Come along to Abbey Hall, Victoria Road, Netley Abbey, Southampton, SO31 5FA on Monday 2nd September between 7pm and 9pm for an opportunity to talk with the Police. 

Sgt Matt Moss will be in attendance to provide an update on Police activity within our parish and also to answer any questions that you may have. 

This is a great opportunity to engage with our local police officers and ensure that local concerns are expressed to them. 

Hot off the press!! We have just made our Hedge End Cops Facebook Page live. Don't worry if you don't do Facebook, we will still be using Hampshire Alerts as a key tool of ours, we do recognise that not everyone has a Facebook account.

A message from Sergeant Matt Moss -

Hi everyone!

Welcome to the new facebook page for Hedge End Cops. This is Sergeant Matt Moss saying hello and asking you to share our page far and wide.

https://www.facebook.com/Hedge-End-Cops-435914577253031/


Our 'North Team' Covers Hedge End, Botley and West End and our 'South Team' covers Bursledon, Hamble and Netley Abbey.

It is very early days for us as we start to build our page - but do please share our page and follow along for updates about what is happening in your area.


Kind Regards, Matt.
PS 3554
Message Sent By
Mica Woodcock (Police, PCSO, Eastleigh District)

Hampshire County Council Trading Standards Service have noticed an increase in reports of a particularly devious scam called ‘courier fraud’.  This is where a resident is cold called on the telephone by a person purporting to be from the Police or other Law Enforcement Agency.
The aim of the call is to persuade the resident to withdraw money from the bank, very often in large amounts, which will later be collected by an ‘agent’ of the scammer. The reasons given by the caller are elaborate and complex and it is likely that an element of victim grooming takes place. Examples are; to help with Police investigations against the bank, that the bank are dealing in counterfeit money, that the bank is committing fraud and the resident’s money is in danger, but other reasons could be given.
Bank staff often ask questions of their customers if the transaction is unusual, or suspicious.  Scammers know this and preload their victims with a cover story to give the bank. Some reports state that the scammers have ‘accompanied’ their victim to the bank by keeping the line to a mobile phone open. The victim is asked to place the phone on the counter when withdrawing the money. The scammer can then hear what security questions are being asked and may use that intelligence on future victims.
Once the money has been withdrawn from the bank, the scammer will arrange for the ‘evidence’ to be collected. This could be the victim’s home or another location, sometimes that location requires a bus or taxi ride.  The victim will be given a code word and told that the agent will give this code word when they come to check the evidence. Sometimes paperwork is given in exchange for the evidence, sometimes it is just taken.
Often the victim gets swept up in the excitement of thinking they are ‘helping the Police’ and lose sight of reality. It is likely that once the victim has followed instructions and parted with money, that they will be targeted again. Similar methods are used to persuade victims to buy iTune/Amazon vouchers, or to withdraw Euros.
Residents are asked to be alert to these types of fraud, particularly if they have family members or neighbours who may be vulnerable.  Neither the Police or any Law Enforcement Agency would ever act in this way.
Every Police or Police Community Support Officer has a unique collar number. Residents are advised to always make a note of this number and make independent checks should they become concerned.  Do not use telephone numbers given by the caller to make checks, they will be false, or the line may be kept open. Make independent enquiries using a different telephone and a number sourced by the resident. 
Residents are urged to report any suspicious activity to the Police on 101, to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or to Trading Standards via our partners at the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06.  In an emergency, call the Police on 999.

What you need to know

Action Fraud have received an increase in reports and intelligence where elderly victims are being targeted by individuals purporting to be police officers or traffic wardens. The victims are being approached whilst parked in a car park and are told by the suspect that they have parked illegally or broken a speed limit and a photo has been taken of their car for ‘evidence’.

Victims are advised that they will face a substantial penalty fine unless they pay a smaller upfront fee immediately. Victims, who opt for paying the smaller penalty, will be directed to a parking meter and asked to enter their card and PIN. These parking meters have been tampered with by the suspect in order to retain the card.

Once the victim inserts their card and are asked for their PIN, the victims are shoulder surfed for their PIN by the suspect. Once victims input their PIN, the card is retained by the machine and victims are told by the suspect to seek help from the company who operates the parking meter or their bank.

What you need to do

• If you are suspicious about the authenticity of the fine, do not pay it until you have verified it with your local council.
• Always shield your PIN from view when using an ATM machine, andnever share your PIN with anyone.
• If your bank card is retained by an ATM machine, contact your bankimmediately to inform them.

Message Sent By
Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

We have received the below email and ask that you complete the survey (link is below at the bottom of the message) to express your views on what concerns you the most.  

Dear Hound Parish Council 

I am sending you this info as you live in Hedge End South - Bursledon, Netley or Hamble.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Michael Lane, is asking for views on which types of anti-social behaviour (ASB) are making people feel most unsafe and what actions people are currently taking on experiencing ASB.
 
Residents of Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton consistently highlight anti-social behaviour as one of their top concerns (52% selected it as making them feel unsafe in the most recent survey), and as an area they would like to see more of their council tax spent on.
 
Many of the activities that fall within anti-social behaviour are not strictly police matters, and establishing those that are causing most concern will help determine which organisations need to come together in order to make a real difference.
 
The ASB survey can be found at HERE and is open until 13 July 2019.  Please help share this opportunity with your community contacts and local residents.
 
Message Sent By
Mica Woodcock (Police, PCSO, Eastleigh District)