Beware of fake BT calls

Phone scammers impersonating BT are exploiting upcoming changes to the landline phone network to con customers into giving them their payment details.

The cold callers may know your name and address in an attempt to convince you to trust them. Find out more about the changes and what to do if you receive a suspicious call.

Stay safe from scam calls

Source: Which? (09 Jan 2025) 

Staying Safe in Bexley: A Look at Community Safety Services

QR opens to https://linktr.ee/bexleycommunitysafety 

Spotted this sign recently and thought it was worth sharing for anyone living in or visiting the London Borough of Bexley. It's a handy reminder of key contact information for community safety services.

The sign is clearly divided, making it easy to find the information you need quickly. At the top, it reads "Community Safety Services" and includes the logo for the Bexley Community Safety Partnership (BCSP) with the tagline "Keeping Bexley Safe". This immediately sets the tone and purpose of the sign.

Here's a breakdown of the key information provided:

• Emergency - 999: This is the standard UK emergency number for situations requiring immediate police, fire, or ambulance response. It's prominently displayed, as it should be.
• Non-emergency - 101: This is the number to call for non-emergency situations that still require police attention, such as reporting a crime that has already happened or providing information about a crime.
• London Borough of Bexley - 020 8303 7777: This is the general contact number for the local council. It's useful for reporting issues like fly-tipping, noise complaints, or other community concerns that might not require immediate police intervention.
• QR Code: The sign also features a QR code. Scanning this with a smartphone likely takes you to a website with further information about community safety services in Bexley, online reporting tools, and other resources. This is a great way to provide access to more detailed information without cluttering the sign itself.
• "Report and Support": This text is at the bottom, further reinforcing the message that help and resources are available.

Why this sign is important:

Signs like this play a vital role in keeping communities safe. They provide quick and easy access to crucial contact information, empowering residents to report incidents and seek support. The inclusion of the QR code is a particularly smart touch, acknowledging that many people now rely on their smartphones for information.

Key takeaways for other areas:

This sign serves as a good example for other local councils and community safety partnerships. Clear, concise information, prominent display of emergency and non-emergency numbers, and the inclusion of a QR code are all best practices.

If you're in Bexley, keep an eye out for these signs. They're a valuable resource for staying safe and contributing to a safer community. If you’re in another area, consider if similar signage is available and if not, perhaps it’s something to raise with your local council.

QR Code Source: https://linktr.ee/bexleycommunitysafety

Urgent Alert: Black Kia Sorento Stolen in DA7 Area

A black Kia Sorento (registration LV17 XPP) was stolen from a driveway on Avenue Road, DA7, on 07/01/2025 at approximately 10:42 PM.

Security camera footage shows two individuals approaching the vehicle. At 10:38 PM, one individual is seen attempting to access the car. They return with a second person at 10:42 PM, gain entry, and drive off in the direction of Bexleyheath station.

Key Details:

• Vehicle: Black 2017 Kia Sorento (Reg. No. LV17 XPP)
• Location: Avenue Road, DA7 4HA
• Date/Time of Theft: 10:42 PM, 07/01/2025
• Met Police Crime Number: 01/7024394/25

Suspect Descriptions:

Two individuals were involved in the theft:

• Person 1: Wearing a hoodie and black gloves.
• Person 2: Wearing a mask, possibly a baseball cap, and no hand coverings.

Call to Action:

Residents in the DA7 area and surrounding areas are urged to be vigilant and report any sightings of the stolen vehicle to the Metropolitan Police, quoting crime reference number 01/7024394/25. If you have any information that could assist the investigation, please contact the police immediately. Or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111 (anonymous) or Crook Log SNT at Email.

Additional Information:

The theft occurred between 10:38 PM and 10:42 PM on 07/01/2025. The suspects were captured on camera.

Please share this information with your neighbours and local community groups to raise awareness.

Source: Nextdoor

Stolen Black 2017 Kia Sorento (Reg. No. LV17 XPP)

Bexley Crime stats ward summary Dec 2024

Source: Bexley Watch Viz

Five scam trends for 2025

From deepfakes and copycat websites to fake QR codes, fraudsters are always utilising the latest trends and technology to make their scams more convincing and reach more people.

To kick off the new year and get ahead of the scammers, watch out for these five trends and see what sophisticated tactics could be used.

What 2025 has in store

Source: Which? (31 Dec 2024)

Police impersonation scam warning

Scammers posing as police officers are spooking victims into handing over money and personal details.

This isn't the first time we've seen this cold call scam – but alarmingly it's back. We take a look at the latest tactics being used, and what you should do if you receive a suspicious phone call.

How to stay safe

Source: Which? (31 Dec 2024)

Seven phone apps to secure your privacy

The apps you use on your smartphone every day likely hold data you'd rather keep private – payment information, emails, contact lists, documents and more.

From WhatsApp and Facebook to Gmail and Outlook, our tech experts explain some very simple steps to secure your data and which apps you should download now to keep your private information safe from scammers.

Easy tips to secure your apps

Source: Which? (13 Dec 2024)