Message from Cambs Police April 2008
Cambridgeshire police Rural Community Action Team now have two officers
trained as Wildlife crime officers. PC's Paul Carter and Tony Hales are now
in position to deal with wildlife crimes and can also give advice to the
public regarding wildlife legislation.
All crimes and incidents involving wildlife will be monitored by them. They
will be working throughout Cambridgeshire with other agencies such as the
RSPCA, RSPB and National Wildlife crime unit
Both officers can be contacted through the force switchboard on 0845 456
456 4 or on email 'RCAT@cambs.pnn.police.uk'
February 6th 2008. From PCSO Amy Griffin.
Hello all,
Firstly I would like to introduce myself, my name is Amy Griffin I am the new PCSO and I have taken over the Cheveley/Dullingham beat from Simon Rampley who has now joined to be a regular officer in Cambridge.
A brief bit of background about me, I have been a PCSO in the Burwell/Bottisham area for the past year dealing with various different jobs. Before this I used to coach football in schools all over East Cambs so am quite used to the area!
I am aware of all the incidents that have been occurring over the past months or so in your area including all the burglaries, luckily since I have been here we have not had any more high value dwelling burglaries but please don’t allow your guard to drop because of this, I know you’ve heard it before but I feel it is important to keep repeating it, please make sure you know who you are opening your door too if you are unsure please ask for I.D and check it carefully, keep chains on doors and doors and windows locked.
I have been out and about trying to find my way from village to village getting to see everyone which is proving a massive challenge but I'm getting there. There have not been too many incidents reported to us over the past couple of weeks so it’s given me time to get settled in and get my bearings.
I have been dealing with ongoing antisocial behaviour issues in Stetchworth getting to know the local youths and visiting people that have been targeted with the ASB problems.
More recently I have been made aware of ASB problems in Ashley at the recreation ground with youths disturbing meetings being held at the pavilion there.
If anyone has any issues however big or small please contact me and I will do my very best to help solve them.
For those of you that had Simon’s mobile number please keep using that as I have taken his mobile from him and am using the same number. The number is 07921 094 941 if this number goes straight to voicemail please if not urgent leave me a message and as soon as im back on duty I will contact you, however if you feel it is more of an urgent matter and cant get through to me please call 0845 456 456 4 where someone will take the details from you and send another officer out to see you.
I look forward to meeting many more of you in the near future.
Many thanks PCSO Amy Griffin
February 5th 2008
Hello all, I thought I would use the E-cops system to introduce myself, my
name is Emma and I am a Police Community Support Officer and have been for
the past three and a half years. During this time I have been working the
Littleport Beat. I have now been moved to cover Ely (City Centre & East
Ward) which I am very happy about and look forward to getting to grips with
your issues. I have been moved so that I can also take the role of tutor to
newly appointed PCSOs and to develop my career. I am sure PCSO Maria Green
has introduced herself, I have been training her for the past four weeks
now that she is independant I can now look forward to getting to know Ely
and its community.
I look forward to communicating with you all , be it via E-cops, phone or
personal visits. Please contact me if you have any issues.
Kind Regards,
PCSO Emma Graves 7076.
February 2008
From Amy Griffin, newly appointed PCSO for the parishes south of Newmarket.
I have recently put an article in The Link Magazine and seek other publicity outlets
Regards
Amy Griffin
PCSO 7224
Cheveley and Dullingham Beat
(Amy has been advised of this website and the Wood Ditton website which are available to publish her reports)
BOGUS CALLERS/DISTRACTION BURGLARS
Bogus callers are part of a highly organised, professional criminal fraternity. They pose as utility workers, tradespeople, police officers and sometimes even charity workers. They come in all shapes and sizes: men, women, working singly or in pairs - sometimes even children have been used in the deception. What they all share are an ability to convince an older person on the doorstep that they have a genuine reason to enter the home. Once inside the home they will use a ruse to distract the older person’s attention, whilst they or an unseen accomplice search the home for money and valuables to steal. This type of crime is not petty and can result in perpetrators netting hundreds of thousands of pounds from their victims. The below examples represent a wide selection of scams used both in the UK, Europe & America & are divided into distraction burglary & rogue trader scams. It should be noted that rogue traders would take any opportunity to commit a distraction theft should the opportunity arise.
Water Scams -
"I'm from the Water Board & am here to check the pipes".
"I need to check the water/turn the water off (I'm laying pipes up the road)".
"The water is unfit for drinking. I need to come in & check it”.
This is the top scam used in the country despite the fact that the ‘Water board’ ceased to exist in 1989 and water companies rarely make house calls.
Once inside, the bogus caller asks the victim to go upstairs/into the kitchen & turn on the taps - thus distracted - the bogus caller/ accomplice then is free to search the home for money/valuables.
The front door is invariably left open for accomplice to slip in unnoticed.Utilities-
"There has been a gas leak in the area. I need to come in & check your supply".
"I have come to read your meter"Council/social services/charities-
"I am from the council and need to check for damp/check your financial details/am offering a free safety inspection”
“I am from Age Concern/Help the Aged & want to come in & tell you about all the services you could be eligible for.”
Various ruses are used with this deception, centred around the caller having come to check the householder’s status either as regards benefits or other entitlements.Police-
The fake/stolen money ruse
This is a very successful ruse, which involves a bogus caller impersonating a police officer & asking the victim to give them their cash to go away and check the serial numbers. In some instances this request is followed by a threat that the victim will be arrested if they do not comply.Multiple Scams
“I am from the police/bogus caller prevention department of the council & would like to follow up some information on your recent victimisation.”
Bogus callers share information on targets that keep large amounts of cash in the house and are seen as ‘easy targets.’ Addresses are either swapped through networks or offenders leave a marker on the property such as a chalk mark on the fence or wall that indicates an easy victim. Offenders sometimes dress up as police officers.Use of children/luring the victim outside-
"I've lost my football/kite/puppy/rabbit in your garden"·
“I am being bullied & they have tied my shoelaces together. Can you come & untie them.”
The older person is distracted by the child (child is usually crying) & goes to the garden leaving an external door unlocked. An adult then slips in unseen…
“I am a tree inspector and have been contracted to remove and trim some trees along your property line”
The victim is asked to step outside and show the bogus caller where the property line is so they don’t cut down the wrong trees. The bogus caller then says that they need to get something from their van and do not return.
By the time the victim realises they are not coming back the theft will have been committed and the offenders fled.The intention of this information is to make you all aware of the type of scams which these people will use in order to gain entry to someone’s property. Please be aware that the above are just a selection of the most common scams in use. If in any doubt about anyone cold calling PLEASE do not let them in, and call 999 immediately.