FIRST - A new SCAM / Fraud has just come to light:
In April, the victims were approached at the door to have some building work done. They agreed and handed over a deposit for materials. The builders were never seen again.
Later, the victim received a phone call from someone purporting to be a Metropolitan Police Officer, who was investigating the builders for fraud. The victim though, would have to pay for the investigation. This has been ongoing and it is believed the fraudster actually called at the house. He told the victim that under no circumstances, was he to reveal the investigation to, or speak to, the local police. This report has come to us from a family member and the victim, is still convinced the scammer is genuine and is reluctant to discuss this with us.
So far, it is believed that over the past few months, the victim has handed over huge amount of money.
Please remember our NHW Motto:
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.
Specific Advice – re Frauds
This happens when a fraudster contacts victims by telephone purporting to be a police officer or bank official. Further details can be found at the below link;
https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud/courier-fraudI note that there is also a mention of the victim previously having been scammed at the doorstep so I have also included an information sheet on this.
https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud/door-to-door-sales-fraudUnfortunately fraudsters will try and convince victims that they are there to recover previous lost monies, (Known as Fraud Recovery Fraud) but this is also a scam. Please see link below and information sheet also attached in Reports tab.
https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud/fraud-recovery-fraud Yesterday I was asked by our Priority Crime Team to put a warning out to all residents in Windsor, about the dangers of leaving windows and doors open for ventilation, during the hot weather - particularly ground floor windows and rear doors.
24/6 Wednesday 10.40 p.m., Datchet. The owners live on the ground floor, and had left the windows open for ventilation. Suddenly, the owner saw an arm, reaching through one of the windows. They shouted and the arm was retracted and the man made off.
The police were called, attended immediately and carried out an Area Search, unfortunately no-one was located.
If you are out and about on a walk for exercise and see anything / anyone, acting in a suspicious manner during the hot weather, particularly around houses where windows and doors will be left open for ventilation - let us know on the 101 number, as soon as possible. If you feel the suspicious behaviour may be connected with a possible crime, then dial 999, so that the police can respond immediately and investigate. To carry out an Area Search, we need that intelligence, as soon as possible.
If you have video doorbell / CCTV footage of any suspicious activity during the early hours, can you send it please to the SR email below. It will be gratefully received. You may not know what you have - the jigsaw principal. We may have the box, with full picture on it !!!
SUMMER BURGLARY CAMPAIGN:
Can I remind everyone about our Summer Burglary Campaign, which deals with doors and windows, left open for ventilation, in the hot weather.
Windows can only be left open - if you are in that room.
At this time of year, we get ‘walk in thefts’ - or reach in thefts as in the above case. Opportunist thieves are out and about, looking for anyone, who has made a mistake and compromised their security.
For example - if they hear you working in your garden - a hedge trimmer or mower - they may walk down any side access and try a back / side door handle. Most people don’t lock these, if working in the garden, as they are going in and out. The opportunist will simply try the door. If it is open, they will enter and scout around quickly, looking for handbags left on kitchen counter tops.
If you return and disturb them, they will have a story already prepared. You will be totally surprised, off guard and probably say - ‘What are you doing in my house’ ? They will respond -‘I am looking for John / Harry / Peter - whatever, he said to meet him here, doesn’t he live here’ ? You will be really confused and say- ‘NO’ ? They will then say, before you gather yourself together - ‘Sorry, wrong house’ - and they are gone.
You will stand there for a few minutes, totally confused - did that really happen ? Later, you will find a purse missing from a handbag.
If you are working in your garden - tedious as it is - you must lock any rear side access doors, as you go in and out.
No windows can be left open even on upper floors, if they are next to a porch, or perhaps a flat garage roof, which can be used to climb up. Wheelie bins, must be put out of sight, as they are often used, to climb onto flat roofs.
Small bathroom transom windows, must also be closed. Opportunists can reach in and open larger windows !
FOR A FREE HOME SECURITY GUIDE, PLEASE GO TO THE THAMES VALLEY POLICE WEBSITE
https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/police-forces/thames-valley-police/areas/advice/home-security-guide/ BE CAREFUL, BE AWARE AND BE SAFE.
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.uk25/6 Thursday 10 p.m. Arun House, Kidwells Close. Package delivered and left on the doorstep stolen. Re. No: 43200191130
24/6 Wednesday midnight / 6 a.m. 2 bikes stolen from a garden. 1. A white, Carrera mountain bike. 2. A black Trek bike. Ref. No: 434200189335
24/6 Wednesday 2 p.m. / 7 p.m. Corner of Ellington Road and River Road. Bike chained to a lamppost stolen. A black Carrera Fire Cross 2 bike - WITH FRAME NUMBER
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:
24/6 Wednesday 7.30 p.m. Hurley Lock. Camping equipment thrown in the river, taps pulled from walls and hose pipes pulled out. Ref. No: 43200189752
PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
MAIDENHEAD SOUTH
maidenheadsouthgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukSR.windsor&
maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukBOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK:
24/6 Wednesday 2.40 p.m. / 4.40 p.m. Sandisplatt Road. CAR ENTERED BY UNKNOWN MEANS - PURSE stolen from the front seat
OLDFIELD, BRAY & HOLYPORT:
25/6 Thursday 12 noon / 12.30 p.m. Braywick Roundabout. A van was parked up while someone worked nearby. The padlock was removed and a backpack blower stolen. Ref. No: 43200190514
