Police Scotland are launching our annual national ‘After Dark’ campaign on Monday 11th October 2021.  The campaign will run until  Monday 25th October 2021 and is designed to raise awareness around home security.

In particular we are reminding homeowners to make their home appear occupied during the early evenings as the darker nights set in.

A house that looks unoccupied can become a target for criminals.

There are some simple things a householder can do to make their home less of a target.  These include ensuring windows and doors are locked, fitting outside security lighting and using timer switches on some internal lights.

Attached is a leaflet providing some useful hints and tips around home security.

The protocol is a form which family members or carers complete for a person living with dementia or at risk of going missing. The form is available to download from Police Scotland’s website
https://www.scotland.police.uk/what-s-happening/missing-persons/the-herbert-protocol/.

It provides personal details, medical history, significant locations and information about previous incidents of going missing.

The protocol can be printed out and stored in a safe, easily accessible place in the person’s home or kept by a family member electronically. It is important to keep the protocol updated.

It enables police officers to quickly obtain vital information about vulnerable people who have been reported missing.

Since 2017 the Herbert Protocol has been used many times to help police and other agencies quickly and safely locate missing people who have dementia. The scheme was rolled out nationwide on 21st September, 2021.

Please share as appropriate

The following message has recently been circulated by Police Scotland

Police Scotland is immediately introducing a simple officer verification process to provide reassurance to any member of the public who may be concerned about whether or not they are being spoken to by a genuine police officer working alone.

The move follows the understandable public concern surrounding the horrendous murder of Sarah Everard

On duty officers operating on their own will now proactively offer to carry out a verification check for anyone they come across who appears to be concerned for their safety. A member of the public can also request that a verification check be done.

Although police officers normally work in pairs in Scotland and it is very rare for a lone police officer to approach a member of the public, there are occasions when this could happen.

The new process, introduced on Saturday, 2 October, will allow for the officer’s personal radio to be put on loudspeaker and for an officer or member of police staff in a Police Scotland Control Room to confirm that the officer is who they say they are, that they are on duty and the reason the officer is speaking to the member of the public.

The Control Room will then create an incident number which can be displayed on the officer’s mobile phone or radio to confirm the broadcast message details.

In the even rarer situation where a lone off-duty officer has to become involved in an incident, the officer will call 999 and allow the member of the public to speak to the control room on the phone. Uniformed colleagues will also be dispatched as quickly as possible.

The full message can be viewed here
https://www.scotland.police.uk/what-s-happening/news/2021/october/lone-police-officers-to-offer-verification-check-to-members-of-the-public/

The following information is being circulated on behalf of RoSPA

On the 30th occasion of the UN’s International Day of Older Persons, which is marked every year on October 1st, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is raising concerns about the links between experiencing a fall at home and fuel and food poverty in later life.

A spokesperson for RoSPA said:

“According to the NHS, around 1 in 3 adults over 65 who live at home will have at least one fall a year, and about half of these will have more frequent falls.
Poor nutrition, inadequate housing and general ill health increase the risk of having a fall and the likelihood of fall having serious or fatal consequences.”

“The Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimates that two million older people in the UK are living in poverty and frequently have to choose between ‘heating or eating’. Nutrition is related to many risk factors for falls, and has been shown to be a determining factor in not only the severity of injuries from falls, but also recovery time after the injury. Specifically, deficiencies in energy, protein and micronutrients can lead to falls due to the effect on strength, mobility and impact on both visual and cognitive impairment. A low body weight, due to malnutrition, can also increase the risk of a fall due to similar effects on muscle strength.

“It is gravely concerning to learn that each year between £2-3billion of Pension Credit is not being claimed by those eligible. Pension Credit often acts as a gateway benefit which allows easier access to other forms of support such as help with energy bills, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Relief.”

“If everyone who was entitled to Pension Credit received it, it would lift roughly 3/10 pensioners or 440,000 out of poverty. RoSPA supports Independent Age’s campaign to raise awareness of Pension Credit as part of our falls prevention activity.

To find out more to check eligibility and how to claim Pension Credit see link below
Link to Pension Credit eligibility checker:

https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility

Please share this information with family, friends, and neighbours

Stop Scams UK and Global Cyber Alliance have launched the UK-wide 159 call service, which is designed to guarantee consumers a safe route to contacting their banks.

The scheme is urging people to “stop, hang up and call 159” to check calls are for real. The idea is to help those who believe they have been contacted by scammers claiming to be their bank, or by fraudsters who encourage them to transfer money.

Currently, banks that cover over 70% of UK current account customers are signed up to the scheme at launch, although more are expected to follow. Here’s a table detailing the firms currently taking part :-

Bank of Scotland
Barclays
Halifax
Lloyds Bank
NatWest
Royal Bank of Scotland
Santander
Starling Bank
Ulster Bank

You can call 159 if you’re a customer of most major telecoms firms
The majority of telecoms firms are participating in the scheme, which enables you to call 159 from handsets and landlines if you’re a customer. Here are the firms taking part :-

BT (including EE and Plusnet)
Gamma
O2 (including Giffgaff)
Sky
TalkTalk
Three
Virgin Media

When calling 159, you’ll be taken through an option menu in which each bank that has signed up to the service is read aloud. Customers are then able to use their telephone keypad to be put through to their bank. You’ll then be directed through to your bank’s customer service department. Note that calling the service will cost the same as making a national rate call.
For those who bank with firms not yet involved in the 159 pilot – you should continue to contact your bank by using the number on the back of your debit or credit card.

When to call 159
Call 159 if they encounter the following:

• Someone contacts you claiming to be from your bank – even if they do not seem suspicious.
• You are contacted by someone claiming to be an authority figure (such as the police) and told to transfer money – even if the request seems genuine.
• You receive a call about a financial matter and it appears suspicious.

Police in Forth Valley have received a report of a Covid Vaccine Pass scam.

In this instance a local resident was contacted via text message which contained a hyperlink.  The text message instructed the receiver to click the hyperlink and on doing so took the receiver onto an information page / site.

The resident completed this page which included bank account details and was subsequently scammed out of money.

The original text message indicated that it had come from an NHS website, which was obviously not the case.

Be Advised

• Under no circumstances will there be any request for banking details on any bona-fide text message or e-mail from NHS in relation to any Covid related matter.
• Any messages, either text or e-mail, that is requesting any banking details are fraudulent.
• Be aware these messages look very convincing, be on your guard to this, and take five minutes to consider what is being ask.
• If in doubt contact you bank or local NHS for guidance

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The new legislation requires all homes to have:

• One smoke alarm installed in the room most frequently used for general daytime living purposes
• One smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey, such as hallways and landings
• One heat alarm installed in the kitchen All alarms should be ceiling mounted and interlinked
• Where there is a carbon-fuelled appliance, such as a boiler, fire (including open fires) and heater, a carbon monoxide detector is also required. This does not need to be linked to the fire alarms.

If you live in a one bedroom flat, you will need two smoke alarms and one heat alarm. If you have a carbon fuelled appliance like a boiler, you will also need a carbon monoxide detector.
A 3 bedroom, 2 storey house will need 3 smoke alarms and one heat alarm. If you have a carbon fuelled appliance like a boiler, you will also need a carbon monoxide detector.

There are two types of alarms available:

• Tamper proof long-life battery-operated alarms, which can last for up to 10 years, and can be fitted by the homeowner or a handyperson.
• Mains wired alarms, which should be installed by a qualified electrician.

The homeowner is responsible for making sure their home meets the the new fire alarms standard, and for finding a contractor to carry out the work. When purchasing an alarm, choose a reputable brand and make sure the packaging clearly displays compliance with BS EN14604:2005 for smoke alarms. Carbon monoxide alarms should have the British Kitemark (EN 50291-1). Heat alarms should comply with BS 5446-2:2003. To find out more about the new legislation and the support available, visit: mygov.scot/firealarms

The following information has been circulated on behalf of Police Scotland Cybercrime Harm Prevention Unit and will also be relevant to all those working or part working from home, business users etc.

Businesses are encouraged to remain vigilant of Phishing emails. Criminals are turning to more sophisticated ways to target you or your business making it harder to detect system intrusion and compromise. BEC can be difficult to spot, especially when the compromised email appears to come from a company or person you have previously dealt with and trust.
Make sure you are aware how organisations/people that you normally work with operate.

Noted below are some signs to look out for:

Be wary of last minute changes to bank account details and payment dates for invoices.
Unusual files being sent and requests to download same.
Requests to share your login credentials or log into a new software.
For all your IT equipment make sure the software and firmware is kept up to date with the latest version from software developers.

The National Cyber Security Centre and its counterparts revealed the 30 most routinely exploited vulnerabilities since the start of 2020
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/news/global-cyber-vulnerabilities-advice

STOP
If you receive a request to make an urgent payment, download a file or log into a system or account, take a moment to stop and think.
CHALLENGE
Could it be fake? Verify all details directly with the company or organisation on a known phone number or in person first.
PROTECT
If you believe you’ve been targeted by BEC follow your organisations procedures for reporting phishing emails. If necessary contact your bank immediately on a number you know to be correct. If you’ve been a victim of Cyber Crime please report to the Police Scotland by calling 101.

For more information on what phishing is and what you can do about it please visit the Police Scotland website https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/internet-safety/
or other trusted partners such as Get Safe Online, Take Five or NCSC.

Forth Valley Officers have been advised that residents within the local area have been receiving e-mails regarding a COVID 19 Travel Passport.

Please find below examples of text within emails received so you know what to look out for.

Example 1 – Email received reads:

The COVID 19 travel certificate has been created in a bid to restore the freedom of travel, which has been put to a halt for over a year now, since the pandemic erupted all over the block.

Through the certificate, the commission intends to remove travel restrictions as travel bans, quarantine obligations and testing.

The holding of such a document you will be able to travel throughout Europe without the need to quarantine or test for COVID 19.

Please confirm or reject your intention by selecting an option below

NHS- Accept invitation
NHS- Decline invitation

Both the options above have a hyperlink associated.

Signs to look out for that show example 1 is a scam
Reference to the Block (terminology used for the European Union) and Commission (EU Commission) would clearly show that this scam type may be used in Europe.

Example 2 (sample attached) – Email received reads:

We are happy to introduce Digital Coronavirus Passports (HSPS)
NHS
Dear Sir / Madam,

Starting today you can apply for a digital passport.  The Coronavirus Digital Passport is documentation proving that you have been vaccinated against COVID 19, or you have recently recovered from COVID 19.

The passport will allow you to travel safely and freely around the World without having to self- isolate.

Who is eligible
UK Citizen’s and their families and legal residents

How do I get the certificate
You can get your digital passport via the NHS portal by clicking the below button

Get Digital Passport – (there is a hyperlink connected to this)

How does it work
Each issuing body has been allocated a digital signature, which is embedded in the QR code;

Border agency staff will scan the QR code to see the data, although no personal data will be seen, not will personal data of the holder go through the gateway which nations are using to verify signatures.

The passport will allow you to travel safely and freely around the World without having to self- isolate.  This is clearly untrue due to each country having different entry / exit rules including testing etc.

Signs to look out for that show example 2 is a scam
Any contact which starts Dear Sir / Madam is generic and is generally a tell -tale sign of a scam as this will be sent to multiple e-mail addresses.

The links in both these emails lead to scam websites with NHS branding which ask you to enter your personal details and pay a small ‘admin fee’ to receive the passport.

Advice

• At this time no such passport exists, although various versions have been spoken about in the media (national news/press conferences etc) and these may become into existence at some point in the future.
• You will not be invited to apply for a ‘Coronavirus digital passport’ via email or text.
• In Scotland you can request a printed copy of your vaccination status from NHS Scotland online,  or by phoning the COVID-19 Status Helpline on 0808 196 8565.
• You will never be asked to pay to receive a copy of your vaccination status.
• The NHS will not ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as passports.
• If you are unsure about a message you have received in relation to Covid-19, call the NHS Scotland national helpline on 0800 22 44 88.

Reporting

Report scams to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or via their website. If you are concerned that you may have provided personal or financial information via a link in a scam message, contact Police Scotland on 101.

If you have received an email which you’re not quite sure about, forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) at [email protected].

Police Scotland recently asked the public for their views on our Armed Police Officers using body worn video cameras to record certain incidents.
Almost 9,000 people took part in a national survey and the majority thought the use of body worn video cameras would increase trust and confidence in the police and make them feel safer.
The response was so positive, we are now considering giving these cameras to police officers and staff, in other roles across Scotland. This means that cameras would be worn on their uniform to record what they see and hear in certain situations so everyone involved has a clearer picture of exactly what happened. So again, the organisation is asking the public for their views and has launched a national consultation which will run for three months between 1 June and 30 August.

The consultation is an opportunity for the public to be part of an ongoing conversation to help shape the use of Body Worn Video cameras by police officers and staff when interacting with communities in Scotland.
Your views will help inform protocols, code of practice and training to ensure that things are done in an appropriate and proportionate way, each and every time. Please take some time to take part in the national survey by visiting the Body Worn Video pages at scotland.police.uk or using the link
https://consult.scotland.police.uk/strategy-insight-and-innovation/police-scotlands-use-of-body-worn-video-public-con/

Please be advised that text messages are being received advising that the owner has received a new voicemail.  Contained within the body of the text message is a hyperlink connecting you to the new voicemail.
To date there is no reported instances of anyone opening the hyperlink, however it is suspected that the link will ask for personal details such as bank account numbers, sort codes etc.
These text messages are not being received from your usual provider, however exercise extreme caution when responding to any hyperlinks within e-mails or text messages. THINK SCAM

Advice
Under no circumstances should you click on any unsolicited text messages or e-mails.  For further information and safety tips on scams please go to

https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/scams-and-frauds/

The following links and attached leaflet contain essential advice and information on how to stay safe around our coastline, waterways and inland waters.
Please share as appropriate with family, friends and neighbours.

https://www.watersafetyscotland.org.uk/information/
https://www.watersafetyscotland.org.uk/campaigns/reservoir-safety/
https://rnli.org/safety/know-the-risks/rip-currents

•    Deter thieves from entering your property by installing and using lockable gates and by maintaining boundaries and perimeter fencing;

•    Plant shrubs or install fences to hide exposed domestic heating oil tanks from the eyes of opportunist thieves cruising the neighbourhood;

•    Consider fitting a locking cap to your tank;

•    Check tank oil levels regularly;

•    Where possible install automatic movement sensor security lighting to cover your tank and the immediate surrounding area;

•    Note suspicious vehicle registration numbers and report them to the police through the 101 number;

•    If tanks are located in outbuildings or sheds, ensure these are kept locked;

•    Be aware that if thieves have already stolen fuel from your tank they may return to steal any replacement oil you order;

•    Be especially vigilant following a recent delivery of oil/diesel;

•    Consider fitting an alarm system that notifies you if fuel is being drained from the tank.

Report any suspicious activity, or those involved, to Police Scotland by calling 101.  In an emergency, call 999.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Police Scotland has launched an awareness raising campaign to prevent vehicles being targeted by criminals.

During the past year, when the country was subject to a range of coronavirus restrictions, including lockdown, recorded crime fell.

As crime rates return to pre-COVID levels, officers are seeing a rise in the number of cars, vans and motorcycles being stolen, or having items stolen from within.

Attempted theft of vehicles has increased across Scotland and in a number of divisions, there has been an increase in the number of vehicles successfully stolen too.

Officers are now urging the public to take appropriate security measures in respect of their vehicles and valuables within, to try and prevent further victims of these crimes.

Detective Superintendent Joyce Greenhorn, Police Scotland’s Acquisitive Crime Lead, said: “With people now able to spend increased time away from their homes again, be it to go on holiday, or returning to other activities, the number of instances of vehicles being subject to criminal activity has risen.

“We are treating this upward trend with the utmost seriousness and want to provide communities with all the information they require to help stop their vehicles and property being targeted.

“Please always remember to keep your vehicle locked when unattended and remove all valuables, or store them safely out of sight. If you are going on holiday, ask someone you trust to keep an eye on your home, car, van or bike and get them to report any suspicious activity they observe to police immediately.

“We will be using our social media channels to provide crime prevention advice over the coming week, so look out for these updates.

“You can also visit our website www.scotland.police.uk at any time for useful guidance on safeguarding your home, vehicle and personal possessions.”

VSS is the leading charity dedicated to helping people affected by crime by providing emotional, practical and financial support.
Their invaluable network of volunteers supports victims and witnesses when they need it most, making a real difference in their community and empowering people to move forward after a crime.

These exciting volunteer roles offer the chance to access a range of development opportunities, including new support skills and gain experience of working within the criminal justice sector.

Volunteers will help people in the community and at court, supported by a team of staff and fellow volunteers.

Find out more about VSS’ volunteering opportunities at: victimsupport.scot/volunteer

Remove or conceal all valuables that may be on display in your vehicle. Where possible, park up in a well-lit area which has surveillance from occupied properties. Please remember to lock the vehicle and keep the keys in a safe and secure place within your household that cannot be seen from doorways or windows. If the key is a ‘smart’ or passive key (contactless) please ensure that it is stored in a Faraday Pouch or signal blocking container kept in a safe and secure place away from windows and doors.

Vehicles that are not fitted with an electronic ignition immobiliser, can be secured with a steering lock or pedal clamp.

The same principal applies to agricultural vehicles and plant, in addition, consider the use of hydraulic locks for plant / Agricultural equipment, or Block Stem locks which are fitted to exposed steering rams. These vehicles should be registered with the CESAR scheme and where appropriate a tracking device fitted.

Theft of quad bikes and lightweight utility vehicles has also increased. When not in use these should be parked up where they can be easily observed from occupied premises, the keys removed and immobilised as best as possible. These should also be registered in the CESAR scheme and where appropriate a tracking device can be installed.

Operation Wingspan is a Police Scotland led campaign to deter and detect wildlife crime. It is being conducted over a year and the current phase includes a focus on poaching.

Deer can only be hunted at specific times of year, and this varies between the four species found in Scotland and between males and females. It is also a crime to hunt deer during the hours of darkness, to use anything other than a rifle to kill them, to pursue deer using a vehicle, to shoot deer from a moving vehicle or to hunt deer without the permission of the landowner.

Indicators of deer poaching might be deer heads, legs or innards discarded at the roadside or in woodland, or vehicles being driven slowly on rural roads frequented by deer, especially if torches are being used as if searching for deer.

Poachers are unlikely to consider hygiene practices or examine the carcass for diseases such as tuberculosis. If this venison enters the food chain public health is put at risk.

Permission is required to fish on Scotland’s rivers, lochs, reservoirs and ponds.

It is an offence to fish for salmon or brown trout in the close season. The close season for brown trout is 7 October – 14 March across Scotland. The close season for salmon and sea trout varies from river to river. Fisheries Management Scotland can provide further information regarding this.

It is an offence to catch salmon and freshwater fish by means other than a rod and line or legal net fishery ie gill nets, prohibited baits or lures, electrical devices and other implements prohibited by law.

If you see anything suspicious please report it to police.

If you are witnessing an ongoing crime call 999.  If you have information then please contact Police Scotland on 101 or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.