The latest Neighbourhood Watch Network e-newsletter is now available. In this issue we hear about the three new online toolkits the Network has produced for members and coordinators covering social media, burglary prevention and managing a scheme. We also hear feedback to Fundraising and Social Media workshops, advice on how to achieve a great working… read more
Wiltshire Police are receiving lots of calls from people who have received letters from someone purporting to be from HMRC with a demand for money. A phone number is provided to call, which will connect to Wiltshire Police so appears genuine. This is a scam, and people receiving these letters should be aware that Wiltshire… read more
Wiltshire has seen a drop of 3 per cent in the number of overall recorded crimes in the county, according to crime statistics out today (25/04). Between January 2018 and December 2018, Wiltshire Police recorded 42,483 crimes overall – a decrease compared to the previous 12 months. Burglaries and vehicle crime dropped by 25 per… read more
We’re appealing for information following a fail to stop incident in Wanborough. Shortly after 11.30am on Sunday 21 April, a 54-year-old man was cycling along Foxhill on a straight stretch of road in the direction of Baydon, when he was struck from behind by a vehicle. The impact of the strike punctured his rear tyre… read more
Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson has decided not to stand for re-election to the post of PCC in 2020. The position of an elective PCC was created to replace Police Authorities in 2012. Angus, who served as a magistrate member on the local Police Authority for seven years prior to… read more
Amended version – the link in the article should now work. The importance of local policing is being highlighted as part of an awareness-raising campaign launched by Wiltshire Police. On the Beat is a month-long campaign which will run throughout April and will primarily be focused on social media. It aims to educate and inform… read more
Fraudsters send fake Virgin Media emails threatening “automatic disconnection” Action Fraud has received over 100 reports about fake emails that purport to be from Virgin Media. The emails threaten the recipient with “automatic disconnection” due to “invalid billing information”. The links in the emails lead to genuine-looking phishing websites that are designed to steal your… read more
Do you or does someone you know have what it takes to become a Special Constable? If so recruitment is now open. Special constables are volunteer police officers who have the same powers and wear the same uniform as regular officers. Assistant Chief Constable Gavin Williams, Wiltshire Police lead for Citizens in Policing, said: “We… read more
Fly tippers beware – Swindon Borough Council will this year be stepping up enforcement activity to catch people illegally dumping waste. The renewed focus on tackling fly tipping is part of the Council’s promise to ensure the streets are kept clean and safe for residents. Last year, the Council received 1,726 reports of fly tipping… read more
Motorists warned of road closures ahead of Unite-organised Honda march Parts of Swindon town centre will be closed to traffic to allow for next Saturday’s (30 March) planned march and rally organised by Unite the union. Thousands of people are expected to converge on the town from across the country to take part in the… read more
Dear subscriber, An ongoing TV Licensing phishing campaign, first identified by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) in September 2018, continues to be reported to Action Fraud in high numbers. Fraudsters are sending the public fake TV Licensing emails that are designed to steal their personal and financial information. Since April 2018, Action Fraud has… read more
Three teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking after members of the public helped a police officer detain suspects following a pursuit south of Swindon. A police officer was on patrol in the Chiseldon area at around 7.30pm last night (12/03/19) when he was overtaken on The Ridgeway by a 4×4 vehicle… read more
Following on from our last news story regarding the TV Licensing scam, please see the below image of what the scam emails could look like. Always question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information in case it’s a scam. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text. For more information… read more
People are being urged to report suspected child abuse and exploitation following a fortnight of activity by Wiltshire Police to disrupt county lines activity in Swindon County lines is when gangs and organised crime networks exploit children to sell drugs. Often these children are made to travel across counties, and they use dedicated mobile phone… read more
We have received an increase of reports from members of the public who have been asked to withdraw large amounts of cash from their bank account in response to “Police Officers” informing them they must withdraw money to sort out a range of family issues or pay fines. Please take note that the police do… read more
We are re-issuing a CCTV appeal as part of our enquiries into a serious sexual assault in Swindon. The incident happened at around 5am on Sunday 29 July 2018 when a woman in her 30s was assaulted in an alleyway close to the car park off Havelock Square and Havelock Street. We issued the CCTV… read more
Wiltshire Police is bucking the national trend of increasing crime figures by seeing a reduction of 1%. At a time when violent crime continues to increase, dominate national media and rightly concern local communities a decrease in knife crime of 18% since September 2017, has been recorded in Wiltshire. Angus Macpherson, Police and Crime Commissioner… read more
Here are the dates for the Neighbourhood Watch meetings for 2019. Meetings will take place in the Recreation Hall, beginning at 6.45pm. Everyone is welcome! The dates: Monday 28th January Monday 25th March Monday 3rd June (the last Monday of May is a Bank Holiday) Monday 29th July Monday 30th September Monday 25th November In… read more
What you need to know Action Fraud has experienced an increase in the reporting of malicious calls, voicemails, text messages or emails to members of the public purporting to be from HMRC. The fraudsters state that as a result of their non-payment of tax or other duty, the victim is liable to prosecution or other… read more
“Would you be prepared to pay an extra two pounds a month for more police officers?” That’s the question being asked by Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson. From today , Angus is looking for the views of Wiltshire residents on the proposed average increase of £24* a year to the… read more