Essex Community Messages received -
DECEMBER
24/12/15
Essex Police wish you a Happy Christmas and New Year, but also give a reminder of some top tips if you are going away for the festive period.,
•Double check that you have locked all windows and doors to your property and any outbuildings.
•Ask a friend, relative or neighbour to keep an eye on your property and collect post on a regular basis.
•If you have a burglar alarm, ensure it is activated.
•Invest in timers for radio, table lamps and light switches to activate at random times in the day.
•Remember to cancel any deliveries such as milk and newspapers.
•Don’t advertise on social media that your home will be empty
15/12/15
The Essex Police Crime Prevention Tactical Advisor Emma Clark gives advice on keeping your computer safe this Christmas. Please select the following YouTube link for full details -
14/12/15
MICROCHIPPING OF DOGS REGULATIONS
It will be compulsory for all dogs over the age of eight weeks in England, Scotland and Wales to be fitted with microchips from Spring 2016. In England the date is 6th April but dates for Wales and Scotland are tbc. Issue 40: December 2015 www.essexruralpartnership.org.uk
The only exemption is where a vet certifies in writing that a dog is unfit to be microchipped. Many vets offer free microchipping as do other welfare organisations. Owners of dogs without microchips face being served with a notice to comply, and may face criminal prosecution and a £500 fine if they do not comply with the law. Dog breeders will be responsible for microchipping puppies before they are sold. Breeders will also be required to register their own details and these will be recorded against the microchip for the lifespan of the dog. All imported dogs will need to have a microchip.
For more information please click here:
https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-
10/12/15
If you are planning on going away for the Christmas season please view the following Essex Police YouTube link for advice from John Hills, the Essex Police Senior Crime Prevention Tactical Advisor -
2/12/15
Alert: Elderly Targeted by Fake Police Officers There has recently been a series of incidents whereby fraudsters either phone or attend the home address of elderly members of the public claiming to be police officers. The fake officer/s will claim that they are investigating a fraud which they believe the elderly person to be a victim of. The fake officer/s will then request the bank cards and personal identification numbers (PIN) of the victim and claim these are needed for investigation purposes. If first contact is made by a phone call, the fake officer/s will tell the victim that someone will be over to collect the evidence. In one case the victim was instructed to attend their local bank and withdraw all of the money from their account. The suspect was left alone in the victim’s house whilst the victim carried out the instructions.
PREVENTION ADVICE
Before letting anyone into your home who claims to be from any law enforcement agency, ask to see their identity card and check it by calling 101.
Ask if they can attend at a pre-
If you receive a phone call from a police officer, ask for their name and force and tell them you will call them back. Wait a few minutes and then use 101 to call them back through their force’s switchboard and verify their identity.
The Police will never ask for your PIN or passwords. Do not give this information to anyone.
The Police will never request that you withdraw/transfer any money to them.