Bexley placed in ‘High Alert’ tier 2 - message from the Council Leader

Bexley has the fifth-highest number of coronavirus cases in the Capital and remains above the London average. It is entirely possible for the borough to be moved into Tier 3 when the national tiers are next reviewed on 18 December.

As more people socialise and venture to the shops in the lead up to Christmas, we must all work together and do what we can to help bring the number of new cases down.

AMENDED Please reduce the number of journeys you make where possible. If you do need to travel into a different area, it is vital you continue to follow government restrictions.

Another way we can all help reduce travelling, is by looking to our local businesses, retailers and high streets for all our Christmas shopping needs and more. Many Bexley businesses are also operating online or via click-and-collect.

It has been a difficult year for our local high streets and small independent businesses. In support of Small Business Saturday (5 December), I ask all our residents to consider whether a small business in Bexley could provide products or services they need first, before buying elsewhere or travelling out of the borough.

Keep an eye on our COVID-19 support information for local updates, and follow us on social media.

Have a great weekend and stay safe.

https://www.bexley.gov.uk/news/bexley-placed-high-alert-tier-2

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-2-high-alert

Socialising over Christmas

Shop Local, Shop Safe Survey: For Residents of London Borough of Bexley

Residents are invited to complete an online survey about visiting local high streets for shopping and entertainment and how their shopping habits have changed as a result of Covid-19.

The survey is part of the London Borough of Bexley’s ‘Shop Safe, Shop Local’ safe return campaign, designed to help kick-start the local economy, get people back to work and customers back to the shops safely in line with government guidance.

Anyone who completes the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win a hamper full of New Year treats worth £200 selected from local shops and services.

Council representatives will also be in town centres from 9 December inviting shoppers to participate in the survey in a Covid secure manner. The survey will end on 31 December.

Visit Fill in our Shop Safe survey and win a New Year hamper.

Shop Local, Shop Safe Survey: For Residents of London Borough of Bexley

Roadworks - One Platform

One platform to plan, monitor, communicate and analyse traffic disruptions.

You can access live information on roadworks across the country https://one.network/uk

Enquiries should be directed to the organisation shown as being responsible for the work.

Bexley is now covered by the new high Tier 2 restrictions

Bexley is now covered by the new high Tier 2 restrictions. 

The number of cases of COVID-19 in Bexley is still above the London average. To help bring them down please reduce the number of journeys you make where possible.  

If you live in the borough, you must continue to follow tier 2 rules when you travel to a tier 1 area. 

Please avoid travel to or overnight stays in tier 3 areas - including Kent - other than where necessary. This could include for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities.  You can travel through a tier 3 area as a part of a longer journey. 

Find out more https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know 

#StayHome #SaveLives  

Change default passwords

 

Click to visit the PDSC Police Digital Security Centre - Click to watch Christmas Campaign video.

How to decide if a collector or charity is (a) genuine, or (b) misleading/bogus

1. The first leaflet: MV Clothing Ltd is active, but does not state they are fundraising for a charity with the charity number. Possible scam as do not have sight of the reverse of leaflet to state that fact. This has been reported this to Trading Standards on their freephone number on 0808 223 1133 as a consumer issue and a possible scam and been a given a reference.
2. The second leaflet by Fundraising Support Ltd appears genuine as the leaflet states the company name and the charity details they are collecting for.
3. Clothing Collection is a possible scam as per reasons above. No company name or the charity name they are claiming to fund raise for. Only Company number which does not suffice.

Have you received a charity bag for collection through your door?

People need to know whether they're "genuine" for two reasons:

• If they're not genuine, you don't want to donate your clothes to them.
• If they're not genuine, the regulators can stop them collecting.

You can also do a company search to see if they are active or not.

You can call Trading Standards FREE phone number on 0808 223 1133 to report it as a consumer issue and/or report the scam to Action Fraud or call them on 0300 123 2040 Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm.

Bogus Council workers and 'Distraction Burglary' advice

Trading Standards received a report that yesterday 2 men turn up at an address in Penpool Lane DA16 2AE (the resident was an 87-year-old female).  They wore trainers, jeans, sweatshirts and peaked caps and claimed to be from the trees department at Bexley Council. They drove a plain white van, wore no high vis jackets and they didn't show any ID.

They were said they needed to cut the conifer trees down at the back of the property that led onto John Newton Court. Then wanted to charge the elderly resident for the waste clearance. They were very forceful when knocking and wanting to come down the side of the house. When met with a 'No' they then tried persistently to go through the house, but they were refused further access.

Citizens Advice have produced a useful leaflet (PDF) on What is distraction burglary?.

The Crime Prevention website also give advice on Bogus Callers (Distraction burglary) that you may find useful.

Fighting Doorstep Crime leaflet (PDF) on Distraction Burglary gives useful tips and advice in preventing this crime.

Call the police 999 if you feel at risk or are concerned for a neighbour.