Identity Theft Fraud

Recently several people in the estate have been affected by an identity theft fraud. The crooks use your name and address to open an account in your name with an online retailer. They choose an online retailer who does not carry out security checks very carefully.  After a short while they will order something valuable such as an expensive laptop online. Using the tracking information they know when the laptop will be delivered and either follow the courier van or keep watch at your house. Most people will take in the laptop and sign for it. Half an hour after the laptop has been delivered one of the crooks dressed as a courier knock on the door and tells you that there has been a mistake. They are very convincing and many people hand the item over. The next you may know about it is when you receive a statement showing a charge of several hundred pounds.

There are several ways you can avoid the problems.

1. If you receive a statement of account from a company you have not opened an account with then ring the number on the statement and ask for the fraud department.
2. If a courier delivers something you are sure you have not ordered then insist they take it back. It will then be returned to the company.
3. If you do take a parcel addressed to you (because someone else in the house might have ordered it for you) and someone comes to ask for it back then refuse to return it and contact the police and the company that sent it.

Are there terrorists in the Links Estate?

This seems unlikely but the Met Police have published the following advice:-

COMMUNITIES CAN DEFEAT TERRORISM

Terrorists live amongst us when they are planning attacks. We want you to look out for the unusual - some activity or behaviour which strikes you as not quite right and out of place in your normal day to day lives.

You may feel it’s probably nothing, but unless you trust your instincts and tell us we won’t be able to judge whether the information you have is important or not.

Remember, no piece of information is considered too small or insignificant.

Our specially trained officers would rather take lots of calls which are made in good faith, but have innocent explanations rather than not getting any at all.

We know you may have concerns about speaking to the police - possibly because your friends or family may find out.

But all information passed to the police is treated in the strictest of confidence. It is thoroughly analysed and researched by experienced officers before, and if, any police action is taken.

Suspicious activity could include someone:

• Who has bought or stored large amounts of chemicals, fertilisers or gas cylinders for no obvious reason.

• Who has bought or hired a vehicle in suspicious circumstances.

• Who holds passports or other documents in different names for no obvious reason.

• Who travels for long periods of time, but is vague about where they’re going.

For more information and advice visit www.met.police.uk/terrorism

In an emergency always call 999

Burnt Ash Library Reading Group March

The next meeting at Burnt Ash Library is on Thursday 29th March at 2.15 pm and everyone is welcome. The book to be discussed is

Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen

When Jacob Jankowski - recently orphaned and suddenly adrift - jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, grifters and misfits in the form of the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth, a travelling circus struggling to survive the Great Depression.

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

Ma Kelly's doorstep returns to Bromley

From the Safer Neighbourhood Partnership

Dear All
I am pleased to inform you that Ma Kelly’s Doorstep is coming to Bromley once again.
This time we will be holding the show in three venues and it's all FREE:

• Wednesday 14th March at 10.15am at The  United Reform Church, 20 Widmore Road, Bromley  BR1 1RY
• Thursday 15th March at 2.30pm at Anerley Town Hall, Anerley Road, London, SE20 8BD
• Friday 16th March at 2pm at Bromley Central Library Large Hall, 4th floor, Bromley  BR1 1EX

Ma Kelly’s Doorstep is a free fun and informative play, with a song or two, for older audiences about the serious issue of bogus doorstep callers and scams and how we can protect ourselves from them. A brief talk will be given from Bromley Council’s Trading Standard’s Team and the London Fire Brigade before the show.

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided at each event.
You can turn up on the day but in order to guarantee a seat please RSVP to amanda.davis@bromley.gov.uk  stating your name, which date you would like to attend and how many seats you would like. Alternatively you can leave a voicemail for me on 020 8313 4395.
Please note that at the moment these are the only performances of Ma Kelly’s Doorstep planned in Bromley this year.
Best wishes
Amanda Davis
Saferbromley Partnership
Safer Neighbourhood Officer
Telephone 020 8313 4395
Email at  amanda.davis@bromley.gov.uk

 More details about the 2011 show can be viewed at Ma Kelly's Website

Below is a summary of the play which was written by Jane James

 Attic Theatre Company provides an hour's entertainment, including a song or two, on the serious issue of Bogus Callers and how we can protect ourselves from them.


Ma Kelly is faced with a problem.
She likes company and she trusts people, but sometimes the callers at her door are people she doesn't know. Should she let them in when they need help?

If they are from the Water Board or the Gas Company, they'll have a job to do. There's all sorts call at your door these days, and sometimes they're up to no good.

Ma Kelly is a wise old bird. She knows you can only tell a chocolate box by its contents. She's got a little plan to sort 'em all out - come and see Ma Kelly in action, with Nisha, her neighbour and Puss, her cat.
 Remember it is all free!

Bike marking event Saturday 10th March

Plaistow and Sundridge Safer Neighbourhood Team

BIKE MARKING EVENT

Bike marking event Saturday March 2012 12am - 3pm at Plaistow and Sundridge Safer Neighbourhood Team Office 121 - 123 Burnt Ash Lane

It does, not matter whether your bike is new or old, it may still get stolen. Come to our free bike marking and registering event; then have peace of mind that if your bike is found we will be able to reunite you.

Most bikes have a serial number on the frame when they come from the factory. If that is the case, we will register that serial number on a database that most police forces recognize.

If your bike does not have a serial number, we can provide you with a holographic tamper-evident security sticker that attaches to the bottom of the frame. `

If you have any queries, please contact PCSO Salter or PCSO Brown.

Bromley Borough Commander's Newsletter February 2012

Marie Curie Cancer Research Collection

Betty Jones (93 Ridgeway Drive) wants to thank everyone who contributed to the Marie Curie Cancer Research collection in Ridgeway Drive during February.