Cookham Discussion Board

FIRST: AN ATM SCAM IN ASCOT

The victim went into a supermarket and used her debit card to withdraw cash from the ATM inside.  She then went back to her car where a black man came up and tapped on the window.  He said that she had a parking ticket, but that she could pay the fine at the cash till.  She walked back with him and put her card in the machine.  The man explained what she should do. She tried to cancel the transaction, but her card was not returned.  She then did the same with another card, which was also not returned

At that point another black man came across and said she could use his mobile, to contact her bank to cancel the cards.  The person on the other end said that the cards had been cancelled and new ones would be sent to her.

When she got home she phoned the bank who explained there had been a withdrawal of £250 on one card and £5,000 from the other.  The bank have said they will investigate and recommended she phone the police.

PLEASE BE AWARE THESE SCAMS EXIST.  THIS IS POSSIBLY A SKIMMING SCAM – which we haven’t seen for years and have not publicised it much.  The scammers have a thin transparent sheath which they insert into the ATM.  When the victim inserts their card, it slips into the sheath and cannot be returned.  The victim then leaves, believing the card /s are safe within the machine and they will be returned by the bank.  In fact they are inside the sheath and can be withdrawn by the scammer and then used.  The sheath is held in place by small metal grips at the card slot.  Years ago we advised that every time you used an ATM, you ran your finger across the slot.  If it was not smooth, move away instantly and if you are outside a bank, go inside and let them know.  It is an old fashioned scam, but very effective and most of us have not thought about it for years.

OBVIOUSLY – IT IS BACK !

NEXT:  from Valerie Pike the Chair of the Windsor & Ascot NHW Association:

Hi Jeff

I wondered if you can put a message in your next TVP Alert, asking for a ‘volunteer gardener’ to help us look after our elderly and vulnerable residents.

Many simply need their gardens trimmed / tidied and their grass cut ?

Having an untidy / unkempt garden, makes them an obvious target for opportunist offenders.

If you can, ask them to contact W&A NHW at the usual email address contact@windsorascotnhwa.org.uk

Many thanks
Valerie

NEXT:  WE ARE STARTING OUR CHRISTMAS BURGLARY CAMPAIGN !!!

I have set out some Crime Prevention advice at the bottom of this message.

NEXT: FROM RBWM:

Celebrate Christmas in our town centres

The festive season is fast approaching and we’re looking forward to celebrating Christmas in our town centres.

We'll be holding our traditional light switch-on events in addition to festive food, drink and entertainment.

Eton's light switch-on takes place on Thursday 18 November, with Windsor's following on Saturday 20 November and Maidenhead's on Saturday 27 November.

Free parking at council-run car parks will also be offered in Maidenhead, Windsor and Eton town centres on certain days and times, providing a much-needed boost for retailers and shoppers alike during this peak trading period

Bird-keepers - are you aware of the latest bird flu prevention measures?

The government has introduced new requirements for all keepers of birds, including pets, following the discovery of bird flu in sites across Great Britain..

An Avian Influenza Prevention Zone has been declared across Great Britain and all keepers, whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks, or just a few birds in a backyard flock, are required by law to take a range of biosecurity precautions.

This is to reduce the risk of the transmission of avian influenza to poultry and other captive birds from wild birds or any other source.

The requirements for bird-keepers are available on the Government website.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1031232/aipz-declaration.pdf

 
For more information and advice on biosecurity, visit the Government's avian influenza webpage.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu#biosecurity

NEXT: Observing Remembrance in the Royal Borough 

This year, you are invited to attend the Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday services taking place in the Royal Borough.

On Remembrance Day (Thursday 11 November) the council is holding a short Act of Remembrance starting from 10.55am at the War Memorial outside Maidenhead Town Hall. The Act of Remembrance will be led by The Mayor, Councillor John Story and those attending will observe a two-minute-silence at 11am.

On Remembrance Sunday (14 November) the council will also hold two services from 10.50am in Windsor and Maidenhead and observe a two-minute-silence at 11am.

The Windsor service will be held at the war memorial on Windsor High Street outside the Parish Church of St John the Baptist and will be attended by the Mayor.

The Maidenhead service will be held at the War Memorial outside Maidenhead Town Hall, and will be attended by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Gary Muir.

NEXT:  THE NEXT MAIDENHEAD TOWN FORUM:

Get involved in local town forum meetings

If you’d like to have your say on issues affecting Maidenhead, we want to hear from you.

You can suggest discussion topics for the Maidenhead Town Forum

https://rbwm.moderngov.co.uk/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=157

as well as attend and contribute to the virtual meetings.

Agendas are published a week in advance, so you can see what councillors will be discussing, and get involved if there’s a topic you’re interested in.

Your discussion suggestions will be added to a future agenda if appropriate.

The next Maidenhead Town Forum is on Thursday 11 November

To learn about how to get involved, email mark.beeley@rbwm.gov.uk


CRIME

I have attached reference numbers to each crime report. If you live in the vicinity of any of the crimes mentioned and have CCTV or a video doorbell, can you please check the footage. If you have any that might be of interest to the police, can you please make contact with us, quoting reference number given.

Alternatively you can call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or email - www.crimestoppers-uk.org


MAIDENHEAD CENTRAL:
maidenheadcentralgeographical@thamesvalley.police.uk
8/11  Monday midnight / 5 a.m.  Fairford Road  terracota planter and tray stolen from the windowsill.  Ref. No:  4321-505496

RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.

MAIDENHEAD WEST
maidenheadwestgeographical@thamesvalley.police.uk
BISHAM, COOKHAM, HURLEY, THE WALTHAMS, LITTLEWICK GREEN & KNOWL HILL:
8/11  Monday 9.50 p.m.  Manor Lane, Cookham A man was witnessed to smash an car with a hammer and run off.  Ref. No:  43210505633
9/11  Tuesday 4.50 a.m.  Pub Car park, Bisham Road, Bisham.  Car windscreen smashed and items moved.  Not yet known if anything taken.  Ref. No:  43210505913
8/11  Monday 6.30 p.m. / 9 p.m.  High Street, Cookham  Car rear windscreen smashed and Laptop stolen. Ref. No:  4321-505883
9/11  Tuesday 6 .10 p.m.  Odney Lane, Cookham X 3.  1.  Car rear windscreen smashed suitcase stolen.  Ref. No:  43210507207  2.  Car rear windscreen smashed case of clothing stolen  Ref. No:  43210507237  3.  Car rear windscreen smashed – nothing left in the car. Boot searched – nothing stolen.  Ref. No:  43210507251  We have another report of found property three small suitcases believed dumped on Battlemead Common, Sutton Road – which may be connected.  Ref. No:  43210508256

PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:
9/11  Tuesday 4 a.m.  Alwyn Road.  Attempted burglary.  Attempt to force side door handle.  No entry gained and nothing stolen.  Ref. No:  43210506352
8/11  Monday 5.30 p.m. / 7 p.m.  Mapledurham Walk.  Car left unlocked – handbag stolen  Ref. No:  43210505477

MAIDENHEAD SOUTH
maidenheadsouthgeographical@thamesvalley.police.uk
BOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK
10/11  Altwood Road/ Maple Close.  A resident reported 2 men going door to door offering to clean guttering.  The resident had already seen Facebook entries about them scamming people !  Ref. No:  43210508458  This was exactly the right thing to do.  Our grateful thanks to that resident.
10/11  11.45 a.m.  Penhurst Road.  A neighbour saw three men on a neighbours roof dislodging tiles with a trowel.  The owner had agreed for the men to clear their gutters.  They then wanted to quote for replacing broken tiles.  Ref. No:  43210508505  This is another case of bogus builders who cold call at the door.  PLEASE – PLEASE – DO NOT DEAL WITH ANYONE WHO COLD CALLS.  Remember our nhw motto – ‘I AM SORRY, I DO NOT BUY GOODS AND SERVICES AT THE DOOR.  If you see anything like this – a builders van / skip outside the home of someone you feel is elderly or vulnerable – please let us know – it never ends well !

OLDFIELD, BRAY & HOLYPORT:
9/11 Tuesday 1.20 a.m.  Drift Road.  Possible BT cable theft.  Ref. No:  43210505811