Crime Updates

Con artists target High Street shoppers (25 January 2012)

Con artists have been targeting shoppers in Southend High Street.

Victims have been offered cheap cigarettes, but after handing over their cash they never received the goods.

Pc Darren Wooderson, Town Beat officer, said: “If someone approaches you on the street with a deal that seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Don’t be fooled into handing your cash over.”

Anyone with information should call the Town Beat Section at Southend police station on 101.

Watch out for metal thieves (12 January 2012)

Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network are asking residents to be on the lookout for metal thieves in their area.

Metal thieves target buildings – particularly schools, churches and other heritage structures – and power and communication cables on railway lines and streets, which they then sell on for a profit.

It is considered to be the fastest growing crime in the UK due to a worldwide increase in the price of copper. It is estimated that metal theft is costing our economy an estimated £770million.

Residents can play their part in helping to tackle this crime by remaining vigilant for suspicious workmen who will often try to look legitimate by wearing high visibility vests and attempting to set up road-works.

They will often use large vans, flatbed trucks or 4X4s, so keep an eye out for any unknown vehicles.

If you suspect metal theft is happening, report it to police via the new non-emergency phone number, 101.

For more information, visit www.ourwatch.org.uk

Voicemail message scam (16 December 2011)

Residents are being urged not to fall for a voicemail message scam.

The caller leaves a message stating that an important email has not been received and asks the recipient to contact them via a premium rate phone number.

If the number is dialled, the caller could be charged at least 50 pence per minute which could generate a large phone bill.

The caller gives the impression they know your name, however they have simply got the information from your voicemail greeting.

MickHolland, of Southend CDRP, said: “Be aware of people trying to con you out of your money at this time of the year. Our advice would be not to call unsolicited premium rate phone numbers. If in doubt, ignore the message and delete it.”

Cold-calling company claims to be working with police (15 December 2011)

A Cold Calling company claiming to be working with the police has been targeting residents across the borough.

Residents in the Leigh and Southend areas have reported cold-calls by a company implying they're working on behalf of Essex Police and conducting home security surveys on behalf of a second company who install security devices.

Those who allow the survey to continue might find themselves being pressured to purchase a very expensive system that they may not need.

Although Essex Police do contact members of the public as part of their customer satisfaction survey, they do not endorse private companies. Anyone receiving such a call should not accept any offer unless they are completely satisfied about the legitimacy of the company.

Residents are urged to report any similar incidents to Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or via their local neighbourhood policing team on 101.

Cold-caller warning (14 December 2011)

Cold-callers have been targeting residents in Southend asking for information about their televisions.

Sky telephone customers have received calls from the number 02083 667956 and have been asked for details including their television’s age and where it was bought from.

‘UK Trader’ is one company name that has been used.

Mick Holland, of Southend Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, said: “Our advice would be to terminate the call without divulging any personal details. If your phone has caller display, ignore calls from this number and consider asking your service provider to block it.”

Residents are reminded never to give out any personal or banking details over the phone unless absolutely certain the caller is genuine.

If in doubt, hang up the phone and report the matter to Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.

Recent Incidents - Can you help?

Herschell Road, Leigh - Burglary

Between 2pm on Friday, December 2, and 3.45pm on Monday, suspects have entered an address near the dead end of Herschell Road, Leigh, by unknown means. They have removed the car keys and then used them to steal a grey Citroen Picasso from the driveway, with an estimated value of £6000.

Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area over the weekend, or who knows what has since happened to the car, is asked to contact Pc Christian Forbes of the CID Target Team at Southend police station on 101.

Queensway/Short Street - Robbery

At 10.45pm on Tuesday, December 6, a 43 year old man was making his way back home after a night out drinking in Southend, when he cut through the old B&Q car park on the junction of Queensway and Short Street.

He was approached by two black men. The first is described as 6 feet tall, medium build, wearing a light green hoody with the hood pulled up over his head. He was holding a 5 inch blade kitchen knife. The second man was 5 feet 9 inches tall, medium build, wearing a black nylon puffer jacket.

The first suspect held the knife toward the victim and demanded his wallet and iPhone 4 that was worth around £600. The items were handed over before the suspects ran off across Queensway and past Quantock tower block.

Pc Reece Brent, the investigating officer, said: "Incidents like this are deeply traumatising for the victim and their families. Were you driving past the location when this robbery took place? Did you see or hear anything? Please come forward to help bring these offenders to justice.

“At this time of year the nights draw in early and, during the festive period, members of the community may drink a little more than usual. I strongly urge everybody to seriously consider safe routes when walking home from a night out and to ensure that you do not use expensive phones in dimly lit areas. Keep yourself safe this festive period".

Pc Brent can be reached at Southend police station on 101.

Stromness Road, Southend - Burglary

Between 10:30am and 10.45am on Tuesday, December 6, suspects have crept into an address in Stromness Road, Southend, through an unlocked back door and stolen a white iPhone 4worth £600 from the kitchen area. This all happened whilst the victim was upstairs in the house with the radio on.

Pc Reece Brent said "This is a blatant act of burglary that took place whilst the victim was upstairs in the address. I can not emphasise enough how crucial it is to protect and secure your property even when you are at home. Always ensure sideways are secured with high quality gates and secure with high grade padlocks. Always lock every outer door utilising all locking mechanisms and use a key. Thieves are aware that high value technical goods and Christmas presentswill be in homes this time of year so keep the door locked and keep your home secure".

Anyone who saw suspicious behaviour in this area on Tuesday morning is asked to contact Pc Reece Brent at Southend police station on 101.

London Road, Westcliff - Fight in kebab shop

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fight, which broke out between two men inside Olympia Grill kebab shop in London Road, Westcliff, at around 4.45pm on Tuesday, November 29.

If you were in the shop or can offer any information to the investigation, please contact Pc Michael Latham at Southend police station on 101.

Jones Close, Southend - Burglary

Between 10.30am and 12.30pm on Thursday, 8 December, suspects ripped a key safe off the external wall of an address in Jones Close, Southend.

They then used a key from inside the safe to enter the house and steal a handbag from a sofa, whilst the occupant, a woman in her fifties, was asleep in the armchair. The handbag contained a Radley purse, some cash and a ring, with a total value estimated at £320.

Pc Christian Forbes, the investigating officer, said: “This burglar brazenly ripped the safe from an outside wall then stole the handbag from right next to where the occupant was sleeping in the lounge. Did you see anyone acting suspiciously in this area during this two hour period on Thursday?

“External key safes can be extremely useful but residents are reminded that they should be well bolted to the wall and not just secured using plaster.”

Pc Forbes can be reached at Southend police station on 101.

Get ready for winter (24 November 2011)

As the weather turns colder, now is a good time to think about what winter weather preparations you, your family and community may need to make.

The Cabinet Office Community Resilience Team has launched the guidance Get Ready for Winter - visit www.direct.gov.uk/getreadyforwinter

This guidance has involved a number of Government departments, industry bodies and voluntary sector partners - including the British Red Cross, Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS), St John Ambulance and the Salvation Army - working together to provide top tips on keeping themselves and their families warm, healthy and safe through the cold winter.

This initiative follows the severe winter of 2010/11 which affected many individuals and communities and highlighted the need to ensure that good advice and guidance was easily available.

Postal scam chain email (2 November 2011)

Messages are circulating on the internet and via email regarding an alleged scam involving a card being posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 - a premium rate number.

This was a scam in 2005 but has been dealt with. The premium rate number referred to in the communications has been shut down. You do not need to contact PhonepayPlus, or Royal Mail.

If you receive a delivery card through your letterbox which you do not believe is genuine and which asks you to dial a premium rate number, you can contact PhonepayPlus on 0800 500 212 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) for further guidance.

If you would like to know more about how to recognise premium rate services, understand what they cost go and obtain simple tips to help you use services with confidence, visit www.phonepayplus.org.uk

Distraction theft - don't become a victim (9 May 2011)

Since the start of the year there have been 26 distraction thefts across Essex.

There are two different methods being used within this trend. It is not known at present if the two methods are linked. The methods are as follows:

Asking for Directions: the victim is distracted by asking directions before either a purse dipping or stealing a mobile phone. Victims are primarily targeted in supermarket multi-storey car parks. Suspects often have a map and may work in pairs.

Magazine / newspaper: involves suspects entering offices, waving magazines or a newspaper in front of the victim. The paper is placed on the victim’s desk, covering a mobile phone. Suspects then pick up the paper with the mobile phone and make off. Other offences involve the victim being distracted in the street or in shops.

Suggested crime prevention advice:

- Remember, always be aware of your surroundings
- Don't give thieves the chance to take your valuables
- Don't leave your bag, purse, wallet or mobile phone on display to thieves
- Stay alert - your mobile phone is a valuable item, don't use it in crowded areas