The Month of Community just keeps giving

/in , /by

Are you enjoying the Month of Community, celebrating volunteers, Neighbourhood Watch Week, reducing isolation and loneliness, the Big Lunch and much much more?  We’ve been celebrating too and recently had our Big Lunch in the office!

We are delighted to announce that Patlock are offering Neighbourhood Watch members an exclusive additional 12% discount, to celebrate the Month of Community, taking the price down to £37.40!  Click here to access this exclusive discount!

This discount is only available to Neighbourhood Watch members from Monday 24th– Sunday 30th June, with a maximum order of 3 Patlock’s per customer.

 

Don’t miss out on this exclusive deal!

Electric vehicles – crime prevention message

/in , /by

Posted on behalf of West Mercia Police

The rise in price of copper is likely to cause an increase in the theft of cable and infrastructure materials. This gives cause to think about the security of the electric vehicle charging cables installed at our homes and businesses.

Whilst there is not a particular problem with this in our area currently, it is worth being ahead of the game when it comes to crime prevention. The amount of copper within an EV charging cable is low, so the reward to would be criminals is quite small, but there is a possibility that thieves could target the charging cables if left unattended or unsecured.

If you are yet to install a charger, consider placing the device discreetly out of public view. If possible, secure your cable when not in use by removing it to a safe place and not leaving it on display. Consider marking the cable with a forensic marking system and make sure it is covered by CCTV or protected by an alarm. As ever, be alert to suspicious activity and report it accordingly.

Further advice on crime prevention can be found here: Secured by Design – Crime Prevention & Security Advice

Car key burglar gets two-year sentence

/in , /by

Posted on behalf of West Mercia Police

A car key burglar is facing two years behind bars thanks to an investigation led by detectives in north Worcestershire’s proactive CID team.

Hassan Khan, 19, of Keeley Street, Birmingham was found guilty of car key burglary and theft of a motor vehicle by a judge at Worcester Crown Court on Monday (17 June).

Khan was sentenced to two years and four months following the investigation which forms part of Op Enzyme, West Mercia Police’s cross-border partnership operation to combat car key burglaries and other vehicle related offences in and around Kidderminster, Bromsgrove, and Redditch.

Khan committed a car key burglary on Ludlow Road, Kidderminster on Wednesday 25 October, 2023, stealing the keys to a Mercedes car before making off in the vehicle.

Detective Constable Rob Freer, of North Worcestershire LPA’s Proactive CID team, said: “We are pleased to get this good result from court which puts a car key burglar behind bars, as part of Op Enzyme.

“Acquisitive crimes such as motor vehicle theft not only affect the victim but also have a wider impact on the rest of society, as it pushes up insurance premiums and costs to the consumer.

“Such thefts are sometimes linked to organised crime gangs who often prey on vulnerable people and whose actions reap harm on the communities we are here to protect and serve.”

/in , /by

Posted on behalf of West Mercia Police

A drugs warrant executed in Worcestershire this morning (Tuesday 18 June) uncovered a cannabis farm of almost 1,000 plants with an estimated street value of £827,400.

Officers from our Neighbourhood Crime Fighting Team (NCFT) were joined by colleagues from supporting teams at an address on the Mill Lane Industrial Estate in Tenbury Wells on this morning’s raid.

Around 985 plants of various stages of growth were discovered at the site in three rooms over two floors of the premises.

Two men were arrested at the scene on suspicion of the production of cannabis and remain in police custody.

The multi-agency warrant also featured officers from Tenbury Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT), Local Policing Priorities Team (LPPT), County Lines drugs team, police dogs unit and partners at West Midlands Ambulance Service and Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue.

A spokesperson for the NCFT said: “Thanks to concerns raised by the public and good intelligence work by officers, almost 1,000 plants were found in the building which were seized and will now be destroyed, and two men are now in custody.

“Grows like this one are linked to organised criminal gangs whose actions reap harm on the communities we are here to protect and serve.

“The drugs they sell have a negative impact on our communities and can lead to other criminality, or the harm and exploitation of vulnerable people.

“Shutting down this grow today shows we will not tolerate criminal activity within our communities, and that we will act on information provided to us by the public.”

Today’s warrant was also the first time West Mercia Police have deployed their own National Inter-Agency Liaison Officer (NILO) which is a trained and identifiable responder from the emergency services who is a tactical adviser but can assume a command role if required.

Chief Inspector Alexander Denny is the first Home Office-appointed regional police NILO. He worked alongside NILOs from fire and ambulance to make sure risks were mitigated and officers were kept safe from harm in a live situation.

Ch Insp Denny said: “It was good to deploy with NILOs from partner agencies today, the first time this role has been deployed for West Mercia Police.

“NILOs play an important and key role in live situations like this one, reducing risk to officers, identifying skills and resources on the go, and working collaboratively to keep everyone safe from harm.

“Due to NILO collaboration Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) paramedics deployed with police and were on hand to immediately triage a prisoner who suffered an injury to his hand in his efforts to escape.

“Had paramedics not been a part of the resourcing from the outset, an ambulance might not have been able to deploy straight away.”

 

Global investigation leads to paedophile being jailed

/in , /by

An online sexual predator from Australia whose victims included eight children from north Worcestershire has been jailed thanks to international partnership work by detectives.

South Australian man Brett Allford, 42, from Edwardstown in Adelaide, solicited sexually explicit material from ten overseas children via social media platforms.

Allford was handed a 23-year prison sentence of which he must serve at least 17 years thanks to the joint investigation by officers from West Mercia Police and the South Australian Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (SA JACET), comprising members from the Australian Federal Police and South Australia Police.

He communicated with his victims on Snapchat and Instagram, where he encouraged them to engage in sexual activity and send explicit images of themselves.

The SA JACET Team began investigating in 2022 after we referred a report of a teenager engaging online with a man suspected to be in South Australia.

During a warrant at Allford’s home in October 2022, Australian officers seized a phone that contained sexually explicit communications with 10 victims – aged 11 to 16 at the time of the offending – from the UK and Canada, along with numerous files containing child abuse images.

He man pleaded guilty last December to 14 online child abuse offences.

Allford had manipulated the victims and taken advantage of their personal circumstances to satisfy his deviant sexual desires, an Australian judge heard on Monday 3 June. The man induced victims to send photos and videos by offering money to spend on clothes or food.

Detective Senior Constable Jordan Dowling, of South Australia Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (SA JACET), said: “This is a fantastic result, and it couldn’t have been achieved without the significant efforts of DI Laura Douglas and the North Worcestershire Child Exploitation Team.”

Thanks to this collaborative work, the man received a total of 23 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 17 years, and he will not be eligible for parole until 2039.

Detective Inspector Laura Douglas, of the Child Exploitation Team in North Worcestershire LPA, said: “We are delighted this great result following close working between my team and the SA JACET.

“We had eight victims of online sexual exploitation identified in this case that reside within the North Worcestershire LPA.

“This case only serves to highlight how online exploitation can take place anywhere in the world and the importance of protecting children and the vulnerable from predators like Allford.”

·  Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously with the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting crimestoppers-uk.org .

WEEKLY FRAUD UPDATE FROM WEST MERCIA POLICE – ECONOMIC CRIME UNIT – 18/06/2024

/in , /by

Posted on behalf of West Mercia Police

GIFT CARD FRAUD

Gift Cards are in everyday use and are a simple way, as the name suggests, to give a gift. However, once again the criminals are using this as an opportunity to get their victims to make a payment which is then to all intents and purposes, untraceable and irretrievable.

Fraudsters very often ask their victims to make a payment by purchasing Gift Cards, then reading out or forwarding the code printed on the back of the card. It has been known for fraudsters to pose as HMRC demanding an immediate payment of outstanding tax or sometimes in the case of Romance Scams, they are requesting an urgent payment to help them out with some personal financial problem.

Fraudsters are using online store Gift Cards to collect money from victims because they can be easily redeemed and sold on. The fraudsters do not need the physical card to redeem the value and will instead use tactics to persuade victims to purchase Gift Cards in large amounts, then either read out the serial code on the back over the phone, or send it by text or email.

They may ask for iTunes vouchers or various other cards such as STEAM, Amazon, or Google Play cards. Once they have the serial number they can either make high value purchases for their own gain or sell the number on to third parties.

Do not be fooled if a fraudster tries to give credibility to the demand by calling Gift Cards “Payment Cards”. Whilst many victims have been in the over 60 years age group, this warning is equally appropriate to all age groups.

One other twist in the Gift Card scams is for a person to receive an email from a friend or relative asking them to purchase a Gift Card for them as for some reason they are unable to get to the shop. They then ask for the serial number off the card to save you delivering it. What has really happened is that person’s contact list has been hacked so the criminal can then pose as the friend or relative to make the request.

Retailers are now working alongside Action Fraud to help raise awareness by posting warning signs by Gift Card retail units, or creating an upper payment limit for Gift Card purchases.

HOW CAN YOU PROTEECT YOURSELF?

  • Gift Cards of any type, including App Store and iTunes Gift Cards can only be used to purchase goods and services from the retailer named on the card. Never provide the numbers on the back of any Gift Card to someone you do not know.
    •    No genuine organisation, and especially government organisations, will ask you to pay taxes, bills or fees using Gift Cards, or any other type of voucher. If you’re contacted by anyone that asks you to do this, you are very likely the target of a scam.
    •    Once you have handed over that serial number, the card is valueless and your money has vanished

Genuine banks, Government Agencies or other trusted organisations will not pressure you to make a financial transaction on the spot. If something feels wrong then it’s usually right to question it.

——————————————————————————————
Please feel free to share this information with any family, friends, or neighbours that you think it may be able to assist.

———————————————————————————–

Take Five to Stop Fraud

STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud

ALWAYS REMEMBER:
•    Avoid disclosing security details
•    Emails, Phone Calls and Texts may not be authentic
•    Always make direct contact with any organisation by using a genuine phone number
•    Stop and Challenge any unexpected requests
•    Protect others by reporting Fraud and Scams

—————————————————————————————————–
If you’ve fallen for a scam,
report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk

Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks.

Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number – 159 – to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most major UK banks.

Neighbourhood Watch:Volunteer Recognition Awards 2024

/in , /by

 

As part of Neighbourhood Watch Week celebrations last week, we launched the Volunteer Recognition Awards 2024 nominations and we want to remind you how you can nominate.

Neighbourhood Watch Network is so proud of our network of volunteers and the work that they do in their local communities.  From Coordinators of scheme and areas, to Association Leads and the Committees that support you and the Multi-Scheme Administrators that work so hard to the Cyberhood Watch Ambassadors that deliver crime prevention advice, they all have a part to play.

The Volunteer Recognition Awards are our way of say a huge thank you and winners will be presented with their awards at our annual Crime and Community Conference in September.

Last year we received over 500 nominations in the three categories and this was so well received that we have extended the categories to 5 this year.

 

The categories are:

  • Innovation and Reach
  • Crime Prevention
  • Community Health and Wellbeing
  • Young Volunteer of the Year
  • Special Recognition Award

 

More information about the categories can be found on our new and improved website: www.ourwatch.org.uk/volunteerawards.  Volunteers nominated must be Neighbourhood Watch volunteers.  The awards are sponsored this year by SimpliSafe.

You only have a few weeks to nominate remaining so if you are thinking of nominating a Neighbourhood Watch volunteer, then do so HERE.

We are so looking forward to receiving and reading through the nominations and being able to celebrate the volunteers that provide so much help and support to their communities.

Health, Wellbeing and Environment – Update from Wyre Forest District Council

/in , /by

Healthy Worcestershire                                                   

Worcestershire County Council’s new ‘Healthy Worcestershire’ programme

will provide free fun and exciting local groups to improve health and wellbeing. Weekly sessions are being set up in various local community venues and will offer:

  • strength and balance programmes
  • healthy lifestyle advice
  • community safety information
  • links to a wide range of other health promoting activities in the local community.

The first sessions will get underway at Wolverley Memorial Hall (DY11 5TN) on Monday 1 July 9.30-11.30am, with more venues coming soon.

Wolverley Health Worcestershire Poster

  Carers Week 2024

This week (10–16 June 2024) is Carers Week, a UK-wide awareness campaign seeking to increase visibility for carers and the challenges carers face which impact on their finances, employment, health and wellbeing.

The Worcestershire Association of Carers (WAC) provide a range of services for unpaid carers across the county. A carer could be anyone who provides unpaid support to a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental ill-health or substance misuse problems. Support includes a free helpline (0300 012 4272) operating throughout the year from Monday to Friday (9am to 7pm) and on Saturdays (9am to 12 noon). WAC also run Carers Groups where, if you are a carer, you can meet with other carers who share and understand your experiences and gain access to support, and information to help you. The Kidderminster Carers Group meets at Kidderminster Library on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 2-4pm, with the next meeting on Wednesday 19 June 2024.

Visit the WAC Website

 

Alcohol Awareness Week

Alcohol Awareness Week is a public health campaign which is managed and hosted by the charity Alcohol Change UK. This year’s Alcohol Awareness Week takes place from 1-7 July 2024 on the theme of ‘Understanding alcohol harm’.

Alcohol Change offer lots of advice and support, including:

  • Facts about alcohol and drinking
  • A quiz to help check your drinking
  • Alcohol until calculators and apps to help you cut down
  • Tips on reducing your drinking
  • Support available for you or your loved ones.

Alcohol Change UK charity: Alcohol harms. Time for change. | Alcohol Change UK

Bewdley Over 50s’ Showcase

The Bewdley Over 50s’ Spring Showcase event took place on 25 April at St Anne’s Church. The event was a huge success with approximately 130 Bewdley residents attending to get help and advice from the  16 organisations in attendance.Feedback from the event was that it was very informative, well organised, a good selection of organisations and a great location.The winter Over 50s’ Showcase events are scheduled for October 2024 in Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport. 

More information coming soon!

Services for over 50s

 

Free Park Yoga sessions

Wyre Forest’s new free Park Yoga sessions got underway in May and have been a resounding success so far! The weekly sessions take place at Brinton Park, Kidderminster DY11 7BB every Sunday until 15 September 2024. Sessions take place from 9.30am – 10.30am and entry is FREE. Park Yoga is for everyone – all ages, abilities and backgrounds. There is no need to book. Just come along to the park and look for the Park Yoga flag. All you need to bring is a mat or towel.

Park Yoga Kidderminster

 

 

Rock Path Finders Logo
/in , /by

Free guided walks along our footpaths and bridleways taking 2-3 hours, off the roads and into the countryside. Our walks are between 5 and 7miles many of the routes are undulating with stiles. We usually walk at a brisk pace. Everyone welcome but sorry no dogs allowed

 

JULY  2024 

 

Thursday 04.07.24 starting at 10.00am

Offas Dyke Centre,

West St,Knighton

LD7 1EN

 

Thursday 18.07.24 starting at 10.00am

The Mason Arms

Castle Hill

Wichenford, Worcs

WR6 6YA

 

For further details and any other announcements or changes please visit website www.rockpathfinders.uk

 

PLEASE NOTE NEW WEB ADDRESS

email:mdsskev@rockpathfinders.uk

Or ring Alan on 01299 400304