This section will provide you with security & guidance updates which are applicable during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic:
Action Fraud have received reports of #COVID19 related scams. The majority relate to the online sale of protective items such as face-masks and other items in short supply due to the outbreak, that don't exist..
https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/alert/coronavirus-related-fraud-reports
The majority of reports are related to online shopping scams where people have ordered protective face masks, hand sanitiser and other products, which have never arrived. Other frauds being reported include ticket fraud, romance fraud, charity fraud and lender loan fraud
Detailed counter-fraud advice is available online, including from Scamsmart, ActionFraud, CIFAS, TakeFive, Citizens Advice, Trading Standards and the National Cyber Security Centre.
Reporting to Action Fraud can be done online at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
To report offers of financial assistance from HMRC contact phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.
Message Sent By
Action Fraud Admin (Action Fraud, Administrator, Global)
Our local PCSO is Arlene Ormston. Her contact details are:
If you're not sure who is at the door, don't open it! Check the identity of the caller by calling the company they are purporting to be from i.e. Gas, Electricity, Water or Police. Use the telephone numbers listed in your local directory or provided independently by your service provider. Do not use any phone numbers provided by the caller, as they may be bogus.
Ask the caller to put their identification through the letter box so that you have time to check the details. Telephone a neighbour or friend nearby to come along and check out the caller before you open the door to them.
Many utility service providers like Gas, Electricity and Water provide password schemes or hotline numbers for customers to call, to check the identity of callers before opening the door. Speak to your utility provider.
Keep your door locked and windows secure at all times. Check the back door is locked before answering the front door.
Don't keep large quantities of cash at home: put it in the bank or post office where it is safe.
If someone asks for your help, needs to make a telephone call, has lost a ball in your garden, needs a drink or requests a pen and paper for example, refer them to a younger neighbour or assist them through a closed door or call a friend or neighbour to come and assist.
Not sure? Don't open the door!
Use of footpaths and bridleways (19th May 2020)
With everyone out using our lovely countryside as part of their daily exercise please remember that the footpaths (yellow markers) are for walking and running and not for cycling. The bridleways (blue markers) can be used for cycling as well as walking & horse riding.
Please don't ride bikes on the footpaths around the fields. To find all the bridleways / footpaths around a village go to https://mymsg.eu/92q1 Go to My Maps, navigate over to the area where you want to walk, then click on “Public Rights of Way” from the list on the left side to turn on the rights of way layer. The bridleways will be marked in green, and footpaths in purple.
There have been recent incidents of uncontrolled dogs harassing ewes and lambs, and also of damage to crops. So please stay on the footpaths, keep your dog under close control, and enjoy our glorious countryside.
Many thanks and stay safe
PCSO C1018 Arlene Ormston
Equipment and tool security
Equipment and tool security can be a particular issue for rural businesses and farms. To keep your belongings safe:
For further information on securing your belongings and how to mark your equipment, visit our burglary advice pages.
Estate and building security
A good standard of building security is very important in rural areas, especially for outbuildings that may not be visited for weeks at a time.Farmhouses and other rural properties are the same as any other home, so general home security advice still applies.
However, because of the remote location, additional security measures may be beneficial.To protect your rural home or business:
For additional security you could also:
For information and general advice on protecting your property visit our burglary advice pages.
Boundaries
Take a good look around your property boundary for any potential places where it could be made more secure.Consider:
Fire prevention
Illegal activity
All incidents of illegal activity should be reported to the appropriate authority as soon as possible. If you are able to, make a note of any vehicle details and a description of the people involved.Always consider your own personal safety first before approaching anyone you think might be doing something illegal.Illegal occupationAs a landowner it’s your responsibility to protect your land from unauthorised occupation. Making sure your premises and boundaries are secure will greatly reduce the risk of unauthorised occupation.To help protect your land you could:
If your land does become illegally occupied, you can take proceedings to the county court to obtain a court order for the eviction of illegal occupants. Occupants who fail to comply with this notice by leaving the land as soon as reasonably possible are committing an offence. For more information about environment crime, such as fly tipping and illegal off-roading read our environment crime page.
Diesel theft
Diesel theft is a problem for many farms and rural properties. Fuel tanks stored in rural and isolated locations are very attractive to thieves looking for an easy target.
Livestock theft
You should check your livestock and the security of boundary fencing regularly. If they're making more noise than usual this could mean something has disturbed them.
Always report any suspicious activity involving livestock to the police.
Tack security
Chemical storage
Useful contacts
Thames Valley Police are accessible via both Facebook and Twitter:
TVP Milton Keynes (Facebook), or;
@tvp_mk (Twitter)
Watch for tweets from #MKHNPT #C1018 Ormston - these will be from our PCSO (Arlene Ormston)
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