FIRST: A NEW TYPE OF FRAUD
The elderly victim received a call on 16th July, from an unknown number. The caller said that his son had dropped his phone down the toilet and it couldn’t now be used and in future if he wanted to make contact he should use a new number for him.
Soon thereafter he started to receive text messages, purportedly from his son, saying he was being threatened and needed money immediately. So far he has transferred almost £5,000
He has now been in contact with his son who has confirmed it is all a scam !
BE ON YOUR GUARD – AND TRY TO VERIFY EVERYTHING, BEFORE PARTING WITH MONEY !!!
Next: RE BIKE THEFTS:
I have had this question in from Richard:
Hi Jeff,
Most interesting to hear all the local crime news. HOWEVER - more info would be very useful e.g.: "Offender was cutting through a bike chain"
What kind of bike chain?
Did he have an angle grinder ?
Did he just have some big cutters ?
I'm hoping my bike is safer now after I upgraded my lock, so this sort of info would be v useful
Thank you !
Richard
As always, the answer is not simple.
Bike security:
The combination locks are a complete waste of time. The lock can be broken, if the bike is jerked sharply. The thieves know this and have perfected the movement, so that it is not so obvious. To a passing member of the public, it just looks like the bike got stuck and the owner had to jerk it free !
Cutting the chain / D-Lock. The technique is really simple and again, can be done in front of the public, who will be totally unaware of what is happening. The thieves have a back pack, which they lay across the bike. They then appear to be rummaging in the backpack looking for something. In fact, the only thing in the back pack is a large pair of bolt croppers, capable of cutting though almost any chains / D locks. There is a hole in the bottom of the back pack and they simply put the bolt croppers though the hole, cut the chain, which drops to the floor. They put the back pack back on and ride away !
It is really so simple. SO – the advice is to place the locks, where this would be more difficult and visible, as well as using several locks – all in very visible places, so they cannot do this.
The other thing to remember – as you can see from my messages, is how few people actually record the make, model and frame number, of their bike. Often I can only record ‘A blue bike’.
We encourage all bike owners, to put their bike up against a wall and photograph it, then turn it over and photograph the frame number, which is on the underside, between the pedals. Then email the photos to themselves, so that they always have them readily to hand, if the bike is stolen.
The Windsor and Maidenhead Bike clubs, hold regular bike marking sessions and we also encourage people to mark their bikes themselves and register them with either Bike Register or Immobilise - the government site, where you can register any valuables.
I hope this helps.
YET ANOTHER SEXTORTION:
A teenager received a text from an attractive young woman on Instagram. They chatted added and then talked on Snapchat. Later they exchanged intimate photos.
Immediately the woman demanded money and to prove she was in earnest, she sent multiple messages with the photos to many of my contacts.
When the young man refused to pay, the woman threatened to say that he abused her and hit her although, they had never actually met. She has already sent the photos to numerous people and says she won't stop until he pays her although he says he doesn't have the money. The log does not disclose how much she is demanding.
You already know the advice – Do not say, do, write, photograph, video anything online you would not be happy your parents, family, relatives, friends, neighbours work colleagues – and boss – to see – in fact – everyone in your various personal address books / contacts.
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.orgMAIDENHEAD CENTRAL:
8/8 Monday 12.30 p.m. / 7.30 p.m. Florence Avenue. Burglary. The owner returned and noticed that the downstairs bathroom door by the front door was open. They then looked around and noticed that property was all over the floor in the foyer. Drawers had been opened and things pulled out of it. Entry had been gained via a forced rear window. Cash and a valuable watch stolen. Ref. No: 43220353263
8/8 Monday 6.10 p.m. Fotherby Court. House egged. Ref. No: 43220353220
8/8 Monday 5.15 p.m. Nicholson Walk. NSS 125 AD-K motorbike index KM ** ESW stolen from outside an office. Ref. No: 43220354317
10/8 Wednesday 4 a.m. / 5.30 a.m. Norfolk Road. The owner woke up to find their car had been stolen from the drive. The owner had been awoken by the sound of a car starting, but thought it was the neighbour’s car. A grey, Fiat Abarth index RE ** VEX Ref. No: 43220355536
RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
MAIDENHEAD WEST
BISHAM, COOKHAM, HURLEY, THE WALTHAMS, LITTLEWICK GREEN & KNOWL HILL:
7/8 – 8/8 Sunday 11 p.m. / Monday 4.30 a.m. Burchetts Green Road, Burchetts Green. Burglary. Property under renovation. Point of entry, forced rear French doors – attempt to drill out the lock. There are also tool marks around a front window frame. Nothing appears to be missing. Ref. No: 43220354817
1/8 – 8/8 Millers Bungalows, Millers Lane, Littlewick Green. Van break. Passenger window smashed. They then forced entry to garden shed. Stihl long reach hedge trimmers X 3, Kombie engine, Grass trimmer, work boots, petrol and waterproof jacket & trousers. Ref. No: 43220352925
8/8 – 9/8 Monday 6 p.m. / Tuesday 7 a.m. Burchetts Green Road., Burchetts Green. House being renovated. Fence cut open and a bucket digger stolen. Ref. No: 43220353858
PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:
10/8 Wednesday 0.20 a.m. Furze Platt Road. Car dealership attempted break in/ Glass doors bent and damaged. Alarm sounded and two offenders made off on a mopeds. Ref. No: 43220355620
10/8 Wednesday 3 a.m. Gardner Road. Car driver’s window smashed – vandalism. Ref. No: 43220355724
MAIDENHEAD SOUTH
BOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
OLDFIELD, BRAY & HOLYPORT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
