PayPal account holders warned about phishing

A local Bexley resident received a phishing scam email claiming to be from PayPal and seeking personal or banking details to be completed by clicking on a link. 

Fortunately they did not.

Action Fraud is warning the public about phishing emails, sent out by criminals, claiming to be from PayPal.

PayPal have the following to say

“At PayPal we go to great lengths to protect our customers in the UK, but there are still a few simple precautions we should all take to avoid falling victim to scams.

“Be aware of any emails or text messages that ask you to provide personal information directly in response. Scammers often use a false sense of urgency to prompt you to act on a phishing email. All communications from PayPal to account holders would be sent to the secure message centre within their PayPal account. You will have a secure message waiting if PayPal does need you to take any action.

“A genuine PayPal email will only ever address you by your full name – anything that starts differently should immediately raise your suspicions. Look out for spelling mistakes, which are a common tell-tale sign of a fraudulent message. If you have any concerns regarding an email you have received, you should send it to spoof@paypal.com.”

What to look out for and what you should do if you receive a phishing message

• Official organisations, such as your bank, won’t ask for personal or financial information by text or email. If you receive an email you’re not quite sure about, you can report it by forwarding the email to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service at report@phishing.gov.uk.
• Do not click on links or attachments in unexpected or suspicious texts or emails.
• Confirm messages are genuine by using a known number or email address to contact organisations directly. You might find these on organisation’s official website or from a letter you have received in the past.
• To keep yourself secure online, ensure you are using the latest software, apps and operating systems on your phones, tablets and laptops. Update these regularly or set your devices to automatically update so you don’t have to worry.

Please be aware of such phishing scams or report to spoof@paypal.com or report@phishing.gov.uk. 

For more details visit Action Fraud.

NHS COVID-19 app: emails and SMS messages

The government is texting and emailing people across England to inform them of the new contact tracing app, available to download from the App Store and Google Play.

It is an easy, smooth process. It uses bluetooth so may drain battery. When you visit places, simply open the app and click check-in or scan the covid barcode at entrance or tables if eating. You should get the alert show up to indicate risk, e.g medium. On return home, turn off the bluetooth and you are good to go. Remember to enable it on walkabout places.

Find out about What the app does.

Text messages will come from ‘NHStracing’.

The text message reads:

"This is a public health message from NHS Test and Trace. Please download the NHS COVID-19 app from the App Store or Google Play. More info at https://covid19.nhs.uk/"

Just in case anyone else has had a SMS text message like the one from NHStracing, this is a genuine link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nhs-covid-19-app-emails-and-sms-messages

There are many scams going around at the moment re: Covid-19 so be cautious what you open/click, download.

The Bexley Crime Survey is back!

The Bexley Crime Survey is back!

With the launch of the latest annual Bexley Crime Survey on September 25^th, local people once more have the chance to tell the Bexley Community Safety Partnership (BCSP) about local crime and disorder issues which concern them most.  The partnership will use the responses, alongside other data, to help decide its priorities for 2021/22.

We’re keen to hear from as wide a cross-section of the community as possible, especially those in the north of the borough and those in the 10 - 25 age group who have historically not responded in great numbers to the survey.

The link for the survey is www.bexley.gov.uk/crimesurvey. Paper copies are available upon request.

The survey runs until December 31^st and all those who complete the survey can be entered into a prize draw to win a £50 Morrisons shopping voucher.

Start the Bexley Crime Survey 2020.

DVLA Scam Alert

A local resident in Bexley received a scam email to say there was not enough money on their credit card to pay their car tax. The email address used was ‘dvla@dvla.gsi.gov.uk’. What is interesting the date was shown in the American format as '09/18/2020'.

Bexley Watch are warning residents to note this scam as DVLA have stopped using this email since 16 November 2018.

Beware of money-making scams of fake driving licences offered online for £600.

For further information visit the DVLA GOV site.

DVLA warns customers to stay safe online.

Nine arrests after drugs warrants carried out in London, Kent and Sussex

Officers from the Met’s Flying Squad and Sussex police investigating the large-scale supply of class A drugs have worked together to arrest nine people.

On Tuesday, 22 September a number of warrants were carried out at addresses across London, Kent and Sussex.

As a result, a 26-year-old woman and eight men aged between 21 to 47-years-old were arrested for a number of different offences including conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (namely cocaine) and being concerned in the acquisition / retention / concealment / disposal of criminal property (namely cash) under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

They have all been taken into custody suites across London and Sussex.

Searches for evidence are being conducted at addresses across London, Kent and Sussex. So far approximately 10 kilos of Class A drugs and £60,000 has been seized.

The investigation forms part of ‘Operation Eternal’ - the Met’s operational name to arrest those believed to be using encrypted devices to commit crimes.

The warrants were carried out at:
- Abbey Drive, Dartford
- A commercial property in Belvedere, DA17
- Dowells Street, SE10
- St Mary’s Road, Wrotham, Kent
- Cold Blow Crescent, Bexley
- Sheppey Close, Erith
- First Avenue, Bexleyheath
- Wichling Close, Orpington
- Greenways Crescent, Shoreham
- Foredown Drive, Portslade
- Glenfalls Avenue, Brighton
- May Road, Brighton

New Covid rules: From Thursday 24 September 2020 - More face coverings and fines

New Covid rules announced and published on 22 September 2020 by the government.

At-a-glance, the new restrictions are:

Boris Johnson said the new measures would probably stay in place for the next six months.

• Pubs, bars and restaurants to close at 22:00 BST
• They will also be restricted to table service only
• People should work from home wherever possible
• Face masks compulsory for bar staff and non-seated customers, shop workers and waiters
• Limit on guests at weddings reduced from 30 to 15
• Plans to allow fans to return to sporting events paused
• "Rule of six" now applies to indoor team sports
• Fines for not wearing masks or following rules increased to £200 for first offence

Official government's guidance and support on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

#LookCloser campaign

Throughout the last week we have had a heightened focus on targeting those at the centre of County Lines offending and those who often exploit young and vulnerable people into running drugs across the UK. We are supporting a campaign by the Children’s Society which asks everyone to #LookCloser – there are a number of signs the campaign asks people to look out for and report if they spot.

Please help us protect young and vulnerable people by sharing this campaign and its important message with your partners and communities. More information is available here.

We have been sharing this on our social media channels regularly, an example available to share is here: https://twitter.com/metpoliceuk/status/1306307020715438083?s=20

This approach will help us to ensure an effective response to any potential increases in Covid-19 cases across Lewisham, Royal Greenwich or Bexley and maintain services to our communities. Thank you for your help in keeping London safe.

Tackling drugs and violence

The Metropolitan Police Service worked with eight other police forces on a joint operation to target county lines gang activity on our road networks and the associated violence this criminality causes. More than 200 arrests were made in the operation which involved more than 1,000 officers. The activity focused on arterial routes and motorways in and around London such as the M25, M11, M4 and M20. It resulted in:

230 arrests for offences including attempted murder, drug and weapon possession (including firearms) and possession of criminal property.
22 knives/weapons recovered
54 vehicles seized
62 other illegal items such as drugs seized

To read more about this operation or to share our results click here

Appeal for CCTV footage

This was received from a North Cray Resident:-

I am sorry to report that a car (white BMW) was stolen from inside the field on the corner of Parsonage Lane/Cocksure Lane at 5.30pm yesterday evening (Thursday 17 September). The owner was tending her horses further down the field when a thief/thieves entered the field, stole the vehicle, drove out of the gate and away via Cocksure Lane and Bunkers Hill. The car owner’s personal possessions were inside, i.e. handbag, credit cards, phones, keys. We, the residents in Parsonage Lane had been asked if anyone had CCTV that may have picked up this incident or if anyone thinks they may have seen something suspicious. The car’s Reg. No. is WX16 VZW. Obviously there are car thieves patrolling the area looking for opportunities so this is to warn our members to be vigilant and not leave their cars unlocked on their drives or parked in the road. We have, this morning, been advised that some of the owner’s belongings (bag, phones etc) have been located in Bunkers Hill where the thieves had thrown them out of the window, presumably in case they could be tracked, but they have kept the house keys. So could residents of Cocksure Lane and Bunkers Hill please check any CCTV footage they might have around 5.30pm yesterday evening.

We have since heard that the car has been traced, abandoned in the Orpington area with false number plates, no doubt to be picked up later. Fortunately, the car has a black box tracker fitted which enabled it to be found quickly. Obviously the police are looking into this theft.

If anyone has any information or CCTV footage of the incident, please contact Bexley Watch on the blog's Contact Us page.

Make Welling Sparkle Again this Christmas

CC Events UK are planning on doing a Covid compliant Christmas market again this year and they are planning on having a switch on in the best way that they can.

This year has and will continue to be surreal and many people and businesses have suffered financially, so it is important to support local businesses and continue to look out for each other in our community.

Christmas will be different this year, but however they have to adapt it to fit in with current guidelines at the time, they will do what they always do, 'keep calm and carry on' and make Christmas in Welling the best they can in as safe a way as possible.

Here is a link to the Crowdfunder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/wellingsparkle

CC Events
https://bit.ly/3iUtIDG

Kent Community Watch Magazine - September 2020

Coordinators' Weekly Update - 17/09/2020

Kent Community Watch Magazine - September 2020 PDF (Size: 2.95MB).

PROTECT YOUR CATALYTIC CONVERTER

Coordinators' Weekly Update - 17/09/2020

From PCSO Dennis Hobbs, Police SNT Team

A kit containing two (2) heat resistant TESA labels that have been specially lasered with a unique code so allow a specially formulated Metal etching compound to be applied over the label to create a permanent mark on the metal surface below the label.
Included in the kit price is free lifetime registration on Selectamark's Secure Home Office and ACPO SBD Police approved database.
The kit also includes two (2) warning window stickers to advise that the catalytic convertor has been security marked.
TESA Labels: SKU 17013

CAT Marking Kit

Crayford warehouse fire under investigation

A plume of smoke was still rising this morning, after a large fire at a warehouse in Crayford on Monday night (September 14).

London Fire Brigade said around 100 firefighters were called in to deal with the blaze, which ripped through a warehouse in the Optima Trade Park in Thames Road.

The fire was first reported shortly after 6pm - taking firefighters more than four hours to bring the flames under control.

The whole of a single storey furniture warehouse was destroyed by fire. There were no reports of any injuries.

Gas Safety Week 2020 The Ripple Effect Film

Gas Safety Week is now in its tenth year. The annual campaign brings consumer organisations, the gas industry and individuals together to provide a focus on all gas safety communications in one week, with the aim of generating media interest and creating greater public awareness of gas safety. This year's campaign runs 14 - 20 September.

As part of Gas Safety Week 2020 and to highlight the importance of gas safety, the Ripple Effect short film tells the story of an ordinary neighbourhood, during an ordinary evening when an extraordinary event happens – a gas explosion rips through a terraced house with devastating consequences. But what caused it? Watch the short film to find out.

For more information visit The Gas Safety Week 2020  and Discover The Ripple Effect.

Bexley Community Champions

Become a Bexley Community Champion

Help to keep Bexley Safe

For more information go to Bexley Community Champions

Increase In Catalytic Converter Crime In Shooters Hill Area

Today we want to highlight the increase in the theft of Catalytic Converters, especially across Shooters Hill Ward.

Below is some advice from the MET police:

Catalytic converter theft

The precious metal in catalytic converters has led to an increase in their theft. To keep yours safe, ask your car dealer if they can give you any advice on locks or guards that are approved by the vehicle manufacturer.

Alternatively, try to make sure your vehicle is parked in a garage overnight, or if you have a commercial vehicle park it in a secure compound. If this isn’t possible, park in an area that’s well-lit and overlooked and try to park so that the convertor can’t be easily reached by potential thieves. Vehicles that sit high above the road are particularly vulnerable.

You should also register your converter and mark it with a forensic marker, which will make it harder for thieves to dispose of. Visit Secured by Design for more details.

Remember to report ALL suspicious behaviour to the police via 101, online via www.met.police.uk or via Twitter @metcc between 8am and 10pm and in an emergency to call 999.

You can also consider Using anti-theft products for catalytic converters.

New Bexley Project for BAME Women

In cooperation with our partner Solace Women's Aid starting in Bexley. The project is from BAME women and girls who faced violence, offering a range of services from workshops and training to one to one specialist advocacy. Please find attached leaflet for the project.

New "rule of 6" from Monday 14 September 2020

From Monday in England, you must not hold social gatherings with more than 6 people.

The “rule of 6” applies in any setting, indoors or outdoors, at home or in the pub.

The government has announced new measures to suppress the virus and keep the number of infections down.

At-a-glance: What are the new rules?

Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch

Welcome to the official site of the Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association (BBNWA)

With over 1,100 Neighbourhood Watch Schemes in place in Bexley, your association is growing in strength and size. Each Watch has a co-ordinator and deputy who are in contact with the BBNWA Management Committee who provide backup and support and act as a link with the police and other agencies.

Blog

 BBNHW Blog posts

It’S Phish and Chip Day

Phishing emails can be so-fish-ticated... If you have received an email which you’re not quite sure about, forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service report@phishing.gov.uk