Get Involved in Shaping South East London's Health Future - April 2025 Newsletter Highlights

This April 2025 "Get Involved" newsletter from health organisations in Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham, and Southwark highlights numerous opportunities for local residents to share their experiences and shape future healthcare services. Key initiatives include:

• Improving Surgical Waiting Times: Patients and carers are collaborating with hospitals to develop online information and support resources for those awaiting surgery. Share your experiences in upcoming quarterly meetings.
• Art in Maternity Care: Discover the powerful impact of the "Count Yourself Lucky" project, using art to highlight the challenges faced by migrant women accessing maternity services. A new film amplifies this important message.
• Improving Diabetes Services: Feedback gathered from diverse communities is being used to co-develop solutions for better type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes care, focusing on food, communication, self-management, education, and trust.
• Trust and Health Creation Partnership: A new partnership is empowering grassroots organisations to build trust in health services and promote community-led wellbeing initiatives in areas facing health inequalities.
• Preconception Health Webinar: Learn why preconception health matters and how community groups can support families in this area during a free online session on May 23rd.
• Shaping Children's Cancer Services: Contribute your experiences to help Evelina London Children’s Hospital develop the best possible specialist cancer services for families in south London and the South East.
• Know Your Kidneys Event: Free online sessions in July and October offer information and support for individuals in London and Surrey Heartlands living with early-stage chronic kidney disease.
• Dementia Community Research Network Conference: Join a free event on May 19th to learn about the latest dementia research and connect with others passionate about improving care.
• ARC South London Knowledge Exchange Event: Attend a free event on June 12th to explore collaborative research tackling health inequalities and engaging lived experience.
• Foreign-Language Parent Education Classes: Expectant parents in South East London can access free online classes in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Arabic, Romanian, and Somali, led by native-speaking healthcare professionals.
• Change NHS Next Steps: While surveys are now closed, the insights gathered will inform the development of the 10-Year Health Plan, with a national summit having taken place to discuss key themes.

In this update you will find out more about:

• Improving information and support for patients and carers, while waiting for surgery
• Showing the power of art helping to improve maternity and neonatal care in south east London - ‘Count yourself lucky’
• Working with local communities to improve diabetes services in south east London
• Developing the Trust and Health Creation Partnership
• Joining an online - Why preconception health matters?
• Helping shape future children’s cancer services
• Know your kidneys - patient information event
• Signing up to the Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South London Knowledge exchange event
• Registering to attend the Dementia Community Research Network Conference
• Joining foreign-language parent education classes
• Next steps for Change NHS: Help build a health service fit for the future

This newsletter encourages residents to actively participate in shaping local health services through various engagement opportunities. Share this information with your networks to ensure diverse voices are heard.

Read more here and at SEL.

A convincing new Gmail scam

Fraudsters have impersonated Google by 'spoofing' a Google email address and support page in a convincing and widespread scam.

Spoofing is when scammers disguise themselves with a genuine email address and phone number. This can make it difficult to spot a scam, unless you know what to look for – our scam experts show you the signs so you can avoid falling victim.

Watch out for this Gmail scam

Source: Which? (23 Apr 2025)

The biggest scams of the past five years

From fake NHS Covid tests to QR-code parking scams, we've exposed hundreds of scams to help you stay one step ahead of the scammers.

Take a look at the biggest, nastiest and most convincing scams we've seen since we launched the Which? Scam Alert newsletter five years ago.

Some of these are still active today

Source: Which? (24 Apr 2025)

5 things our banking and scams expert would never do

A moment’s distraction – such as an urgent phone call from ‘your bank’ during a busy day – is all it takes to fall into a fraudster’s trap. But there are many simple ways to protect your financial accounts.

Our scams expert, Chiara Cavaglieri, has spent more than a decade researching threats and battling to get bank fraud victims their money back – read her top five tips to keep your bank accounts secure.

Avoid these five mistakes

Source: Which? (21 Apr 2025)

PLEASE BE AWARE: Incident Reported Near The Pantiles

Bexley Watch has received a concerning report of a mugging incident near The Pantiles.

It is reported that on an unspecified date/time, a man, connected to a local resident, was approached by three youths who demanded his wallet and made threats. During an attempt to defend himself, the victim sustained a stab wound to the arm, requiring stitches but thankfully avoiding a major artery.

The report also alleges that The Pantiles area experiences drug dealing activity at night. This incident occurred in the West Heath ward.

We urge all residents in the area to be extra vigilant and aware of their surroundings, particularly when alone or at night.

If you have any information about this incident or have witnessed any suspicious activity, please contact the local authorities.

Your safety and well-being are our priority. Please take care.

The West Heath Safer Neighbourhood Team can be reached at westheath.snt@met.police.uk or 020 8721 2885. In an emergency, always dial 999.

Bexley Crime stats ward summary Mar 2025

Source: Bexley Watch Viz

Identity fraud is on the rise

Identity theft is when a fraudster steals parts of your identity, such as your name, address and phone number, in order to commit identity fraud. It was the most prevalent type of fraud reported last year according to fraud prevention service, Cifas.

It can happen to anyone and scammers are now using artificial intelligence technology to scale their attacks. Our experts explain what you should do if you become a victim.

See the steps you should take

 

Source: Which? (17 Apr 2025)

Shopping scam alert

Purchase scams, where you pay for something you never receive, continue to lure victims in with tempting offers and adverts online.

Which? is warning online shoppers to be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true after spotting several scam ads this week. Find out what we discovered and how you can spot, avoid and report a purchase scam.

Avoid purchase scams

 

Source: Which? (16 Apr 2025)

How to stop scam pop-ups on Windows

Scam pop-ups on your computer are designed to cause panic, using urgent messages, flashing warnings and fake alerts to grab your attention. Click a link, and you risk handing over your personal information to fraudsters.

Our Tech Support experts have found an effective way to keep your data safe. Follow their simple steps to adjust your PC settings and keep your computer protected.

Banish malicious pop-ups for good

 

Source: Which? (16 Apr 2025)

Protect Your Garden, Protect Your Home: A UK Security Guide

How protecting your garden makes your home safer

 

It may not seem obvious, but protecting your garden and outbuildings like sheds not only keeps bikes, and other valuables safe, but can also stop burglars accessing tools to get into your home.

1. Low front boundary; keep hedges and walls at the front of your house low (under one metre) so burglars have nowhere to hide.

2. Secure side-gate, keep side gates locked at all times. Open gates mean burglars can easily access your home without being seen by passers-by or neighbours.

3. High side and rear boundaries with trellis and spiky defensive planting; keep hedges, walls and fences around your back garden high (over 1.8 metres). Add lightweight trellis to gates and fences and plant some prickly plants to make it harder for burglars to climb over.

4. Gravel driveway and path; gravel driveways and paths make it harder for burglars to go undetected.

5. Security light: install an outside security light so that intruders can’t approach without being seen.

6. Intruder alarm system; install a burglar alarm system.

7. Secure your shed; always keep your shed locked and secured, and make sure it is anchored down to prevent it from being lifted in order to gain access. Often sheds contain valuables such as power tools and bicycles.

8. Never leave tools lying around; never leave tools lying around as they can be used as a way of breaking into your home.

 

Stay secure in summer: Leaving ground floor windows, doors and patio doors open in the summer can give burglars the perfect opportunity. If you’re upstairs or out of the room, even just for a few minutes, close them and help shut burglars out.

Extra steps you can take: Consider buying a shed alarm. These are usually quite cheap but still effective. Add an extra layer of protection to shed windows with laminate sheets of film or internal metal grills.

Create a natural defence against burglary: Planting particular shrubs (in their mature or semi mature form) along garden walls and fences can make it harder for burglars to access your property or put them off completely. To maximise this effect, plant them close to each other. 

We recommend planting any of the following: -

• Berberis
• Osmanthus
• Forsythia
• Poncirus
• Crataegus
• Pyracantha
• Aralia
• Chaenomeles
• Ribes
• Oplopanax
• Elaeagnus
• Robinia
• Colletia
• Ilex (Holly)
• Climbing roses (consider specifying thorny varieties)
• Maclura (Osage Orange)
• Mahonia
• Ligustrum (Privet) (consider specifying dense or slightly prickly varieties)
• Laurus (Laurel) (consider specifying dense varieties)
• Smilax (Brambles - some varieties can be quite thorny)
• Zanthoxylum (Prickly Ash)

Protecting your garden is a simple yet effective way to create a safer and more secure home environment.

Don't Let Ticket Troubles Spoil Your Summer Fun: Action Fraud Warns of Soaring Scams

Summer in the UK means festivals, gigs, and sporting events galore! But as excitement builds for these much-anticipated occasions, so too does the risk of falling victim to ticket fraud. Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service, is urging everyone planning to attend this summer's events to be extra vigilant, as new figures reveal a concerning surge in ticket scams.

The latest data paints a stark picture: in 2024, a staggering £9.7 million was lost to ticket fraud, marking a nearly 50% increase from the £6.7 million reported in 2023. This significant rise is coupled with an 11% increase in the number of ticket fraud reports, with a total of 9,826 incidents recorded in 2024 compared to 8,719 the previous year.

These alarming statistics have prompted Action Fraud to launch a timely awareness campaign, urging the public to stay alert for criminals lurking online and on social media, ready to exploit the desire for tickets to sold-out events. Reporting insights highlight June and July as peak periods for ticket fraud, with 1,067 and 887 reports respectively last year.

Claire Webb, Acting Director of Action Fraud, stressed the importance of caution, stating: "With £9.7 million lost to ticket fraud last year, Action Fraud is urging people who are heading to the top events and those looking for last minute ticket deals this summer to stay vigilant and recognise the signs of ticket fraud."

She added a crucial warning about unsolicited offers: "Beware of fraudsters trying to take advantage by selling fake tickets to popular or sold-out events online or on social media, especially if you receive unsolicited or unexpected messages offering tickets."

Protect Yourself: Key Steps to Avoid Ticket Fraud

Action Fraud and the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) have issued clear advice to help you stay safe and ensure your summer events are memorable for the right reasons:

• Stick to Official Sources: Only purchase tickets from the venue's box office, official promoter or agent, or well-known and reputable ticketing websites. Look for the STAR logo for added peace of mind.
• Avoid Bank Transfers: Be extremely wary of sellers asking for payment via bank transfer, especially if you don't know them. Credit card payments often offer better protection against fraud.
• Strengthen Your Online Security: Use a unique and strong password for your email and ticket purchasing accounts. Consider using three random words and enable two-step verification (2SV) for added security.
• Be Suspicious of Unbelievable Deals: If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be cautious of unsolicited emails, texts, or adverts promising heavily discounted tickets.
• Check for STAR Membership: If buying from a ticket agent, check if they are a member of the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR). STAR members adhere to a strict code of practice and offer an Alternative Dispute Resolution service. You can find more information at star.org.uk/buy_safe (pdf)

Jonathan Brown, Chief Executive of STAR, echoed this advice: "Buying from a STAR member means you’re getting tickets from a trusted, authorised seller who follows our strict code of practice. It also gives you the added protection of access to our approved Alternative Dispute Resolution service, should anything go wrong."

He further emphasised the need for consumer awareness: "With another packed summer of gigs and festivals ahead, it’s vital that fans don’t let fraudsters cash in on the excitement. Scammers are getting smarter, but so can consumers. By following Action Fraud’s advice and sticking to safe, verified sources, you can make sure your ticket leads to the real experience - not a costly disappointment."

What to Do If You Suspect or Become a Victim of Fraud:

• Report Suspicious Emails: If you receive a suspicious email, forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) at report@phishing.gov.uk.
• Seek Online Security Advice: For more tips on staying secure online, visit cyberaware.gov.uk.
• Learn More About Fraud Prevention: Visit the Stop Think Fraud campaign website at https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk.
• Report Fraud: If you have been a victim of ticket fraud, report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, report it to Police Scotland on 101.

Don't let fraudsters ruin your summer plans. By staying vigilant and following these simple steps, you can protect yourself from ticket scams and ensure you have a fantastic and fraud-free summer of events!

Source: Action Fraud (14-04-2025)