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An eye on Woodley, Romsey and surrounding
areas with Stuart Thorpe
Contact Stuart Here
July 15th
Appeal For Witnesses
There was a public order
incident on 14th July at approximately 22:30hrs in
Romsey town centre near to The Cornmarket.
We have been made aware that a
male was verbally abusive to a male and female around
this location. We are trying to identify the victims or
any witnesses to this incident.
If you can help please call 101
quoting 44180265767.
Message Sent By Claire Bates
(Police, PC, Test Valley District)
June 19th
Distraction Purse Thefts
Please be aware we have had an
increase in distraction purse thefts in Romsey town.
Over the last couple of weeks we
have had reports of customers who have been approached
in the car park after they have paid for their shopping.
The suspects approach them asking for directions and
while being distracted another suspect will retrieve the
cards from purses, wallets and or bags.
It is believed the suspects have
been watching their target entering their PIN's when
paying at the tills. Suspects have then used the cards
to purchase items and to withdraw cash from ATM's.
Please be extra vigilant when
paying for items at tills, and always shield the PIN
pad. We also advise not to engage in the conversation
when being approached in car parks. The suspects are
described as smartly dressed males, that are believed to
be Eastern European.
Message Sent By Louise Allen
(Police, PCSO, Test Valley District)
May 26th
TSB alerts
There has been an increase in
reports made in May by TSB customers relating to
“port-out” fraud. Fraudsters are number porting a
victim’s telephone number to a SIM card under their
control and then using the number to access the victim’s
bank accounts.
The increase in the number of
reports corresponds with the timing of TSB’s computer
system update, which resulted in 1.9 million users being
locked out of their accounts. Opportunistic fraudsters
are using TSB’s system issue to target individuals,
which follows the increase in phishing and smishing
communications also targeting TSB customers this month.
Victims’ bank account and personal details including
their phone number are collected by the fraudster,
providing them with the information to execute the
fraud.
Number porting is a genuine
service provided by telecommunication companies. It
allows customers to keep their existing phone number and
transfer it to a new SIM card. The existing network
provider sends the customer a Port Authorisation Code
(PAC), that when presented to the new provider allows
the number to be transferred across. This service can,
however, be abused by fraudsters.
To gain control of the victim’s
phone number, fraudsters convince the victim’s mobile
phone network provider to swap their number on to a SIM
card in the fraudster’s control. Once the fraudster has
control of the number they are able to intercept the
victims’ text messages, allowing them to use services
linked to the victim’s phone number. This can include
requesting an online banking password reset or access to
any two factor authentication services.
Victims have reported large
losses as a result of this fraud. One victim initially
dismissed text messages received from their network
provider containing a PAC number. Two days later £6,000
was removed from the victim’s TSB current account. The
victim subsequently contacted their phone provider and
was informed that someone contacted the provider
purporting to be the victim and had cancelled their
contract and transferred their number to a new SIM. This
action allowed the banking fraud to take place.
Protect Yourself:
PAC Code notifications
If you
receive an unsolicited notification about a PAC Code
request, contact your network provider immediately to
terminate the request. Also notify your bank about your
phone number being compromised.
Clicking on
links/files:
Don’t be tricked into giving a fraudster
access to your personal or financial details. Never
automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or
text. Remember, criminals can spoof the phone numbers
and email addresses of companies you know and trust,
such as your bank.
Requests to move money:
A genuine
bank or organisation will never contact you out of the
blue to ask for your PIN, full password or to move money
to another account.
Port-out Fraud versus SIM Swapping
Port-out fraud is often incorrectly referred to as SIM
swap fraud. SIM swap fraud works in a similar fashion,
however, instead of porting the victim’s number to a new
network provider, the fraudster impersonates the victim
and requests a new SIM card for their account. Once they
have access to the new sim, they have access to the
number.
Message Sent By Action Fraud (Action Fraud,
Administrator, National)
April 6th
We are appealing for witnesses after
a man reportedly followed a woman along Canal Walk in Romsey
yesterday afternoon (Thursday 5 April).
The man is reported to have approached
the 28-year-old woman and tried to speak with her and then
followed her along the path.
The woman was left distressed by
the incident and spoke to a passer-by before contacting
the police. A 33-year-old man of no fixed abode has since
been arrested on suspicion of a public order offence in
connection with this incident.
However, we are keen to speak to
anyone who may have been approached in a similar way by
this man and anyone who was approached by this woman following
the incident.
Please get in contact on 101 and
quote 44180125242. Thank you.
Message Sent By Marisa Charles (Police,
Corporate Communications Officer, Hampshire)
March 8th
Good Morning all,
School placements to experience
policing are now open to applicants. We are currently offering
work experience placements to school pupils in Year 10 and
Year 11.
These placements are limited but
offer the opportunity to those who want to develop a career
in policing or learn more about policing in general.
If you know a child in years 10
or 11 that may be looking for a work experience placement, let
them know about this opportunity and tell them that they will
need to fill out an application form in their own words
and submit it to us. If they're successful they’ll
be invited to attend an interview either in person or over
the phone.
We recommend that they research
Hampshire Constabulary to help them prepare for the
interview.
An application form has been attached
to this e-mail, the application can also be found on our
force website at;
https://www.hampshire.police.uk/join-us/work-experience/
Due to places being limited we highly recommend applications
being returned as soon as possible. If you would like further
information about work experience, please email
hq.volunteers@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
Thank you for your attention, and good luck to the applicants.
We hope to see you here soon,
PCSO 16461 TODD Test Valley Police
February 25th
Theft Incident at Carphone
Warehouse Romsey
On Wednesday 21st February 2018 at approximately
12:45hrs 4 males enter Carphone Warehouse, Romsey.
While two of the males waited by the door, the other two
attempted to pull two iPhones off their brackets. When challenged
by the store manager, three of the males left. The one who
remained continued pulling at the iPhone before letting
go and pushing past the manager to get out. No items taken.
The male suspects are described
as possibly being Eastern European with olive skin, late
teens to early twenties. They wore dark clothing and white
trainers. It is believed one of the males had a goatee type
beard. Witnesses describe the males as being either Turkish
or Greek origin.
If you have any information that
could assist with his investigation, please call 101 and
quote reference number 44180068767.
February 9th
Operation Sceptre -
Awareness of risks of carrying knives
Carrying a knife may seem harmless,
but it can have serious consequences. Even being with a
group where one or more carry a knife is a big risk.
If you are suspicious of your child
or the group they are involved in, help us stop knife crime
by intervening early. Make them aware of the risks.
Anyone with information about someone
carrying a knife can contact us on 101, alternatively call
Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
You can find more details about
how to chat to your children about this subject or report
concerns anonymously here: http://noknivesbetterlives.com/
January 28th
We have received reports in relation
to Anti-Social Behaviour and Drug Smoking along the Canal
Path.
Are you aware of such behaviour
in this area?
Is this behaviour causing you problems
or concerns?
If you have answered “yes”
to the above questions the police would be pleased to hear
from you. Please report any incidents via 101 or alternatively
you can call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
So that we can deal with any reports
as quickly as possible, it is important to consider the
following information and have it ready to provide to us:
* the date and time of the
incident
* the exact location, such as proximity
to any landmarks or street names
* a description of any people involved
* the details of any witnesses or
suspects
* if you think there is any additional
evidence such as CCTV or mobile phone footage
Kind Regards, PC Hannah Johnson
The local Neighbourhood Policing Team
January 18th
On Monday 15th January 2018 between
1530 and 1630 a dwelling burglary occurred in Middlebridge
Street.
Where you in the area at the time?
Did you see this incident?
Did you hear anything suspicious?
Did you see anyone leave the street
quickly and suspiciously?
Do you have any CCTV?
If you have answers to any of the
above questions the police would be pleased to hear from
you. Please call 101 and quote 44180018982.
Alternatively you can call
Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
January 11th
Burglary Abbotswood Romsey
On Sunday 7th January 2018 between
20:00 and 21:35 Person(s) unknown have entered a property
on Hooper Drive Via a rear patio door. They have used a
rigid implement to smash a window at the rear of the address,
reached through the broken window and unlocked the patio
door. Once inside an untidy search has been carried out
and Jewellery has been taken. Please consider the following
questions:
Did you see this incident? Were
you at home during the times stated above? Did you hear
anything suspicious? Who did you see in the area at the
time? Did you see anyone leave the street quickly and suspiciously?
Do you have any CCTV?
If you have answers to any of the
above questions the police would be pleased to hear from
you. Please call 101 and quote our reference number above.
Alternatively you can call Crime Stoppers anonymously on
0800 555 111.
This alert is intended to bring
to your attention a recent burglary that has occurred in
your area and to raise your awareness and remind you to
be vigilant to help prevent and reduce crime in your neighbourhood.
Please remember to ensure you close and lock your windows
and doors when left unattended, use timer switches to make
your property look occupied. Ensure valuables are kept out
of view from windows and report any suspicious behaviour
to the police. You can register property online via
www.immobilise.com
January 4th
Test Valley Neighbourhood Policing
Teams update our Community Policing Priorities every 3 months.
Have your say on what they should be by completing our quick
survey.
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/8NFF6BK
The Neighbourhood Watch Network
is looking to learn more about people's experience of fraud
and the support available to victims. Can you spare us two
minutes to take our national survey today?
All results are completely anonymous
and will help us understand how Neighbourhood Watch can
improve the support offered to victims of fraud.
Click on the link below to take
the survey.
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FraudVictimSurvey
Please note the survey will close on Wednesday 10th January
2018.
January 3rd
Witnesses sought after
taxi driver robbed near Romsey
We are appealing for information
after a taxi driver was robbed near Romsey in the early
hours of New Year’s Day. The 59-year-old victim collected
a passenger in Botley Road at approximately 1.40am on Monday
1 January.
When the taxi, a silver Skoda Octavia,
reached Danes Road, Shootash, the passenger asked the driver
to stop. He then threatened the driver, demanding money.
When the victim declined, the passenger punched the driver
in the face and then stabbed him with a knife in the hand
and leg. The passenger then ran from the taxi empty-handed.
The victim was taken to Southampton
General Hospital for treatment. He was later discharged.
The passenger is described as: • white • aged
in his mid twenties • of slim to medium build • short
brown hair • around 5ft 10ins tall • wore
a black-coloured long jacket, a dark-coloured shirt and
possibly jeans PC David Barnes, of Southampton CID, said: “This
is a rare and unusual incident that may well have been opportunistic. “It
is suspected that the offender may have been in the Romsey
town centre area before this incident.
“Do you remember seeing someone
getting into a taxi in Botley Road at around 1.40am on New
Year’s Day? “Perhaps you were driving along
Botley Road and have dashcam footage from your journey?
If so, we need to speak to you.”
Anyone with information on
this incident should call police on 101,
quoting the reference number 44180000328. Alternatively,
people can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111,
where information can be left anonymously.
I have always believed effective
policing is at the heart of healthy society. That is why
Hampshire Constabulary can't afford to just maintain its
position as a good police force. It must become a standard
bearer for protecting the most vulnerable and reducing offending.
And, as your new Chief Constable, I am excited about taking
on this challenge.
A key part of success will remain
catching those who prey on the vulnerable, but we can't
just respond to victims when they have suffered. We need
to be better at preventing offending in the first place.
This includes safeguarding the vulnerable, not least those
at risk of child sexual exploitation and domestic abuse.
None of this can be done by the police acting alone.
The cases we deal with can be complex
and the unfortunate truths are that that we tend to deal
with people on their most difficult days and much of the
sophisticated work that goes on behind the scenes to stop
people becoming victims cannot be widely publicised. This
means that what my officers, staff and those who volunteer
their help do every day is important, but so is why and
how.
If the police are seen to act arrogantly
or as if they have a right to do as they wish public confidence
becomes damaged and victims are not put first. To be an
effective police officer, let alone chief constable, you
need to earn the trust and respect of all communities. That
is what decades of British policing has been built upon.
So everything we do must be rooted in the highest standards
of integrity and transparency. You deserve nothing less
from us.
Our communities are wonderfully
rich, diverse and deserving of brilliant policing. I want
ideas, voices, perspectives and experience beyond the traditional
spheres. I would like to use this opportunity on day one
in my new role to invite all of you to join me, to work
with me and to support my staff and officers.
In return we will become even better
at protecting you and safeguarding the most vulnerable in
society. And, as your Chief Constable, I will work tirelessly
to make sure that what we do is as transparent as possible
and to explain the difficult decisions when we have to make
them.
Together we can keep this one of
the safest places to live in the country and stop those
who make people's lives a misery.
Best wishes Olivia Pinkney,
Chief Constable, Hampshire Constabulary
n 0800 555 111 where information
can be left anonymously. Minicom users should call
01962 875000.
Please be aware of a recent increase
in domestic oil thefts. They appear to be happening across
the area and usually over night. Large amounts have been
stolen indicating the use of a vehicle being involved.
Please ask everyone to check the
security of their storage tanks and to remain vigilant for
any suspicious persons or vehicles, they may well be driving
round during the day looking for potential targets?
Please do call the police if any
sightings of suspicious activity/ persons
There is an on-going problem in
the last few months of power tools being stolen from vehicles.
A lot have been taken over night which can be prevented
by removing these items from the vehicles.
Please security mark your tools
and make notes of serial numbers etc.
Can we reassure residents we are
aware of the increase in thefts and are increasing patrols
and looking at other possible measures to help detect/ prevent
these on going thefts in the area.
There seems to be quite a few thefts
from motor vehicles in and around the Woodley estate.
Grab a refrigerator magnet on your
way out the door, we all have tons of them!
Always take a small magnet on your
vacation , they come in handy at the end of it. This is
pretty good info. Never even thought about key cards containing
anything other than an access code for the room!
Ever wonder what is on your magnetic
key card? Answer:
 a.
Customer's name b. Customer's partial home
address c. Hotel room number d.
Check-in date and out dates e. Customer's
credit card number and expiration date!
When you turn them in to the front
desk your personal information is there for any employee
to access by simply scanning the card in the hotel scanner..
An employee can take a hand full of cards home and using
a scanning device, access the information onto a laptop
computer and go shopping at your expense. Simply put, hotels
do not erase the information on these cards until an employee
reissues the card to the next hotel guest. At that time,
the new guest's information is electronically 'overwritten'
on the card and the previous guest's information is erased
in the overwriting process.
But until the card is rewritten
for the next guest, it usually is kept in a drawer at the
front desk with YOUR INFORMATION ON IT!
The bottom line is: Keep the cards,
take them home with you, or destroy them. NEVER leave them
behind in the room or room wastebasket, and NEVER turn them
into the front desk when you check out of a room. They will
not charge you for the card (it's illegal) and you'll be
sure you are not leaving a lot of valuable personal information
on it that could be easily lifted off with any simple scanning
device card reader.
For the same reason, if you arrive
at the airport and discover you still have the card key
in your pocket, do not toss it in an airport trash basket.
Take it home and destroy it by cutting it up, especially
through the electronic information strip!
If you have a small magnet, pass
it across the magnetic strip several times. Then try it
in the door, it will not work. It erases everything on the
card.
Information courtesy of: Metropolitan
Police Service.
Where it’s portable keep it
safe by taking it, together with the support cradle and
suction pads, with you when you leave the car.
Remember to wipe away any suction
pad marks left on the windscreen or dashboard as thieves
will look out for these.
Don’t leave the equipment
in the glove compartment – thieves will usually check
there first.
You can also help by following these
tips:
• Mark your satellite navigation
equipment system with your postcode and house number or
your vehicle registration number or another unique number,
using special security markers. These are available at local
Police Stations.
• Making a note of the make,
model and serial number of the equipment and keeping the
note somewhere safe – not in the car. Consider recording
this information on one of the commercially available asset
registers.
• Don’t leave anything
on view in your car. Thieves are opportunists and it only
takes them moments to break into your car.
• Lock all doors and windows,
not forgetting the sunroof, when leaving your car.
• Never leave the keys in
the ignition when the car is unattended, even while you’re
paying for petrol.
Don’t lose your satellite
navigation equipment to thieves.
Fraud Alert
Credit and Debit Card Fraud Card
fraud includes the use of stolen cards to make direct purchases
and the use of compromised card details to buy items over
the phone or via the Internet, in ‘Card Not Present’
or CNP fraud. Protecting your card details is important.
Do not write your PIN number down or disclose it to other
people. Dispose of statements or slips which contain your
card details securely by shredding with a cross cut (confetti)
shredder. Do not let others see your PIN number, cover your
hand when entering it in any machine. Check your statements
regularly, including low value transactions. Notify your
card company immediately if you suspect fraud. Use a CREDIT
card in preference to a DEBIT card, especially if you are
not sure about the location at which you are using the card.
Debit cards are linked to your bank
account and fraud can result in you becoming overdrawn and
not able to withdraw cash. Credit Card companies are very
good at spotting unusual transaction patterns. Cash Machines
- ATM (Automated Teller Machine) Be aware that cash machines
(ATM’s) may have been modified in order to: Copy or ‘Skim’
card details and PIN numbers using hidden cameras. Trap
the card in the machine. After the cardholder leaves, the
criminal removes the device, along with the card. Be mindful
of people behind you at cash machines: They may be ‘Shoulder
surfing’ for your PIN Number. Attempt to steal the
card using distraction techniques or pick pocketing. Talk
you into re-entering the PIN while the criminal watches.
If you suspect a device has been placed on an ATM do not
attempt to move it. The suspects may be nearby and use violence
if their device is likely to be interfered with. Call the
police or contact the bank, if it is open, immediately.
Help us to help you prevent burglary
Hampshire is cracking down on burglary. We understand that
it can be financially costly and emotionally devastating
for victims and their families. However, by taking just
a few simple measures you can dramatically reduce the chances
of it happening to you. Most burglaries tend to be opportunistic
rather than planned. So if your home does not look secure,
seems unlived in, or provides unobserved access, it could
be at risk. Understanding what burglars look for when choosing
their target will help you identify weak spots in your home's
security. Our 10 Top Tips: Mark or etch your property with
your postcode, house or flat number or the first three letters
of your house name. Register items with a serial number
at: www.immobilise.com
Do not leave your car keys or ID documents near doors, letterbox
or windows. Always check who’s at the door and don’t
open it if you feel anxious. Close and lock all your doors
and windows, even if you are only going out for a few minutes.
Keep your valuables out of sight. Leave some lights on if
it will be dark before you get home. Install a visible burglar
alarm. Always keep sheds and outbuildings locked. Cancel
milk or other deliveries if you will be away for days or
weeks at a time. How does a burglar's mind work? Burglary,
on the whole, is an opportunist crime. A burglar will select
his target because it offers him the best opportunity to
carry out his crime undetected and with the fewest number
of obstacles in his way. A building that presents itself
as unoccupied and insecure is far more likely to be targeted
than one which is properly secured: Side gates open Accessible
windows open Ladders left out, allowing access to otherwise
inaccessible windows Garden tools available to force entry
Untrimmed hedges or high fences preventing natural surveillance
Each of these makes access to the building far simpler and
is an indication to the prospective burglar that it's
worth a second look. Residents of multi occupancy dwellings
or flats should be mindful not to grant entry to people
via an entry phone system, if they do not know them, and
to be cautious of people seeking to 'tailgate' them
into buildings. The question is, are the occupants in? Milk
bottles or parcels on the doorstep Newspapers and mail in
the letter box Unlit houses after dark All windows shut
in very hot weather These are signs telling the burglar
that he is unlikely to be disturbed in the course of his
work. Naturally, circumstances may arise when such situations
may be unavoidable. If we can take measures that tell the
burglar that this building is too difficult or too risky
a target, he will hopefully move on.
TO STOP A BURGLAR YOU NEED TO
THINK LIKE ONE. To a burglar, a stuffed letter box is
a dead giveaway when you’re not at home. Ask a neighbour
to remove your post while you are away. Are you leaving
a thief the key to your house? Never leave a spare key concealed
anywhere near the front door - burglars know all the hiding
places Prevent letterbox burglaries by storing keys away
from the front door Do not label your house keys in case
you lose them and they fall into the wrong hands. Remove
temptation Where possible, try to keep valuables out of
sight from windows. Make it look as though your house is
occupied Install timers which switch lights or radios on
and off automatically. Have a neighbour or friend pop round
to clear your letter box or doorstep. Encourage a neighbour
to park on your drive. If going out after dark, draw the
curtains, leave some lights on and a radio playing.
To a burglar, a dark doorway is
an opportunity to hide. Fit a security light over your front
door to deter burglars. If you are away for extended periods
Cancel the delivery of milk and newspapers Disconnect the
telephone answering machine, or re-word your greeting message
to give the impression that you are only temporarily unable
to answer. Enlist the help of a neighbour, friend or relative
to keep a regular eye on your property and keep the front
door clear of deliveries. If you are prepared to leave a
key with a willing neighbour/relative, ask for curtains
to be drawn and lights to be put on at night. If snow is
on the ground a few footprints will make the house appear
inhabited. Check your insurance policy. Some insurance policies
for contents don't cover you if you are away for more
than 30 days. Set your burglar alarm. If you do not have
an alarm, consider investing a few pounds in a dummy alarm
box. It may well deter the opportunist thief.
METAL THEFT
·Ensure access to roofs is restricted,
for example using splayed guards around rainwater downpipes
to prevent climbing. Ensure trees and signs are not within
close proximity to the building. If recommending anti-climb
measures, ensure you advice signage must be put up (Occupiers
Liability Act 1984). · Maximise surveillance by neighbouring
properties. · Keep wheelie bins locked up or in rear gardens,
as these can often be used to transport the metal and used
to assist climbing. · Ensure ladders are locked away or
chained up. · Consider using alternatives to lead and copper
where possible. · Ensure perimeter security is sufficient.
e-mail:
christine.plascott@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
With the ever rising price of heating
oil, storage tanks have become a favoured target for thieves.
Worst of all the price of replacing the stolen oil can just
be the beginning of the cost…
With winter approaching many of
us are increasingly using our central heating. If you are
a householder or business with an above ground oil storage
tank which fuels your heating, the Environment Agency would
like you to consider how well protected your oil tank is
from theft or vandalism.
Each year the Environment Agency
is contacted by homeowners about leaking heating oil tanks.
Worryingly this can be caused during the theft of the oil
itself as the tank or pipe work is often damaged. If thieves
have taken all the oil they can, or are disturbed during
the theft, anything left in the tank will usually be left
draining to the ground potentially leading to serious pollution.
Cleaning up oil spills is difficult,
especially if it enters groundwater, and can be very expensive –
easily costing thousands of pounds. It is against the law
to cause pollution so you’ll have to take action to
clean up any serious spill or leak even where it has been
caused by theft or vandalism. Some insurance policies will
cover these costs – but often they do not so it is
far better to prevent pollution at the outset.
Spilt oil can pollute your local
streams, rivers and (if it soaks through the soil and rock)
groundwater supplies. In the South East of England we rely
heavily on groundwater to supply our drinking water so we
must protect it from pollution. Oil is toxic, harmful to
plants and animals and is a threat to their habitats.
The oil in your tank is valuable;
to help prevent its theft you should consider the following
security measures:
Use locks and/or lockable valves –
un-secured taps and valves will make oil theft much easier.
Remember to ensure that the key/combination is available
for refilling, better still, be present for the delivery
so that you can see if the correct amount is dispensed without
overfilling.
Screening the tank – use plants,
shrubs or fencing to make the tank less visible. Ensure
that there is still room to access all of the way around
the tank so that you can check for signs of leaks or damage.
About 2 feet or 600mm should be sufficient to maintain access.
Re-locate your tank – if you
need a new tank, or are thinking about moving your existing
tank, consider how you can make it less obvious. Can you
move it away from the roadside or to the back garden? Remember,
the tank must still be positioned to minimise the risk of
pollution and not near to watercourses, loose-fitting manhole
covers, wells or boreholes.
Check your tank regularly –
look for signs of tampering with the tank which could be
signs of attempted theft – you may still be vulnerable
to theft on another occasion. Also, when checking your tank,
look for any signs of corrosion, bulging or staining which
indicate it has, or is likely, to leak. However, leaks are
not always easy to see – especially if they occur
from underground pipework leading into your property, so
keep a check on your oil consumption.
If the worst happens and you have
a leak or spill:
• Contact your oil supplier
for advice and help in removing the remaining oil
• Call our Environment Agency
Incident Hotline 0800 80 70 60 (24 hours)
• You may also wish to check
your insurance policy to see if it covers your oil tank
and any spillages.
For more information on how to look
after your oil storage tank and avoid pollution please visit
the oil bank line website at:
www.oilbankline.org.uk
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