Category: Policing

Dear Watch Member,

Please read the attached document warning about COVID-19 vaccine scam emails currently in circulation.

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Documents accompanying this message are linked below. Click to download and open a file which use the popular PDF format. If you experience problems downloading or viewing a file please visit this help page.

• COVID-19 Vaccine Scam Emails (193 KB)

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Dear Watch Member,

On Monday 18th January, between 5pm – 6pm, a series of four linked burglaries were committed; two attempted burglaries in Cannonbury Avenue and one burglary in East Towers and West Towers respectively.

Numerous burglaries involving the same modus operandi have recently occurred across the Hillingdon area.

The lone suspect uses a ladder, bin or drainpipe to access flat roofs before gaining entry to properties via a first-floor window.

Valuables such as jewellery and expensive designer items are typically stolen.

It is important to prevent access to your garden from every side, and ensure that ladders, bins and other items are secured away from your property, so they cannot be used to climb on.

Consider affixing perimeter edging or carpet gripper to the edge of flat surfaces, and apply anti-climb paint to drainpipes.

Ensure windows in unoccupied rooms are closed and locked, and do not leave valuables within sight or reach of windows and doors.

This link provides advice on further measures you can take to make your home safe.

You can also help build a safer street by encouraging your neighbours to sign up to OWL free at www.owl.co.uk.

Please remain vigilant and if you believe a crime is in progress, please call the emergency 999 number.

For matters that do not require immediate police attendance, please contact the non-emergency 101 number.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Dear Watch Member,

Our colleagues from the NHS have issued the following advice relating to COVID vaccine scams.

Remember the NHS will NEVER ask for:

• Payment – all vaccines are FREE
• Your bank details
• Arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine
• Ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents

COVID vaccine scam guidelines (647 KB)

Please share this information with your friends and neighbours, or encourage them to join OWL, so they can receive information like this straight to their inbox.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Dear Watch Member,

Today, we have been alerted to a highly believable scam which starts with a text message and advises the user that they are eligible to apply for the vaccine and to click on the link in the message. The user is then led to a webpage, which looks very convincing and asks them to complete some details, in order for them to be able to apply for the vaccine.

The details asked for are:

• Name
• Address
• Date of birth
• Proof of address
• Card payment details

With the recent approval of multiple vaccines in the UK, these types of scam attempts are likely to continue, as fraudsters continue to take advantage of the rollout to primarily vulnerable people.

Please read the article on the below website:

https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/news/fake-text-identifying-you-eligible-covid-19-vaccine

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Dear Watch Member,

There are many creative, unconventional ways in which you can deter, delay and detect burglars. You only have to watch classic 90s Christmas comedy Home Alone to see how an eight-year-old boy single-handedly protected his family home.

Whilst marbles and paint pots may be somewhat effective, please find attached twelve common ways to protect your home over the Christmas / New Year festive period.

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Documents accompanying this message are linked below. Click to download and open a file which use the popular PDF format. If you experience problems downloading or viewing a file please visit this help page.

• Twelve Christmas Burglary Prevention Tips (146 KB)

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Dear Watch Member,

The Community Safety Trust (CST) are running a series of FREE one-hour webinars as part of their SAFE security awareness programme.

For more information, please read the attached document.

Download Associated Documents
Documents accompanying this message are linked below. Click to download and open a file which use the popular PDF format. If you experience problems downloading or viewing a file please visit this help page.

• Community Safety Trust Webinars (188 KB)

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Dear Watch Member,

A Pinner resident has contacted me after receiving a scam phone call from people purporting to be from Virgin Media.

Please click on the attachment to read, in their own words, (but with a few minor amendments), the resident’s experience.

Utility providers will usually provide you with advance notice when they are conducting work in your area that may cause disruption to your internet reception or water supply etc.

For fraud and scam prevention advice please click here.

Download Associated Documents
Documents accompanying this message are linked below. Click to download and open a file which use the popular PDF format. If you experience problems downloading or viewing a file please visit this help page.

• Virgin Media Scam (5 KB)

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Dear Watch Member,

Following a growing number of catalytic converter thefts across Pinner over recent weeks, we are urging drivers to protect their vehicles, particularly specific hybrid models such as the pre-2008 Honda Jazz, Toyota Prius (2004-2016) and Toyota Auris (2012-2018).

In order to minimise the chance of becoming a victim we offer the following advice:

• Lock your car whenever it is left unattended and keep it in a garage when parked at night, if possible.
• When using a garage is not possible, park close to fences, walls or a kerb with the exhaust being closest to the fence, wall or kerb to make theft difficult.
• Consider fitting CCTV on your home or driveway, to help deter thieves.
• Use PIR or LED security lighting to make your vehicle more visible; this can also act as a deterrent.
• If your catalytic converter is bolted on, consider having the bolts welded to make removal difficult.
• Fit protective coverings on catalytic converters, such as the Toyota manufactured CATLOC device, (these are made for Toyota Prius made between 2004 and 2009) as these can make it much more difficult for thieves.
• Have your catalytic converter etched or forensically marked, and put stickers in the windscreen to say this has been done.
• Look for car parks with a Secured Car Park sign that have recognised levels of security. If you have a garage at home, ensure you use it and lock it properly.
• Noisy gravel on your drive can help deter a would-be thief, as they don’t want to alert you to their approach.
• Never leave valuable items or tools on display in your vehicle as this may encourage a thief to break in.

More advice on how to make your vehicle safe is available here.

If you have information about vehicle crime, you can contact the non-emergency 101 number, CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or make an online report at www.met.police.uk.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Dear Watch Member,

We are still seeing the use of electric scooters, commonly known as e-scooters, on roads and pavements across the area. Currently they are only legal to ride on private land with the landowner’s permission or as part of a government trial.

With trials of rented e-scooters taking place around the country, some people are purchasing their own in the mistaken belief they can legally use them on public paths and roads. This is not the case and we are finding that otherwise law-abiding citizens are inadvertently breaking the law in this way.

If you have an e-scooter on your Christmas wish list please ensure they will be ridden legally. For more information on using publicly owned e-scooters please visit www.gov.uk.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Dear Watch Member,

With Covid-19 restrictions keeping people away from High Streets and shopping centres, a lot of us are turning to online marketplaces for Christmas gift buying. But these websites are not subject to the same regulations as other retailers, meaning it’s easy for dodgy dealers to sell counterfeit and sub-standard products. And when it’s an electrical fake you’re buying, the risk isn’t just that it might fall apart or stop working – fake electrical products have a serious risk of electric shock or fire.

So, if you’re buying electrical products online, make sure you know who you’re buying from. Stick to the websites of known manufacturers and retailers such as those found on the High Street, rather than buying from third party sellers on online marketplaces.

Find out more about Safe Shopping Online here.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]