Dear ResidentI am writing to you with regards to how you can access support and safeguard yourself against scams during the coronavirus outbreak. Unfortunately not everyone out there is trustworthy and some people will try to take advantage of this unusual situation our society is facing and try to exploit people. Listed below are some of the scams that you could be approached with, but please note that criminals and their scams come in all shapes and sizes, and they may contact you at the door, by phone, post or online:Be aware of people offering miracle cures or vaccines for coronavirus – there is no specific treatment for coronavirus (COVID-19)People impersonating healthcare workers, claiming to be offering ‘home-testing’ for coronavirus – this is a scam and these kits are not currently available to buyEmails saying that you can get a refund on taxes, utilities or similar - they are usually bogus and they are just trying to obtain your bank and personal detailsFake products available to buy online that advise they can protect you or cure coronavirus - these will not help and are just designed to take your moneyMobile phone applications that claim to give you updates on the virus but instead, they lock your phone and demand a ransom Calls from people purporting to be from your bank, or from the police, asking for your bank details over the phonePeople offering to do you’re shopping or collecting medication and asking for money upfront and then disappearing To avoid becoming a victim of a scam, we’ve please follow our tips and advice below: Be cautious and listen to your instincts. Don’t be afraid to hang up, bin it, delete it or shut the doorTake your time; don’t be rushedIf someone claims to represent a charity, ask them for ID. Be suspicious of requests for money up front. Check with family and friends before accepting offers of helps if you are unsureIf you are online, be aware of fake news and use trusted sources such as .gov.uk or NHS.uk websites. Make sure you type the addresses in and don’t click on links in emailsOnly purchase goods from legitimate retailers and take a moment to think before parting with money or personal informationKnow who you’re dealing with - if you need help, talk to someone you know or get in touch with your local Council on the numbers belowProtect your financial information, especially from people you don’t know. Never give your bank card or PIN to a strangerWe know it can be difficult to know who to trust, and we hope this information helps you to feel more informed and more able to protect yourself against these types of scams. If you’re online or have a mobile phone Facebook Community groups and WhatsApp groups can be great ways of staying in touch with those around you. To learn more about different types of scams and how to protect yourself and others, visit the National Trading Standards website www.FriendsAgainstScams.org.uk and complete the free online training.If you’re not online, please see the telephone helpline numbers below if you need any help or advice:If you think you’ve been scammed, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 If you need advice, call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133If you are in immediate danger, contact the police on 999If you use Twitter you can also follow me: @PCDKirkwood  Make a difference in your community – help us to help you! Regards  PC 805 Darren KirkwoodDrypool Community Beat ManagerHumberside PolicePreston Road Police StationHullHU9 3TB Emergency – 999Non-Emergency - 101

Following a report this morning in the Brandesburton area of East Yorkshire, we want to advise that we are not routinely stopping any vehicles and that we do not have any stop check areas in place across the Humberside Force area in relation to Covid-19.A woman reported she was signalled to pull over by two men in a dark grey coloured vehicle at around 9.25am this morning (Friday, 27 March) on the Leven bypass.The two men, dressed both in black zip up hoodies, carrying walkie talkies and wearing ear pieces, asked where she was driving to and if it was essential, and then demanded she pay a £60 on the spot fine in cash for unnecessary travel.The woman refused and the two men got back into their car and drove off.Chief Superintendent Darren Downs said: “I would like to make clear that our current approach to new legislation and powers does not involve routinely stopping any vehicles to enquire where people are driving to and if it’s an essential journey.“In our general day to day policing role, we do stop vehicles where there is a reason to do so, for instance driving erratically, speeding or without due care or attention, and this will continue.“However, there are no check points or stop areas in place and drivers will not be pulled over by officers to just ask where they are going, unless it is in response to a specific event, for example we see or become aware of a number of vehicles that are travelling to a mass gathering.“Our approach to policing the new rules is around engagement with the public as opposed to enforcement, and with any of the powers, we will always try to talk to people first and explain the situation, to encourage individuals to adhere to the Government’s guidance.“The fines that have been granted as a power to use as part of the new legislation are a very last resort, and if enforced, they would never be an “on the spot” fine. A fixed penalty notice would be issued to the individual with the instructions on how to pay within a certain period of time.“If you are stopped by anyone who appears to be portraying themselves as an official, always ask to see some form of identification and if you are concerned for your safety or are in danger, immediately call 999.“Please be aware and alert to anyone who may attempt to take advantage of these unprecedented times we find ourselves in.“We know the majority of people are all pulling together, however there will always be a small number of people who choose to exploit situations, and we will take strong action against them.”Please call police on 101 if you have any information in relation to this incident, quoting log number 92 of 27 March 2020.Always dial 999 in an emergency. If you use Twitter you can also follow me: @PCDKirkwood Make a difference in your community – help us to help you! Regards  PC 805 Darren KirkwoodDrypool Community Beat ManagerHumberside PolicePreston Road Police StationHullHU9 3TB Emergency – 999Non-Emergency - 101

Online reporting for group gatherings - Covid-19Following the Government’s announcement earlier this week around police powers to disperse anyone in groups of more than two people, we have seen an increase in the number of calls to our non-emergency 101 number, with reports of people not adhering to the guidance.While we know everyone is concerned, this is creating additional demand on our service, but we know you all want to play your part and do your bit to help our local communities and save lives.With this in mind, we have created an online reporting portal, where people can submit a form to advise of any gatherings that are not in adherence with the guidance, and ease the demand on 101.Head of the Force Control Room, Chris Philpott said: “We know the vast majority of people are following the guidance issued by the Government in relation to gatherings, however we are aware there will be individuals who choose not to adhere and understandably, people do want to report this type of behaviour to us as it is risking lives.“The online portal has been developed precisely for reports of this nature, where groups have been seen gathered, and has a dedicated team who will receive the report as soon as it is made.“Reports will be assessed based on the information provided and we would ask people to please consider the circumstance before making their report.“For instance, if a couple and two children are seen in the park, it’s highly likely they are all from the same household and are taking the opportunity for their one form of exercise of the day, which under the guidance is allowed.“However, if there is a group of ten people of the same age gathered in a car park, it’s more likely they are not from the same household.“We will not be able to deploy officers to every single report of social gatherings that contradict the Government’s advice and dependent on the information within the report will determine our response.“However it may be some of the reports are referred on to our partner agencies, our Local Authorities for example, who could take further action to stop gatherings in certain places.“Responses or outcomes will not be provided to those who submit a report, as would be the case calling 101, but please be rest assured it will have been received and action taken where appropriate.“Everyone is pulling together during these unprecedented times and our thanks go out to all of our residents across the Humberside Force area who are following the Government’s advice to do the right thing in order to protect the NHS, which in turn will save lives. “Please help us in continuing to provide you with a policing service and protecting you by reporting these incidents online and keeping the non-emergency 101 number free for us to deal with all other incidents. Please always call 999 in an emergency.”The online reporting portal can be found here: www.reportingcrime.uk/HPBreachOfCovid19Guidance/index.htmlREMEMBER it is simple Stay Home Save Lives Your actions make a difference!!If you use Twitter you can also follow me: @PCDKirkwood  Make a difference in your community – help us to help you! Regards  PC 805 Darren KirkwoodDrypool Community Beat ManagerHumberside PolicePreston Road Police StationHullHU9 3TB Emergency – 999Non-Emergency - 101

Here's a message from our Chief Constable Lee Freeman, following the Government's recent update on the measures being taken to tackle the COVID19 outbreak and what we're doing to keep you safe.www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vZxkGUDgd8&feature=youtu.beREMEMBER it is simple Stay Home Save Lives Your actions make a difference!!If you use Twitter you can also follow me: @PCDKirkwood  Make a difference in your community – help us to help you! Regards  PC 805 Darren KirkwoodDrypool Community Beat ManagerHumberside PolicePreston Road Police StationHullHU9 3TB Emergency – 999Non-Emergency - 101

Have you seen Jayden?
We are looking to find 17 year-old Jayden Cullum who has not been seen for almost a week. Jayden was last seen on Falkland Road in Hull on Friday 28 February and we are trying to trace his whereabouts.

If you have seen him or can help us locate Jayden call us on 101 quoting log 61 28 February 2020.

www.humberside.police.uk/witness-appeals/have-you-seen-jayden

If you use Twitter you can also follow me: @PCDKirkwood
 
Make a difference in your community – help us to help you!
 
Regards 
 
PC 805 Darren Kirkwood
Drypool Community Beat Manager
Humberside Police
Preston Road Police Station
Hull
HU9 3TB
 
Emergency – 999
Non-Emergency - 101
 
Visit our website for crime prevention advice
*Links and attachments: Humberside Police will only ever link you to secure web-sites we trust. We will only send you attachments where we believe it is absolutely necessary.

Crime Update


Monthly Crime and Anti-Social
Behaviour Information
Drypool, Hull
February 2020



Dear Residents
 
 
Please find below the figures to what crime has been reported for Drypool between 1st and 29th February 2020
 
 3 x Theft of Pedal Cycle’s
 5 x Criminal Damage to Vehicles
 4 x Criminal Damage to Dwellings
 5 x Theft from Vehicle
 4 x Theft of Vehicle
 9 x Burglary Residential
 
Below are the figures for reported Anti-Social Behaviour between 1st and 29th February 2020
 
3 x ASB Personal
 
10 x ASB Nuisance
 
1 x ASB Environmental
 
ASB Personal – Deliberately targeted at an individual or group or having an impact on an individual or group rather than the community at large
 
ASB Nuisance - Engaging in or threatening to engage in conduct causing or likely to cause a nuisance or annoyance to persons engaged in lawful activities
 
ASB Environmental - Incidents where individuals and groups have an impact on their surroundings including natural, built and social environments
 
Please feel free to contact me for any crime prevention advice or if you are part of any local groups and would like some involvement from myself or just to give me some feedback about what you would like to see being messaged on My Community Alerts
 
Due to the number of reports of Burglary please see the below crime prevention advice…
 
Burglary
 
Homes with no security measures in place are five times more likely to be burgled than those with simple security measures. Good window locks and strong deadlocks can make a big difference.

Taking just a few steps can make a big difference in keeping your home safe from burglary. Here are a few tips:

Lock your doors and windows every time you leave the house, even when you're just out in the garden, remembering to double-lock UPVC doors (lift handle and turn key)

Hide all keys, including car keys, out of sight and away from the letterbox (remember a device could be used to hook keys through the letterbox)

Install a visual burglar alarm (as part of a suite of prevention measures - a burglar alarm on its own will not prevent entry to your home)

Install good outside lighting

Get a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property

Leave radios or lights in your house on a timer to make the property appear occupied

Make sure the fences around your garden are in good condition

Secure bikes at home by locking them to an immoveable object inside a locked shed or garage

Keep ladders and tools stored away; don't leave them outside where they could be used to break into your home

Ensure side gates are locked to prevent access to the rear of the property

Ensure rear fencing is in good repair

Improve natural surveillance at the front of your property i.e. trim high hedges

Mark your property with postcode and house number and register your property for free with Immobilise.

Consider joining or forming a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

Remove valuables from view of ground floor windows

Store any high value items (i.e. jewellery, passports) in a properly secured safe or bank vault
 
Doors and windows
 
In most burglaries, the criminals broke into the house or flat through the door, either by forcing the lock or kicking it in. So make sure your doors are strong and secure. Consider fitting a bar for extra strength; a locksmith can advise you on how best to do it.
Glass panels on doors are particularly vulnerable. If you have one on your door you could replace it with laminated glass, which is stronger. You can also buy a film in a DIY store that you can stick over the glass to make it harder to break.
Home security and DIY shops sell inexpensive, key-operated locks to fit most kinds of windows. Fit window locks with keys to all downstairs windows and those upstairs that are easy to reach.
 
Distraction burglary
 
If you're not sure who is at your door, don't open it. Check the identity of the caller by calling the company they are claiming to be from i.e. gas, electricity, water and police. Use the telephone numbers listed in your local directory or provided independently by your service provider - Do not use any telephone numbers provided by the caller - they may be bogus. The 'Waterboard' no longer exists, it is an obsolete phrase used only by bogus callers.

Going away on holiday
 
Make your home look like someone is living in it:
Use automatic timer-switches to turn your lights and radios on when it goes dark
Cancel any newspaper or milk deliveries
Use the Royal Mail's 'keepsafe' service - they keep your mail for up to 2 months while you're away. Mail sitting on your doorstep is a sign that you are away
Trusted neighbours may be able to help you by collecting your post, opening and closing curtains and they could park their car on your driveway
Avoid discussing holiday plans on public social networking sites - burglars can use any information you post on there to their advantage
 
A GOOD website to look at is www.police.uk/ and especially the ‘Crime Map’ as this will give you information about individual crimes near you postcode.
 
If you use Twitter you can also follow me: @PCDKirkwood
 
Make a difference in your community – help us to help you!
 
Regards 
 
PC 805 Darren Kirkwood
Drypool Community Beat Manager
Humberside Police
Preston Road Police Station
Hull
HU9 3TB
 
Emergency – 999
Non-Emergency - 101
 
***All figures will be correct at the time of analysis and publication but may change if classifications are changed or further information comes to light
 
Visit our website for latest news

*Links and attachments: Humberside Police will only ever link you to secure web-sites we trust. We will only send you attachments where we believe it is absolutely necessary.