FIRST:-I am just out of a large meeting with ‘Give & Take Care’. It was groups from all over RBWM helping and working together to develop two projects.
A re-purposing sewing course for students aged between 14 - 19. It will start on September 12th and will be held at East Berks College, on Thursdays, 5 p.m. / 7 p.m. Students will be taught everything they need to know to create / re-purpose clothes to make them fashionable and individual, from no knowledge, to pattern making and fitting. Our volunteer, tutor mentors - experienced sewers will pass on their experience - an intergenerational project. We have 6 volunteers, but need 4 more. Are you an experienced sewer, tailor etc., willing to work with young people, keeping your skills alive, by passing them on ? We also need student referrals. The course is for 20 students, so if you know of anyone, who would benefit, or like learn a new skill, who may lack personal confidence. The clothes for re-purposing, have been supplied by the boys at Eton College and we have another volunteer, who has donated ball gowns, fabric and haberdashery !!!
‘From Seed to Plate’ This starts in February 2020. We need volunteer mentors - gardeners this time, possibly with an allotment along the Maidenhead Road, Windsor. The students will need to learn how to prepare the soil, sow seeds, look after crops and then later in the year, will participate in a Food Academy, where they will cook the food they have grown. We therefore need volunteer gardeners, possible allotments and student referrals.
For more information contact Anita Ambasna at:
anita.amabsna@giveandtakecare.co.uk Next:- I have just been speaking to the investigators, who go out to take statements and collect CCTV, from victims. They say, the best thing that helps them at the moment and they recommend are ……… Doorbell cameras ! They say the footage is better, cleaner and sharper than most CCTV systems, particularly older ones. At night, it is still full HDD colour, lit by security lights, as opposed to fuzzy black & white images of night time normal CCTV footage.
The advantage appears to be - you get a message directly to your mobile phone in real time that someone is on your driveway, up to no good. You can pass that information to us immediately, so that we can respond - subject to resources being available - as soon as possible and catch someone in action.
They say they are always really pleased when someone says they have some doorbell camera footage, as it is always clear, in focus, close and in full colour HDD. Another advantage - the offenders, are not always aware they are being videoed and are therefore, less likely to cover their faces, as they always do, if they see cameras of normal CCTV systems.
They are apparently very simple to install and becoming ever more popular and affordable
NEXT:- re how to deal with suspect text messages, Katie sent this:
Hi
You asked about advice in dealing with spam or fraudulent texts.
Which? has produced a clear guide:
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-to-deal-with-spam-text-messages Many thanks Katie, I am sure this will help everyone.
NEXT: This message was sent out across Nottingham:
Residents have reported that they have received an automated call on the telephone. The call threatens to cut off or compromise their internet connection and asks the resident to press buttons to speak to their internet provider.
Many scammers use the tactic of cold calling and pretending to be representatives of legitimate organisations, or threaten the disconnection of a service, with the intention of getting money off people. If you receive a call from your provider, they will already know who you are and have your payment details. Never give out your personal details or bank account details over the phone to someone who calls in this manner.
Victims of a scam who have suffered a financial loss, should report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via their website at:
www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_phishing NEXT: A reminder from RBWM Community Warden - Clive Dent:
Dear All,
A resident who is a Radian tenant, brought to my attention a recent incident regarding a bogus builder.
The tenant was standing outside her house and was approached by an older man, who told her that she had problems with her roof. She informed him that the it was a Housing Association property and if there are any problems with it, she would speak to them. The man’s reply was “That’s OK, we work for them”.
Thankfully, she thought this might be a scam and did not engage with them further. The older man, then got into a white unmarked van where a younger man was sitting and they both drove off.
Unfortunately, she was unable to get the vehicle registration.
Can you remind everyone about our TVP NHW Motto ?
‘I am sorry, I do not buy goods or services at the door - thank you’ !
Regards
Clive Dent
RBWM Community Warden,
Communities, Enforcement & Partnerships
Tel: 01628 685636
Thanks for the warning Clive - these offenders, are always out there, looking for a potential mark. Lots of people have lost huge amounts of money through these scams.
I circulated this message earlier this month from Rob Abell at Trading Standards. It is worth circulating again:
Hi – It might be useful to make this available:
Kent County Council asked us to share the link to a film to demonstrate how easily people can become vulnerable and a victim of criminal abuse. This is a hard hitting film that was produced under the management of Kent County Council and funded by Kent Trading Standards, Public Protection team in collaboration with local authorities and associated police forces.
Many thanks
Rob Abell
Fair Trading Officer
Trading Standards & Licensing Team | Community Protection & Enforcement Services | Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
It Shows how scammers and Fraudsters befriend and then defraud vulnerable people !!! This is exactly how it happens - please circulate it as widely as possible.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYvsuynSJQs It is really difficult to watch, but think about the victims !
NEXT; I have had loads of reports re Nottingham Knockers, right across the area - Young unemployed lads and now girls - going door to door, selling household products. They are often no longer asking for cash, but using a remote card payment device. They maintain they have to hold it very high, when you put in your PIN number to get a signal. Please remember our NHW Motto:
‘I do not buy goods and services at the door - thankyou’ !
CRIME
MAIDENHEAD CENTRAL:
maidenheadcentralnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukNO CRIME TO REPORT.
RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
MAIDENHEAD WEST
maidenheadwestnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukBISHAM,
COOKHAM, HURLEY, THE WALTHAMS, LITTLEWICK GREEN & KNOWL HILL:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
MAIDENHEAD SOUTH
maidenheadsouthnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukBOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK:
20/6 Thursday 11.35 p.m. The Fairway. Burglary. Six suspects entered the property, their faces covered, via a smashed utility room door. Untidy search of the ground floor. They then made their way upstairs where they disturbed the owner asking for gold jewellery. They stole a gold bracelet, necklace, jewellery items and cash from another room. They also took 3 mobile phones.
OLDFIELD & BRAY:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
