Westminster Park Residents Association

Bringing our community alive

July 28, 2011
by Dave Craggs
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Telephone scams

Please be aware that there are a number of telephone scams going around. If you have caller line identification enabled, they will typically some up with ‘number unavailable’ or ‘INTERNATIONAL’. One I have had a few times is someone saying they are from ‘Windows’ saying that my computer is infected with a virus. Often with very poor english. The simplest way to deal with these calls is a very abrupt – not interested, thank you very much , goodbye and hang up. It’s just not worth talking to these people any longer than you have to.

We also have registered with the telephone preference service, this should stop unwanted calls, but not international ones.

Remember NEVER give you credit card or bank details to anyone who has called you over the phone unless you are ABSOLUTELY sure who they are.

You can read more about this here.

July 26, 2011
by Dave Craggs
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Subs to remain unchanged at £2

In our June newsletter, and more recently in the local publication of the Overleigh Roundabout, it was announced that subs for WPRA would be increased to £3 following a resolution passed at the AGM in March. This was to help subsidise our local PCSO in the WP area. We would like to stress that since publication of these two newsletters, this need has not arisen, and subs will NOT be increased. Subs will remain unchanged at £2.

We feel that we must explain the situation that we found ourselves in as a Residents’ Association prior to the AGM in March. We were approached by the Police to see whether WPRA would contribute to our local PCSO’s salary. He only covers the Westminster Park, Hough Green and Curzon Park areas of Chester. The idea that was put to us was that the three Residents’ Associations should consider funding up to £1000 with the remainder being raised from local shop keepers, whom the police would approach separately. The aim was to raise one third of his salary by this method, and it would have given the three Residents’ Associations a say in where and what his duties would be. The idea was put forward for discussion at the WPRA AGM and a resolution was proposed and seconded from the floor that we should raise approximately £350 by a nominal increase of £1 in the annual subs to pay our contribution, should the need arise.

Fortunately this need has not arisen, and we are pleased to announce that the part payment of the PCSO’s salary has been dropped by the police as the danger of losing our local PCSO has not materialised.

We would like to apologise for any confusion arising from these publications and hope that you will continue to support the WPRA by continuing to pay the annual subscription fee of £2.

Westminster Park Residents’ Association (WPRA)

July 18, 2011
by Dave Craggs
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Chester Outer South – Lache / Westminster Park / Curzon Park / Handbridge / Saltney

  • Carrick Road – Burglary (dwelling). Overnight period. Offender(s) enter via insecure rear door and steal handbag & cash from within.
  • Westminster Avenue – Burglary (dwelling). Daytime period. Offender(s) remove glass pane from window to gain entry but then disturbed by alarm.
  • Elm Square Burglary (other). Weekday period. Offender(s) enter unoccupied house and steals copper piping and water tank.
  • Hough Green – Criminal damage. Over 2 day period. Offender(s) smash windows to premises.
  • Prenton Place – Theft. Daytime period. Offender(s) steals tent from rear garden.

July 11, 2011
by Dave Craggs
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Charity Bags

In recent weeks several areas in West Cheshire have had numerous charity bags delivered to their homes.The vast majority of these have not got the required collection  licence  from Cheshire West and Cheshire Council and residents should think carefully before donating goods in this way. Quite often the collectors are a limited company who pass only a small amount ( if any ) of the profit to the charity.

Police and Trading Standards recommend that residents check where the goods are going and it is often better to donate unwanted clothes etc to a local charity shop.

Some well known charities have a national exemption certificate and I am attaching a list of these charities. If the charity is not listed on this list it is reasonably certain that they have not got a collection licence, individual cases can be checked by contacting Cheshire West and Cheshire Council regulatory services licensing department Tel 0300 123 8 123

Holders of orders of exemption 43 sheet Nov2010

July 5, 2011
by Dave Craggs
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Police warn shoppers following ‘elaborate’ thefts

Police are warning the public to be on their guard following a rise in handbag and sophisticated ‘distraction’ type theftstargeting supermarket shoppers in West Cheshire.

Since the end of May, seven shoppers have become victims of theft in Northwich, Winsford, Ellesmere Port & Chester. In three instances, thieves have stolen handbags and purses from the shopping trolleys of their victims.

However in recent weeks, more sophisticated methods are being adopted by criminals, leading to four elderly victims being targeted by devious thieves who look over the victims shoulder whilst they use a chip & pin device or ATM. The offender will then approach the victim inside the supermarket or outside in the car park, and engage them in conversation, often asking for change, or directions. Whilst they are distracted, the offenders rifle through their bag or purse and steal their banks cards.

See full report here