Waste Collection For the next two weeks

Waste and recycling collection dates for:

•  Links Estate Area

Your next collections:

• 
  food waste: Sat 30 Dec **
• 
  black box - paper: Sat 6 Jan **
• 
  green box - bottles, cans and glass: Sat 30 Dec **
• 
  non-recyclable waste: Sat 6 Jan **
• 
  green garden waste (paid-for service): Tue 16 Jan

Your collections are usually on:

• Thursday

For more days view your:

• waste collection service calendar
• green garden waste (paid for service) collection calendar

Fake Government Grant Fraud Alert

This message was sent via the Bromley Neighbourhood Watch Association mailing service. 
​If you wish to contact us, e-mail:  info@bromleynwa.org.uk

​Individuals and businesses are being warned to watch out for cold calls and online contact from fraudsters who are offering victims the opportunity to apply for Government grants for an advance fee.
To make the grants look legitimate, fraudsters have set up bogus companies and convincing looking websites that claim to be operating on behalf of the UK Government. Fraudsters cold call businesses and individuals offering the grant. If they’re interested they direct them to fill out an online application form with their personal information. Once the fraudsters have that information they’ll contact the victims and congratulate them on being accepted onto the grant programme.  

Pre-paid credit cards
Applicants are then asked to provide identification and are instructed to get a pre-paid credit card to deposit their own contribution to the fake Government grant scheme. Fraudsters will then contact victims on the phone or are emailed and asked for the details of their pre-paid credit card and copies of statements to in order for them to add the grant funds. Of course the grant funds are never given by the fraudsters and the money that’s been loaded by the victim onto the card is stolen.
If you receive one of these calls, hang up immediately and report it to us. We’ve already taken down one website fraudsters have been using to commit this fraud and are working with Companies House to combat this issue.

How to protect yourself:
Be wary of unsolicited callers implying that you can apply for grants. You should never have to pay to receive a government grant, and they definitely won’t instruct you to obtain a pre-paid credit card. The government should have all the information they need if a genuine grant application was submitted, therefore any requests for personal or banking information either over the phone or online should be refused.

What to do if you’re a victim:
* If you think your bank or personal details have been compromised or if you believe you have been defrauded contact your bank immediately.
* Stop all communication with the ‘agency’ but make a note of their details and report it to Action Fraud.
* If you have been affected by this, or any other type of fraud, report it to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk <http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/>  or by calling 0300 123 2040.

The information contained within this alert is based on information from gathered by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB).  The purpose of this alert is to increase awareness of this type of fraud. The alert is aimed at members of the public, local police forces, businesses and governmental agencies.  <https://www.neighbourhoodalert.co.uk/179931343/email.gif>

Bromley Neighbourhood Watch Association ​
 Find us on the Web at: www.bnwa.co.uk <http://www.bnwa.co.uk/>

Door to Door Sellers

Many of you will be aware of persons going door-to-door trying to sell goods, informing the occupant they are just out of prison or on probation and trying to turn their lives around.  This is usually a scam, the goods are of an inferior quality and they may try to talk their way into your home.  They can be intimidating toward the elderly and vulnerable when things don’t go their way and often revert to abuse or threats.  In short, these are not genuine street traders; they work in groups and carry out their illegal activity in one area at a time.  To sell door to door, it is a legal requirement to hold a pedlar’s licence.  There are strict rules around obtaining a licence and they can only be obtained by applying to the Police.

The Chief  Police Officer  will grant the certificate on being satisfied that the applicant:

•           Is over 17 years of age;

•           Is a person of good character;

•           Intends in good faith to carry on the trade of a pedlar.

So, if they do not hold a certificate that has been duly authorised by the Police, it looks fake, belongs to another person, or is simply out of date - do not buy from them.  They will often state they do not need a certificate or 'hawker’s' licence to show you items for you to order.  This is a ruse; a certificate is required whatever they claim. 

Remember:

·       politely refuse to buy from them and close the door;

·       do not become involved in any verbal altercation with them;

·       do not let them into your address for any reason;

·       never give out any personal information.

Call the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) if you are subjected to verbal abuse or intimidation, or simply to let your Safer Neighbourhood Team know they are in the area.

St Andrew's Church Christmas Services 2017

Come and celebrate with us

December

Burglary Alert and crime prevention advice

Dear all,

The time of the year has arrived when Burglars will be doing their Christmas shopping, not by visiting the Glades or the local shops but by visiting your homes!
On Wednesday 22^nd November 2017 we had 5 burglaries on the ward, PORTLAND ROAD (2), KYNASTON ROAD, OAK TREE GARDENS and SANDRINGHAM ROAD. Entry was gained in all 5 burglaries via the rear of the property, please make sure that all tools are locked away in your garden shed and there are no objects left lying around to help the burglars break in.

ALWAYS TURN ON BURGLAR ALARMS, LOCK DOORS and WINDOWS when leaving your property even if you are popping down to the local shops, that newspaper could turn out to be very expensive.

I have had a report that around 13:00 hours on the day of the burglaries two youths on a moped wearing ski masks were spotted around the area, PLEASE if you see anything suspicious call Police on 999, your call could stop a crime happening.

If you are a Neighbourhood watch co-coordinator, a contact in your road, a residents association or know of any vulnerable residents, please spread the word and ask neighbours to review their home and personal security. Crime prevention advice can be found on www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention
Motor vehicle crime also increases this time of the year. Do not leave anything on display in your vehicle it doesn’t have to be of value they will still break in and steal it. Lock items in your boot or glove compartment. Better still if you can, don’t leave anything of value in your vehicle take them with you. ALWAYS LOCK YOUR CAR even if you leave it for a few seconds.

Everywhere is getting busier with people going shopping, going to restaurants or going for a festive drink. Mobile phones are an easy target for thieves, think before you use your phone in public. Be aware of what’s happening around you, especially in crowded places. Don’t leave phones on tables in pubs and restaurants, don’t walk and text at the same time, you will be less aware of what is around you. Moped theft of phones is a problem at the moment.

If you do have your phone stolen report to Police and your service provider and let them know the IMEI number, this can be found by typing *#06# on your phone. Record the number and keep it safe, the number will allow your phone to be barred on all networks. You can also register your phone and other property please visit www.immobilise.com for details.

Sorry to be negative but this is the time of year when crime increases, so we all need be to be extra vigilant. I will E-mail before Christmas with an update on the team and at least one good news story!!

Regards,
Peter

PCSO 7207 Peter Scott
Plaistow and Sundridge
Email - Plaistow.Sundridge.snt@met.police.uk
Tel - 020 8721 2613

Chinbrook Meadows Outdoor Gym

FoCM invite you to the opening of the new outdoor gym in Chinbrook Meadows on Friday 24^th November from 2 00 to 4 00pm.  There will be a ribbon cutting and an opportunity to try out the equipment. From 2 45pm light refreshments will be available at the park café.

There will be scope for complete beginners, and more advanced exercisers so there is no excuse not to give it a go! Funding for the gym came from Tescos Bags of Help and the London Marathon Trust. The equipment is being provided and installed by The Great Outdoor Gym Company TGOGC. There will be free training sessions in the future too, funded by ChART.

a new "Bailiffs are coming£ Scam

Action Fraud has recently experienced an increase in the number of calls to members of the public by bogus bailiffs requesting payments for a “phantom” debt. The fraud involves being cold-called by someone purporting to be a bailiff working on behalf of a court, attempting to recover funds for a non-existent debt. The caller will request payment by means of bank transfer and if this is refused, will threaten to visit the premises to recover the debt that is owed. A range of different businesses and individuals are being targeted.

Tips for staying safe:

·        Confirm what the debt is regarding; bailiffs are only used to recover certain debts such as council tax, child support and compensation orders. Bailiffs are not used to recover debts relating to private advertisement; these would be collected by debt collectors. Debt collectors do not have the same legal powers as bailiffs and will not have special court authorisation to act. For more details regarding this, please look at the Citizens Advice website. ·        If you work for a business and receive a call or visit from bailiffs or debt collectors, be sure to speak with your manager or business owner first. Never pay the debts yourself on behalf of the business you work for; some fraudsters have suggested employees do this whilst talking with them, suggesting they can then be reimbursed by their employer, when in reality the debt is non-existent. ·        Double check with the court or originating company to confirm whether the call is legitimate; if you use a landline make sure you hear the dialling tone prior to dialling as the caller could still be on the line and you could potentially speak to the fraudster(s) to confirm the non-existent debt. Also be sure to independently search for a telephone number to call and clarify; never use a number provided by the caller without carrying out your own research. ·        Request details of the debt in writing to confirm its legitimacy. ·        Do not feel rushed or intimidated to make a decision based on a phone call. ·        You can report suspicious calls like these to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfaud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.