DOORSTEP COLD CALLING SCAMS URGENT ALERT!

Red Cross Volunteers

Please be aware that Police have received reports of a person in the Peterborough area posing as a Red Cross volunteer/interpreter. Beware! This person is an Imposter!  

Police have been in contact with the Red Cross Organisation and this is the response: 

"All of our volunteers are required to carry a photographic Red Cross ID card, to verify their authenticity. In addition, our volunteers work directly from our offices, and would not normally be undertaking home visits or working from any other office without prior agreement and approval. Should you become aware of anybody claiming to be a Red Cross volunteer and have any doubts over their authenticity, please report it to the police so checks can be made".

Energy Retail Association Code of Practice - important update in regard to sales people calling at homes with 'No Calling' notices


The Energy Retail Association has reviewed and re-issued its Code of Practice for the face-to-face marketing of energy supply. The new code ensures that where a member contracts with a third party for the provision of sales agents, the member must ensure that the third party complies with all components of the code in relation to sales activities. Under the code, sales agents will not call on premises in recognised no cold calling zones where there is a message prominently displayed from the consumer in the form of a written note or sticker.


Members have all signed up for their sales agents not to call at properties displaying no cold calling stickers irrespective of whether these properties are situated in no cold calling zones.

The new code is published by The Association of Energy Suppliers and can be found to download at


www.energy-retail.org.uk/salespractice.html


Increase in the number of reports concerning unsolicited calls to older people from a company offering installation of security systems.

 Trading Standards are currently investigating the working practices of a firm from the North of the Country that 'cold calls' offering security systems with the following dubious sales stories:

fitting security systems linked to local police


offering 4 houses in the road a free security system


from the National Crime Prevention Unit and giving away 4 free alarms in the area


Working in conjunction with the local police/endorsed by Metropolitan Police


Offering monitoring alarm systems with a guaranteed response from the Police


Investigation by Trading Standards have shown that although the alarms are offered free or a nominal cost of £1 the ongoing maintenance costs are extremely high and there is a cancellation fee. In some incidences the Company call local police and request an incident/log number and use this log number to give the impression to the householder that they are authorised by the police to call.

It has also been reported that they are planning to expand and have more regional offices by the end of this year. Currently this company is being investigated by Trading Standards and Scambusters.

Cambridgeshire Police do not employ or authorise any company, person or firm to call on their behalf and would not in any case recommend one particular company. Part of the role of the Cambridgeshire Police Community Safety Unit is to provide cost effective crime prevention advice to householders and we never,ever, cold call!

If you are concerned about a particular commercial firm or company and their selling methods call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506


If you know of any elderly person or people who have concerns about home security ring Police on 0345 456 456 4,  with the person's details and ask if the local crime prevention officer can make contact and arrange a visit.


(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters call ISDN 01733 555319 Codecs G722 & APT

Neighbourhood Panel Meeting Update - 15th July 2010

Neighbourhood Panel Meeting Update - 15th July 2010



After a period of consultation with the panel and taking the views and suggestions from Members of the Public, the following priorities have been agreed and will go into operation for the next three months:

1) Shoplifting, Underage Drinking & Parking issues in Hampton.


2) Anti-Social Behaviour in Chapel Street & Appleyard In Stanground.

IF you have any first hand knowledge, please contact Police directly or leave a message on this website. You need not give your name but obviously it would be of greater value if you did!


3) Anti Social Behaviour in Fellowes Gardens in Fletton.

The local Neighbourhood Policing Team will work alongside other partner agencies to support the above priorities.

(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters call ISDN 01733 555319 Codecs G722 & APT

Pets being dumped on Park Farm !

Not dumped but long serving celebrated elderly resident of Park Farm

It's sickening but pets, mainly older cats, are being dumped by the River at  Park Farm as owners decide they can no longer afford to feed them or pay for flea control, vaccinations and vet bills.

t's got so bad that we've installed time coded security video and still cameras as our house directly overlooks the river. With luck, we can collect the images of these heartless people on our forecourt and note the registration numbers of the car or van used.

If you are in the position of needing to part from your pet, give us a call and we'll put you in touch with the appropriate animal charities.

Many are near to capacity but there are a few who will still help. Also we've noticed one poor old black and white cat who is again pregnant, having just had a litter of several kittens a few months ago. Again the cat needs to be spayed and if you are unable to pay for it, some cat charities will make a grant to pay for this; but whatever you do, don't just dump your pet and hope. Tell us and we'll help.

Equally if you see anyone being cruel or tormenting a pet, phone us! In a civilised society, it needn't happen and with your help and information we can put an end to animal cruelty on Park Farm!

(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters call ISDN 01733 555319 Codecs G722 & APT

Rogue trader day of action

POLICE stopped more than 200 motorists and patrolled "hot spots" as part of a county-wide crackdown on "rogue traders" who prey on vulnerable people.
Operation Impede involved teams of officers working alongside officers from Trading Standards, the Environment Agency, local authorities and HM Revenue and Customs.  A total of nearly 60 police officers and staff, and 28 officers from partner agencies, took part in the operation yesterday (June 30), which was part of a national day of action.

The operation covered the whole force area with particular attention to hot-spot locations. Intelligence indicates that conmen who carry out building maintenance and resurfacing work are also responsible for offences including burglary, deception, theft, criminal damage and harassment.

They often charge large amounts of money for substandard or minimal work and steal from victims if given the chance.

Police also believe the same bogus traders may be responsible for stealing construction machinery, while Trading Standards experts suspect they are flouting consumer protection legislation.

Yesterday, officers carried out patrols in areas where so-called "cold callers" and rogue traders are known to operate. All operational officers in the county were asked to provide intelligence for the operation and the force's ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) unit was in operation.

More than 200 vehicles were stop checked, six vehicles were seized, and motorists were fined or reported for traffic offences. Two fines were given for not wearing a seat belt, two for speeding and eight offences relating to vehicle defects were identified. 

More than 30 residential properties were also visited to offer victims crime prevention advice and check on work currently being carried out.


Detective Inspector Sharon Dence said: "It was a successful day of action and sent out a message to rogue traders that we will take action against them.


"This type of crime is particularly appalling because its victims are often those who are most vulnerable.

"Police and Trading Standards officers are tackling rogue trading and the associated crime as a priority and yesterday's action was part of an ongoing campaign.

"It is a problem, not just in Cambridgeshire, but across the country and it is important residents contact us as soon as they have any suspicions.
"Our advice will always be not to use cold callers and to ask for a business card so you can consider what is being offered at your leisure."

Cambridgeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and the Environment, Cllr Tony Orgee, said: "Days of action where the police, Trading Standards, DWP, HM Revenue and Customs, Immigration, district councils and the Environment Agency work together, are a great way of showing a united front for tackling rogue traders.


"Vulnerable members of the community need protecting from those traders who continue to take unfair advantage."

Police officers dealt with traders suspected of committing crimes, Trading Standards officers handled issues surrounding trading standards or consumer protection and local authority officers made sure vehicles carrying waste were certified to do so.

Police also took the opportunity to check vehicles being used by traders to ensure they met regulations and to ensure tools and plant equipment being used were not stolen.


People over the age of 60, or those with a physical disability or learning difficulty, are encouraged to use Cambridgeshire County Council's Registered Trader scheme. To find out more, call Age Concern Cambridgeshire on 01354 696677 or 01354 696650 or visit the county council's website.


(C)Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters call ISDN 01733 555319 Codecs G722 & APT

Teachers told to get tough in drive for better discipline may result in neighbourhood backlash

Perhps the new discipline code is being taken too far!

Teachers in the UK are being urged to get tough with unruly pupils in a drive for better school and classroom discipline under a series of new measures announced today by Government.

Teachers will in future be given extra search powers, hand out punishments and given greater legal protection.  Where the system falls down is that any unruly pupil on the way to or home from school might  just decide that if they can't win at school then taking their frustation out on the community or neighbourhood might be an alternative option.

We've had for example a report of a Park Farm newspaper delivery boy having his bike targeted, lights stolen and tyres slashed. Luckily a Park Farm resident offered to telephone the boys parents so they could come and rescue him and his broken bike.

Subsequently the tyre was repaired and the lights replaced; but to this day no one really can understand why the bike was targeted in the first place. Clearly we will all have to be on the lookout, whilst pupils and teachers both get used to the new discipline regime!  If you see anyone in distress, for whatever reason use the contact numbers on this website, or if the culprits are still in the area. Dial 999. Theree is no need to put up with loutish behaviour, from a few when the majority of pupils are well behaved. 

(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters call ISDN 01733 555319 Codecs G722 & APT

Free London Lectures at the RSA

www.thersa.org

Join the audience at the RSA for the launch event of a new RSA-commissioned report on citizen involvement in local social order with the Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice Nick Herbert MP.


Take part with Ken Livingstone in the RSA/LBC debate on why we find it all too easy to ignore anti-social behaviour and walk on by on the other side.


And join Louise Casey, the new Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses as she gives her first major speech on how victims are treated by the criminal justice system.


Demand for our events is extremely high, and online booking is the best way to ensure you don't miss out. To book, or find out more information about an event, please click on the links below. You can also browse through more events on the RSA website.

Events



The Woolwich Model - How citizens can tackle anti-social behaviour


The RSA launches a new report which argues that engaging citizens in 'co-producing' local social order is more important today than ever before. #rsareport Tuesday 13 July, 10am Book now


RSA/LBC Debate - Stand By - Or Take a Stand?


Ken Livingstone and Nick Ross join a panel to debate why we find it all too easy to ignore anti-social behaviour and simply walk on by. #rsalbc Monday 19 July, 8pm. This event will be broadcast live on LBC 97.3FM. Book now


Putting the victim at the heart of the criminal justice system: practical goal or benign deception?


Louise Casey, Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses will explore how public service organisations can reduce the impact of offending. #rsajustice Tuesday 20 July, 6pm Book now


RSA events are held in London. They are free and open to all but advance booking is essential.


You can also browse through more events on the RSA website. www.thersa.org


All events take place at the RSA, 8 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6EZ
unless otherwise stated.







(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters call ISDN 01733 555319 Codecs G722 & APT

Sunshine brings out the Crime!

Burglary and Vehicle Crime: Police are reporting a rise in opprtunist walk in burglaries as hot and sticky householders are leaving windows and doors wide open, inviting thieves to walk in and help themselves - at present mainly over the Paston and Werrington areas and Lythemere in Orton. Police are also seeing a rise in vehicle crime in the Ortons - high value items being stolen including watches, sat navs and mobile phones. Despite all the warnings some people still seem to think they can leave items on display and get away with not being targeted by the bad lads and lasses..... we could be next on the shopping list!


Carol Aston
Community Safety Unit
Northern Division
Cambridgeshire Police

Tel 0345 456 456 4 ext 4417


Register your property for free at www.immobilise.com



(C)Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters call ISDN 01733 555319 Codecs G722 & APT

A Peterborough City Council Cut We Welcome!

After many months of uncertainty over who was going to maintain the grassland areas and pond makijng up the landscaping of Park Farm (formally the contractual responsibility of the now bankrupt developer Cofton), it's now confirmed Peterborough City Council has taken on the task starting July 5th  2010. 

You'll recall in the past that Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch (PFNW) secured the services of those serving community service orders to cut the grass and prune back shrubs through the Community Payback Team. This latest development, shows the determination of  PFNW to ensure that the quality of life and safety of residents is maintained at a consistently high level. 

The pond feature for example requires special expertise and professional equipment, something that could not reasonably be supplied by the lads and lasses on community payback! We ask that residents keep an eye on how the new arrangements are being handled and tell us if any bits are being regularly missed!   


(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters call ISDN 01733 555319 Codecs G722 & APT

Would you like to have a say in what is happening in your neighbourhood?

Not a resolution currently on the table, but if you would like to have a say in what is happening in your neighbourhood then please come along to the next South Team East Neighbourhood Panel Meeting.


Date: Tuesday 6th July 2010
Time: 19.00 hrs (7PM)
Venue: Brewster Avenue Infants School


There will be representatives from your local Neighbourhood Policing Team, Peterborough City Council and Cross Keys Homes to name but a few.........so please join us and help us to make your neighbourhood a safer place to live in.


At the last neighbourhood meeting the following priorities were agreed by the panel:


1) Parking issues in Hampton.

2) Anti-Social Behaviour in Fletton High Street at night time.

3) Community Cohesion in Fellowes Gardens.
An update on the work carried out will be presented.


(C) Park Farm Neighbourhood Watch Peterborough Tel: 01733 345581 Broadcasters call ISDN 01733 555319 Codecs G722 & APT