FIRST: A CASE OF ‘BOGUS BUILDERS / COLD CALLERS’ IN ASCOT.
In February, the two elderly householders were at home and answered the door. 4 men stood there - three young and an older man. They said they could deep clean the patios, front and rear as well as clearing out the gutters. It was agreed and the men carried out the work, breaking some windows in the process. They then demanded £7,000 for the work.
The homeowner didn’t have this much and it was settled at about two thirds and a cheque handed over.
Yesterday, the 23rd, the men returned, saying the cheque had got wet, so they couldn’t present it to the bank, could they have another.
The homeowners had sought advice after the last incident and had in fact cancelled the cheque anyway. After the visit, the men said they would be back today, to collect a replacement cheque. The homeowners phoned the bank to say, they would issue another cheque, to get rid of the men, but could it please be cancelled in advance. The bank agreed.
The police were called and attended, giving advice and reassurance. Neighbours were also spoken to, to keep an eye out for any builders arriving and if they did, to call the police on 999.
Can everyone please be on their guard. Dealing with cold callers, rarely works out well. They generally do a poor job and charge excessively. It can also lead to protracted involvement, they come back and back.
SO - PLEASE REMEMBER OUR NHW MOTTOS:
I AM SORRY, I DO NOT BUY GOODS AND SERVICES AT THE DOOR
AND
NO-ONE COMES INTO YOUR HOME, UNLESS YOU KNOW THEM, OR THEY HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT
If you have elderly or vulnerable neighbours, can you please keep a discrete eye on them. If you see builders vans / skips appearing outside their homes, please let us know, using the group Neighbourhood email below. We will never reveal that you have made contact with us, but send out a PCSO / RBWM Community Warden, to happen to walk past on their regular patrols and call in to see what work they are having done and establish if the correct, or any paperwork has been completed. In the above case, when the cheque was handed over, the ‘builders’ didn’t want a name on it - possibly to enter ‘pay cash’, or because they didn’t want the home owner to know any names.
NEXT: ANOTHER SEXTORTION CASE:
I seem to be reporting at least one of these, each week - and those are the ones reported to us. These affect both young and older people - who should know better. In this case, a girl was befriended in a Snapchat, chat room. After ‘grooming’, she was persuaded to send intimate photos of herself. Immediately the tone changed and she was told that unless she sent more pictures, the ones she had sent, would be sent to her parents and others in her personal address book. At this stage the police were called. It was a group Snapchat room and other girls, may have done likewise.
If this happens to you - always phone the police. We have ways of tracing the perpetrator of these threats and dealing with them.
Can I re-iterate once again:
PLEASE DO NOT SAY, OR DO ANYTHING ONLINE, OR ON THE PHONE THAT YOU WOULD NOT BE HAPPY FOR YOUR FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES, RELATIVES AND PARENTS TO SEE.
NEXT: Can I remind everyone to lock their cars when they park up either on their driveway / behind locked gates or on the highway.
If you have a manual key fob, you must check that the lights flash and that you try a car door handle every time you lock the car. The signal can be blocked.
If you have a keyless fob, the signal can be copied and there are lots of electronic gadgets available that can do that. So, all keyless fobs must be protected at all times. When you get home, they must not be placed anywhere near the front door, but must be at least 30 feet from the pavement / public space outside. You should purchase a specific key container - which contains a Faraday cage, to prevent anyone accessing the signal. They are inexpensive and available from online sales outlets. Storing the keys in one of these, will prevent your car being opened, searched or stolen.
You will need to buy 2 and they are often on offer - buy one get one free - for the spare key !!!
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.
I have added a new email address below. The first email address is directly to your local Neighbourhood Team. The second is to our investigation team. Please use it to send any intelligence / video doorbell / CCTV footage you may have, which is relevant to any of the crimes lists below - quoting the reference number.
Alternatively you can call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or email -
www.crimestoppers-uk.org MAIDENHEAD CENTRAL:
maidenheadcentralgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukSR.windsor&
maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk21/6 Sunday 2 p.m. Kingsquarter. Bike store broken into and bike cover, tools and a rear wheel was stolen. The rear wheel was later found placed in a corner ready to go. Ref. No: 43200186701
22/6 Monday 2 p.m. Wayside Mews. Bike stolen from a garden. A white Giant Rapid mountain bike. Ref. No: 43200188040
24/6 Wednesday 8.25 a.m. High Street. A bike locked in a bike rack stolen. A white, Giant Liv ladies bike. Ref. No: 43200188874
RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
MAIDENHEAD WEST
maidenheadwestgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukSR.windsor&
maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukBISHAM, COOKHAM, HURLEY, THE WALTHAMS, LITTLEWICK GREEN & KNOWL HILL:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:
23/6 Tuesday Choseley Road. Package delivered and left at the property stolen. Re. No: 43200188435. If you have a video doorbell / CCTV which contains anything suspicious, can you email it to the SR email above with the ref. No.
MAIDENHEAD SOUTH
maidenheadsouthgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukSR.windsor&
maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukBOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
OLDFIELD, BRAY & HOLYPORT:
22/6 Monday 7.15 p.m. Meadow Way, Fifield. CAR ENTERED BY UNKNOWN MEANS - loose change stolen. Ref. No: 43200187075
Please consider using our online reporting system but please note this reporting tool is not for use where a crime happening right now, the suspect is still at the scene, or anyone seriously injured or in immediate danger.
https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/
