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
Scams are constantly evolving, so it pays to stay one step ahead. But you don't need to download expensive software to protect yourself – many of the most useful anti-scam tools are already built into your phone and online accounts.
A few small changes will make a big difference. We run you through how to use these free tools and reduce your risk of being scammed.Smartphones help us communicate, make payments on the move and store sensitive data. As a result, learning how to secure your device against threats is crucial.
It takes just a few minutes to make some tweaks to your device settings that will have a huge impact. Our tech expert, Tom Morgan, has rounded up some tips to keep your phone secure.Public wi-fi hotspots are convenient when you're out and about, but be careful to keep your data safe. For starters, you'll need to be wary of nosy onlookers peering at your screen if you're in a bustling café. But there are plenty of other ways to keep your information private.
We share eight security tips for phone and laptop users, including how to check whether a network is safe to join.I wanted to provide an update regarding the theft of motor vehicles, which members around this area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the Met Engage priority survey.
A white Ford Transit Tipper has been stolen from Green Walk between 19.00 on 22nd March and 05.45 on 23rd March. Should you see a distinctive vehicle such as this and believe it to be abandoned/stolen please call 101.
Please review your vehicle security.
We know that people can be concerned about the personal and financial impact of having their vehicle stolen, which is why we will pursue and arrest those who break the law. Please consider taking the following steps to keep your vehicle safe:
Check that your vehicle is locked and secure every time you leave it. Thieves often look for easy opportunities to steal from vehicles. They will usually try the handles until they get lucky and find one that has been left unlocked.
Keep your keys safe, out of view when at home and away from your front door.
If you have a keyless entry vehicle, keep the key well away from the vehicle while at home and turn off wireless signals on your fob when its not being used. Consider putting the keys in a screened or signal blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag and check that it is still working every few months.
Park your vehicle in a private garage if you can. If you don’t have access to one, try to park in a well –lit open space.
Try to use public car parks that are part of the police approved Park Mark safer parking scheme.
Secure your number plates with tamper resistant screws to avoid them being stolen and used by others.
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.
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.
Source: https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/419109/Local-Priorities-Theft-Of-Motor-Vehicles-Message
I wanted to provide you with an update regarding burglary, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey.
There has been a burglary in Crayford. It took place on Friday 20th March between 13.30-14.00. Entry was made via the rear of the property, there was an untidy search and the suspect(s) left the building via the front door. Laptops, jewellery, the keys to a vehicle and the vehicle were stolen.
Burglary is not a regular occurrence in Crayford so please take a few moments to review your home security.
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.
Source: https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/419102/Local-Priorities-Burglary-Message
Dear Residents,
Firstly I would like to say thank you for signing up to MET ENGAGE!
Just to let you know that we will be holding “Street a Week” soon. The nights are getting longer and the weather will be getting better for us to hold these. This will give you an opportunity to come and meet the team and discuss any local issues you may have.
I will let you know when and where we will be doing this. We will drop letters to houses and also send out a message by MET ENGAGE.
Crime on Barnehurst Ward is relatively low. The team continue to patrol the area. Showing a presence on the Ward to reassure residents on the and also to help prevent crime.
If there are any burglaries or car thefts we will visit the victim and carry out CCTV enquiries to surrounding neighbours and focus on proactive patrols around the location.
Thank you again for your support from the Team!
Source: https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/420023/Message-from-the-Team
A new wave of phishing emails is targeting UK users, claiming their cloud storage is "100% Full" due to a failed subscription payment. This is a scam designed to steal your credit card details and personal information.
You receive an email with the subject line "RE: Storage Warning: Account at 100%". The email uses urgent language to panic you into acting quickly, claiming:
Your subscription has been suspended.
Your account has been downgraded to a 5 GB free tier.
Your photos and videos are "at risk of deletion."
There is a prominent "Renew Now" button.
Even though the graphics look professional, there are several "red flags" that give it away:
The Sender’s Address: In recent examples, the email came from a random Outlook address (e.g., giordano.629arny@outlook.com) rather than an official company domain (like @https://www.google.com/search?q=google.com or @apple.com).
Generic Greeting: It doesn't use your name, just "to me."
Artificial Urgency: Scammers love to threaten the loss of your data (especially photos) to make you click without thinking.
RE: in the Subject: Adding "RE:" makes it look like part of an ongoing conversation you never actually started.
Do NOT click any links or the "Renew Now" button.
Check your account manually: If you’re worried, go directly to the official website or app of your storage provider to check your status. Never use the links provided in an unexpected email.
Report it: Forward the email to the National Cyber Security Centre at report@phishing.gov.uk.
Delete it: Once reported, delete the email from your inbox and your "Deleted Items" folder.
Stay vigilant and keep your data safe!
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| scam email (click to view enlarged) |
I wanted to provide you with an update regarding burglary, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey.
As we begin to enjoy lovely warm weather, your local Safer Neighbourhood Team would like to remind you of key steps you can take to prevent the risk of being burgled. As the weather gets warmer, we can be tempted to leave windows open all day/night. Remember to lock them when you're not home and overnight, while also remembering to move valuables that may be on display during the day time when your windows are open. As we spend more time in the garden, please make sure you are locking your side gates/fences/back doors overnight.
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.
Source: https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/417617/Burglary-Prevention-Advice
This is to let you know that there has been theft of a Kia Sportage on Barnehurst this week.
We know the personal and financial impact of having a car or bike stolen, which is why we will pursue and arrest those who break the law. We will continue to provide you updates on how we are tackling this issue in your local area, but in the meantime, please consider taking the following steps to keep your vehicle safe:
Check that your vehicle is locked and secure every time you leave it. Thieves often look for easy opportunities to steal from vehicles. They will usually try the handles until they get lucky and find one that has been left unlocked.
Keep your keys safe, out of view when at home and away from your front door.
If you have a keyless entry vehicle, keep the key well away from the vehicle while at home and turn off wireless signals on your fob when its not being used. Consider putting the keys in a screened or signal blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag and check that it is still working every few months.
Park your vehicle in a private garage if you can. If you don’t have access to one, try to park in a well –lit open space.
Try to use public car parks that are part of the police approved Park Mark safer parking scheme.
Secure your number plates with tamper resistant screws to avoid them being stolen and used by others.
Full advice and guidance on this, and other crime types is available on the Metropolitan Police website.
We hope the information above is useful and addresses to some degree the concerns that you have raised. If you have experienced 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.
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.
Source: https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/417834/Theft-of-Vehicle
Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters are tackling a fire at a warehouse on St Thomas Road in Belvedere.
Part of a mezzanine floor is alight.
The Brigade's Control Officers took the first call to the fire at 1417 and mobilised crews from Erith, Plumstead, East Greenwich, Greenwich, Sidcup and surrounding fire stations to the scene.
The cause of the fire is not known at this time.
Source: LFB (20 Mar 2026)
With fuel prices on the rise across the UK, it pays to check the local rates before you head to the forecourt. Even a few pence difference per litre can add up to a significant saving on a full tank.
To make sure you aren’t overpaying, you can use the Fuel Finder website to compare live prices in your immediate area. It is a quick and simple way to see which supermarket or independent station is offering the best deal today.
Whether you drive a traditional combustion engine or have made the switch to electric, Fuel Finder has you covered. The platform allows you to search for:
Petrol & Diesel: Compare standard E10 petrol, B7 diesel, and premium high-performance fuels.
EV Charging Sites: Locate charging points across the UK, including rapid and fast chargers, to plan your stops efficiently.
You can search with confidence knowing the fuel information is based on the official UK Government Fuel Finder scheme. Since February 2026, UK fuel retailers have been legally required to report their price changes to a central government database within 30 minutes of any update.
While the government provides this data feed, they do not run their own consumer app. Instead, they make it available to independent sites like fuel-finder.uk to ensure drivers have easy access to official accuracy and national coverage from thousands of stations and charging points nationwide.
You can find more information about the underlying data and the mandatory reporting scheme here:
Find the cheapest fuel or nearest charging point in your area now at
Further information:
National Trading Standards has issued a warning regarding a sophisticated new wave of fraud involving AI voice cloning. Criminals are now using advanced technology to mimic victims' voices to bypass security checks and set up unauthorised direct debits.
How the scam works:
The 'Lifestyle Survey': It often begins with a seemingly harmless phone call asking for your opinions or personal details.
Data Harvesting: These calls are designed to capture your personal information and, crucially, recordings of your voice.
The Clone: Scammers use AI to create a digital replica of your voice. This "clone" is then used to simulate your consent during calls with banks or utility companies to authorise payments.
How to stay safe:
Be wary of unexpected calls: Even if a survey seems innocent, be cautious about sharing any personal or financial details.
Monitor your bank statements: Regularly check for any direct debits or payments you don’t recognise.
Talk to your circles: Ensure friends and family—particularly those who may be more vulnerable—are aware of these new tactics.
If you suspect you have been targeted, report it to Action Fraud or contact your bank immediately. For more information on staying safe from scams, visit the
Available for free on the Apple App Store and the Google Play store, the Friends Against Scams App puts scam prevention tools in the palm of your hand.
Complete the Friends Against Scams interactive training to ensure that you are scam aware, check suspicious websites or if you've received a scam using the built in Scams Checker tool from Ask Silver.
Scan the QR code to download, search 'Friends Against Scams' on your respective app store, or click these links here:
or
You can help spread the word by using our social media assets for the launch, downloadable here.
Fraud cases surged to unprecedented highs in 2025, with artificial
intelligence (AI) making it quicker and easier than ever for criminals
to steal our cash and personal data.
More than half of cases were identity fraud, in which an innocent
person's personal details are used to obtain services such as a bank
account, mobile phone contract, credit or insurance. Find out about the latest fraud threats and what you can do to stay safe in 2026
Source: Which? (17 Mar 2026)
With the current travel disruption due to the war in the Middle East,
and as we head towards the Easter period, holidaymakers should be aware
of opportunistic scammers hoping to catch you out.
Scammers are quick to hop on trends to make their schemes more convincing. Take a look at three scams that you are likely to come across if you're planning to travel in the coming weeks.
Source: Which? (18 Mar 2026)
We spoke to Ann, who searched online for her airline's phone number, but
clicked on a result that connected her to a scammer. The fraudster
claimed her flight was at risk of cancellation over 'airport taxes',
pressuring her into a £370 card payment, only for the confirmation to
come from a suspicious third party.
This is how scammers exploit search ads. Read
how Ann fought for a refund and get our expert tips on checking company
details to protect yourself from online search scams.
Source: Which? (19 Mar 2026)
Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called to a fire on Fraser Road in Bexley.
Firefighters tackled a fire at a range of derelict buildings where part of one building was damaged by fire. There were no injuries reported.
The Brigade's Control Office took the first call at 0240, fire crews from Erith, Bexley, Plumstead and other surrounding fire stations attended the scene. The fire was brought under control by 0440.
The cause of the fire will be investigated by the Brigade's Fire Investigation Unit.
Source: LFB (19 Mar 2026)
The Fairfield Independent Review, led by Dr Gillian Fairfield, is assessing the Met’s progress against the recommendations made in Baroness Casey’s 2023 review — and we’re asking Londoners to share their views as part of this important work.
A new survey is gathering public feedback on cultural change, standards, and the impact of improvements made so far — and we need your insight.
The survey is open to anyone who lives in London or has lived here in the past three years. It takes 10–20 minutes, and you don’t need any prior knowledge of the Casey Review to take part.
Your experiences and perceptions matter. They will help shape meaningful, lasting change in the Met.
👉 Have your say here: Fairfield Independent Review Public Survey
Dear Residents,
DOOR TO DOOR FRAUD
Door to door scams involve criminals knocking on your door and unexpectedly offering products or services. Fraudsters convince you to pay for goods or work which is often overpriced, of poor quality or is not even carried out. In many cases, this work isn't even necessary. They may use intimidation and pressure you to make quick decisions so that you agree to their demands.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
Always check their identity. If you are not happy about a person's identity do not let them into your house under any circumstances.
Never leave your front door open/unlocked and unattended, so a second individual can't enter without your knowledge.
Take time to consider your options and research costs from other providers. If in doubt contact you local Trading Standards
If you feel pressured by any cold caller, have the confidence to be firm and say no.
Legitimate builders do not call door to door.
Call the Citizens Advise Consumer Helpline following a doorstep caller on 03454 04 05 06
Source: https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/416162/Cold-Callers
Title: Over 400 arrests made in Met focus on drug dealing. Earlier this month, we participated in a record-breaking week, tackling drug crime and violence within our communities. The surge of action came as part of County Lines Intensification Week, where police forces across the country join to tackle drug dealing, particularly targeting gangs who smuggle drugs in or across cities. Across London, the Met’s efforts saw 415 offenders arrested, 85kg of cocaine and heroin, and 72 weapons seized, as well as providing support and safety to many vulnerable adults and young people. These results highlight the strength of our partnership work and the determination across teams to protect communities, safeguard vulnerable individuals and relentlessly pursue those who exploit them. Over the recent operational period, officers in Bexley have executed a series of targeted drugs search warrants resulting in significant seizures, safeguarding outcomes, and a closure order. These actions demonstrate proactive policing, effective intelligence development, and a continued focus on disrupting organised criminality and harm within the borough.
Warrant 1 – Significant Class A Seizure Outcome: Impact:
Warrant 2 Outcome: Estimated total street value: approximately £50,000 Impact:
Warrant 3 – Safeguarding & ASB-linked Closure Order Outcome: Impact:
These three warrants collectively demonstrate: The combined street value of recovered drugs is in excess of £120,000, representing a major impact on the criminal economy within Bexley.
If you have any information in regards to County lines operation or drugs please contact the police on 101 or Members of the public can pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. No personal details are taken, and calls cannot be traced.
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