Be Alert to Suspicious Activity

January update from Neighbourhood Watch

Vehicle Crime
During the night of 20th November, a van belonging to a Hamilton Road resident parked overnight in Hamilton Road was targeted by thieves who stole a wheel, including the wheel nuts. 

The theft was not discovered until the following morning when the van was found bricked up where the wheel had been.  A few days  later, another resident whose car was parked overnight in Hamilton Road had their electric door mirror vandalized. 

Both incidences caused the owners of the vehicles considerable inconvenience.

Neighbourhood Watch politely ask residents that if they do hear suspicious noises coming from the street late at night that they to check to see what is going on and if criminal behavior is seen to be taking place, dial 999 immediately.     

Take Great Care When Withdrawing Money From Cash Machines (ATM)
In the UK there has been an increase of criminals tampering with Cash Machines (ATM's) either by placing a false front onto ATM machines, or by tampering with the ATM card reader.  Hidden cameras placed inside ATM's are also being used by criminals to film their unsuspecting victim typing their Personal Identification Number (PIN) into the ATM. 

When the ATM does NOT return the bank/building society card or dispense money, the victim believing that the ATM has developed a fault will leave the ATM to visit their bank to report the fault, only to find that when they arrive at the bank that their account has been systematically emptied.

To try and protect yourself against this type of crime, when using an ATM,

1. Never trust anyone.  
2. Before inserting your bank card and typing your PIN, look around to ensure that no one is taking an active interest in what you are doing or standing so close to you that they can clearly see what you are typing.
3. When  typing your PIN place one hand above the other to eliminate the possibility of anyone seeing what you are typing or a  hidden camera filming the transaction.
4. Do not allow yourself to be distracted once you have inserted your bank/building society card into the card reader and after typing your PIN.  This is the time distraction theft is known to happen 
5. If arriving at an ATM you notice someone loitering suspiciously nearby, it is safer to visit another ATM.

Should the victim become suspicious during the telephone conversation and wishes to call the police  the criminal(s) invite their victim to put down their telephone receiver and dial 999.  The criminal(s) however do not put their telephone receiver down and simply wait for their victim to pick up their telephone again to dial 999 and the telephone conversation between criminal(s) and victim continues.

Banks/Building Societies, or indeed the Police, would  never cold call anyone to ask for PIN numbers, and they most certainly would not send a 'courier' to a home addresses to collect a credit card. 

Police advise that if should you receive a similar call, use a different  telephone such as a mobile phone, or even a neighbour/friend's telephone to call the police on their non-emergency number 101.  If you do use your home telephone, it is recommended that you wait for at least 5 minutes after receiving the cold call before dialing 101?

It is known that at least one Brentford resident received a similar telephone call towards the end of 2013 but was immediately suspicious and ended the call.

If you have an elderly family member or neighbour who could easily fall for this type of crime, please warn them of the dangers.
 
‘The Crime Prevention Website’
www.thecrimepreventionwebsite.com/
Managed by retired Metropolitan police officer, Calvin Beckford, this website offers  residents across the U.K. comprehensive advice on all aspects of home, vehicle, bicycle and personal security. 

January 21, 2014