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Protecting yourself from fraud

posted 25 Jul 2018, 02:35 by Assitant-Clerk

Message from Local Policing Team:

Protecting yourself from fraud


If you receive a request to provide personal or financial information, you need to take a moment to reflect and step back from the situation. 

Even if they say they're the bank or other trusted organisation, you still need to take the time to stop and think about what's really going on. Deep down, you probably already know these basic rules on how to beat financial fraud - you just need to take a breath and stay calm enough to remember them. 


1. Requests to move money: 

A genuine bank or organisation will never contact you out of the blue to ask for your PIN, full password or to move money to another account. Only give out your personal or financial details to use a service that you have given your consent to, that you trust and that you are expecting to be contacted by. 

2. Clicking on links/files: 

Don't be tricked into giving a fraudster access to your personal or financial details. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text. 

3. Personal information: 

Always question uninvited approaches in case it's fraudulent. Instead, contact the company directly using a known email or phone number. 

4. Don't assume an email or phone call is authentic: 

Just because someone knows your basic details (such as your name and address or even your mother's maiden name), it doesn't mean they are genuine. Be mindful of who you trust - criminals may try and trick you into their confidence by telling you that you've been a victim of fraud. Criminals often use this to draw you into the conversation, to scare you into acting and revealing security details. Remember, criminals can also make any telephone number appear on your phone handset so even if you recognise it or it seems authentic, do not use it as verification they are genuine. 

5. Don't be rushed or pressured into making a decision: 

Under no circumstances would a genuine bank or some other trusted organisation force you to make a financial transaction on the spot; they would never ask you to transfer money into another account for fraud reasons. Remember to stop and take time to carefully consider your actions. A genuine bank or some other trusted organisation won't rush you or mind waiting if you want time to think. 

6. Listen to your instincts: 

If something feels wrong then it is usually right to question it. Criminals may lull you into a false sense of security when you are out and about or rely on your defences being down when you're in the comfort of your own home. They may appear trustworthy, but they may not be who they claim to be. 

7. Stay in control: 

Have the confidence to refuse unusual requests for personal or financial information. It's easy to feel embarrassed when faced with unexpected or complex conversations. But it's okay to stop the discussion if you do not feel in control of it. 

If you've taken all these steps and still feel uncomfortable or unsure about what you're being asked, never hesitate to contact your bank or financial service provider on a number you trust, such as the one listed on their website or on the back of your payment card. 

Report fraud 

The first thing you should do if you've been a victim of fraud is to contact Action Fraud. You can report a fraud via their online fraud reporting tool, or by calling Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. 

If there is a crime being committed right now or if you are in danger you should call the police on 999. 

Hagley roundabout

posted 23 Jul 2018, 02:11 by Assitant-Clerk

Message from Worcestershire County Council: 


         PUBLIC NOTICE

 

            ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14(2) (as amended)

 

                                        WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

 

Notice of the closure of A456 Kidderminster Road, Hagley Roundabout and the Junctions of A456 / B4187, Hagley ("the highway")

 

It appears to Worcestershire County Council that in order to facilitate carriageway resurfacing, works are proposed to be carried out on or near the highway and there is therefore a need to close the highway in the following terms:-

 

1.            The effect of this Notice is that no vehicle shall proceed along that part of the highway  as follows:-

 

(a)  The Hagley Roundabout entrance at its junction with B4187 Park Road.

 

(b)  The Hagley Roundabout exit at its junction with A456 Kidderminster Road for a distance of 110 metres in a north easterly direction along A456 Kidderminster Road.

 

2.         This notice shall come into force for a maximum of 5 days commencing 6 August 2018. However, it is anticipated that it will remain in force for 5 nights (20:00 – 06:00).

 

3.            Alternative routes: -

 

(a) Diversion for Smaller Vehicles: A456 Kidderminster Road, A456 Worcester Road, A456 Kidderminster Road South, C2061 Thicknall Lane, A450 Worcester Road, A456 Worcester Road, B4187 Worcester Road, B4187 Park Road and vice versa

(b) HGV Diversion: A456 Kidderminster Road, A456 Worcester Road, A456 Kidderminster Road South, A456 Birmingham Road, A449 Chester Road North, A449 Stourbridge Road, A451 Stourbridge Road, A456 Kidderminster Road, A451 Norton Road, A451 Worcester Street, A451 New Road, A451 St John's Road, A456 Hagley Road and vice versa.

 

Nothing in this Notice shall prevent at any time access for pedestrians to any premises situated on or adjacent to the highway, or to any other premises accessible for pedestrians from and only from the highway.

 

Simon Mallinson

Head of Legal and Democratic Services

 

Dated: 20 July 2018

 

 

 

 

Message from West Mercia Police - cyberbullying and online harassment

posted 22 May 2018, 04:27 by Clerk

Advice on cyberbullying and online harassment


Cyber bullying and online harassment can be extremely distressing. It can be classed as a criminal offence but there is lots of help available to support you. 

Tips to stay safe online 

Think before you post - when posting or commenting on the internet, consider what you say and what effect this may have. Never post comments that are abusive or may cause distress to others. 

Keep personal information personal - avoid saying things or publishing pictures that might later cause you or someone else embarrassment. Be aware of what friends post about you, or how they reply to your posts, particularly about your personal details and activities. 

Make the most of privacy settings - keep your profiles closed, allowing access only to your chosen friends and family. 

Report cyberbullying to internet service providers - lots of content on social media that is offensive or upsetting is not necessarily a criminal offence. However, cyberbullying often violates the terms and conditions established by social media sites and internet service providers. Report cyberbullying to the social media site so they can take action against users abusing the terms of service. 

Social media help sections can show you how to block users and change settings to control who can contact you. You can get advice and support on using the following social media sites, including the ability to report content to them. 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/help/ 


Twitter - https://support.twitter.com/ 


Instagram - https://help.instagram.com/ 


LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin 


Google+ - https://support.google.com/plus#topic=6320382 


YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/yt/policyandsafety/en-GB/reporting.html 


Pintrest - https://help.pinterest.com/en 


Tumblr - https://www.tumblr.com/abuse 


Snapchat - https://support.snapchat.com/en-GB 


If you believe that you are the victim of an offence, always keep a record of the content by taking a screenshot, for example. If you are worried that your child or a loved one might be the victim of cyberbullying here are some signs to look out for: 

Low self-esteem 


Withdrawal from family and spending a lot of time alone 


Reluctance to let parents or other family members anywhere near their mobiles, laptops etc 


Finding excuses to stay away from school or work 


For further signs and advice visit bullying.co.uk 

Message from West Mercia Police - Reporting a crime

posted 22 May 2018, 04:17 by Clerk

Reporting Incidents

Please do not report crime or other incidents via Twitter or other forms of Social Media ? Please call 101 or 999 in an emergency. Additional information is often required by officers in order for the police to act upon any information given. 

Please view the advice below on which number you should ring. 

999 is for reporting emergency situations only; below is a helpful mnemonic to remember when to use it. 

P - Phone 999 only if 
O - Offenders are nearby 
L - Life is at risk 
I - Injury is caused or threatened 
C - Crime or disorder is in progress 
E - Emergency situations 

What is 101? 

101 is now the number to call when you want to get through to your local police when it is less urgent than 999. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Calls to 101 from land lines and mobile networks cost 15 pence per call, no matter what time of day you call or how long you are on the phone. 

When should I use 101? 

If you have had a minor traffic collision. 
If your property has been damaged. 
If your car has been stolen. 
If you suspect drug dealing. 
If you have been burgled and there are no offenders on scene. 
If you have witnessed a crime. 
If you have information about criminals in your local area. 
If you have seen a missing person. 
If you need crime prevention advice. 
If you want to speak to a local police officer/ your local Safer Neighbourhood Team. 
If you want to speak to the police about any other incident that doesn't require an immediate response. 
If you want to make us aware of any policing issues in your local area. 


What happens when you call 101? 

When you call 101, you will be greeted by an automated system that will automatically identify your location and offer you the option of being connected to your local police force. 

If you would like a different force you will be given the option to speak to an operator to select your chosen area. Your call will be answered by police contact handlers in the control room of that local police force. 

If you are anywhere in the UK you can still dial 101 and you will be given the option of speaking to police contact handlers within West Mercia. If your selection is not correct, you will be given the option to speak to an operator. 

CCTV - Message from West Mercia Police

posted 3 May 2018, 01:38 by Assitant-Clerk

CCTV, can I use it? Do I need it?

There a number of ways in which you can help improve the security of your home and property. You may wish to consider purchasing a CCTV system. CCTV can help deter, detect and identify criminals. 

CCTV can be an effective tool. It can discourage anti-social behaviour and reduce crime because offenders do not want to be caught on camera. 

The first thing you need to consider is if you really do need CCTV. In the first instance you may wish to consider looking at other, less costly ways to improve the security of your home before considering purchasing a good quality CCTV system. 

If you own the property then it is perfectly legal to install CCTV to protect your property against intruders and trespassers. However, you cannot put cameras up on other peoples property without their consent. 

Whilst it is lawful for you to monitor your own property for security purposes, you should however make sure that your field of view does not extend beyond your boundaries or focused on adjacent private areas. 

For more information visit the Information Commissioner?s Office (ICO) website: https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/cctv-on-your-property/ for their CCTV codes of practice document. You can also phone the ICO helpline on 0303 123 1113, the helpline is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. 

New Homes Bonus scheme

posted 30 Apr 2018, 01:09 by Clerk

Please note that applications for funds from the 2017/18 New Homes Bonus Community Grants Scheme are now available on the Council’s website and the process will be “open” from 9 am on Tuesday 8th May, and full details can be accessed from the link below:

 

http://www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/business/tax,-funding-finance/grants-funding/new-homes-bonus-(nhb)-community-grants-scheme.aspx

Parking enforcement

posted 27 Mar 2018, 05:02 by Assitant-Clerk

Parking enforcement in your area

West Mercia Police have seen an increase in complaints of inconsiderate and illegal parking in residential areas.

Although parking enforcement is largely carried out by the local authority, Bromsgrove Safer Neighbourhood Team will be carrying out targeted patrols over the coming weeks to educate motorists and take enforcement action where necessary.


Inspector Gareth Keyte said; '' I am appealing to motorists living and visiting Bromsgrove, Rubery, Hagley and Alvechurch to drive and park considerately. A little thought and consideration will avoid enforcement action which often has a financial or insurance consequence''.

Safer Roads in Hagley

posted 4 Sep 2017, 01:53 by Assitant-Clerk

Success of Speed enforcement activity on the

A456 Worcester Road, Hagley

 

 

The Safer Roads Partnership in Warwickshire and West Mercia (SRPW&WM) launched a new mobile speed enforcement site on the A456 Worcester Road, Hagley around the 21st of June 2017.

Local residents have previously raised their concerns, regarding speeding traffic travelling along this section of the A456, to Hagley Parish Council. During 2016 the Parish Council discussed the issue with the Safer Roads Partnership and asked for action to be taken. Initially speed data was collected during 2016 in the area, which highlighted unacceptably high speeds; over half of all drivers are exceeding the 30mph speed limit and 15% of vehicles travel above 38.4mph.

Since the start of the enforcement activity in June 2017, 63 offences have been recorded.

In terms of measuring the outcomes of activity on each enforcement site, after approximately four months of activity, a speed survey will be carried out and analysed. A comparison will then be made with the initial survey, and a detailed examination of the offences will be made.

A formal report will be generated by The Safer Roads Partnership team and will include any recommendations for a change in enforcement strategy as driver’s behaviour changes. At this point it is hoped that further feedback would then be available.

The Safer Roads Partnership is part of Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police and works with partner agencies to reduce casualties and make the roads safer across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, Warwickshire and Worcestershire through targeted communication, education and training together with enforcement.

Hagley Parish Council welcomes the success of this programme in order to establish a safer environment along this very busy highway corridor section of the A456 Worcester Road through the Parish and fully supports the aims of the enforcement programme as outlined above.

 

Playing Fields access

posted 7 Jun 2017, 05:31 by Assitant-Clerk

PLEASE NOTE: Due to Pavilion works starting imminently, there will be no access to Hagley playing fields via Victoria Passage or Church Street from this Friday, the 9th June 2017. Please use the shopper's car park for access to park and train station. Thank you.

Temporary closure of Victoria Passage and access to Playing Field from Church Street

posted 25 May 2017, 01:24 by Assitant-Clerk

The new Pavilion and Changing Room facility on Hagley Playing Fields is due for commencement in June 2017. Works are programmed to take place between June and December. For this period it is advised that pedestrian access between Church Street and Hagley Playing and Victoria passage will be closed.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you. The playing fields will still remain accessible by the main car park on the Worcester Road.

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