Another type of scam this time in Bromley High Street

Please read the following message from a known local resident . I think this lady acted very wisely in the circumstances.  

Please also do not think that this scam is confined to Bromley town centre  - there have been similar scams in the Midlands. This is the season for Thieves and Scammers to try to reap rewards from the unwary.

 " I have unfortunately been targeted in Bromley , in the Card Factory, just 2 doors away from Nat West Bank, by 2 people who threw, what seemed to be like paint over the back of my coat, I had just come out of the Nat West with cash and put it deep inside my jacket  pocket, zipped up.  I was homed in by these people in the card shop who tried to insist I remove my jacket, one was chap and the other a woman who tried to insist I take my jacket off so they could help clean it, took me a minute or so to realize what was happening and fortunately I did not remove my jacket.  I then ran back inside the bank who were most helpful they called the police, had to wait over 11/2 hours for a community policemen to arrive, who took all details, I felt quite shaken up.  I have not heard if they spotted anybody suspicious on the Bank's CCTV camera yet.  Two other policemen came to visit me here at home and took more details.   It was pointed out that this scam was mentioned in the News Shopper. Apparently a lot of it going on in Bromley, especially this time of year, I feel if the police already know about this scam why is it still going on !   I have not had the coat cleaned yet, but was told by the police the muck many not come out, seems to be oiled based."

"Police said to inform as many people as possible especially my neighborhood watch team. I have been given a Crime Card Incident Number. "

A similar crime was reported in the Newsshopper website on 16th November 2012. See the report at this link:- Bromley police warning about paint on coats

Another similar crime was also reported in the Newsshopper some years ago. See the report at this link:-

Newsshopper report of paint scam

Was it the same Eastern European woman in both cases? 

BROMLEY AND DOWNHAM YOUTH CLUB

This is the 78th consecutive year that this club has been open to local young people and the community. Despite changes in economic fortune they have been able to provide a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities for young people from 8 to 23. The club opens 4 evenings a week and plans to extend their opening hours and times in future.  There is a strong boxing section and their membership in this section is increasing significantly as the young people join to try an Olympic Sport. They will soon be adding fitness training and aerobics to the programme. There is a Special Educational Needs (SEN) evening which is very rewarding for members attending this session.

An extensive building redevelopment began in June 2011. Plans were prepared to construct a new boxing gym, toilet and shower facilities including accessible toilets and showers, a new stair lift and kitchen workshop. This enabled the boxing section to move from the shared downstairs hall into a purpose built sportshall. The work began in January 2012 and although only 80% completed was officially opened on 22nd May by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. The final jobs have been completed and they are fully open for business and raring to go in their exciting newly refurbished premises.

In addition the building is now also home to Blossom Years Pre-School who opened on 1st September and operate exclusively in the downstairs hall. Their website is blossomyears.co.uk/contactus.asp

The large downstairs sports hall is used by the Short Mat Bowling club who are a small group and are always looking for new members.

Longer term plans are in hand to extend opening times to include day time opening for the local community such as Mother and Toddler Coffee Bar Pop-in, Young Persons Daytime HUB, Zumba and Slimming World and to extend the existing Short Mat Bowling.

Details of the activities can be found at this link Bromley and Downham Youth Club

Another scam involving bogus police officers

Bromley Police are reissuing their warning regarding frauds targeting the elderly and vulnerable after a recent increase in these offences across Bromley, with one resident losing her £26,000 life savings.

Elderly residents have been receiving unsolicited telephone calls from fraudsters purporting to be from the police fraud squad or their bank. The fraudster will state that there is an ongoing investigation into fraudulent payments on their bank account/card.

The person will be asked to ring the police/bank back using the phone number printed on the back of their bank card or by calling 999. This helps to convince the person that the call is genuine. However, the fraudster has kept the telephone line open so even though the person has dialled a number, the call does not go through. Instead they are unknowingly still connected with the fraudster.

The victim is asked to provide their full bank card details and key in their PIN so that their existing card can be “cancelled” and a new one "activated" or "authorised." The fraudster will then explain that the bank will need to collect the card. The fraudster will then attend the person’s address or send an innocent courier company driver to collect the card. The fraudster, having obtained the person’s name, address, full bank details, the card itself and the PIN, then used the card to empty the victim's bank account.

Fraudsters have also pretended to be from the police cold calling members of the public claiming to be from the Economic Crime Department and that the person’s bank account has been compromised by criminals. The fraudster suggests that the person should withdraw the money for collection by a police representative for safekeeping until the investigation was complete.

Detective Inspector Louise Knipe from Bromley Police said: "If you receive such a call end it immediately.   The police will never ask you for any money, either to assist with an investigation, or for safekeeping. Your bank will never attend your home, your bank and the police will never collect your bank card, your bank and the police will never ask for your PIN.

If you do receive any call that you are suspicious about, please speak with a younger family member or relative before giving out any details or withdrawing any money and also contact the police".

To see the previous scam warning see our page at this link Previous web page about this scam

Booktime at Burnt Ash Library

Places are limited due to Health and Safety regulations. To book a free place contact the staff at the library

Blitz & Bananas! The DVD!

The DVD of this local film was officially launched on Remembrance Day and is raising funds for the Poppy Appeal. The heart-warming family drama starring popular TV actors Brian Murphy and Linda Regan is about 4-year old Bessie Smiley and her sisters who want to do ‘war work’. But their ‘Secret Operation’ brings little Bessie face to face with the grumpiest old man in town!

“This is an adorable film!” Julian Fellowes, ITV’s Downton Abbey

The film Premiere at the Churchill Theatre was attended by 1,500 people! It’s a feature length drama based on local people’s wartime memories and filmed around the Bromley borough, created by local filmmaker Anna Littler - along with 150 local people including Orpington Video and Film Makers and members of local churches.

The DVD costs £12 (plus £2 P&P per item). The Poppy Appeal will receive 30% so please support us!

Please send cheque (payable to Anna Littler) with your address to:

B&B CH, 28 Gumping Rd, Orpington, BR5 1RX

Or buy online (Paypal): www.blitzandbananas.com

The DVD will also make a great Christmas present ~

for Grandparents! And for Grandchildren!

 

 annahopelittler@yahoo.co.uk   07757 162114  

For more details see the website at www.blitzandbananas.com                                             

Local Business 2 - April Blinds

This is one of a series of articles which will be published at regular intervals about local businesses. While every care has been taken in the compilation of this information, it is for information only and does not imply any endorsement by LERA for the businesses or their products.

April Blinds is a  local, family run business with over 10 years  of experience. They specialise in all types of 'made to measure' window blinds, shutters and outdoor awnings and shading.
Blinds do add that extra special finishing touch to the inside of a home, a newly decorated room, a new build apartment or a lovingly restored period property.

Their range of outside shading can also turn your garden into a beautiful retreat for you to take full advantage of on warm summer days and nights.

They  offer a friendly and professional service which allows you to take advantage of a free home consultation, free quotation and free fitting  when you chose from their extensive range of stylish and contemporary blinds.

They are confident  in the quality of their range and offer a 12 month guarantee on all products  so you too can be confident that you are buying the best at April Blinds, a reliable service you can trust.

Their office is at 89 Ridgeway Drive, BR1 5DB telephone 0800 328 8024, email enquiries@aprilblinds.com

There is more information on their website at www.aprilblinds.com

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St Andrew's Church Informal Autumn Concert

The St Andrew's Church Concert Group welcomes you to a Free Informal Autumn Concert on Sunday 11th November 2012, from 3.00 pm to 4.30 pm.

The programme includes The Hippopotamous Song, My Wife is a Very Knowing Woman, Can't Help Loving that Man of Mine and many more.

Refreshments and cakes will be available in the interval.

Donations in aid of the Church funds.

Click on the image below to view a larger image of the full programme

Burnt Ash Library Reading Group November

The next meeting at Burnt Ash Library is on Thursday 29th November at 2.15 pm and everyone is welcome.

The book to be discussed is:-

House of the hanged by Mark Mills

France, 1935. At the poor man's end of the Riviera sits Le Rayol, a haven for artists, expatriates and refugees. Here, Tom Nash has rebuilt his life after a turbulent career in the Secret Intelligence Service.

Every one is welcome.

For more details visit the library or contact the librarians on 020 8460 3405 or by email at burntash.library@bromley.gov.uk

For details of other activities at the Burnt Ash Library see the following link:-

http://www.bromley.gov.uk/directory_record/34386/burnt_ash_library