WELCOME TO the official blog of Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association (BBNWA), Bexleyheath Police Station, 2 Arnsberg Way, Bexleyheath, Kent DA7 4QS. Mobile Tel: 07496 385471 bexleynw@outlook.com Charity No: 1072368
Nearly one in 10 Booking.com customers in our survey believe they have been sent scam messages. These are often dangerously convincing messages sent by third-party scammers but which appear to come from Booking.com itself.
We're calling on Ofcom to investigate whether the site is doing enough to remove illegal content and protect users. Find out how these scams work so you can protect yourself.
How these scams catch people out
Source: Which? (28 Aug 2025)
Around £81.5m in compensation has been paid out to victims of pension scams – and thousands more could still be eligible for a payout.
We explain how the compensation scheme works, who might qualify and how to spot the warning signs and avoid falling victim to a pension scam.
See who can claim
Source: Which? (27 Aug 2025)
Please review the following update regarding
Anti Social Behaviour which some members around this area have
highlighted as an issue of concern on the Met Engage priority survey.
Longlands
safer neighborhood team working alongside St Marys, St James Ward
patrolled Foots cray Meadow's on the 26/08/2025 as a joint approach to
tackling anti social behaviour affecting local wildlife. Two youths were
stop and searched under Section 19 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act
1981 and three catapults where seized. Longlands safer neighborhood team
will continue to tackle the issue to protect wildlife in the meadows.
Police
will be working with parents, local authorities and local schools going
forward in a joint partnership approach to tackle this issue. 
Antisocial behaviour can come in many forms and can require support from more organisations than just the police. There are 13 different types of antisocial behaviour that we may be able to help with, including abandoned vehicles, littering or drugs paraphernalia and street drinking. A full list of what we categorise as antisocial behaviour is available on our website.
If you have witnessed or experienced antisocial behaviour, you can report it online.
If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk/, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101.
Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.
Get Involved
We are working on our brand-new strategy for how we police London and we want your help. Our New Met for London: Phase 2 strategy will guide how we deliver on behalf of Londoners over the next three years, and we want to make sure you have had the chance to have your say. The consultation paper is available online, as well as a survey to let us know what you think. This closes on the 15 September.
Please consider getting involved by registering for these messages, this will enable you to contribute to the local priority survey. We may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on. Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you.
Please click here to complete the survey
Source: https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/312093/Anti-Social-Behaviour-Catapults-Foots-cray-meadows
Good Evening Sidcup
Yesterday I sent out an alert making you aware of a burglary in Knoll Road DA14.
Since
then it's now become apparent that this burglary occurred in Knoll Road
DA5 which is on St Marys & St James ward, so please disregard
yesterdays alert. Apologies for the confusion.
While we will continue to pursue burglars in the area, there are steps you can do to help keep your property safe. Make sure that you:
Double lock your door every time you leave the house
If you can, move garden furniture or bins away from windows so that thieves cannot use them to gain access.
Use laminated glass or security film on ground floor and accessible windows.
Use a sash stop if you have sash windows to prevent people opening them enough to climb through.
If your windows open outwards, use a key operated lock – check these are locked before leaving the house.
Make sure all valuables are out of sight.
Keep handbags and keys away from letterboxes or cat flaps.
In the evening shut the curtains and leave lights on.
Set your burglar alarm
Lock your shed or garage
Mark, register or record your valuables.
Please go to our website to find the latest advice and guidance on keeping yourself safe.
If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk/, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101.
Get Involved
Please consider getting involved and contribute to the local priority survey, we may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on. Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you.
Please click here to complete the survey
We are working on our brand-new strategy for how we police London and we want your help. Our New Met for London: Phase 2 strategy will guide how we deliver on behalf of Londoners over the next three years, and we want to make sure you have had the chance to have your say. The consultation paper is available online, as well as a survey to let us know what you think. This closes on the 15 September.
Source: https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/312082/Local-Priorities-Burglary-Update
Convincing parking charge scam text messages continue to circulate, targeting people with warnings about a non-existent unpaid fine.
A recent example of this scam involves a copycat government website that aims to earn your trust by mimicking Gov.uk. We examine this scam text and explain how you can identify it.
Source: Which? (18 Aug 2025)
Debt demands can be alarming, which makes them an effective scam. In recent weeks, there has been a spike in reports of dodgy debt collection letters and cold calls claiming to be from HM Courts & Tribunals Service.
If you receive a demand you're not sure about, don't pay it – find out how to verify a genuine debt collection letter and spot the fakes.
Source: Which? (20 Aug 2025)
Scam victims are being hired as mystery shoppers by fake research companies and dumped with the bill.
We heard from a student who faced debts in the thousands when he took out expensive phone contracts as a 'secret shopper' for a sham agency – find out how we helped him get his money back.
Source: Which? (21 Aug 2025)
In the latest episode of the Which? Shorts podcast, our scams expert, Tali Ramsey, explains how anybody of any age can become a victim.
Listen time: 9 minutes
Source: Which? (20 Aug 2025)
Which? conducted a snapshot investigation, purchasing 34 cosmetic products from third-party sellers on some of the UK’s most popular online marketplaces: Amazon, eBay, Tiktok Shop, and Vinted. The results were alarming. At least two-thirds of the products were likely to be counterfeit.
Here’s the breakdown:
Amazon: 4 out of 11 cosmetics bought were fakes.
eBay: A staggering 8 out of 11 products were likely counterfeit.
Tiktok Shop: 5 out of 6 products were believed to be fake.
Vinted: Every single product purchased (6 out of 6) was a suspected counterfeit.
These aren't just one-off sellers. Which? found that these third-party accounts had collectively shipped thousands of products. The scale of the problem is enormous.
While a fake handbag might just be a fashion faux pas, a fake cosmetic product can be a direct threat to your health. The Which? report highlights the frightening reality: we simply don’t know what’s in these products or where they come from.
Counterfeit beauty products are often made in unsanitary conditions and have been found to contain highly toxic and carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemicals, including arsenic, mercury, and lead. Using them could lead to severe skin irritation, allergic reactions, and even chemical burns. It’s a gamble with your health that is absolutely not worth taking.
The sale of counterfeit goods isn’t a victimless crime. It’s an illegal trade with direct links to organised crime. The huge profits generated from these fakes are used to fund criminal gangs and terrorist organisations. By buying counterfeit cosmetics, you're not just risking your own health, you're inadvertently supporting a dangerous criminal underworld.
The Which? investigation revealed that while some fakes were easy to spot, others were incredibly convincing. Here's what they found and what you should look out for:
Packaging and Branding: Look for subtle differences in the packaging. This includes font style, wording, and logos. The fake CeraVe serums bought by Which? were missing key safety markings. The Charlotte Tilbury setting sprays had different logos and wording.
Product Consistency, Smell, and Colour: The genuine product will have a specific texture, scent, and colour. The fakes often had a different consistency and smell. The La Roche-Posay serums were either too cloudy or too translucent, and one even smelled like cheap shower gel.
Price: If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Which? found Charlotte Tilbury setting spray, which normally retails for £32.99, selling for as little as £13.99 on eBay. While some fakes were sold at a discounted price, others were sold at a similar price to the real deal, making it even harder to spot.
Seller and Reviews: Be wary of sellers with no history or who are listing thousands of popular, well-known products. Look for customer reviews that mention fakes or poor quality, as some consumers may have already done the legwork for you. As the Which? report notes, a Vinted customer who bought a fake La Roche-Posay moisturiser was able to tell it was fake immediately because of the smell.
The report highlights a concerning case with Vinted. A customer who received a fake La Roche-Posay moisturiser was refunded by the seller without being asked to return the item—a clear sign of a counterfeiter with a stash of fakes. When the buyer reported the seller, Vinted said they hadn't violated community standards and took no action. This demonstrates a clear lack of oversight from online platforms and a potential risk to consumers.
Buy from Authorised Retailers: To guarantee you're getting a genuine product, buy directly from the brand’s website or from a trusted high street or online retailer.
Report the Seller: If you suspect you've bought a fake, report the seller to the online marketplace and to Trading Standards. You can also contact the Citizens Advice consumer service for help.
Use Your Consumer Rights: Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you have the legal right to a refund for fake goods. You can also file a chargeback with your bank or credit card company.
The Which? investigation serves as a stark warning to all UK shoppers. That seemingly innocent 'bargain' could be a lot more than you bargained for. Stay safe, shop smart, and let's put an end to this dangerous scam.
Firefighters are sharing a reminder of their white goods safety advice after a flat fire on Townhall Square in Crayford.
Most of a ground floor flat was damaged by fire. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued a man and two children using fire escape hoods. They were treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews alongside another woman.
London firefighters were among the first in the UK to carry fire escape hoods when they were introduced in 2018 as part of improvements following the Grenfell Tower fire. The hoods provide members of the public with up to 15 minutes protection from four of the main fire gases (carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride and acrolein) and can be worn by conscious or unconscious people. If more than 15 minutes protection is required then another hood can be given to each wearer. They do not provide oxygen but temporarily filter toxic smoke to make breathing easier.
The fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by an electrical fault in a tumble dryer.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “This incident serves as an important reminder to make sure that your white goods aren't a hidden fire hazard in your home.
"If your white goods start making strange noises, don’t ignore it. If you think there’s a problem always unplug it and contact the manufacturer or a qualified repair technician.
“Most fires where white goods are the source of ignition are not down to anything you have done – so always make sure you register your appliances as you’ll be informed if any issues are identified with the product you’ve bought.”
The Brigade’s Control Officers were called at 1554 and mobilised six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Erith, Sidcup, Bexley and surrounding fire stations to the scene. The fire was under control by 1722.
Practical steps for white goods safety:
Source: LFB (18/08/2025)
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled a maisonette fire on Rutland Gate in Belvedere.
Most of the ground floor and the entire first floor of a split-level maisonette were damaged by fire. Part of the second and third floors of a further maisonette were also damaged and the whole of the soffit and guttering of the building were destroyed. A woman and four children left the flat before the Brigade arrived and were assessed on scene.
The fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by the failure of a lithium battery for a quad bike.
The Brigade’s Control Officers took the first of 8 calls to the fire at 0515 and mobilised crews from Erith, Bexley and Plumstead fire stations to the scene. The fire was under control by 0707.
Source: LFB (13/08/2025)
Take a look at the examples we've collected and find out how to tell if an email is genuine or from potential scammers.
Source: Which? (04 Aug 2025)
We spoke to someone who accidentally entered their licence number, passport number, mother’s maiden name and more sensitive information into a fake website. Find out what our scams experts recommend they do to protect themselves against identity theft and other scams.
Source: Which? (05 Aug 2025)
Task scams are when fraudsters offer fake jobs that involve completing simple tasks. However, those 'recruited' are often conned into handing over their own cash. We expose the two scam groups and explain what to do if you've fallen victim.
Source: Which? (07 Aug 2025)
There’s a deadline looming on the 8th that many people are unaware of, but it’s a crucial one for staying on the right side of the law. A new police registration scheme is now in effect called Met Engage, and we're here to give you the rundown on what you need to do and by when.
For all the details and to make sure you're compliant, head over to our new website. We’ve dedicated a whole section to this topic, with a clear step-by-step guide to help you through the process. It's quick, easy, and will save you a lot of hassle down the line.
As the days get busier, it's the perfect time for opportunistic thieves to take advantage. We've seen an increase in reports of pickpocketing and snatching of mobile phones, purses, and wallets in busy high streets and even from cafe tables.
Remember to be extra vigilant:
Keep your phone out of sight when you’re not using it. Avoid leaving it on a cafe table where it can be grabbed in an instant.
Secure your bags. Wear them across your body, and never leave them unattended on the back of a chair.
Be aware of your surroundings in crowded areas. Pickpockets often work in groups to distract you.
Stay safe, and for more security tips and updates, be sure to bookmark our blog and new site. We'll be keeping you informed on everything from local safety alerts to important legal changes. You can also bookmark for future reference the following link at https://linktr.ee/bbnwa.
If you suspect a hacker has infiltrated your email inbox, you need to act immediately. With access to your emails, they could potentially take over your other online accounts by resetting your passwords.
We explain how to recover your inbox, and even if you're not currently dealing with a security threat, it's still worth reading our advice to make sure you're prepared.
We walk you through the steps
Source: Which? (30 Jul 2025)
Watch out for four new scam emails impersonating Apple’s iCloud service and using various claims to convince recipients to click on malicious links within the message.
These sneaky fake emails look like they’re from iCloud and claim that your storage is full, your payment method is outdated or that there's suspicious activity on your account. Find out how to spot and avoid this type of scam email.
Stay safe from email scams
Source: Which? (29 Jul 2025)
Under the new Online Safety Act regulations, websites hosting content which could be harmful to those under 18 must now carry out robust age verification checks.
This has led to a spike in people downloading virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass checks. Reports of scam websites offering services to dodge the new checks are also on the rise. We explain the age verification checks, what it means for your data and what risks you should be aware of.
Everything you need to know
Source: Which? (31 Jul 2025)
