Essex Community Messages received -
MARCH 2015
Received 19/3/15 Doorstep/Rogue Traders
We have received reports of cold callers operating in Rochford District attempting to sell household products door to door, claiming that they are ex offenders working with the Police, Council or Probation service. Known as 'Nottingham Knockers' – so named as first being identified operating in Nottingham. Their sales pitch is:-
Received 17/3/15 Cash Machibne fraud
We have found several “skimming” and small recording devices attached to cash withdrawal machines around the Rochford District. Please be aware of this and take the precaution of examining the cash machine before inserting your card. These devices may retain your card and record your PIN number. When you leave the card is removed and your PIN used to fraudulently withdraw your money. If you believe there is anything suspicious about the cash machine please inform the business premises immediately and the police on the non-
Received 12/3/15 : Doorstep/Rogue Traders
Spring may be just around the corner but so is the Doorstep/Rogue trader. That loose slate on the roof, the flashing or pointing on the chimney, the guttering, driveway, jet washing and at this time of the year the tree that needs cutting or gardening work that needs to be sorted for the summer are all on the rogue traders list. Essex Police and Essex County Council Trading Standards advise you never to agree to have work done by anyone who knocks on your door. Fully check out traders who leaflet your home before you agree to any work as they may be providing you with false details.
If your home needs household repairs or maintenance or your garden or trees need work ensure you use a trader who has been recommended to you or use a Trading Standards Buy With Confidence trader via 03454 040506 or www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk Please keep an eye on vulnerable neighbours, family or friends as the doorstep/rogue trader may be knocking on their door right now to relieve them of their savings. Please help them by calling the Trading Standards helpline on 03454 040506 or Essex Police on 101 and giving us the information we need to put a stop to this criminal activity.
Received 9/3/15 : Shed Burglaries
With the improving weather and the approach of Spring we have received some reports of shed and outbuilding burglaries in both Castle Point and Rochford districts, with garden and recreational equipment being removed. Can I suggest that you check the security of your shed or outbuildings, making sure that good quality locks are fitted, anti tamper screws used on any exposed hinges and where possible items such as bikes, lawnmowers etc. are secured to the frame of the shed or outbuilding. Advice in greater detail is available on the Essex Police website at www.essex.police.uk/be_safe/garden_security.aspx If you see any suspicious activity taking place in your area please call the Police on the non emergency number 101 or 999 if judged urgent.
Received 9/3/15 : Rayleigh Market
If you are going to Rayleigh street market on Wednesdays please be aware that there have been a number of purses stolen from bags and shopping trolleys in recent weeks. Please make sure your purse is kept safe in your closed bag or trolley. If possible use a purse chain or bell to deter thieves and beware strangers who may try to distract you. If you see anything suspicious contact Essex Police on the non emergency number 101 or if a crime is being committed dial 999
APRIL 2015
Received 29/4/15 Car Thefts
Please be aware we have experienced several crimes in the last couple of weeks across the District whereby Ford motor vehicles have been stolen or have had things such as their wheels or bumpers removed. We are asking Ford vehicle owners to review their vehicle security and be extra vigilant. Please report anything suspicious on the non emergency number 101 or 999 in an emergency. You can also give information anonymously by calling crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Received 22/4/15 Burglaries
A house burglary occurred in East Street Rochford sometime between Thursday 16/04/15 and 14:30 Monday 20/04/15. If you saw any suspicious activity at the time or have any information please call Essex Police on the non emergency number 101 or 999 in an emergency. You can also give information anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-
Received 16/4/15 Cold Calling
Please be aware that a security company is telephone cold calling residents in our area to make an appointment to review their home security. In some cases they are claiming that the Police are aware that they are doing this. Essex Police would never endorse such an approach from any organization. You are therefore strongly advised not to make an appointment with such companies.
If you are concerned about your home security, contact a known local or national company for advice and get at least 2 quotes to make sure you are not paying over the odds. Also, make sure that you are aware of the costs and contract terms for maintaining and monitoring the system.
Received 13/4/15 Burglaries
A house burglary occurred in Ashingdon Road, Rochford sometime between Tuesday 07/04/15 and Sunday 12/04/15. Entry was gained by drilling the back door lock. If you saw any suspicious activity at the time or have any information please call Essex Police on 101 or 999. You can also give information anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-
Received 12/4/15 Doorstep fraud
We have had several incidents of a person knocking at the door of elderly residents in the Rochford District in the last 24 hours.The person states he is a Police Officer from the Fraud Squad or Special Branch and believes there are fake bank notes at the address. Please make elderly family members or neighbours aware and look out for each other. Please fully check identification and if in any doubt please do not answer the door. Please use a door chain if you have one. Report anything suspicious to us on 101 or 999 if you feel it is an emergency. We are keen to identify this person as soon as possible.
Received 9/4/15 Fly-
Fly tipping is a problem in both rural and urban areas. We have had two incidents in the past week in the Wakering and Shopland area where a considerable amount of builders waste has been dumped on the carriageway of unlit country roads. This has put road users at risk of serious injury had they collided with the waste. Please be extra vigilante if driving on unlit roads, and if you see anything suspicious call the police immediately on the non emergency number 101 or in an emergency dial 999 with as many details as possible. You can also give information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-
Received 2/4/15 Doorstep fraud
Essex Police are warning members of the public of a male claiming to be a Police Officer who is targeting addresses in your area. He is using fake ID in an attempt to gain entry and steal property. If you have been subject to this type of caller or are at all suspicious call Essex Police on 999 giving as much detail as well as vehicle details where possible.
Received 1/4/15 Thefts from vehicles
We have received a number of reports of Theft from Vehicles in both Castle Point and Rochford Districts.The majority of the thefts have occurred on Canvey Island. Please ensure that all valuables are removed from the car or locked in the boot and that nothing is left on display, including loose change. Check that vehicles are locked and secure. For further crime prevention advice regarding vehicle crime please select the following link:-
MAY 2015
Received 28/5/15 Co-
In the early hours of Tuesday 26/05/15 the Co-
Received 27/5/15 Suspicious Parcel Deliveries
We have received a report from a Rochford resident of an attempt to deliver a parcel in the late evening of 26/05/15 . The person the parcel was addressed to was unknown to the resident and they declined to accept it. We suspect that this was an attempted scam and not a legitimate delivery. If an unexpected delivery is attempted where it is addressed to someone else we recommend that you do not accept it and inform the Police on the non emergency number 101 If you saw any suspicious activity at the time or have any information please call Essex Police on the non emergency number 101 or 999 in an emergency. You can also give information anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-
Received 23/5/15 Vehicle theft
A theft from motor vehicle occurred in Sutton Road, Rochford between midnight on 16/05/2015 and 9AM on 21/05/2015. Number plates were stolen form a Grey Ford Focus motor car. If you saw any suspicious activity at the time of the crime or if you see suspicious activity taking place in the area please call 101 or 999 if judged urgent. Please take the time to review your own vehicles security and should you wish to find out how to make your property more secure or general crime prevention advice contact the Crime Prevention Officer, Emma Clark on Tel No: 101 Ext: 490533
Received 23/5/15 Burglary
A house burglary occurred at Hainault Avenue, Rochford between 8.45AM on 18/05/2015 and 12PM on 20/05/2015, entry was gained by forcing a rear window. If you saw any suspicious activity at the time of the crime or if you see suspicious activity taking place in the area please call 101 or 999 if judged urgent. Please take the time to review your own security arrangements and should you wish to find out how to make your property more secure or general crime prevention advice contact the Crime Prevention Officer, Emma Clark on Tel No: 101 Ext: 490533
Received 21/5/15 Travellers
A large number of travellers have moved onto land near Eastern Avenue Southend. Southend Borough Council is taking legal action to evict them. If successful it is not known where they will go but it is suggested that land owners, farmers and residents in Rochford and Castle Point Districts may wish to check that access to their land is as secure as possible, outbuildings are kept locked and locks on gates are in place. If residents see travellers on the move or attempting to set up a new camp please call the Police immediately on the non-
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Essex Police Licensing Team would like to ask all Licensed Premises to conduct a risk assessment in relation to the Bank Holiday weekend. Over the last 48 hours a number of travellers have set up camp within a field close to Garon's Park, Southend. Essex Police have been liaising with the group and will be working with them closely whilst they are within the local area. Following the incidents associated with the August Bank Holiday last year, Essex Police have asked that you risk assess this information and decide whether you should consider any additional measures need to be put in place to safeguard your staff and your guests. If you have any concerns, please contact the Neighbourhood Policing Team on 101.
Received 17/5/15 Burglaries
There have been 2 house burglaries across Rochford in the last 3 days, Sutton Court Drive & Golden Cross Road . There was also one sometime during the last 2 weeks at Doggetts Close. If you have seen anything suspicious or have any information please call Essex Police on 101. You can also give anonymous information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or on-
Received 11/5/15 Burglaries
Warning: There has been a Burglary at time unknown between 5th and 7th May 2015 at Doric Ave Rochford. Entry via rear patio door.
Warning: There has been a Attempted Burglary overnight on 06/05/2015 at Golden Cross Road Ashingdon. Trying to gain entry via front door.
Now is a good time to review your security. Advice is available on our website www.essex.police.uk or you can speak to our Crime Reduction officer Emma Clark on 101 extension 490533.
Received 5/5/15 Scams
Have you received scam mail through your door recently? The likelihood is that you probably have. Scam mail is sent by fraudsters, often from overseas, trying to persuade residents to part with money or personal information by tempting them with ?cash prizes?. These scams can result in considerable financial loss to the victims.
Essex County Council Trading Standards have become aware of an incident where a resident was sent a scam letter enclosing a photograph of a cheque with the victim?s name on it, claiming that they had won the ?Football Lottery?. The victim was asked to post a considerable amount of cash in order for the cheque to be released. Not surprisingly, this was a scam and the victim lost the money.
These types of scams are often time limited which puts pressure on the potential victim to reply quickly. Once the letters are replied to the residents personal details are often added to a list of potential targets which are then circulated to other fraudsters. Residents who respond to scams can then be bombarded with similar scam mailings. Please keep an eye on vulnerable neighbours, family or friends to help present them becoming the targets of these types of scams.
Essex Trading Standards advise you not to respond to any mailing which has the hallmarks of a scam and would encourage you to forward the letter to Royal Mail Scams Department, Freepost, Scam Mail, PO Box 797, Exeter EX1 9UN or report the information to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. If you are concerned about a mailing call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline, who handle calls for Trading Standards, on 03454 040506.