Winteringham Neighbourhood Watch 

Doorstep Sellers - It could be a SCAM! 

DOORSTEP SELLERS often target residential addresses offering small household products for sale. These callers often claim to be ex-convicts attempting to mend their ways, however they are not part of any recognised rehabilitation scheme.

In recent weeks there have been several reported doorstep sellers in the Barton area, plus neighbouring villages including Barrow, Goxhill, Kirmington, Winterton and Winteringham. 

Please warn your neighbours, particularly the elderly or vulnerable, not to open the door to strangers or buy on the doorstep. Some doorstep sellers may offer poor quality goods at inflated prices, and if a caller is not genuine, they may be gathering information for future crime such as burglaries.

How they work

The sellers may say they're on a “rehabilitation course” arranged by probation services or other organisations. This is not the case and often they are known criminals. Probation services do not run such schemes.

The sellers are usually deposited in an area from a van and given a list of streets to work. An hour or so later they are picked up and dropped off in another location. They will knock on a door, offering cleaning items which they know are cheap and poor quality; the householder also knows they are rubbish but that's part of the scam. Many people will purchase items and pay them out of their good nature as they have fallen for their story or, just to get rid of them.

There have been cases of elderly residents handing over large sums of money as these people can be very persistent and confrontational.

TURN THEM AWAY! Remember, if doorstep sellers don’t get any sales in your area, they are less likely to return.

CALL THE POLICE... Call our non-emergency number on 101 if you're not in immediate danger but want to report an incident. But call 999 if you feel threatened or in danger.

The Barton Neighbourhood Policing Team

Possible rogue trading in the Broughton area

There has been a report of possible rogue trading in the Broughton area.

The company involved is a offering home security and is from the Nottingham area, they have attended the address of an elderly gentleman and convinced him in spending £3500 on a new security system.

Luckily a family member intervened and was present when the company re-attended at the property.

Can you please check with family and friends in the area to ensure nobody has been taken advantage of?

Please share this message to alert as many people as possible.

If anyone has been a victim of rogue trading, then please inform Police via 101 or report the incident to Trading standards.

If you would prefer not to call the police, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or using theironline reporting form and give information about crime anonymously.

Preventing car and vehicle theft

Don't let thieves get an easy ride. Follow these simple rules to protect your car.

1. Lock your vehicle -Locking your vehicle, even when filling up or parked on your drive, greatly reduces the possibility of it being targeted by an opportunist thief. Even if you have locked your vehicle, check you haven’t left any windows or the sunroof open.

It is actually illegal to leave your vehicle running unattended while you de-ice it or warm it up in cold weather. If someone takes it while it’s left like this, your insurer won’t pay out because you won’t be covered.

If your vehicle has wing mirrors that fold in automatically when locked, make sure you lock it properly. Criminal gangs are looking for vehicles like these where the wing mirrors are still out because it is clear to them that the vehicle has been left unlocked.

2. Keep the keys safe -Vehicles today are by and large more difficult to steal than ever, unless the thief can access your key or fob to clone them. Keep your keys safe, out of view when at home, and away from your front door. It’s not uncommon for car keys to be stolen from inside your home by thieves fishing for them with a stick and hook through the letterbox.

Cars with keyless entry unlock automatically when the key comes within a short distance of the car. This can be from inside a pocket or bag. If you have to push a button on your car key to open your car, you don't have keyless entry.

Keyless car theft or 'relay theft' is when a device is used to fool the car into thinking the key is close by. This unlocks the car and starts the ignition.

Thieves only need to be within a few metres of your car key to capture the signal.How to protect your keyless entry car

· When at home keep your car key (and the spare) well away from the car.

· Put the keys in a screened or signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag.

· Reprogramme your keys if you buy a second hand car.

· Turn off wireless signals on your fob when it's not being used.

3. Be aware of carjackers -The fact that you’re in the car isn’t always a deterrent to someone trying to steal it.

In traffic, drive with the doors locked and when queuing leave enough space in front of your vehicle to enable you to get out of a tight spot. If your vehicle is bumped from behind, wait to pull over – somewhere safe and preferably where there are people. After all, you don’t know the person who has collided with you; they could well be hijackers. If you’re at all suspicious, consider calling the police.

If someone threatens you, it’s better to hand over the keys to the vehicle than become a victim of assault. Then call999as soon as possible, and ask for the police.

If your car is stolen, some modern vehicle alarm and tracker systems have the facility to isolate or shut down fuel systems, bringing the vehicle to a halt and leaving the thief high and dry.

4. Park responsibly -It’s always advisable to avoid parking in dark and secluded areas. It’s worth an extra five or ten-minute walk if it means your vehicle is left in a well-lit and busier street.

And if possible, always try to park in illuminated and staffed car parks or those with a Park Mark safer parking award. To find one, simply check outPark Mark.

5. Watch for illegal tow trucks -Thieves often attempt to lift vehicles from the street, literally. So, if you see a towaway crew acting suspiciously – especially if their vehicle isn’t branded or if they’re not in uniform – then please report it immediately.

As with every report of suspicious behaviour made in good faith, we’ll never blame anyone for calling us if it proves unfounded.

Car parks with height-restricted entrances help prevent illegal tow trucks and removal vehicles. And fitting aThatcham ratedcategory 1 or 2 alarm system with tracking, immobilisation, anti-grab and movement sensors can help protect and trace your vehicle.

6. Fit good in-car security locks -Bear in mind that built-in steering locks aren’t necessarily thief-proof. Many can be forced and broken. Fitting aSold Securesteering wheel, gear lever or clutch pedal security device can give your vehicle added protection.

7. Double-check electronic locking -Electronic devices can be used to jam the electronic signal from your key fob to lock your vehicle. Always manually check your vehicle has locked before walking away.

If unsure, lock it manually, then scan the immediate area for anyone hanging around. If a potential thief who’s watching feels they’ve been spotted, they’ll probably move off.