Urgent Appeal: Beal Close Residents, Check Your CCTV! £1000 Reward Offered After Burglary

A desperate plea has been issued by a resident of Beal Close, Welling, following a distressing burglary.

Our community is being asked to come together to help catch those responsible for a recent break-in that has left a resident shaken and significantly out of pocket.

The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, returned home in the early hours of March 3rd, 2025, at 2:26 AM to find their flat on Beal Close ransacked. They had left for work the previous day, March 2nd, 2025, at 3:00 PM.

Tragically, a substantial amount of cash was stolen, but no electronic items were taken. Police have attended the scene, and forensic teams have been unable to retrieve fingerprints, suggesting the perpetrator(s) wore gloves.

The resident is now appealing directly to their neighbours and anyone in the vicinity for help.

"I am asking anyone in the area of Beal Close, Welling, if they have CCTV (like a Ring Door Bell) to help with burglaries that have been happening in the local area," they said. "I got my flat broke into and a large amount of money has been stolen. Police are investigating and forensic came and couldn’t took any fingerprints as the thief or thieves was wearing gloves."

Crucially, the resident has also discovered that a number of similar burglaries have been occurring in the Beal Close area. This highlights a worrying trend and the urgent need for community vigilance.

They are offering a £1000 reward for any information that leads to the identification and conviction of the person(s) responsible.

Here's how you can help:

• Check Your CCTV: If you have any CCTV cameras, including Ring Doorbell footage, covering Beal Close or the surrounding area, please review the footage from March 2nd, 2025, between 3:00 PM and March 3rd, 2025, 2:26 AM.
• Report Any Suspicious Activity: If you saw or heard anything unusual or suspicious during this time frame, no matter how small, please contact the police or the resident directly.
• Spread the Word: Share this appeal with your neighbours, friends, and family who live in the area.

This is a call to action for our community to stand together and support one another. We must work together to make Beal Close a safe place for everyone.

If you have any information, please:

• Contact the Metropolitan Police on 101, quoting the relevant crime reference number 01/7222482/25.
• Contact the resident directly if you have been able to find their contact information.
• If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Let's work together to bring those responsible to justice and ensure that Beal Close residents feel safe and secure in their homes.

Source: Nextdoor

Neighbourhood Watch: Ford Fiesta Stolen - Are You at Risk?

Stolen from Cold Blow Crescent

A stark reminder that car theft is on the rise in our area has been shared by local resident.

On the afternoon of March 8th, the resident reported that his dark blue Ford Fiesta, registration LY64 FTX, was stolen from Cold Blow Crescent overnight. The theft occurred between 7 pm and 11:15 pm, despite the vehicle being secured with a steering lock and the key fob stored in a protective pouch.

This isn't an isolated incident. The resident was informed by the police (stmarys.stjames.snt@met.police.uk 020 8721 2816) that a staggering 15 cars have been stolen in the local area recently. This alarming statistic should serve as a wake-up call to all residents to review their car security measures.

Here's what we know:

• Vehicle: Ford Fiesta, dark blue, registration LY64 FTX.
• Location: Cold Blow Crescent.
• Time of Theft: Between 7 pm and 11:15 pm, March 7th/8th.
• Security Measures in Place: Steering lock and key fob in a protective pouch.
• Police Statement: 15 cars stolen in the area recently.

What Can We Do?

This incident highlights the growing sophistication of car thieves. Even with security measures in place, vehicles are still being targeted. Here are some steps you can take to protect your car:

• Review Your Security: Don't rely on just one security measure. Consider a combination of steering wheel locks, pedal locks, and tracking devices.
• Key Fob Protection: While protective pouches are helpful, thieves are increasingly using relay attacks to amplify key fob signals. Consider a Faraday box for your keys when at home.
• Visible Deterrents: Park in well-lit areas. Consider installing a visible security camera or a motion-activated light.
• Be Vigilant: Report any suspicious activity to the police immediately.
• Community Awareness: Share this information with your neighbours and friends. Spread the word and look out for each other.
• Consider a Dashcam: Dashcams can act as a deterrent and provide valuable evidence if your vehicle is targeted.
• Consider a GPS Tracker: A GPS tracker will greatly increase the chance of recovery if your car is stolen.

What to do if you see the stolen vehicle:

If you see a dark blue Ford Fiesta, registration LY64 FTX, please contact the police immediately. Do not approach the vehicle or the individuals involved.

Let's work together to make our neighbourhood safer.

This incident is a timely reminder that we must remain vigilant and take proactive steps to protect our vehicles. By working together and sharing information, we can make it harder for thieves to operate in our community.

Please share this post to raise awareness.

#CarTheft #NeighbourhoodWatch #FordFiesta #CommunitySafety #UKCrime

How scammers can clone your voice

A deepfake phone call is where the caller's voice has been created with or manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI). This is sometimes done through voice cloning, which uses recordings of someone's voice to copy it.

Scammers typically use deepfake calls to impersonate family members, companies or government bodies to trick you into paying them. We've rounded up some common examples of this type of scam, and what to do if you're targeted.

Learn more about deepfake calls

Source: Which? (05 Mar 2025)

Scam Empire: the call-centres with 32,934 victims

Two major call centre operations are running commercial-scale investment frauds worth at least $275m, affecting 32,934 victims across 33 different countries to date, according to the new Scam Empire report.

The report found that major tech companies profited from online adverts that pushed victims into these rogue investment schemes. We reveal their tactics and share simple tips to help you spot an investment scam.

How to avoid investment scams

Source: Which? (05 Mar 2025)

Avoid Eventbrite ticket scams

Eventbrite is a popular ticketing website where users can buy and sell tickets for anything from gigs to local community events. Unfortunately, a tactic known as 'event cloning' is used by scammers to sell fake tickets to seemingly genuine events.

Find out what happened to one victim who had their event cloned by scammers. And if you ever buy tickets online, here are four things you need to know in order to stay safe, including how to report fraudulent events.

Avoid buying fake tickets

Source: Which? (04 Mar 2025)

Bexley Crime stats ward summary Feb 2025

 

Source: Bexley Watch Viz

Don't Skip This! Why You Need to Register Your Appliances

We all love the convenience of our modern appliances, from washing machines to kettles. But did you know there's a simple step you can take to keep yourself and your home safer, and even save a bit of money? That's right, I'm talking about registering your appliances!

It might seem like a chore, but trust me, it's worth it. Here's why:

Safety First:

• Manufacturers sometimes discover potential issues with their products after they've been in use. If this happens, they need to contact you ASAP to arrange a quick fix, usually a simple in-home repair by a qualified technician. This keeps your home and family safe.
• Unfortunately, many customers don't provide contact details when buying appliances, making it difficult for manufacturers to reach them. By registering, you're taking responsibility for your safety and ensuring they can contact you directly.

Save Money With Extended Warranties:

• Many manufacturers offer extended warranties or guarantees when you register your appliance. This can save you a significant amount of money on repairs or replacements down the line.

How to Register (It's Quick and Easy!):

Ready to get started? Head over to https://www.registermyappliance.org.uk/registration/ and you'll need the following information:

1. Brand: Choose your brand from the list or use the search box.
2. Model Name/Number: This will be on the appliance itself.
3. Serial Number: Usually a 10-16 digit number found on a plate on the appliance (check the website for help finding it).
4. Purchase Date: An approximate date is fine if you can't remember the exact one.

Register Now!

Taking a few minutes to register your appliances is a small investment that can provide significant peace of mind. Don't delay, register yours today!

Consumer protection and your rights:

https://www.registermyappliance.org.uk/products/consumer-protection/