ford Transit NJ03RMX seen driving slowly around the close. Second occasion vehicle seen within the week. Occupants possibly looking for charity bags though it is not believed they are working directly for the charity collection company.
22nd September approx 12:30. Suspicious vehicle seen at Withington Village Hall car park driving around the car park getting in and out of the vehicle, rushing backwards and forwards. Black Subaru Impreza unknown registration. Male occupant.
Lugwardine. 15th September. Nottingham knockers in the area. Male seen in Traherne close with a large holdall bag going door to door trying to sell various household objects. The male showed no aggression when asked to leave. No cold calling signs distributed within the area.
Canon Pyon/Kings Pyon/Westhope/Wellington
On the 6th September police received an increase number of calls in relation to pedlars in the area of Wellington. SNT have spoken with residents and delivered NO COLD CALLING signs in areas affected. Further signs have been left at Wellington Delights Village Stores if you or someone you know would like one.
If you have any information which can assist police with enquiries, please call 101 or email herefordrn.snt@westmercia.pnn.police.uk
Your team
PS Gareth KING
PC Bart McDONAGH
PCSO Elena EKANITE
PCSO Alex NUTHALL
Contact details
Telephone: 101 to talk to your local SNT or report a crime
Email: herefordrn.snt@westmercia.pnn.police.uk
Website: www.westmercia.police.uk
Facebook / Twitter: @HerefordCops
Only call 999 in an emergency, when a crime is in progress or life is in danger.
If you would prefer to report a crime anonymously including drug related information you can also call CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111