The village contact is Anna Roxburgh - details at the bottom of the page

If you are new to the village and wish to join Neighbourhood Watch click here for the form

To read the 2023 Neighbourhood Watch Report click here 

To keep yourself and your assets safe in today's fast moving world you need to be more vigilant than ever with personal information, passwords and security.

The basic principle is NEVER EVER no matter how convincing give your bank account/card details or any passwords or access to your computer to anyone via an unsolicited call, text or e mail. If its a phone call  from someone you don't know asking you to transfer money end the call and wait a minute and dial your bank. Do not let them transfer you and do not dial until you are sure you have a dialling tone. They will pretend to end the call sometimes but still be on the line.

Fraudsters nowadays  are unbelievably convincing so be aware and vigilant with e mails and unexpected phone calls.

Please keep up to date with cyber crime (online crime) as this is an area that criminals are turning to more and more.

Click on this picture below for an extremely useful book on scams and online crimes - a lot of useful detail on keeping your phone, computer and personal details safe

It covers -

• ONLINE CRIME
• WI-FI HOTSPOTS
• ONLINE SHOPPING ND AUCTION SITES
• COMPUTER  SOFTWARE SERVICE FRAUD 
• ROMANCE AND DATING FRAUD
• RECRUITMENT FRAUD
• HOLIDAY FRAUD
• TICKETING FRAUD
• ONLINE BANKING AND CARD FRAUD AND CASH MACHINES
• IDENTITY FRAUD
• COURIER FRAUD
• DOOR TO DOOR FRAUD
• INVESTMENT FRAUD
• SCAM MAIL

Useful for people who work from home or own a business -The Metropolitan Police have produced a very helpful booklet - a lot is aimed at businesses but there is some extremely useful information. Click on the picture below to read the booklet.

SOME LATEST SCAMS 

A resident had a phone call stating they needed to attend a court as their national insurance number had been used fraudulently and failure to call them back to update  details would mean a fine and loss of  their NI number. 

Phone call with an automated recording of a male voice informing you that your internet/phone has been compromised, please press to speak to somebody who can assist! Please don’t! 

Someone calls claiming to be from your bank saying there's a problem with your account/card and that you need to transfer your money to a  "safe" account. They ask for your account details and PIN - no bank would ever do that. Hang up

Phone call from a scammer (maybe pretending they are from Microsoft) saying your computer has a virus and they'll talk you through downloading ant virus software for free. Don't its actually spyware that can get personal details.

E mails with attachments from someone you don't know should not be opened - the attachment can carry a virus that can stop your computer from working or steal all your files and then they ask for a ransom to return the files.

Phone call pretending to be from HMRC saying you are owed a tax refund but they need your bank details - HMRC would never do this 

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH CONTACT - Anna Roxburgh T: 01935 83745 M: 07766694893

PLEASE CONTACT HER TO JOIN 

POLICE - (For non- emergency and all traffic incidents) - 101 (this is the new nationwide non emergency number
Trading Standards recommend that you consider choosing a trader on the Buy With Confidence scheme. All the traders have been checked out by Trading Standards and are CRB checked. Get access to a list of reputable traders from builders, roofers, plumbers and electricians, to gardeners and tree surgeons. Better safe than sorry!
If trees from your garden have caused damage to your neighbour’s property you may find that you have access to a Legal Helpline through your buildings/contents insurance – depending on the terms of your policy - Check it out!
If you think you have already been ‘ripped off’ you can phone the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on Tel: 08454 040506 and ask for advice.

MESSAGE FROM THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY 
 

CHARITY COLLECTIONS - WARNING
We have received various reports regarding door-to-door callers asking for email addresses and bank details in order to set up direct debit payments for various charities. While some of these may be legitimate, there have been complaints that heavy handed and aggressive techniques have been used. On one occasion an attempt was made to gain entry under the excuse of needing something to rest on whilst taking details. Most legitimate callers will have their own equipment and identification, however please remember not to divulge any personal details to strangers, however convincing they may be. Please pass this information onto friends and neighbours.Thank you.

POSTAL SCAM WARNING
Please find warning from Royal Mail and The Trading Standards Office making people aware of the following scam:

A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a Premium rate number). DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize .
If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £315 for the phone call. If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 020 7239 6655.
If you have any information about suspicious incidents or activity please telephone the police on 101. Please remember to ask the call handler to mark, or tag, your call `NHW' (Neighbourhood Watch). Reference message FN004 251111 NHW office 01823-363348

OIL TANK SECURITY
Beaminster SNT in conjunction with OFTEC registered oil installers have launced a new scheme called
"STOP THAT OIL". This is aimed at getting people to improve security around their fuel tanks. If you would like to know more, contact Beaminster SNT on 01305 222222 or email beaminster-snt@dorset.pnn.police.uk

FUEL SECURITY MEASURES.
The attached leaflets give help and advice on fuel security measures. - Leaflet