Trading Standards has received a number of calls from consumers who have been targeted by imposters claiming to be from the Citizens Advice Bureau. The caller claims to be able to help with money worries by offering debt consolidation.

The Bureau has confirmed that no adviser, or anyone connected with the CAB service, would ever phone or text someone out of the blue and ask for bank details.

If you are cold called or get a text that offers you a loan, help dealing with debt problems or claims to be from your bank – it is almost certainly a scam.

Please make sure that you:

• Don’t give or confirm personal information
• Report the call immediately to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud.org.uk/report_fraud

If you are facing financial difficulty there are many free credit advice services available for help and advice:

Citizens Advice Bureau: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS): http://www.cccs.co.uk/

Debt Advice Network: www.debtadvicenetwork.org Tel. 0300 011 2340

National Debtline: FREEPHONE 0808 808 4000

Pay Plan: www.payplan.com FREEPHONE 0800 716 239   8am -9pm

For advice on loan scams or any other consumer issues call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/consumer

Telephone Preference Service: You can register your wish not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing telephone calls at www.tpsonline.org.uk or call 0800 398893. It takes 28 days for the service to become effective.

Please pass this information to family, friends, neighbours and anyone you think maybe vulnerable.
Cheshire Constabulary Western Watch Office supports Home Watch Schemes across Chester, Ellesmere Port, Neston and Vale Royal, and is based in the Western Partnership Office, Northwich Police Station.     E-mail  western.watch@cheshire.pnn.police.uk

TO CONTACT THE POLICE CALL   101
IF YOU WISH TO PASS INFORMATION VIA AN INDEPENDENT ANONYMOUS SOURCE YOU CAN
CALL CRIME STOPPERS ON 0800 555 111

As the weather improves and the nights grow shorter thieves tend to change their habits and make the most of the opportunities that we give them as we enjoy the nicer weather.

There are simple, cost effective ways of deterring this type of crime.

As you tidy up the front garden for the summer season consider trimming hedges back to allow some surveillance from neighbours and passers by.  This can help make thieves feel vulnerable as they approach your house.

As you buy new plants consider a regime of defensive planting around the boundary of your garden.  Plants with thorns can enhance your security while still providing colour and a habitat for garden wildlife.  The options are many, but some species could include, climbing roses, Berberis, Holly, and larger trees and shrubs such as Juniperus chinensis Obelisk or Multi-frond palm.

Use a cheap engraving tool to mark garden furniture with your post code and house number.  While you’re at it, disfigure garden tools with your post code and house number. As big and bold as you can.  Property so marked is difficult to sell on and if a thief can’t sell the goods on, they’re not worth stealing.

Hanging baskets can be secured to their brackets with plastic cable ties.

Finally. Most burglaries in houses reported to the police don’t involve any forced entry.  The thief has simply walked through an insecure door or open window.   If you’re enjoying the sunshine at the back of the house make sure the front windows and doors are closed and locked.  Likewise, if you’re settling down to watch TV in the front room in the evening, remember to close and lock the back door and windows.

Enjoy the nicer weather, but make sure your summer isn’t ruined by a thief taking advantage of any opportunities to commit a crime at your home.

Non-Emergency Number – 101

 Website – www.cheshire.police.uk

I would like this newsletter to be distributed to as many people as possible. If you know of anyone who may benefit from receiving it please pass their details on to me via the NPT E-mail address.

Inspector Beddows

Weekly Update

Chester Outer East – Kingsway / Hoole / Upton / Huntington / Vicars Cross / Boughton

Grange Road               Burglary (dwelling). Daytime 21/02/12.

Offender(s) during daytime period (0800-1510) gain

entry by forcing rear kitchen window, search all rooms

& steal jewellery and lap top.

2 Dicksons Drive          Burglary (other).Between 19-21/02/12.

Offender(s) during 2 day period force lock to rear

garden shed and steals mower, hedge trimmer,

pressure washer, drill & other tools.

Kingsway                     Burglary (dwelling). Afternoon of 23/02/12.

During 1430-1800 period, unknown offender(s) enter

flat through insecure bathroom window from communal

hallway. Xbox stolen from within.

Chester Outer South – Lache / Westminster Park / Curzon Park / Handbridge / Saltney

Lache Lane                  Criminal damage. Over 24 hour period 19-20/02/12.

Offender(s) during 24hr period causes dent to offside

of Ford Mondeo.

St Marks Rd                 Criminal damage. Overnight 21-22/02/12.

Offender(s) force lock on garden shed but no entry

actually gained.

Chester Outer North – Blacon and Saughall

Hermitage Road             Burglary dwelling. Overnight 17-18/02/12.

Offender gains entry via insecure rear door and

steals wallet & purse from kitchen.

A local male has since been arrested

                                        and charged with the burglary offence.

Kipling Road                   Criminal damage. Afternoon of 18/02/12.

Offender(s) damage rear kitchen window by

using unknown implement.

Southway                       Theft from Motor Vehicle. Overnight 20-21/02/12

Offender(s) enter parked motor vehicle on residential

driveway. Force entry to vehicle and Ipod stolen.

                 Community News

On Tuesday 21st February, PC Rhys Matthews and PCSO Matt Browell attended a police surgery at the Countess of Chester in company with the site security management and NHS anti-fraud personnel to discuss any issues and offer advice to the public and NHS staff alike.  They also have conducted a ward walk in the Upton Westlea beat area on Wednesday 22nd February with the Chester District Housing Trust, members of the Parish Council, with local Councillors and colleagues from the Community Safety Wardens also attending.  During the groups walk around the area,  local issues were noted by respective authorities such as dog fouling, highway maintenance and clearance and fly tipping.  It was also a good opportunity to introduce local officers and engage with the local residents to offer advice and reassurance where necessary.

Rhys and Matt have also joined forces with CDHT, local Councillors and the Upton Parish Council to secure funding for youth diversionary activities throughout the year such as mobile skate park equipment and mobile Climbing wall visits to the area.  Feedback from the local young people in the area has been very positive!

Chester Outer Police Surgeries & Events

Saughall beat meeting

• Start : 29 Feb  2012  3:00pm
• Finish : 29 Feb  2012  4:00pm
• Location : Wain Court, Rakeway, Saughall

Blacon beat meeting

• Start : 01 Mar  2012  3:00pm
• Finish : 01 Mar  2012  4:00pm
• Location : Blacon Library, Western Avenue, Chester

Saltney Police Surgery

• Start : 3 Mar  2012  9:00am
• Finish : 3 Mar 2012 10:15am
• Location : Outside Post Office, Chester Street, Saltney
• (surgery in conjunction with Council Surgery – Councillors also in attendance)

Westminster Park Police Surgery

• Start : 3 Mar  2012  10:30am
• Finish : 3 Mar 2012 11:30am
• Location : Outside Westminster Park shops.
• (surgery in conjunction with Council Surgery – Councillors also in attendance)

Handbridge Police Surgery

• Start : 3 Mar  2012  12:00pm
• Finish : 3 Mar 2012 1:00pm
• Location: Old Dee Bridge, opposite The Ship Inn.

One Voice for Blacon meeting

• Start : 06 Mar  2012  6:00pm
• Finish : 06 Mar  2012  7:00pm
• Location: Community Wing, Blacon High School, Chester

Blacon beat meeting

• Start : 08 Mar  2012  3:00pm
• Finish : 08 Mar  2012  4:00pm
• Location: Blacon Library, Western Avenue, Chester

Lache beat meeting

• Start : 9 Mar  2012 10:00am
• Finish : 9 Mar 2012 11:00am
• Location: CDHT office Cliveden Road Lache Chester
• (in company with Donna Osborne – CDHT Housing Officer)

Hoole beat meeting

• Start : 10 Mar 2012 11:00am
• Finish : 10 Mar 2012 12:00pm

Location: Outside the Bromfield Arms, Faulkner Street, Hoole