The role Neighbourhood Policing plays in Operation Galaxy

This month has seen your local policing team dealing with a number of incidents under the operation name of Galaxy. Since the start of this operation we have made nearly 500 arrests across the force area. As part of this operation the local neighbourhood team in  the Wolds Weighton area have been patrolling local ASB hotspots, making numerous visits to vulnerable persons, and have executed a number of warrants in the wider area resulting in numerous arrests and protecting the public from harm.

Your local neighbourhood team plays a crucial role within Humberside Police and the area you live.  They are the eyes and ears of your local community, ensuring that the issues of most concern to you are acted upon.  Their time is spent patrolling the streets and crime hotspot areas, listening to your concerns and working with partner agencies to proactively tackle issues such as; antisocial behaviour, nuisance motor vehicles, drug misuse, wildlife and rural crime and burglaries, among others.  If you report a problem, we will work with partners to resolve it.

With the lockdown restrictions gradually being eased, your neighbourhood team will be continuing to provide a highly visible presence and reassurance in your community.  Our Ward areas cover a diverse section of the East Riding covering both urban and rural areas, each one having slightly differing needs.  Our neighbourhood teams are a key part of policing and are essential to the smooth running of Operation Galaxy.

We will be patrolling areas that are likely to grow in popularity such as retail parks and open outdoor spaces.  We will be supporting local businesses, offering guidance and advice to ensure that both employees and customers feel safe when they do reopen.

You can get in touch with us in a few ways.  Our neighbourhood officers are there to listen to you.  You can tell them your concerns in person when you see them on patrol or if they knock on your door.  We actively encourage our communities to report the issues that matter to them.  We are all about patrolling with a purpose, which means mapping out and providing a visible presence in the areas you are frequently reporting to us.  One of the easiest ways to pass us information is by calling our non-emergency phone number 101.  We have a team of specially trained operators who can take information from you and make sure it lands in the hands of the correct team

Scam Awareness

This information is to provide awareness and advice in 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 buy

Emails 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 details

Fake 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 money

Mobile 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 phone

People 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 door

Take your time; don’t be rushed

If 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 unsure

If 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 emails

Only purchase goods from legitimate retailers and take a moment to think before parting with money or personal information

Know 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 below

Protect your financial information, especially from people you don’t know. Never give your bank card or PIN to a stranger

We 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.

 You can also sign up to Humberside Police’s My Community Alert at www.mycommuntiyalert.co.uk to receive updates straight to your mobile or email on what’s going on in your community.

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.

Please see also 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 1133

If you are in immediate danger, contact the police on 999

Youths causing annoyance

Reports of youths causing low level ASB at the rear of the library on Beverley Road. Officers will continue with High Visibility patrols in the area. We have also been working with local partner agencies especially the anti social team of East Riding Council and local school to deliver education on anti social behaviour. Anyone caught engaging in such activities will be dealt with jointly with the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

We would like to encourage the local community to report any issues by calling Humberside Police on 101 (non-emergency number) or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.