FIRST: A POSSIBLE CASE OF A BOGUS BUILDER:
The police received a call from a local bank. They had a customer trying to make a large unusual withdrawal from their account. They have gone through the ‘Banking Protocol’ and the customer has not been able to supply sufficient detail, for them to authorise the withdrawal.
The customer said it was to pay a firm of builders, carrying out work on their home, but they were unable to provide the name of the builders, nor any details about the work being carried out and confirmed there was no paperwork or contract. The customer appeared nervous and unsettled.
Eventually they provided a photo of a man on their roof. Apparently the man had called at the door, saying they could see that repairs were necessary on the roof and the customer had agreed.
This was not the first withdrawal they had made and the others had gone through, but they could not remember when, nor the amounts. The customer then became angry, that the bank would not allow them access to their money. The bank staff tried to explain it was to protect them from fraud.
The bank are still refusing the withdrawal and the customer is now uncooperative and unwilling to work with the police.
That of course is the customer’s decision. We have now visited several times and there is building work being carried out. The customer is not elderly nor vulnerable, and we have to abide by their decision.
This is a very common response. The victims frequently tell us the builders are so helpful and courteous and over a short time, they have built up a good relationship. If it wasn’t for the builder, they wold never have known the repairs needed to be done !!!
NEXT: THE RESULTS OF THE CURRENT ROUND OF POLICE PROPERTY ACT FUND SUCCESSFUL BIDS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED
All recovered property from crime, is sold and the proceeds put into the Police Property Community Fund. Twice a year community groups are asked to submit bids for that fund. The application process, is not that hard or complicated.
On the 22nd November, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, Matthew Barber, and the Chief Constable, John Campbell, have awarded voluntary and community organisations £107,670 in this year’s Community Fund.
The Community Fund provides biannual funding to voluntary and community groups that help to achieve the objectives of the PCC’s Police and Criminal Justice Plan. The money for the scheme comes from the sale of items seized and recovered from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), and is jointly managed by the PCC and Chief Constable.
There were 117 applications to this year’s round of the Community Fund, with 30 organisations, successful in receiving funding of between £900 – £8,500 to support one of the PCC’s Police and Criminal Justice Plan priorities:
Strong Local Policing (preventing crime & protecting communities)
Fighting Serious Organised Crime (protecting vulnerable people)
Fighting Fraud & Cybercrime (fighting modern crimes)
Improving the Criminal Justice System (reducing re-offending)
Tackling illegal encampments (reducing the impact of encampments)
Matthew said: “I’m delighted to award this funding to community and voluntary organisations, who provide valuable services across Thames Valley.
“A key part of my Police & Criminal Justice Plan is to enable organisations to collaborate and tackle issues facing our communities. These organisations are all working hard in support of my Police & Criminal Justice Plan priorities for the region.
“I am pleased to provide this funding through the Community Fund, which is money that has been recovered from criminals, to support a range of projects across the area.
“I look forward to meeting this year’s successful recipients at the presentation event in December.”
John Campbell, Chief Constable for Thames Valley Police, said: “Both the Police and Crime Commissioner and I are pleased to announce over £100,000 has been awarded to 30 voluntary and community groups across the Thames Valley.
“This funding will help a number of projects across the Thames Valley which will contribute to the prevention of crime and protection of the vulnerable in line with the PCC’s priorities.”
Successful recipients have been invited to attend a presentation ceremony on the morning of Monday 13thDecember in Newbury.
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:
maidenheadcentralgeographical@thamesvalley.police.uk25/11 Thursday 7.35 a.m. College Glen. CAR ENTERED BY UNKNOWN MEANS – bank cards stolen. Ref. No: 43210532891
26/11 Friday 2.45 a.m. – 6.30 a.m. Sheephouse Road. CAR ENTERED BY UNKNOWN MEANS – Nothing taken. Ref. No: 43210534740
RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:
26/11 Friday 3 a.m. Ray Mill Road East. The owner has video doorbell footage of someone walking along the road, trying car door handles. Ref. No: 43210534733
MAIDENHEAD WEST
maidenheadwestgeographical@thamesvalley.police.ukBISHAM, COOKHAM, HURLEY, THE WALTHAMS, LITTLEWICK GREEN & KNOWL HILL:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:
25/11 Thursday 9.40 a.m. Sunderland Road. CAR ENTERED BY UNKNOWN MEANS – items stolen. Ref. No: 43210533057
MAIDENHEAD SOUTH
maidenheadsouthgeographical@thamesvalley.police.ukBOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK
25/11 Thursday 9 a.m. North Star Lane. Piaggo Vespa index RE ** BUA stolen. To do this, the offenders have cut the electric and smashed the steering column. Ref. No: 43210532998
OLDFIELD, BRAY & HOLYPORT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
