Please see the note below from Paul Le Pla our Police Constable in South Rutland

There has been a recent series of incidents in Northants, 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 the first contact was 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.

Protect Yourself

*       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-arranged time when a family member or friend can also be present.
*       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.

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or by telephone 0300 123 2040.

Regards

Paul Le Pla

Rutland Police

A yale key has been found on the North Luffenham Oval.   The key has a broken purple tag attached and was found on the green bench opposite 30 Butt Lane.  If you have lost such a key please email nickian@talktalk.net

Our local police officer PC Paul Le Pla has asked me to post the advice below

HOME SECURITY ADVICE – WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR OUR PROPERTY AND YOUR ENVIRONMENT

Oakham Police have a front enquiry desk situated at Rutland County Council offices, Catmose Street, Oakham.

From them you can get –

•             UV security marker pens

•             Alarm padlocks for £8-50.

•             Smart Water for £15 (FORENSIC DNA PROPERTY MARKING)

•             Timer switches – Ensure you have at least one timer – maybe even two. One for a lamp and one for a radio tuned to a talk programme.

•             Take advantage of their Cremark overt marking pens (£12) – ensuring everything is marked including things kept in your garage and shed – mowers, bicycles etc., in fact anything you would like back following a burglary – the Police will be happy to mark bicycles etc.

Other things you can do for your security

•             Avoid leaving your curtains half closed or fully closed during daytime hours particularly when you go away

•             Get a neighbour to park their car on your driveway while you are away

•             If any door to door sellers come to your property, so no thanks and call 101 to let the police know they are in the village. Door to door sellers are known to be checking who are in and who are out, who has a dog, who has an alarm, who appears to be living on their own.  Some are connected to criminal activity and the purpose of their visit could be to identify who are the easiest targets to burgle later.

•             Stand outside your property. Imagine you have lost your keys and think about how you would gain entry.  You may have high fences and a locked gate but are your bins outside – would you for instance use the bins as a way of getting over the fence?  Place them at the back of your property.  Can you be seen?  Most entries occur at the rear of a property.

•             What about your front door? Do you have a security chain?  Do you use it?  Do you have a five lever mortice lock?  Do you use it?

•             If a utility person (Gas/ Water board) calls at your door requesting entrance to check a meter, water pressure etc., would you just let them in? How often do you ask for proof of who they are?  How would you know if it were legitimate?  If you are unsure simply advise them, you are calling to verify who they are and close the door while you do it?  Always ensure your rear doors and windows are locked.  Most distraction burglaries take place with an accomplice entering the back while the householder is engaged in conversation at the front!

•             Protecting your goods by registering the serial numbers electronically – visit imobilise.com. Register to protect it!  Television, phones, tablets, in fact anything with a serial no.

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Please see below a note I have received from PC le Pla our local Police officer

Dear all,
I have been contacted by a local resident who received a letter purporting to be from a Chinese bank about a possible relative who has died leaving $ 18.5 million. As you would expect, they wanted him to get in touch with them and open a bank account etc.

THIS IS A SCAM!!!! Unfortunately, it is a common one.

Please send out alerts, warning people of this.

I will inform Trading Standards of this.

Regards

Paul Le Pla
Rutland Police

A ladies wrist watch with a red strap has been found just near the cricket pavilion on North Luffenham Oval.   If you have lost such an item please email  nicolamorris66@hotmail.co.uk

I have today received details of road closures in our area.  See below

Barnsdale Road Closure

The 2 documents below may be of use to residents who wish to stop receiving nuisance telephone calls or emails

Telephone preference service

Mailing preference service(1)