NWS Archive

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.

From 30th June new regulations come into force which restrict the times of day and the volume of fireworks that can be supplied to the public – as well as the times fireworks can be set off.

The times of day that fireworks can be used by the public is restricted to between 6pm – 11pm, with a number of exempt dates set out in the regulations such as Bonfire Night, New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali, when they can be used later in the evening.

The times of day fireworks can be supplied to the public is restricted to during the daytime hours of 7am and 6pm, alongside existing requirements on retailers around sale and storage licences.

The quantity of fireworks that can be supplied to the public is limited to 5kg at any one time.

Read more about how the new measures impact the use of fireworks

https://www.gov.scot/publications/the-fireworks-scotland-miscellaneous-amendments-regulations-2021—information-on-the-use-of-fireworks/

Read more about how the new measures impact the supply of fireworks

https://www.gov.scot/publications/the-fireworks-scotland-miscellaneous-amendments-regulations-2021—information-for-retailers/

Police in Forth Valley are advising of Scam calls. 

Reports have been received of callers making contact pretending to represent internet providers making enquiries about internet provision and asking for other details.

Thankfully the resident was suspicious and did not divulge any information and on contacting his actual provider, advised this was a scam and it was most probably from a spoofed mobile phone number.

As with all calls / computer contact be aware that scammers will do and say anything to get their hands on your money.

Advice – Ways to spot a Scam by phone or computer

• Contacted out of the Blue
• Asked to share personal information
• Pressured into a quick response
• Contact details are vague
• A change of discussion from wanting to cancel your Amazon Prime to we’ve been hacked and your banking details are at risk
• Do not respond to any unsolicited automated message telephone calls, these are undoubtedly scams
• Always remember no matter what type of contact is made you are always in control.  Take a few minutes and just think what is being asked of you and why.  THINK SCAM
• Try and find out information about them
• What is their name, which department and location, then HANG UP
• Under no circumstances do you ask for or accept a direct dial phone contact for them

Always protect your personal details

This Tuesday 29th June at 11am Get Safe Online will be holding an exclusive Facebook Live session in collaboration with our partners at Lloyds Banking Group, where we will be providing advice and tips on some of the most commonplace scams.

You and your communities are warmly invited to join us where you can hear advice from our panel of leading fraud prevention experts.

Our Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/GetSafeOnline/ . The live event will start streaming on this channel at 11am on Tuesday. Simply access the page at this time to view the session, there is no need to register.

You will also have the opportunity to ask the panel questions during the discussion.

Topics will include:
Impersonation scams: including scam calls
Investment scams: the different types of investment scams currently circulating, from promises of ‘high return, low risk’ investments to attractive ‘pension pots’.
Purchase scams: With many people purchasing more products more frequently online, purchase and delivery scams have become rife in recent months. We’ll discuss some of the most commonplace, and how you can avoid them.

Attached is an e-leaflet providing all the details, as well as social media posts that you are able to use to share details of the session, if helpful.

We look forward to seeing you and your communities there!

Many thanks
the Get Safe Online team

‘Staying Safe Online’ has been designed to provide those with caring responsibilities with credible and up-to date information on ways to keep children protected from online harms.
The resource has been written by a team of ethical hackers, from one of the CyberScotland Partnership’s partners, Scottish Business Resilience Centre, in response to increased numbers of children gaming and socialising online over the summer.

The guide covers advice on what parents and carers need to be aware of should their children play online games including Minecraft and Fortnite or use other popular social media platforms such as Twitch, Snapchat and TikTok.
The guide also details how parents can switch on profanity filters, restrict access to sexuality explicit language and block age restricted content.

In June 2020, Ofcom reported that because of the restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic, more than half of children aged 8-15 were uploading videos to Snapchat (48%) and TikTok (50%) each week. With national restrictions in Scotland remaining more than one year on, many families face the same prospect of increased online activity during the forthcoming summer holidays.

Jude McCorry, Chair of the CyberScotland Partnership said: “This week children are finishing up for summer and are about embark on six weeks of holidays. With some restrictions still in place for travel and not all activity centres open, the prospect is that children will be spending much of that time online.” “While the online world provides great opportunities for learning and collaboration, sadly, there is also a much darker side to the internet and it’s important parents and carers know how to ensure their children’s safety online this summer. We created this guide to give parents the confidence to have conversations with their children around the need to be cautious about who they share information with online this summer, but also to give them the practical skills to update the right parental controls.”

The full resource is available to download on the CyberScotland Portal at:
https://www.cyberscotland.com/stay-safe-online-advice-for-parents-and-carers/

The guide is also attached to this ALERT message.
Please share this advice with family, friends and neighbours.

The “buyer” advises that they will attend and uplift the items and advise they will pay by bank transfer on receipt of the goods.

On attendance the seller is shown an apparent cash transfer on the buyers mobile phone. At no time has any money transfer taken place and the buyer leaves with the goods.

Advice
Do not under any circumstances allow anyone attending your premises to leave with the goods before you are sure that the financial transfer has been completed and is in order.

If you have been the victim of this type of fraud this should be reported to Police Scotland on 101.

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

This consultation consists of two sections. The first considers changes to how fireworks can be sold and used in Scotland; while the second section considers the use of pyrotechnic devices.

More specifically, Section 1 seeks views on four changes to how fireworks can be sold and used in Scotland to ensure fireworks are used safely, handled with care and do not cause harm, distress or injury; while Section 2 considers the use of pyrotechnic devices and specifically whether it should be an offence to carry a pyrotechnic device in a public place without reasonable excuse or lawful authority, and whether police powers should be extended to allow a stop and search provision for anyone reasonably suspected of committing the offence.

Access to the consultation and details of consultation events are included in the link below. The consultation opened on 20th June and closes on 15th August 2021.

https://consult.gov.scot/justice/use-and-sale-of-fireworks-in-scotland

Have you received a genuine licence renewal letter from DVLA?

One of our Alert members got in touch to highlight a situation she found when renewing her photo driving licence.

The result was that instead of paying £14.00 to renew online or £21.50 to do this task at the Post Office our member was charged £94.00 by using a website online that looked official and the route to applying for a new licence.

The only official place to find DVLA services and information online is on GOV.UK

What to look out for

These sites are quasi-legal. You see them for passports, ESTA visa applications, driving licences, DVLA. What happens is they advertise on search engines and they are at the top. When you are doing a search, look for ‘ad’ at the top then it’s an advert. This doesn’t mean it’s there because it’s the right thing for you it means they’ve paid to be there. These companies advertise on top of official search terms like ‘get a driving licence’. Then they have a site that looks relatively legit but they actually tend not to claim to be the site. They say we will process it for you for only this fee and then they charge you a fee on top for what you could get for free or what you could get at a basic set price. Many of the third party sites are made to look like official channels to trick drivers but do make clear services are more expensive. Some even put their more expensive figure next to the true DVLA price to make drivers aware they will be charged more.

However, they claim the extra money goes on offering drivers a better service including weekend and evening support. A mobile-friendly application and personally checked applications are also used as excuses for charging higher fees. But the sites are still able to legally operate because they contain disclaimers saying the site was not official.

The business practices of these companies may be morally reprehensible however not illegal.

Remember always go to GOV.UK

The following has been circulated on behalf of SGN. Please share with your family, friends and neighbours.

We’re looking for budding young artists to help us spread the word on the dangers of the silent killer, carbon monoxide (CO).

To enter the competition, you must be 5-11 years old and submit a piece of art warning people of the dangers of CO. Your art work can be a brilliant poster, cartoon, video or poem.

We have more information about the dangers of carbon monoxide on https://www.sgn.co.uk/help-and-advice/keeping-gas-safe/carbon-monoxide

All artwork must be submitted to us by 30 June 2021 to be included in this year’s competition. Any entries we receive after this date will be included in next year’s competition. Have fun and get creative!

Prizes
Each year, national and area winners will be chosen. Entrants stand a chance of winning the following prizes:
National winner: £300 for themselves and £600 for their school or organisation.*
Area winner: £150 each and £300 for their school or organisation.

(*National prize will be in addition to the area prize).

Winners will be notified by email.

How to submit your entry
Send your entry along with your name, age, teacher, school/organisation and post code by email to [email protected].

Your entry must be in the format of a JPEG, photograph or coloured scan, or if it is a video format, as a link or attachment to an email.

Please submit each entry individually – only one entry per person.

I’ve also included the link to the Safety Seymour website which includes useful case studies and activities for school – as well as the information on the CO Competition.

https://safetyseymour.co.uk/

Thank you for your support and good luck!

Online gaming has seen a massive increase in popularity with children over the COVID-19 pandemic, as result of more time spent at home and restrictions on physical social contact.

As grandparents, parents or guardians of children under the age of 18, your parenting community is very welcome to join one of our free Gaming4Good webinars where they can hear from a panel of experts in family gaming who will discuss psychology, gaming risk and finance, how to approach your child’s gaming to help them get the most out of it… and avoid the pitfalls.

There are three one-hour webinars, each tailored for parents of children of different age groups.

Thursday June 17, 10am – 11am: parents and guardians with children 2–12 yrs
Thursday June 24, 10am – 11am: parents and guardians with children aged 12–15yrs
Wednesday June 30, 10am-11am: parents and guardians with children aged 15–18yrs

Our expert panellists include:
Liz Stanton MBE, Get Safe Online (moderator)
Annette Whalley, HSBC
Cath Knibbs, cyber trauma & psychology specialist
Adrian Sladdin, gaming & gambling expert
Andy Robertson, author and gaming for kids expert
Mat Hasker, Get Safe Online, gaming specialist & Dad

Please find attached a PDF flyer providing all the details. Also attached is our latest leaflet providing helpful tips on the subject.

All the information can also be found on our website:
https://www.getsafeonline.org/gaming4good-webinars/

We hope they are helpful and look forward to seeing you there.

All the best,
the Get Safe Online team

RoSPA ,the Child Accident Prevention Trust and others are worried about increasing reports of injuries from swallowing magnets, particularly among children and young people.

High-powered magnets in products such as building toys, building blocks, jewellery beads and fake tongue piercings can cause serious injuries and are potentially life-threatening.

There is a particular problem with super strong magnets bought from overseas sellers on online marketplaces, where safety standards may be lower.

We advise parents and carers to keep these products away from children and to understand the signs of swallowing magnets, such as stomach pain, vomiting and fever.
If you think your child has swallowed these magnets, take them to A&E straight away or dial 999.

Please share this information as appropriate

Further information and advice is available on the following links

https://www.rospa.com/resources/information-hubs/keeping-kids-safe

https://www.capt.org.uk/

With lockdown measures continuing to ease in most areas and many people in Scotland choosing to have a “staycation” this year, outdoor safety and leisure partners have pulled together to provide some key messages to help keep members of the public safe.

The attached Building Safer Communities bulletin highlights these key messages.

Please share this information and advice as appropriate

If you are planning on wild camping, check the location of nearby scheduled monuments and avoid setting up at historic sites, take litter home, do not disturb wildlife and respect the local communities in these amazing places.

If you see someone damaging a scheduled monument, contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If you want to report a heritage crime that has already taken place, you can contact Historic Environment Scotland at [email protected]

Following a year of travel bans, quarantine, uncertainty and missed holidays, many of us are desperate to get away for a break, whether it’s a holiday in the sun or a weekend by the sea in the UK.

But cybercriminals are busy thinking about holidays and travel too … not taking them but exploiting your desperation for a break, with fake websites, advertisements, emails, social media posts, texts and phone calls for holidays, flights, accommodation or pilgrimages that don’t exist.

Avoid disappointment and financial losses when booking a trip: start by reading our expert tips on searching and booking holidays and travel safely and securely. Our latest leaflet is attached but if you’d like to read more then visit www.getsafeonline.org

Many thanks
the Get Safe Online team

With many people planning trips to the countryside, the anticipated impact of large visitor numbers and effects of rural crime can be devastating to the environment.
Over 95% of Scotland is classed as rural and NFU Mutual estimate that rural crime costs Scotland around £1.8 million annually, with levels reportedly increasing.
Crimestoppers together with Police Scotland and wider rural and environmental organisations are asking the public to spot the signs of rural crime and give information 100% anonymously.

The key crimes that Scotland’s rural areas experience are:
• House-breaking
• Theft of farm equipment, vehicles and machinery
• Livestock-related crimes: theft and dog attacks
• Fly-tipping and industrial waste dumping
• Hare coursing and badger baiting
• Fuel theft – domestic and commercial
• Heritage & cultural property crime including illegal metal detecting
• Wildlife crime
• Wilful fire-raising

If you know or suspect who is involved in rural crime contact Crimestoppers 100% anonymously. Call 0800 555 111

A new Scottish Government Advice Card highlighting key ventilation practice within the workplace is now live. Keeping the workplace well ventilated is vital to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep employees, customers and local communities safe. The advice card and key guidance can be found here: Ventilation Advice for Everyone at Work attached to this Alert.

Employers are being asked to actively promote the Ventilation Advice and supporting information through any internal communication channels that are available. This information should be accessible to all staff. For example, it could be promoted digitally, and also printed off to be displayed in key areas around the workplace including canteens and social spaces.

In addition there is a new Advice Card on key ventilation practices in domestic settings:  Advice Card – Ventilation advice for Everyone attached to this Alert

The following information and link has been recently posted by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) and refers to a National Insurance Phishing SCAM.

Head to PSRScotland.com to sign up. Let your family, friends and neighbours know of this free service and please feel free to circulate through any social media platforms that you are involved in.
 
With the launch of the new PSR Scotland website, customers across the country now have a one-stop-shop where they can learn more about the free help available in their individual area, with links straight to the specific pages on each company’s website to make the registration process as simple as possible.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution, SP Energy Networks (SPEN) and Scottish Water, have each been running their own Priority Services Registers (PSR) for several years, offering free support to customers during a power cut or an interruption to local water supplies.

Customers are eligible to register if they: are deaf or hard of hearing, have a disability, live with children under five, are blind or partially sighted, have a chronic illness, are over 60, depend on electricity or water for home or medical care, or feel they may need additional support, even for a temporary period of time.

The new service will make it easier than ever to raise awareness of the additional support available nationwide, encouraging sign-ups from customers who may be eligible but are not yet registered for priority services.

SSEN Distribution owns and operates the electricity infrastructure north of the central belt and SPEN is responsible for the electricity network in central and southern Scotland, while Scottish Water manages the nation’s water and waste water services.

To learn more about the free help and support that is available in your area and check if you are eligible, visit the new PSR Scotland website at PSRScotland.com

Calls are being received from persons claiming to represent bona fide companies or Government agencies advising of overpayments for services or Government taxes.  Different tactics are being used with very plausible cover stories provided.

The caller advising that in order to repay the overpayment they receiving agency will accept payment by means of GIFT CARD vouchers and in particular AMAZON CARDS.

The victims are advised to attend at particular shopping outlets and advise the caller to provide them with the identification code on the rear of the card, effectively giving them control of the monetary value without having any physical contact with the card.

ADVICE

Should you receive any contact in this manner (phone / e-mail) be alert to the possibility of this scam.  No reputable company or agency would ever ask for you pay by this method or by any voucher means.  If possible always check the validity of the person / company contacting you, never use a phone number or e-mail address provided by them.

Use a phone book or internet search to get the company address / or e-mail contact details.  If no details are readily available, ask yourself why not!!  Think Fraud!!

Always remember if it seems too good to be true, that’s because it is.

Remember you are always in control.  Seek advice from a friend or family member before acting on this request.

If in doubt take five and think about what is being asked and why.

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberessentials

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

The following message and attached guide has been circulated on behalf of Child Protection Charity Stop it Now !

The attached guide provides advice and information on digital parenting.
It will help you speak to your child about safety online in a positive way. It will also signpost you to resources that will help you manage and reduce risks online for your child. Learning to safely navigate the internet and online platforms is like learning to cycle or swim: children need adult support and supervision to learn to do this safely. They need this support before they can use the internet independently.

This guide was created to support online safety training for kinship carers in Scotland. It will be valued by all parents and carers across Scotland. It can be used to support children of any age, but it has a particular focus on the digital resilience of teenagers. This is because of the particular challenges we face keeping adolescents – who are more independent – safe online.
If you have any concerns for a child’s safety and child sexual abuse, then please take action now. Stop It Now!’s confidential UK Helpline (0808 1000 900) is open Monday to Friday, and available for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse. Callers do not need to give identifying information, so can remain anonymous. We speak to thousands of people every year, helping them take action to protect children and young people from sexual abuse and exploitation.

You can also contact us at our Scottish Office on 0131 556 3535 or at [email protected] if you have any questions raised by this handbook. We would love to hear from you!

Please share the attached guide with family, friends, and colleagues as appropriate.

Following a number of contacts to Neighbourhood Watch Scotland it would seem that the below scam email from DVLA is doing the rounds. Be careful as DVLA would not contact you in this way. This is a scam designed to get your personal and banking details with the purpose of removing money from your bank account.

Please be vigilant, spread the word and keep yourself, family and neighbours safe.

————————————————————————————————————————–

Hello ##########,

DVLA have been notified electronically about you latest payment for your vehicle tax failed because there is not enough money on you debit card.

Your vehicle is no longer taxed.

We have generated a new invoice, and we suggest you to use a credit card instead of a debit, to avoid any other consequences that might appear in case again won’t be enough funds inside.
Pay Now ⟩
If you do not pay your fine on time your vehicle could be clamped or crushed, or your details passed to a debt collection agency.

You may wish to save or print this email confirmation for your record.
————————————————————————————————————————–

This article from the Independent is a salutary lesson to us all. If you have a couple of minutes it’s worth the time to read as this could happen to you, your family or a neighbour with devastating consequences.

Read in The Independent: https://apple.news/AYkpvAcKVTcmktqGpLxYbtw

If you have been the victim of a scam you should report it to Police Scotland on Tel 101 or alternatively at www.scamwatch.scot

The following information is being circulated on behalf of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

The SFRS has recently seen an increase in attendances to wildfire incidents over the past week. The met office has also warned of an extremely high risk of wildfire in the East and North East of Scotland through till Thursday. Please share the attached documents which highlight the safety measures to be taken and the good practice advice that is available via the SFRS website at:

https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/wildfires.aspx

What3words works by gridding the Earth into 3×3 metre squares – the coordinates of each are then given three unique words to pinpoint an exact location. This will be useful for members of the public who are contacting the police from rural or unknown areas.

“What3words will help frontline police officers and staff to locate members of the public quickly when they are calling from an unknown or rural area. When Covid-19 restrictions begin to ease, we know that people may want to venture further from home, to remote or rural locations. What3words does not change the requirement to ensure that you are properly prepared if heading to the hills, always have a map and compass and ensure that you have your route planned out in advance.” Superintendent Iain MacLelland

More information about what3words can be found on the what3words website: https://what3words.com/about

We have reported on these scams to you before but please be very careful and remember:-

HMRC  will never text, email or phone to ask for bank details, PIN or passwords.

For further information from our partners at Trading Standards Scotland go to

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/hmrc-scams-2/

The following message has been circulated on behalf of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Next week we are launching a new MAKE THE CALL radio campaign.
We are calling on carers, family, friends and neighbours to get in touch with us if they know someone who is over 50 and smokes and also either lives alone, has mobility issues or uses medical oxygen – they may be at risk of fire.

Call 0800 0731 999 to book a free Home Fire Safety Visit or text “FIRE” to 80800.

Make the Call, you could help save a life.

Hear the radio advert first here: https://soundcloud.com/user-3557594/make-the-call-radio-advert-1

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter: @SFRSYourSafety

The ambition of the Scottish Government and many other partners across Scotland, is for a trauma-informed and trauma-responsive workforce, with a recognition that we all have a role to play in understanding and responding to people affected by psychological trauma. The aim is to ensure that services are delivered in ways that prevent further harm or re-traumatisation for those who have experienced psychological trauma or adversity at any stage in their lives and support their unique recovery journey.

We would very much appreciate your support in completing this short anonymous survey which will help us understand more about current levels of understanding of psychological trauma across the workforce, and to what extent trauma informed practice is currently embedded and where additional support may be required in future.

The survey will only 5 minutes of your time and is available using this link: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Workforce-NTTP/

The closing date is Friday 5th of March.

Please share this survey widely with your colleagues and networks. It is important that we get as broad as possible an understanding of the levels of awareness and familiarity across the whole workforce. This survey is primarily aimed at all staff working across all sectors of the Scottish workforce in both the public and voluntary sectors, however we would also welcome the views of staff working in the private sector, particularly those in the social care sector.

Many of us will be exposed to events that have the potential to cause distress and disrupt our lives. In addition, we know that the experience of the pandemic has exposed some of the workforce to additional traumatic experiences. Please note that this survey does not ask any questions about personal experiences of trauma.

This page provides information about useful services if you are seeking support with recovery from psychological trauma:

https://transformingpsychologicaltrauma.scot/wellbeing/are-you-looking-for-help-with-recovery-from-the-impact-of-trauma

Crimestoppers Scotland, in partnership with Scottish Government and The Scottish Grocers Federation, has launched a new campaign to help tackle the abuse of shop staff. The campaign uses real life stories from shop workers across Scotland and highlights the trauma and abuse experienced  by staff as a result of violence and aggression.

According to shopworkers union USDAW, 15 retail workers are assaulted on an average day in Scotland. In a given year, one in three shopworkers will be threatened, and three in five abused.

USDAW estimates that instances of violence, threats and abuse have doubled since the pandemic began in March 2020.

If you know or suspect who is responsible for abuse towards shop staff, you can contact Crimestoppers, as an independent charity, and remain 100% anonymous – no one will know you contacted us except you. Guaranteed.

To find out more about the campaign and resources available go to https://bit.ly/3slfLTA

Hi All,

Please find attached to this Alert Message information from Energy Action Scotland and SP Energy Networks that I thought might be useful for you, your family or neighbours on topics such as:-

• How to register for Priority Services
• Helping Keep Your Home Warm
• Are You Missing Out On Extra Income?
• Cutting Your Bill Without Sacrificing Comfort

Please feel free to pass this information as widely as possible through your connections and any social media groups that you may be involved with.

Our webinar will be delivered by Sergeant Beverly Bowles of Police Scotland and is intended to help raise members awareness of their exposure to online risks and providing practical steps they can take to make themselves safer.

This is a practical presentation and no technical knowledge is required. The following topics will be covered:

• What to consider when setting up devices
• Sharing and Privacy when downloading Apps
• What parents should look out for
• Scams
• Q & A

The event will take place on Wednesday 24th February at 11am.  You can register through Eventbrite by clicking the following link – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/neighbourhood-watch-scotland-cyber-security-basics-tickets-139916525093

We look forward to seeing you on the day.

On the lead up to National Adult Support and Protection Day, taking place on 20th February 2021, the Forth Valley Financial Harm Group are providing a series of online speakers who will provide free, useful information and advice.

There are three sessions scheduled to take place between 16th February and 19th February relative to financial harm.  The table below details the specifics of each event.  The Teams link to join each session can be found within the table below.

To learn more about Adult Support and Protection please visit www.actagainstharm.org

The Scottish SPCA are issuing a warning about bogus Inspectors trying to remove animals from properties. We’ve had reports in Renfrewshire and Perthshire areas but are asking everyone to be vigilant
They are using a white van with Scottish SPCA stickers on it. Our vans are predominantly black with our branding as shown in the image below
Genuine Inspectors will be able to produce photographic ID and will be happy to provide you with their vehicle registration.
If you are unsure about someone who comes to your door please ask them to wait outside and call us immediately. Our Inspectors will respect your need to do this.
Our confidential animal helpline can be reached on 03000 999 999. Find out more on the following link:
https://www.scottishspca.org/news/scottish-spca-issues-warning-over-bogus-inspectors

We are offering 1 hour zoom classes in:

• How to Create Strong Passwords
• How to Remember Your Password
• Online Scams: How to Spot Them and What To Do
• Learn More About Complex Online Scams

We’re also giving webinars for practitioners and organisations about how to give online safety information in an accessible manner:

• Cyber Attacks: What To Do and Where To Get Help
• How To Promote Digital Safety in an Accessible Manner
• How to Promote Digital safety to Those With Low IT Confidence

To sign up please follow this link to see the programme of training:
https://www.lead.org.uk/learn-how-to-be-safe-online-with-lead-scotland/ 

Heavy snow may affect parts of Scotland (see attached) with possible significant travel disruption.

Possible travel delays on roads stranding some vehicles and passengers, especially across higher routes, with potential for road closures.
Possible delays or cancellations to rail and air travel
Power cuts may occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected
Untreated pavements and cycle paths might be dangerous or even impassable, posing a greater risk of injuries and accidents.

Start time delayed, with greater emphasis on ice at start of warning period. Southern extent of warning area adjusted. Suggested snow amounts reduced slightly.

Valid from 08:00 on Wednesday, 13 January 2021 until 21:00 on Thursday, 14 January 2021

For more details please go to:
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings

We have received reports that a fake NHS text message is circulating, telling people that they are eligible to apply for the COVID-19 vaccine.

When you click on the link, you are taken to a convincing fake NHS website that asks for personal details including bank account information. Any text message containing a link should be treated with caution. The best way to find information from GOV.UK, or any other agency, is to visit that particular website via a trusted source (such as through Google or Bing) and do not click on links in unsolicited texts or emails.

There have also been reports of criminals making telephone calls and asking for payment over the phone before you can attend your vaccine appointment. The vaccine is free. If you receive such a call, please hang up immediately.

These scams appear very convincing. If you think you have been a victim of fraud:

Please let your bank know immediately.
If you are receiving unwanted phone calls, please let your service provider know. You may wish to consider a landline phone with inbuilt call blocking functions. These are available via some supermarkets and online stores.
Contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000

For information on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit:
https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/immunisation/vaccines/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine or call 0800 030 8013

The following information has been circulated on behalf of Police Scotland Safer Communities Cybercrime Harm Prevention Unit.

Fraudsters are cold calling victims, or using a ‘pop up’ windows on your web browser, purporting to be from well-known IT companies or broadband providers, claiming that the victim has problems with their computers, routers, or internet connection. The criminals persuade the victim to download software to their computer or laptop and connect via a Remote Access Tool (RAT), allowing the criminals to gain access to the victim’s computer or mobile phone. Victims are persuaded to log into their online banking to receive a refund as a form of compensation, allowing the criminals access to the victim’s bank account, and the ability to move funds out of the victims account. There has also been an increase in the variety of service providers being impersonated to commit these scams.

Always remember

· Ensure you have effective and updated antivirus/antispyware software and firewall running whenever your computer or mobile device is switched on.
· Never install any software, or grant remote access to your computer, because of a cold call
· Do not be tempted to download programs or apps that are not from a trusted source, as they could contain malware (malicious software).
· Genuine organisations would never contact you out of the blue to ask you for personal or financial details, such as your Bank card PIN or full banking password.
· Don’t contact companies promoting technical support services via web browser pop-ups.
· Hang up on any callers who claim they can get your money back for you.
· Cover your webcam when not in use.
· Regularly back up your data. If your device has been infected or you have been a victim
· If you have made a payment, contact your bank immediately. They can help you prevent any further losses
· Disconnect your device from the network as soon as possible in order to prevent further malicious activity.
· If you granted remote access to your computer, seek technical support to remove any unwanted software. If you need technical advice, look for reviews online first or ask friends for recommendations.
· If you think the infection has been removed change the passwords of your online accounts and check your banking activity and report anything unusual to your bank.

For more information on how you can protect yourself online, visit www.cyberaware.gov.uk and www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk  If you have been a victim of crime and it is not an ongoing emergency, you can report this to Police Scotland on 101. For all emergency calls, dial 999.

Please be aware that criminals are sending phishing emails, texts and making scam telephone calls purporting to be from legitimate delivery companies with the purpose of obtaining your personal and bank details.

The attached document has details of the scam and simple steps to keep you, your family, neighbours and community safe.

Please feel free to circulate this information through and social media groups you may be involved with.

With COVID restrictions being tightened once again and a requirement to remain within respective tier areas, Police Scotland’s national rural crime unit are asking those living, working or enjoying their local rural communities to take some time and check any remote, unoccupied or derelict out buildings for signs of recent activity.

With increasing regularity, Police Scotland have been recovering quantities of drugs and stolen property located in and around such properties so if you have any information relating to such properties, descriptions of any motor vehicles or person(s) potentially acting suspiciously please pass the information onto

Police Scotland via 101 or if a crime on-going 999.  Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through the no-traceable Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Amazon Scam

These are the self explanatory words from a member in the Forth Valley area. This scam is widespread be very careful if you receive a call purporting to be from Amazon. They will not call you to pay money into your account once they have taken your bank details. This is a scam.

A neighbour reported to me this morning that he had received a telephone call from someone purporting to be from Amazon. They claimed that there had been fraudulent activity on his account and he was due a refund. They then asked him to press button 1 and be transferred to a supposed Amazon employee who would deal with the refund. It then escalated from there and he was asked to turn on his computer to facilitate the refund and complete a form.  After some time he then realised they had breached his fire wall.  They had gained access to his bank account because they had taken control of his computer. He cancelled all of his cards but it could had been catastrophic. He could not shut down his computer.  

Another message came in about unusual activity whereby what looked like delivery couriers were approaching houses and were seen to be trying to find unlocked doors. Be on the lookout for strangers in your area and what they might be up to. The massive increase in shopping online especially as Christmas approaches could be rich picking for the criminal out there looking for any opportunity to steal.

Take our simple advice below to keep yourself and your property safe.

1. Keep gifts out of view 
Whether wrapped or unwrapped, don’t store any gifts in places where they can be easily seen or found. We understand Christmas is all about tradition, but it’s very wise to avoid leaving gifts under the tree. Keeping them out of sight removes the temptation for a criminal to try their luck.

2. Make your home look occupied 
Even if you are only popping out for a couple of minutes, taking simple measures such as leaving a light or radio on will help create the illusion someone is home. Timer switches are great tools for showing activity within the home by switching lights on and off.

3. Lock all of your windows and doors 
It’s surprisingly easy to forget, especially around Christmas time when there’s so much to think about! Remember to double-check that all your doors and windows are secure before leaving home. If you’re displaying Christmas lights, avoid leaving windows or doors ajar to run cables outside.

4. Don’t overshare on Social Media 
Avoid sharing too much information about where you are, when you’re going, or what you’ve got. Don’t ‘check-in’ and be careful when posting pictures. Criminals are increasingly using sites such as Facebook and Twitter to identify potential targets.

5. Make sure someone’s home to take deliveries 
If you’re expecting a delivery, make sure someone is there to receive it. Don’t give permission for packages to be left on the door step where an opportunist thief could quickly grab an early present of their own.

If you have been the victim of either of these types of crime to report it call Police Scotland Tel 101. If a crime is taking place or you are in fear for your or anothers safety call 999.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, scammers have been keeping up to date with the latest developments. Now, with the launch of NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect service and the new Protect Scotland contact tracing app, consumers are being warned to be wary of fraudsters posing as contact tracers. There have been reports from Scottish consumers about cold callers who say that you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 and ask you to pay £500 to take a test.

Genuine contact tracers may first send you a text to let you know that you will receive a call from NHS Scotland. Calls will be made from 0800 030 8012.

Callers will:

• Introduce themselves and state the reason for their call
• Address you by your name
• Ask for details of people you have come into contact with, in a relevant time period
• Inform you that you will receive further information by email with advice on isolation and the support available (if you don’t have access to email, they may ask for your home address so this information can be delivered to you by post)

They will NOT:

• Ask you for information other than your movements and the people you have been in contact with
• Ask for financial information such as bank or credit card details
• Ask for details of medical records
• Try to sell you anything or ask for any payments or donations
• Ask you to set up a PIN or download anything
• Ask for your social media details, passwords or PIN numbers
• Ask for remote access to your computer
• Ask you to phone a premium rate number or visit a website other than NHS Scotland or the Scottish Government

Genuine contact tracers will give you the option to call the above national number to verify that the service is genuine.

Get information about contact tracing in Scotland from official sources: NHS Scotland, the Scottish Government or Public Health Scotland.

Report contact tracing scams to Advice Direct Scotland. If you have been the victim of a fraud, report it to Police Scotland on 101.

The following information is being circulated on behalf of RoSPA.

RoSPA’s November webinar for families will focus on Carbon Monoxide safety. As the temperature plummets and the heating goes on, it’s important to be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide and the steps that can be taken to prevent harm. We will be joined by a representative from Scotland’s Gas Networks (SGN) who will provide important information and advice to keep safe this winter from the various ways that Carbon Monoxide can get into our homes. We will also hear a personal account from a father who tragically lost his daughter to Carbon Monoxide poisoning. The webinar will take place at 10am on Wednesday the 25th November. 
You can sign up to attend this FREE webinar here:
https://rospa.webex.com/rospa/onstage/g.php?MTID=e37761bcc50239ec98fddf48c86a28907

In this edition of Scam Share we’ll look at some of the most recent scams which have been reported by consumers across Scotland.

Follow the below link to see the whole bulletin:-

https://t.co/gWRsIhr4Bz?amp=1

Following an operation by Police Scotland and local Trading Standards, hundreds of fireworks were seized this week from a shop in Glasgow where they were being sold illegally. The CTSI advise that, if you are buying fireworks, you should make sure they have the CE mark, come with instructions and are labelled correctly. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Government are reminding people to stay safe tonight and to consider others when using fireworks. Find advice on enjoying fireworks and bonfires safely on their website.

It’s more important than ever to make sure that you stay Scam Aware and that you share information about scams with vulnerable relatives or friends. Report all scams to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or via their ScamWatch tool. You can also forward suspicious emails to the National Cyber Security Centre.

#FireworkSafety
Be Safe. Be Kind. Be Smart.

Fireworks season can be a very stressful time for many people across the country. This year, there will be limited public fireworks events because of the pandemic so we are asking the public to be safe, be kind and be smart around fireworks.
We have taken a multi-agency approach and have formed a partnership to work together with one clear message to everyone in Scotland. Please consider
#FireworkSafety.

Young people are more likely to be the victim of an accident or injured in the use of fireworks and around bonfires. Are you responsible for the wellbeing of a young person in Scotland? Are you a teacher, a parent or carer? Then please support #FireworkSafety and help us keep young people safe from harm and help inform them of the dangers.
We need young people and their families to:

Be Safe
Follow the fireworks code here.
Don’t gather in groups or attend unofficial bonfires or events.
Be Kind
Respect those around you, your neighbours, your community, animals in the area and the environment.
Respect and support those who are there to help you like the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police and NHS.
Be Smart
If it feels wrong or dangerous, walk away.
Know what to do if someone gets hurt or you see something that worries you.

You can report fireworks misuse or deliberate fire raising to Police Scotland by calling 101 or if you’re 11+ you can #BeFearless in speaking up about WHO is responsible for crime 100% anonymously at Fearless.org
In an emergency ALWAYS dial 999

Not following our #FireworkSafety guidance could end in tragic consequences. Meet Ben who was seriously injured by a firework when just four years old. Watching Ben’s video highlights the dangers for everyone and how important it is to Be Safe, Be Kind and Be Smart.
There’s an interactive game and quiz to complete which highlights the hazards and dangers of fireworks and bonfires. There is a section dedicated to Primary schools and a separate section for Secondary schools. Due to the nature of the content, please make sure young people only use the materials relevant to their age group.
For further details and information regarding the above see the links below:

https://webdev.scottishspca.org/firework-safety

https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/fireworks-safety.aspx

The campaign also reminds anyone planning a private fireworks display to keep themselves and their family safe by ensuring they check the latest Scottish Government guidance on meeting up with other households on www.gov.scot/friendsandfamily.

Change to implementation due to coronavirus impact.

The Scottish Government will ask parliament to delay new regulations on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms by 12 months due to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19)
Legislation due to come into effect in February 2021 meant the standard which currently applies to private rented property and new-builds would have been extended to all homes in Scotland.
Due to the practical difficulties likely to be faced by homeowners seeking to make the necessary changes to their homes, the Scottish Government will now seek to move implementation back to February 2022.
Kevin Stewart, Minister for Local Government and Housing, said:
“Fire safety is an absolute priority for the Scottish Government, and we remain committed to implementing these improved regulations, which will mean everyone will benefit from the same level of protection, whether they own their home or rent from a social or private landlord.
“Given the impact of COVID-19, and the difficulties this is likely to create for people seeking to install new smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, we have listened to concerns and decided to ask the Scottish Parliament to delay implementation.
“If this delay is approved, we will continue to work with partners to spread awareness of the changes before the new deadline. Our focus will be on supporting householders to ensure satisfactory fire alarms are installed so we can improve the safety of their homes.”

A Further ALERT update will be circulated when confirmed.

Attached is the latest Cyber Resilience bulletin which details information on the latest scams and also advice on how to protect ourselves and businesses.

The attached bulletin is also available online at: https://cyberscotlandweek.com/news-database/bulletinoctober2020

The Trading Standards Scam Share newsletter, imbedded within the Cyber Resilience Bulletin, also provides important information to keep us safe from scams, doorstep crime and cold callers.

Please share as required.

To clarify, the new standard requires :-

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 every kitchen

All alarms should be ceiling mounted and interlinked. There is also a requirement for carbon monoxide detectors to be fitted where there is a carbon-fuelled appliance (such as boilers, fires (including open fires), heaters and stoves) or a flue.

The following Scottish Government links provide additional guidance :-

https://www.gov.scot/publications/fire-and-smoke-alarms-in-scottish-homes/

https://www.gov.scot/publications/fire-and-smoke-alarms-tolerable-standard-guidance/

RoSPA’s next webinar – in their free series covering a variety of safety-related topics – will be held on Wednesday 21st October at 10 am.

This webinar will provide information on Halloween and Fireworks Safety and will include the latest information on the new Fireworks Safety Campaign for schools in Scotland.

If you want to find out more, and especially if you are a parent or carer of children under the age of 18, you will find all you need to know about how to stay safe this year.

Information will be highlighted by: RoSPA, the Scottish Government and Scottish SPCA.

To sign up to this short, free webinar click on https://rospa.webex.com/rospa/onstage/g.php?MTID=e2d9b5c468f5d72ecbca31486f1918cf2

Opportunities to participate

1/ HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland were carrying out an inspection on the policing response to hate crime which was paused earlier this year to refocus priorities to respond to the pandemic.  Work has now restarted and HMICS are seeking views:

https://www.hmics.scot/news/hmics-seeks-your-views-police-investigation-hate-crime.

Please note that the survey closes at 12 noon on 30 October 2020. 

2/ Community Empowerment Act Survey

The Scottish Parliament are doing a survey on people’s experiences of the Community Empowerment Act.

https://scottishcommunityalliance.org.uk/2020/10/06/let-scottish-parliament-know/

3/ The Scottish Community Development Centre has been working on a toolkit for community-led action research with some useful guidance and tools to help communities conduct their own research.

https://www.knowledgeispower.scot/toolkit-home

Here is some background on what community-led action is:

Community-led action research is where the community decides on the issue to be researched, designs and carries out the research, and makes use of the results to achieve positive change.

By community-led we mean that a community group or organisation decides to take action on an issue that is important to them. Help might be sought from academics, council officers or organisations like ourselves but it is ultimately the community who decides what they want to find out, how they will do this and why.

By action we mean anything that leads to positive change in and for that community: it could be a new community amenity, park, service or activity or an improvement to something already happening.

And by research we simply mean the organised collection of information to create knowledge that is recognised as having value. In community-led action research the community has a greater role in deciding which knowledge has value, which gives the research a validity that traditional forms of research struggle to achieve.

Community-led action research is the bringing together of these components to increase the ability of a community to achieve change.

The information keeps coming from Alert users across Scotland highlighting the text, email and phone scams they are experiencing out in our communities.

A common thread over the past week has been the frequency of scams purporting to be from PayPal. Often these hare come in by email starting ‘ Your account has been suspended….’, ‘You have been paid….’ and ‘You have been paid too much…….’

Paypal have good information on scams and how to identify them at:-

https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/security/common-scams

Taken from the PayPal information:-

How to identify real PayPal emails
An email from PayPal will:

• Come from paypal.com. Scammers can easily fake the “friendly name,” but it’s more difficult to fake the full name. A sender like “PayPal Service ([email protected])” is not a message from PayPal. But sophisticated scammers can sometimes fake the full name, so look for other clues.
• Address you by your first and last names, or your business name.

An email from PayPal won’t:

• Ask you for sensitive information like your password, bank account, or credit card.
• Contain any attachments or ask you to download or install any software.

Report suspicious behaviour in your community to Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency
​​​​​​​
Report all scams to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or through their website at:-
https://www.advice.scot/

Scam emails should be reported to the National Cyber Security Centre via their new Suspicious Email Reporting Service at:-

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/report-suspicious-emails?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI14HdidKu7AIVVODtCh2S5Q2bEAAYASAAEgIxcfD_BwE

Following on from last weeks scam update we sent out that was created by information that you sent in we have continued to receive updates from Alert users across the country. It is very obvious that there are a number of scams under the Amazon company brand circulating at the moment. Our partners at Trading Standards Scotland have also highlighted this and I have included a infographic from them.

To get information on the latest scams across Scotland go to:-

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/news/latest-scams/

Investment Scam

Over the past several weeks there has been instances of Investment scams reported to Forth Valley police.

In general the victims appear to be looking at ways to invest lump sums of money in order to achieve increased returns for their financial outlay.  During conversation it appears that this is being driven by low interest rates currently being offered by banks and financial establishments.

It is of note that significant amounts of money have been “invested” and will in most probability lost.  There appears to be a very similar pattern in that small amounts of money are invested (£200), with initial returns complied with, this is to gain trust.  This leads to much higher funds being requested and agreed with.

After weeks / months when your funds have been wiped out the calls / e/mails will stop with no further contact.

Most if not all victims have been contacted via e-mail or “pop up” on their computer.

For information on preventative measures visit the Financial Conduct Authority  Scam Smart website at:

https://www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4Ou7rfj-6wIVzuJ3Ch0LAQ76EAAYASAAEgK7vPD_Bw

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

The image below is of a scam email purporting to be from HM Courts and Tribunals Service. There are a number of variations on a theme with these emails so be very careful. The only purpose is to frighten you into believing that you will be liable to pay a far higher amount of money unless you pay within a set number of days. This is not the case.

If you receive one of these emails, do not open or download the attachment, delete it.

If you believe that you have been targeted by a scam, or have information for Trading Standards on any potential scams, you can contact consumeradvice.scot on 0808 164 6000. They are open 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday.

To all Alert users if you receive anything like this to your inbox that you think is worth circulating to our network please email the details to [email protected] and we will circulate the details as we have with this information.

Forth Valley Police have received incidents of Bogus Caller activity over the past several days.  Matters of note have been reported from Denny, Grangemouth and Falkirk.

Two of the incidents are almost identical whereby the elderly occupiers have been approached and advised that they require some gardening work to be carried out urgently.  The occupier have agreed a price which after minimal work being carried has been increased significantly.  Once payment has been received no further work has been completed and the persons have left the area.

The descriptions of the persons involved are:
Male 6 0’, short fair / blonde hair, Scottish accent
Female 5 2’, shoulder length brown hair, small build and quiet spoken
This male and female are believed to be travelling together in a White coloured Citreon Berlingo motor vehicle

The third incident involved the dismantling and replacement of a garden shed and on this occasion the price was agreed and the shed removed but no replacement forthcoming.

The descriptions of the person involved is:
Male aged between 21-40, 5 5’, slim build, brown hair with a local accent

Please note it is believed both parties are independent of each other

Advice

• If you have one, always use a door chain prior to answering the door.
• Always check who is at the door, either by looking through a window or using your spyhole.
• Do not engage with any cold callers wishing to carry out work on your property.  If they advise you that they have already completed work for you advise them to come back when other family members will be home.
• Do not agree to any work being carried out, if you feel uncomfortable ask them to re attend when a family member can be present.
• Never allow people who you don’t know into your home.
• Always ask for and check identification.  If in doubt phone the company or organisation they claim to represent
• If you do not have a scheduled appointment do not allow them into your home.
• Should you have anyone attend at your home under these circumstances please speak to other family members, friends or your home carer urgently.

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

As a result of information received from communities, our members and key partners the following advice has been circulated

NHS Scotland have launched a new test and protect mobile phone app, “designed to help us protect each other, reduce the spread of coronavirus and avoid further lockdowns”. The app will alert you if you have been in close contact with another app user who tests positive for coronavirus and can help in determining contacts that you may have.

If you are contacted by NHS (test and protect) it will be by phone on a single national telephone number 0800 030 8012

Be aware that scammers are now exploiting this to commit fraud by contacting the general public advising them that they have been in near contact with someone who has tested positive with Coronavirus and as such you must get a test and self- isolate.
Scammer’s are thereafter asking for payments for booking tests / sending out testing kits by post / courier etc.

ADVICE
NHS Scotland Contact Tracers will:
in some cases, send a text to let you know that you will be receiving a call from NHS Scotland  (if mobile is available)
call from a single, national telephone number – 0800 030 8012
always introduce themselves, tell you why they are contacting you and address you by your name
give you the option to call back the above number to provide reassurance that the service is legitimate
Be aware that phone numbers can be spoofed. Consider phoning back using a different phone from the one your received the call. Call will be received on mobile, if concerned phone back on landline

Contact Tracers will never ask you:
for information other than your movements and the people you have been physically close to
to phone a premium rate number
to make a purchase, payment or donation
for your medical history unrelated to coronavirus
for your bank details
for your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts
for your passwords or PIN numbers, or to set up any
for control of your computer, smartphone or tablet, or to download anything
to visit a website that does not belong to NHS Scotland or the Scottish Government

For further information please go to https://www.nhsinform.scot/campaigns/test-and-protect

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, Advice Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Please circulate to family, neighbours, friends and colleagues

Please see below link that will take you to the latest Cyber Resillience Covid 19 Bulletin

https://blogs.gov.scot/cyber-resilience/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2020/05/Cyber-Cyber-Resilience-COVID-19-Bulletin-100920.pdf

STILL LOOKING FOR YOUR HELP TO SHAPE LOCAL POLICING IN FORTH VALLEY

Don’t know where 2020 has gone and can’t believe we’re in September already.

The role of policing continues to respond to the evolving needs of our communities as we move through the different stages of Covid 19.   Throughout, we have sought to support our partners in Public Health to keep our communities safe
.
We are still looking to understand how people are feeling at the moment across our local communities and how we might use this to develop our policing approach over the forthcoming months.

With this in mind, we’d be really grateful if you could spare a few minutes to follow the below link and complete the survey.    The survey can be completed from your perspective as a resident or worker in Forth Valley, whichever feels most relevant in terms of feedback.

The ‘Your Police’ survey is available online at https://consult.scotland.police.uk/surveys/your-police-2020-2021/

A BSL version is available here: https://consult.scotland.police.uk/surveys/your-police-bsl/

Take care

Mandy Paterson
Superintendent
Partnerships
Forth Valley Division

RoSPA’s September webinar will take place on Wednesday the 30th at 10am and will focus on falls in the home and what families and individuals can do to help prevent them.

This webinar which will last around 40 minutes and will feature presentations from RoSPA on ladder and DIY safety, and Age Scotland and Roar Connections for Life on falls prevention for older people.

You can sign up for free here: https://rospa.webex.com/rospa/onstage/g.php?MTID=e9ed5bded0fe7cc0385ffb1735de089ed

Just a heads up to all businesses out there!

We have been involved in a scam, quite clever really.

Man called on Friday wanting a few bits of timber and wanted to pay by bank transfer, we gave him our bank details as normal.

Saturday he called in a state saying his wife had paid us £4160 in error and wanted us to refund the money. He called several times, saying it was paid by bank transfer and he needed the money to pay another business. He was told that we needed proof that it was him that paid in the money and that the money would be returned. More calls on Sunday harassing us to pay back the money. I started to get suspicious, the money was pending in the bank.

Monday morning he called again and when I spoke to him he said it was cash that was paid in, and if I didn’t refund it he was going to get lawyers etc involved. He was told again I needed proof.

Went to the bank to check where payment came from, and we discovered it was a cheque paid in through a cash dispenser machine in Birmingham.

The scam is they harass you over the weekend as the bank isn’t updated until Monday night, the money is showing as pending, so you think it is a bank transfer, which is non returnable, you return the money, and the cheque bounces all the way back to Birmingham and your left £4160 out of pocket.

Thankfully one of the girls got his mobile number and when I called him he was left in no doubt what I thought of him.

Cheque bounced on Tuesday!

Please keep a look out as they are very persuasive, and convincing.

If you have been caught out by this type of activity report the circumstances to Police Scotland on Telephone Number 101.

• Should you receive such a request, which in itself is out of the ordinary, do not make any payment until you are sure it is a genuine request.
• All efforts should be made to speak to your friend or family member making the request by phone prior to any cash being sent to ensure that it is a genuine request.
• Never ask for a direct phone number from the person requesting the cash.  This may take you directly back to the scammer.

An information video on computer fraud is listed below.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCboSJqehhxgkofjcX8mvEdg

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

The situation that was reported is that a drone was being flown at a low level over residential gardens in the Stirling area. There are many issues around the legality of this kind of activity, danger to safety and also privacy.

The body that has responsibility for the licensing and training of drone pilots and the registration of the drone is the Civil Aviation Authority. When it comes to privacy and use of data the Information Commissioners Office have responsibility for this area.

Report any dangerous or potential misuse of a drone to Police Scotland on Tel 101. In the above mentioned scenario Police Scotland reacted in a positive and supportive way to the person reporting the incident from the call handler to the officers visiting the home address to take details of the incident.

The below links will take you relevant information.

Flying Drones and Model Aircraft Civil Aviation Authority

https://register-drones.caa.co.uk/

Information for the Public Civil Aviation Authority

https://www.caa.co.uk/Consumers/Unmanned-aircraft/General-guidance/Information-for-the-public-about-UAS-and-drones/

Privacy and Data Use Information Commissioners Office

https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/drones/

The Drone Code

https://dronesafe.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Drone-Code_October2019.pdf

Neighbourhood Watch Scotland hope you find this information informative and useful in the event of an incident happening in your area.

Forth Valley police have received a report that on Friday 28th August a male person attended a property in the Menstrie area (Clackmannanshire) and spoke with the elderly male resident of the property.

The male was smartly dressed and claimed he was from a company called Thomson Cleaning and Coating.  They have then discussed some guttering work required to the front of the property.

The caller has asked to use the facilities which the occupier agreed to, once inside the property the caller has stolen some property from within.

The male is described as 35 years of age, 5’8, slim build, short brown hair, wearing a shirt and tie and he spoke with an Irish accent.

Advice

• If you have one, always use a door chain prior to answering the door.
• Always check who is at the door, either by looking through a window or using your spyhole.
• Do not engage with any cold callers wishing to carry out work on your property.  If they advise you that they have already completed work for you previously advise them to come back when other family members will be home.
• Do not agree to any work being carried out, if you feel uncomfortable ask them to re attend when a family member can be present.
• Never allow people who you don’t know into your home.
• Always ask for a check identification.  If in doubt phone the company or organisation they claim to represent. Never use a phone number provided by the person at your door
• If you do not have a scheduled appointment do not allow them into your home.

Should you have anyone attend at your home under these circumstances please speak to other family members, friends or your home carer urgently.

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 (quoting 20200828-3004), or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

For further advice on keeping yourself and loved ones safe from this type of crime please click on the following links:

https://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/personal-safety/shut-out-scammers/

https://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/personal-safety/doorstep-crime-and-bogus-callers/

The infographic posters attached focus on the following platforms:

• Instagram
• WhatsApp
• TikTok
• Discord

If you wish to learn more about online dangers please click the following link, https://nationalonlinesafety.com/, to National Online Safety where you will find more guides and updates to help your kids stay safe while online.

Information supplied from Stirling Council provides that at some point last week a lady resident has received a telephone from a male person who claimed to be from Stirling council.  This male person wanted to speak to the resident regarding her council tax.

The resident has caller identification on her phone and observed that this was not coming from a local number and immediately suspected the caller to be a possible scammer / fraudster.

She immediately ended the call, and her actions have potentially saved her from financial loss and divulgence of personal information.

Advice

• Be wary of any telephone or computer contact from persons claiming to be from statutory organisations such as local authority etc.
• Don’t be pressured into making a quick decision.
• Do not under any circumstances revealing any personal information about you or your banking details.
• Get the name and location of the caller.
• DO NOT ask the caller for a contact telephone number.
• Should you want to call back, try and use a different phone ie (if call received on mobile use landline and vice versa).
• Use a contact telephone number from the internet, phone book or any official correspondence that you may have

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

The ‘Fire Safety in the Home – Self Assessment’ survey asks a series of simple questions and then automatically generates a home fire safety report for them.

People are also encouraged to sign up for a free Home Fire Safety Visit from firefighters who can provide further safety advice, check smoke detectors and fire evacuation plans. These visits would be conducted in line with present social distancing and safety restrictions.

The quiz could help to save lives and property, says the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s head of prevention and protection, Alasdair Perry.

He commented: “This is a fantastic resource that can help people stay safe in their own homes – and they can even take the quiz on behalf of a relative or neighbour to help keep them safe too.

“The questions and the advice are simple and straightforward – but heeding that advice could help save a life, or prevent an emergency from occurring in the first place.

“We would encourage as many people as possible who have access to the internet to take the quiz, for your own home and for any others you may know who would benefit.”

The quiz goes through topics such as heat and smoke detectors, electrical sockets and smoking in bed, with potentially life-saving advice appearing on screen where needed and depending on the answers given by the user.

The tool also encourages users to sign up for a Home Fire Safety Visit – limited numbers of which are currently being carried out to those who are at highest risk of fire in the home during the coronavirus pandemic.

“By working together with our communities, we can continue to drive down the number of completely unavoidable fires we see in Scotland’s homes, and the number of avoidable injuries we see as a result.”

To use the interactive tool, visit: https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/online-hfsv-checker.aspx

For more information on free Home Fire Safety Visits, go to:
https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/for-householders/home-fire-safety-visit.aspx

Significant numbers of Scottish households have been receiving unsolicited packets of seeds in the post from China/Singapore as part of a likely scam.
Following contact with Scottish Government, it urges those receiving seeds to take the following actions.

If the packet of seeds has not been opened, please leave it sealed.

• DO NOT PLANT OR COMPOST THESE SEEDS.
It is possible that these seeds could be a harmful invasive species or harbour a disease both of which if released could pose a threat to agriculture and the environment.

• Do not handle the seeds
These seeds may have been treated with a chemical pesticide. Please wash your hands if you have handled them without gloves.

Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) is collecting these unsolicited packets of seeds for analysis. It is asking for your co-operation to send these seeds to SASA.

Email your details and a postal address to [email protected]

You will be sent a pre-paid self-addressed envelope and zip-lock bag. When you receive the envelope and zip-lock bag please insert the packet of seeds into the zip-lock bag and seal. Then place the zip-lock bag and contents into the envelope and post it back to SASA.

If you receive further unsolicited packages, please report them again using [email protected]

Attached is the latest Cyber Resilience bulletin which details information on the latest scams and also advice on how to protect ourselves and businesses.

The Trading Standards Scam Share newsletter, imbedded within the COVID-19 bulletin also provides important information to keep us safe from scams, doorstep crime and cold callers.

The attached bulletin is also available online at: https://blogs.gov.scot/cyber-resilience/2020/05/06/cyber-resilience-notice-covid-19/

Please share as required.

The following information is being circulated on behalf of RoSPA

Now that lockdown measures are slowly being released, children and young people are eager to explore, exercise, cool off and generally have fun in and around water.  This could range from water sports in rivers and canals to collecting shells and exploring rock pools around beaches.

RoSPA’s next event, in the series of safety webinars, is aimed at families looking to find more information on keeping safe in and around water. Taking place on August 12 at 10am, the webinar  will feature presentations from the RNLI on beach safety and Jane Campbell Morrison on recreational safety.

Sign up to attend at https://rospa.webex.com/rospa/onstage/g.php?MTID=eb71ae618e8dfde83996a1ef20a7afaa8

Your local heritage sites are re-opening!

With restrictions easing in Scotland, we are excited to be re-opening some of our free to visit Historic Scotland sites in your local area where safe physical distancing is possible.

Find out on our website which sites are opening near you!

In Scotland, we are fortunate to have so many surviving sites of historical importance that are special to us and to the communities where they reside. We want to ensure these places can be accessed safely by all, so we ask that when visiting please be caring, kind and keep your distance from others. Over the coming months where possible, we will be working with local communities to make sure that our historic sites and their surrounding areas remain a safe place to live and visit.

If you do notice any anti-social behaviour such as vandalism or littering, or are worried about safety and security at one of your local Historic Scotland sites, you can report this to either Police Scotland on 101 or 999, or directly to us via https://www.historicenvironment.scot/about-us/contact-us/

This is our first phase of site re-opening which is following the Scottish Governments route map out of current lockdown, and includes over 200 free, open air sites where safe physical distancing can be easily maintained. For more information please visit
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/our-reopening-plans-and-covid-19-response/

Almost 34% of all retail sales during May 2020 were carried out online, and new research suggests that only 16% of UK consumers intend to return to their old shopping habits post-lockdown.

Online shopping fraud during lockdown

Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, received over 16,000 reports relating to online shopping and auction fraud during the lockdown, with losses totalling over £16m. Members of the public have reported buying mobile phones (19%), vehicles (22%), electronics (10%) such as games consoles, AirPods and MacBooks , and footwear (4%) on sites such as eBay (18%), Facebook (18%), Gumtree (10%) and Depop (6%), only to have the items never arrive.

Top tips for shopping online securely:

Choosing where to shop:
If you’re making a purchase from a company or seller you don’t know and trust, carry out some research first. For example, by checking to see if others have used the site and what their experience was.

Email accounts:
Use a strong, separate password for your email account. Criminals can use
your email to access other online accounts, such as those you use for online shopping.

Scam messages:
Some of the emails or texts you receive about amazing offers may contain links to fake websites. Not all links are bad, but if you’re unsure don’t use the link, go separately to the website. And remember, if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Payment method:
If you decide to go ahead with the purchase, use a credit card if you have one as other payment providers may not provide the same protection.

What to do if you’ve fallen victim to online shopping fraud

We all make mistakes and these days the scams can be incredibly convincing.

If you think you’ve visited, or made a purchase on, a bogus website, you should first, take a note of the website’s address, then close down your internet browser. You should then report the details to Action Fraud and contact your bank to seek advice.

Whether you’ve been a victim of fraud will depend on how much information you’ve provided to the website, so keep an eye on your bank transactions, if you can. Contact your bank immediately about anything that you don’t recognise, even small amounts.

For more information about how to stay safe online, please visit www.actionfraud.police.uk/cybercrime

Updated advice for community groups, organisations and volunteer networks

Supporting Communities Safely has been updated to reflect the latest changes to Scotland’s Covid-19 response.

This free, online resource, developed by SCDC and Public Health Scotland, features a range of practical information and advice, with two new sections added.

The Test and Protect page includes details of the Scotland’s contact tracing program, while the restarting services section provides a series of questions around how community groups could think about re-opening safely at an appropriate stage in Scotland’s recovery.

In towns and villages across Scotland, community organisations and volunteers are fighting Covid-19 and this resource is designed to help them do this as safely as possible.

The resource also includes updated information around:

• How to safely promote an organisation’s services
• Keeping volunteers safe and fit to provide services
• How to get help with complex care needs
• Safely collecting and delivering items
• How to cook and transport hot meals

RoSPA Scotland is hosting a second home safety webinar on Tuesday 30th June at 11.00 am.  Following the first webinar on child safety in the home  the next one will look at Electrical Safety in the Home environment. The session will take approximately 20 minutes and will consider the everyday items that could potentially cause harm in your home but more importantly, will consider ways in which any injuries and damage can be avoided.

Wayne Mackay of Electrical Safety First https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/  will give a short presentation on some of the key issues to consider during the current pandemic restrictions and beyond. Both Wayne and Liz Lumsden of RoSPA will be able to answer any questions you may have on electrical safety in the home either during, or by email following, the webinar.

To register for this free webinar you will need to download Webex to your preferred device and register for the event at https://rospa.webex.com/rospa/onstage/g.php?MTID=e7e7c85524a468fb93ee288af803b86bb

A major children’s hospital has treated more children involved in cycling injuries during lockdown than over the whole of 2019.

Cycling is great fun and good for your health. With so many children and adults alike discovering the pleasure of riding here are a few tips on how you can maximise the enjoyment and minimise the risk:

Carry out a regular safety check (tyres at the correct pressure, brakes working and nothing loose like spokes, saddle or handlebars) RoSPA has a video and checklist to help you.

Wearing a cycle helmet will help provide protection to the head in the event of a collision or falling off (remember to replace if damaged) and follow the manufacturer’s fitting instructions.
Make sure that your child isn’t wearing any loose clothing or shoe laces which could become tangled in the chain or wheels.

Go out on a ride with your child, assess their competence and ability. Get them to demonstrate that they can safely control their bike and deal with traffic.

For older children if they are riding away from home plan the route with them; use cycle tracks and avoid busy roads and junctions if possible.

Mark Lilley, paediatric major trauma co-ordinator at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, has been speaking about the injuries he has seen and how to prevent them.  You can view his video on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RoSPAScotland/status/1272846615464861697

How you can protect yourself from Coronavirus-related scams:

There are some simple steps you can take that will protect you from the most common Coronavirus-related scams. Here’s what need to do:

1 – Watch out for scam messages
Your bank, or other official organisations, won’t ask you to share personal information over email or text. If you receive an email you’re not quite sure about, forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS): [email protected]

2 – Shopping online
If you’re making a purchase from a company or person you don’t know and trust, carry out some research first, for example, by checking to see if others have used the site and what their experience was. If you decide to go ahead with the purchase, use a credit card if you have one, other payment providers may not provide the same protection.

3 – Unsolicited calls and browser pop-ups offering tech support
Never install any software, or grant remote access to your computer, as a result of a cold call. Remember, legitimate organisations would never contact you out of the blue to ask for financial details such as your PIN or full banking password.

NHS Test and Trace scams:

The NHS Test and Trace service plays an important role in the fight against coronavirus and it’s vital the public have confidence and trust in the service. However, we understand the concerns people have about the opportunity for criminals to commit scams.

What you need to know:

Contact tracers will only call you from the number 0300 013 5000. Anyone who does not wish to talk over the phone can request the NHS Test and Trace service to send an email or text instead, inviting them to log into the web-based service.

All text or emails sent by NHS Test and Trace will ask people to sign into the contact tracing website and will provide you with a unique reference number. We would advise people to type the web address https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk directly into their browser, followed by the unique reference number given to you, rather than clicking on any link provided in the message.

The NHS Test and Trace service will never:

• ask you to dial a premium rate number to speak to them (for example, those starting 09 or 087)
• ask you to make any form of payment or purchase a product or any kind
• ask for any details about your bank account
• ask for your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts
• ask you for any passwords or PINs, or ask you to set up any passwords or PINs over the phone
• ask you to download any software to your PC or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet to anyone else
• ask you to access any website that does not belong to the government or NHS

If you think you have been a victim of fraud, please report it to Action Fraud at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. If you live in Scotland, please report directly to Police Scotland by calling 101.​​​​​​​

We’ve have recently received a number of reports of thefts from vans (specifically Transit type vans) in the Clackmannanshire area. These vehicles were entered and a number of high value tools have been stolen.

We would like to remind van owners to always make sure your vehicles are securely locked, all windows are closed and any items of value, including tools, are taken out when the vehicle is unattended.

We would advise that power tools that are left in any vehicles are placed in a secure locked cage and alarmed if possible. All tools should be clearly marked with a name/company and/or a unique identifier such as a postcode or building number.

There are also a number of additional security devices that can be purchased online.

We have information to help prevent van crime on our website: http://ow.ly/xVoH50A2GzT

If you have any information about thefts from vehicles or any information or intelligence about any persons selling power tools in suspicious circumstances, please call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Get your info from nhsinform.scot/test-and-protect
@scotgov @P_H_S_Official #ScamShare

Advice for Car Owners – ‘Relay Theft’
Increasingly we have seen instances whereby vehicle owners have had their car stolen yet they are still in possession of both keys and there are no signs of forced entry to the vehicle itself. This may suggest that criminals are using a technique called ‘relay theft’.

Relay Attack – How It Works

Each of the thieves carries a ‘relay box’ – a device that relays the signal from the car key to the car.

One attacker gets near enough to the key (in the house) to pick up the signal, ‘relays’ it to the second box carried by the second criminal, who’s near enough to the car for the signal to be transmitted to it and trigger the unlocking. The criminals are then free to drive away in the stolen car, and to replace the locks at a later date.

In theory, all cars with keyless entry systems are vulnerable to the attack, but criminals have mostly been going after Audi, BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Land Rover, Mercedes and Volkswagen cars.

Here are a few simple steps to minimise the risk of relay theft:

•   Keep your key device in a ‘Faraday pouch’ which has a lining that prevents the items inside from receiving or transmitting radio frequency signals.
•   Check vehicle doors are locked before walking away.
•   Listen for the central lock engaging and watch for indicators flashing when locking the car.
•   Do not store keys near windows or doors.
•   If you buy a second-hand keyless car, get the key reprogrammed.
•   Make sure the key and any spares are stored securely and safely.
•   Consider having an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) lock professionally fitted.
•   Electronic OBD security is available – seek the main dealer’s advice.
•   Use a steering wheel lock.
•   Installation of a Pedal Box that encases the driving pedals in a high visibility secure box.

For further advice contact your local Crime Prevention Officer, or visit our website at:-
https://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/home-and-personal-property/secure-your-car
and
Safer Communities Safer Scotland booklet from Neighbourhood Watch Scotland at:-
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/63207724/safer-communities-safer-scotland-2020

The following message has been circulated on behalf of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

As lockdown restrictions are eased in Scotland, please be aware that a ‘VERY HIGH‘ risk of wildfire remains in place until Monday

After several weeks of dry conditions, our countryside is tinder dry – and vulnerable to fire.

Please take care in rural areas and countryside and follow our advice on link below

https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/news-campaigns/news/2020/05/weekend-wildfire-warning-after-lockdown-easing.aspx

Also see attached wildfire leaflet

Here are a couple of  links which might be helpful:

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/your-mental-wellbeing/coronavirus-covid-19-your-mental-wellbeing

https://www.seemescotland.org/urgent-help/

Interested in increasing your knowledge around COVID19 and Mental Health

To help, here are some brand new courses available to join free and curated by FutureLearn, made by experts at top universities and institutions to help you:

Understand the Physiological impact of lockdown on our Wellbeing and Mental Health on Maudsley Learning and Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust’s course (the UK’s premier mental health training organisation) https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/psychological-impact-of-covid-19?

Help Young People Manage Low Mood and Depression with the University of Reading https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/low-mood-during-covid-19?u

Manage Mental Health and Stress on Coventry University’s course https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/managing-mental-health?

On our blog, we’ve gathered some ideas on how to Stay Healthy During Lockdown and be kind to your mind during times of upheaval. https://www.futurelearn.com/info/blog/stay-healthy-during-lockdown??

For more resources to help, head to our collection of courses to Support Your Mental Health In Lockdown. https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/collections/support-mental-health-in-lockdown?

The team at Neighbourhood Watch Scotland hope you are well and can’t thank you enough for the support you are giving your family, friends and communities during these strange and difficult times.

The SelectaDNA Neighbourhood Watch Kit offers the ultimate property marking solution to mark and protect your home, used in conjunction with the warning stickers supplied. SelectaDNA is proven to reduce housebreakings by up to 83%.

SelectaDNA work with hundreds of Neighbourhood watches across the UK to reduce crime within local communities. Police Scotland work widely with SelectaDNA on crime prevention projects within communities across Scotland.

The kit is available to every household whether within a Neighbourhood Watch, Rural Watch area and Neighbourhood Alert members. By using our unique code NHWSCOT25 you can purchase a kit for £25.00 including VAT and delivery. the normal retail price of this kit is £59.50.

To purchase the kit go to https://www.selectadna.co.uk/nhw and use the code NHWSCOT25 and the kit will be delivered straight to your door.

We hope you find this offer of benefit to you, your family, friends and communities. Please feel free to circulate this information and attached flyer across your community networks and social media.

The most important thing we can do during the COVID-19 pandemic is stay at home. However, this is the place where young children especially may be susceptible to being involved in an accident. Accidents can be prevented with a little planning and forethought. If you are a parent or carer of young children you can sign up to hear from RoSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) about the most common types of accidents and how they can be prevented.

This free webinar will take place on Wednesday 20th May at 2pm.

You will need to download the free Webex app to your phone or laptop in order to take part in the webinar – you can do this by clicking here – https://www.webex.com/downloads.html/.

During the Webinar you will be able to ask questions and receive responses either on the day or by email after the event.

Please note that you will have to register beforehand to confirm that you are going to take part in this webinar by visiting:
https://rospa.webex.com/rospa/onstage/g.php?MTID=e52d85c7f295e9f2cba891cd4ed8da110

Local authorities across Scotland are being affected differently and at different times due to coronavirus. It is important that you check your local authority website regularly over the coming weeks, to keep up to date with any changes to waste and recycling collection services that may affect you, including what materials are being collected and when to put your bins out for collection.

Zero Waste Scotland have launched a new website and if you follow the below link you will find information on

• Are My Waste And Recycling Services Affected. Here you can check on every Local authority in Scotland for the latest state of play. Just pick your authority and follow the link to your information
• Tackling Fly Tipping
• Handling Your Waste Safely

https://wasteless.zerowastescotland.org.uk/topics/coronavirus

Help us log dog poo across neighbourhoods in Scotland as part of our #TurdTag fortnight.
Have you seen an increase in bagged or unbagged dog poo in your neighbourhood?
Did you know: Our surveys from last year indicated that dog fouling was at its most visible within communities over the last ten years, with almost 10% of sites recording presence and unsurprisingly this is worse in highly populated areas.
As part of your daily exercise, and in accordance to Government guidance, why not take part in #TurdTag and help us understand dog fouling levels in your neighbourhood.
#TurdTag will be taking place for two weeks from 27th April this year. Over the two weeks we want to encourage as many people as possible to feed in data on the number of dog poos they’re finding near them.

All you need to do is:
1. Select a 100m stretch to use as a transect.
2. When out on your walk as part of your daily exercise, count the number of bagged or unbagged dog poos you see (and why not take a photo?)
3. Post your #TurdTag on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram tagging  @CleanUpScotland or @KSBScotland
4. Repeat – why not choose a different stretch to log the poos you find?
5. Email your results at the end of the fortnight, including your location and local authority to [email protected]

In May we will collate all the data you send us to create a snapshot of the scale of the problem across Scotland

https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/local-environmental-quality/clean-up-scotland/do-your-bit-to-clean-up-scotland/get-involved-in-turdtag/

The below topics are included:-

• Travel Cancellations
• Mobility Aid Scams
• Netflix Scam
• Misleading Adverts for IV Drips
• Hand Sanitiser – Official Guidance
• Volunteer Shopping Cards
• Pension Scams
• Unfair Business Practices
• Financial Impact COVID 19

Google reported this week that they are blocking around 18 million scam emails related to Covid-19 each day: a fifth of all hoax messages sent to Gmail accounts. Cyber criminals are taking advantage of people’s uncertainty around developments relating to the pandemic and, as well as emails, are rapidly creating malicious websites and apps that appear similar to genuine software.

Use this link to head straight to this weeks Scam Share
https://mailchi.mp/ba200398df1a/scam-share-bulletin

Neighbourhood Watch Scotland would love to hear from you. We are interested to know how you are feeling about all the scams that are circulating. Is getting up to date factual information making you feel safer? Confident in identifying possible scams? Knowledgable in what to do if you unwittingly become the victim of a scammer?

I look forward to hearing from you. Please get in touch either through reply on Neighbourhood Alert or at [email protected]  

I just wanted to reach out and introduce myself as the Superintendent for Partnerships in Forth Valley Division.   In the last 27 years, I don’t think I have worked through such a unique situation as the current Coronavirus pandemic. Whilst there is understandable anxiety around what the future might bring, a real positive from this has been the evidence of community spirit across the Forth Valley area.

I would just like to take the opportunity to thank you personally for the high levels of compliance with Government guidance we have seen locally.    This all helps protect the resilience of NHS and hopefully save lives.

For policing, playing our part in supporting the critical role of our partners in Public Health to protect our communities from Covid 19 is a vitally important piece of work.  We are really keen to get an understanding of how people are feeling at the moment in our communities and how we might use this to develop our approach over the forthcoming months.

To this end, I would really appreciate if you could spare a few minutes to follow the below link and complete the survey.   The survey can be completed from your perspective as a resident or your work, whichever feels most relevant in terms of feedback.

https://consult.scotland.police.uk/surveys/your-police-2020-2021

Best wishes and please look after yourselves.

Mandy Paterson
Superintendent
Partnerships
Forth Valley Division

Across the world many countries are in the midst of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic therefore the purpose of this circulation is to work together to protect and safeguard the vulnerable and those most at risk of human exploitation and trafficking.  Police Scotland’s National Human Trafficking Unit continue their ongoing engagement with key partners to ensure they are actively looking for and responding effectively to any incident or report of exploitation or Human Trafficking however the Unit understands that communities are able to provide valuable information, however minor but which may make all the difference.  With restrictions on activity and movement being in place, the Unit recognises there are fewer opportunities for potential victims of human trafficking to be reported to the Police and partner agencies.  This raises concerns about reaching out to those who are most vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking as the current situation will see demand increasing for the hiring of labour in the agricultural, delivery, food production and retail sectors.  This is why the Unit are asking all of Scotland’s communities to be vigilant to the possibility that people are being exploited and to help them tackle it.

People may see an increase in the following:

·         Groups of people waiting to be collected for work or dropped off where   this was not previously apparent.
·         Houses of multiple occupancy where potential victims may be living
·         Sudden increase in homelessness

This list is by no means exhaustive and communities will be aware of what goes on within their own areas therefore the Unit actively encourages changes raising concerns or suspicions are reported, anonymously if required.   Any information provided will assist Police Scotland and partner agencies identify potential victims of exploitation or Human Trafficking thus ensuring that the most vulnerable are protected.

Please contact the following:

Police Scotland – 101

Modern Slavery Helpline – 0800 121 700 – www.modernslaveryhelpline.org

Crimestoppers (anonymously) – 0800 555 111 – www.crimstoppers-uk.org

In light of recent criminal damage to telephone masts, our partners at the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC) are asking assistance from anyone located within particularly rural communities and locations to try and prevent further incidents happening in Scotland.

In these unprecedented times, you may be aware of misinformation spreading on social media regarding 5G and an alleged link to the COVID-19 pandemic with some social media groups calling for criminal damage to telecommunications infrastructure.  This has resulted in some random acts of vandalism and wilful fire-raising to a variety of masts as there is no way of telling if a mast is 5G or otherwise.  At a time when critical sectors are focusing all their efforts to fight this pandemic, any damage to the mobile infrastructure could have significant implications for these sectors, such as a loss of communication or vital systems.

Often located in rural or remote areas, if as an essential worker travelling to and from work, whilst taking any permitted daily exercise or if as a land owner with a mast on your land, if you observe an individual(s) or vehicle(s) at or near such sites who do not appear as if they are from a relevant telecommunications company, please note any relevant details, a description and any relevant vehicle registration number then pass the information onto Police Scotland via 101 or if a crime is on-going 999.  Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through the non-traceable Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

The following message is being circulated as part of the Scottish Government Domestic Abuse Campaign

It is a Scottish Government priority to ensure that anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse gets access to the support services they need during these unprecedented times.

If you, or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse and needs help, support is in place and available. You are not alone.

To speak in confidence, call Scotland’s Domestic Abuse 24 hr Helpline on 0800 027 1234 or visit https://safer.scot/  for more information and advice.
If you feel someone is in immediate danger call 999

Domestic Abuse is a crime. Call 101 to report it or call 999 in an emergency.

Help is available.

After a family incident late last night that involved a gas leak in a house. I thought it might be useful to send you the emergency numbers for gas, electricity and water for Scotland. These numbers are manned 24 hours 7 days a week and will respond to whichever emergency you have. In the current climate it is difficult to know what services are working and which are not add the additional difficulty of attending can make it difficult to help. Having these numbers at hand might be just the thing you need

The good news is that the gas leak was reported and the emergency engineer attended within 45 minutes and made the house safe.

Gas

National Gas Emergency Tel 0800 111999

Electricity

North of Scotland
Scottish & Souther Energy Networks Tel 0800 300999

Central & Southern Scotland
Scottish Power Energy Networks Tel 0800 0929290

National Power Cut Number Tel 105

Water

Scottish Water 0800 0778778

I hope you never need these numbers but find them useful if you do.

As you know the long bank holiday weekend ahead will create more challenges for our communities as the lockdown measures continue.  We acknowledge that you are one of the many that have conformed with the government’s essential guidance and directives over the past few weeks, as the pandemic continues to affect the health of many and take the lives of the few.

The challenges we face and how we have come together as a resilient community, to ensure we are safer and stronger as a result, will define our paths going forward in the coming days and weeks.

To download the material please follow this link https://we.tl/t-bZ0vhsCyML, there is both static and renders (these are images that move, like a gif)

We urge you to share with your community the following information, which asks our neighbours, friends and families to continue to follow the governments advice about social distancing, exercising and meeting family and friends over this holiday period.

Following our successful launch of our Calling Tree campaign, we have also attached a A6 sized printout of an example postcard to post through doors in your community.  This is in response to your great feedback, which many of you shared with us.

Finally, we would like to wish you and your families an enjoyable and safe holiday weekend.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NETWORK | Central Support Team
T  0116 402 6111 M 07495 415 380
www.ourwatch.org.uk

Follow us..
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Please find attached to this Alert a Police Scotland document ‘A Guide to Security in the Rural Environment’.

This document can be passed to any of your local networks for their information.

The intended audience for this information is: Business organisations, Public sector organisations, Charities and the General Public.

As a result of the significant rise in COVID-19 related scams, the Scottish Government Cyber Resilience Unit will share important information from trusted sources with us. This attached notice contains the authoritative sources where you can access further information and guidance.

The Scottish Government Cyber Resilience Unit are working alongside Police Scotland and the National Cyber Security Centre to disseminate the latest cyber threat intelligence and advice and guidance.

The National Cyber Security Centre, Police Scotland and Trading Standards Scotland are recognised authorities on cyber-crime and scams and are working together and with others to:

identify and disseminate the latest updates on the cyber scams
provide advice on how to prevent or mitigate the impact of the scams and associated threats (relating to or taking advantage of the COVID-19 situation.)

At Neighbourhood Watch Scotland we will continue to keep you updated with regards to these as required.

The latest Scam Share bulletin from Trading Standards Scotland can be viewed on the following link
https://mailchi.mp/90cd8b2c1b42/scam-share-latest-covid-19-scams

Please share as required

It is important that if you or somebody you support is in crisis that you know that Samaritans are there to help.

Brothers In Arms use digital technology as a way to reach out no matter where you are in Scotland so that you can both self-manage and keep your mental fitness through the use of our Free ( NHS approved) App and included is access via text to a mental health coach available Mon to Friday ( excluding Bank Holidays) 8am to 8pm to support you on a one to one basis in both using all aspects of the support platforms and modules within, but also to advise on other ways to help themselves, ( rather like the fitness instructor you have at their Gym showing what equipment to use)The link is only available on the website www.brothersinarmsscotland.co.uk and not on any app store to keep it free.
Our Brother-Stay Alive App. Is a suicide prevention resource for Scotland. Full of useful information and tools to help stay safe in crisis.

You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone who may be considering suicide. In addition to the resources, the app includes a safety plan, customisable reasons for living, and a LifeBox where you can store photos and memories that are important to you.
You can also read the strategies for staying safe, explore the tips on how to stay grounded when you’re feeling overwhelmed, try the guided-breathing exercises and support your own wellness by creating your own interactive Wellness Plan. The app links you directly to local and national crisis resources, it’s all stored there within the app. If the resource isn’t listed, simply add in your own.

Our strategy is showing that we are reaching out to the Scotland, but that also to the more remote parts of Scotland such as the highlands where there is not always a support infrastructure in place or that the small communities are a barrier to seeking support.

The Scottish Government has recently launched the following campaign
A new ‘Scotland Cares’ campaign has been launched to encourage people to volunteer during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
While the most important ask for the public remains to stay at home and follow the essential public health guidance, people who are healthy and not at risk can volunteer to provide practical or emotional help to those most in need.
Those wanting to volunteer to support their communities have three options which are signposted from the Ready Scotland website at the following link https://www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus/volunteering

These are
• returning NHS workers will be directed to existing voluntary arrangements in NHS Scotland
• people wishing to offer their support to our public services, including the NHS and local authorities, will be directed to a site coordinated by the British Red Cross
• those looking for opportunities with other charities or community groups in their area will be directed to Volunteer Scotland for information

Volunteers who want to support their communities should visit www.ReadyScotland.org to find out how they can help.
The website is being constantly updated and provides advice on volunteering safely and the organisations to register an interest with such as Volunteer Scotland and the Red Cross.
Businesses who can offer support should email [email protected]
A response will be made as soon as possible.

In line with Scotland’s current stay at home rules the public can only volunteer to carry out tasks which involve leaving their home, once a day, if you are not required to be isolating and are not in any risk categories.
Please check the latest advice at www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus

Here are just some of the scams we are aware of, but note that criminals come in all shapes and sizes and can contact you at the door, by phone, post or online.

Stay safe and follow all government and NHS guidelines.

Be Aware of people offering or selling:

• Virus testing kits
• Vaccines or miracle cures – there is currently no vaccine or cure.
• Overpriced or fake goods to protect yourself from coronavirus such as anti-bacterial products.
• Shopping or medication collection services.
• Home cleaning services

Protect yourself and others:

• Don’t be rushed into making a decision. If it sounds to good to be true it probably is.
• Only purchase goods from legitimate retailers and take a moment to think before parting with money or personal information.
• Don’t assume everyone is genuine. It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush and panic you.
• If someone claims to represent a charity, ask them for ID. Be suspicious of requests for money  up front. If someone attempts to pressurise you into accepting a service they are unlikely to be genuine. Check with family and friends before accepting offers of help if you are unsure.

For advice on scams call Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000

To report a scam call Police Scotland on 101

Contact your bank immediately if you think you have been scammed.

The (hopefully) warmer weather offers a great opportunity to get outside in the garden. Take a moment first to think about home security and you’ll reduce your risk of falling victim to opportunistic thieves all summer long.

Ensure that doors and windows at the front of your home are secure if you are enjoying time in the garden.

Expensive garden equipment should always be locked away in a safe and secure location when not in use. The same goes for bikes which can be a tempting target if left unattended and unsecured. Fit good quality padlocks to sheds and garages.

Make sure tools such as ladders and spades are securely locked away as well. Don’t give thieves a chance to use these to help break into your home.

Visibly and permanently marking your belongings helps you and the police identify them if they are stolen. It can also make it difficult for the thief to dispose of the property.

Remember to securely lock all doors and windows before leaving the house. It’s easy to forget when you’re in a hurry to get out and enjoy some fun in the sun, but it’s the simplest way for a burglar to enter your home.

If you’re going away, cancel any newspaper or milk deliveries. If you can, ask a neighbour or relative to make your home look occupied by clearing the post away from the door mat and opening and closing the curtains.

While you’re thinking about home safety, take a minute to check your smoke alarms, too. It could save your life!

Please find attachment from Police Scotland included in this message on the current Shut Out Scammers campaign and below links to sources of trusted accurate information.

Feel free to circulate this information to any local social media group that you may be part of.

https://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/personal-safety/shut-out-scammers

https://www.tsscot.co.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-scams/

https://mailchi.mp/b3d2ca964e92/scam-share-focus-on-coronavirus
 

If everyone can tell 2 people about the following recent developments in their next phone conversation with a friend or neighbour, the message will soon reach all corners of the community.

This is a worldwide pandemic and no legitimate organisation will contact you out of the blue and ask for payment for information or access to treatment which does not exist. We are hearing reports of emails and phone calls asking for donations to help those in need during this time, or offering miracle cures, and door to door campaigns offering testing. Also, please be aware that the Red Cross are NOT doing door to door testing as has been suggested in some areas.

Unfortunately, some fraudsters are offering to do shopping for residents, taking the money and then not returning with the goods. Others have offered to take a shopping list along with a bank card. This would be considered as theft and should be reported to the police.

We don’t want to discourage anyone from helping their neighbours or family members, and we don’t want to breed distrust in those genuine members of the community trying to support others. We simply ask that you remain vigilant and:

Try to only liaise with people you know.
Only buy the essentials in this manner, therefore the amount of money required is minimal, do not hand over a bank card – use cash only.
If the person says they are from a community organisation, ask for some ID or to verify their identity by calling the organisation directly, not the number on the card.

Scammers are also sending out coronavirus-themed phishing emails which attempt to trick people into opening malicious attachments or revealing sensitive information about themselves such as personal and financial details. In the same way that we have seen fake TV licensing and HMRC emails, we are now seeing phishing emails claiming to be from organisations affiliated with the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). There have also been some variations on current scams with fake emails appearing to be from HMRC offering a tax rebate due to the Coronavirus.

Please be aware of any suspicious emails and do not click on the links or attachments, and do not respond to any unsolicited messages or calls asking for your personal or financial details.

If you have been a victim of fraud or cybercrime, report it to Police Scotland Tel 101 or for advice contact Consumer Advice Scotland Tel 08081646000.

For anyone concerned about COVID-19 please refer to the NHS advice page – https://www.scot.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ 

Neighbourhood Watch Scotland members and communities have been responding positively to the coronavirus COVID-19 situation and making a real impact within their local communities. The Neighbourhood Watch Scotland Team has been hearing many good stories of support as well as requests for support and guidance.  This is challenging times for us all – health, safety and wellbeing must be our top priorities and at the heart of every decision we make. We must all do our part to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and must follow the guidance and best practices from the NHS and Government. The most important actions we can all take is to do everything we can to avoid becoming ill and placing further pressure on the NHS and other emergency services.
For all current advice on COVID-19 see the following links:

https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

For information on helping in your community go to link:
https://www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus/

Please Remember
Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds and do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
Do not purchase more food and provisions than you need

We are also concerned about scams and fraud that may arise as people take advantage of the crisis and will continue to gather insights into coronavirus COVID-19 scams and crimes.  Advice and guidance is continually being updated and we will do our best to keep you informed. The following link from Trading Standards Scotland contains good, relevant and updated information:

https://mailchi.mp/b3d2ca964e92/scam-share-focus-on-coronavirus

Please share the above information as required
Best Wishes and Stay Safe

Police Scotland were contacted over the weekend in relation to an incident whereby a local resident within the Falkirk area was contacted by a male person who spoke with a foreign accent.

The male advised the resident that there had been an over payment on an Amazon refund and this required to be repaid.

The resident thereafter attended at his bank, removed a large quantity of cash and as instructed by the caller, to post it via Royal Mail to an address in England.

ADVICE

• It MUST be noted that no organisation will conduct their business by this manner ie contact made and requests for money to be reimbursed in this manner.  Should any contact be made advise the representative that you will only deal with requests of this nature by letter.
• Do not disclose any personal or banking information over the phone.
• Do not engage with any callers who contact you by this manner requesting you carry out any financial transactions.
• Never be rushed into making any decisions regarding financial matters.
• Always speak to a relative or trusted friend prior to carrying out any financial transaction if you have been contacted out of the blue.

Always think
How: Have I been contacted?  If by phone or computer be alert to a possible scam.

What: Is being asked of me?  Is this person requesting cash / banking or personal information?

Why: Am I being asked for this?

Always take 5 minutes to think about the above. Scammers will always attempt to pressurise you into making quick decisions and will prey on peoples vulnerability or good nature.

‘The Red Cross are aware of reports on social media of people claiming to be Red Cross volunteers and purporting to offer coronavirus tests, and have reported the matter to the police.

We would like to make it clear that the Red Cross is not conducting coronavirus tests in Northern Ireland or anywhere else in the UK.

If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from the Red Cross, please ask to see identification and, of you have any concerns, contact the police.’

If you are approached or are aware of this activity going on in your area contact Police Scotland Tel 101 or 999 if you feel you are in danger.

You will all be aware of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Neighbourhood Watch Scotland exists to look out for communities and at a time like this we encourage you to consider ways to keep yourself, your loved ones and those in your community safe, particularly the isolated and vulnerable. We are following the advice from the government and encourage you to do the same:  https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

10 ways you can protect yourself, your loved ones and your community:

Meet with household members, other relatives, friends and neighbours to discuss what to do if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community and what the needs of each person will be.
If your neighbourhood has a website or social media page, consider joining it to maintain access to neighbours, information, and resources. Alternatively, share phone numbers and email addresses particularly with those who are isolated or vulnerable.
Consider establishing a ‘buddy’ system within your community to ensure everyone stays connected to COVID-19 related news, services and can receive support safely, such as essentials deliveries.
Plan ways to care for those who might be at greater risk for serious complications.
Choose a room in your home that can be used to separate sick household members from those who are healthy.
Learn how to self-isolate. Guidance can be found on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/
Create a list of local organisations that you and your neighbours can contact in the event that one of you need access to information, healthcare services, support, or resources. Consider including organisations that provide mental health or counselling services, food, and other supplies.
Create an emergency contact list of family, friends, neighbours, healthcare providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department, and other local authority, community resources.
Learn about the emergency operations plan at your child’s school or childcare facility, and your employer’s emergency operations plan.
Practice everyday preventive actions including regular hand washing.

The NHS provides guidance on how to wash hands: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/.
The World Health Organisation provides guidance on basic protective measures: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention provides guidance on handwashing for families https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/handwashing-family.html

NHS Scotland provide current updated INFORMATION and ADVICE on the following link: https://www.scot.nhs.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/ and the Scottish Government on the link : https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/

Ford Transit AY63UHD. The side of the vehicle has the following Livery of “W AND J DEVELOPERS LTD” in black, red and white stickers.

was stolen from outside an address in Hilton Road, Alloa.

If anyone has any information relating to this crime or may have CCTV that has captured the incident or the journey the vehicle took as it left the area please contact police Scotland on 101 or speak with any local officer.
Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
For advice on how to protect your home and personal property please click the following link: https://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/home-and-personal-property/

Stolen property, recovered by Police, is more easily returned to its rightful owner if it is clearly marked with identifiable information.

Postcode System
How you decide to mark your property the post code system of property marking is recommended. It is possible to deliver a letter using only a house number and the correct postcode, therefore, by using the same principles it is possible to locate the owner of property, if that property is marked using the owner’s house number and postcode. Adding the owner’s initials makes it even more traceable to the individual. Eg. MA FK7 7UF.

UV marking pens are popular for ‘property marking schemes’. People like the idea of invisibly marking their property. It is less valuable to the thief to sell as the markings make it less attractive to a buyer. It is also more readily identifiable and may lead to the thief being caught and charged for theft.

Take all reasonable steps to mark your property to reduce the likelihood of it being stolen but in the undesirable circumstance that your property is stolen or lost, if it is marked then the chances of it being identified and returned to you are greatly increased.

Permanently mark all your property and also keep an inventory of each item, including description, value, make, model, serial number etc. and the nature of any security marking. This can also be useful if you need to make an insurance claim following a theft or damage.

Forensic Marking

A colourless liquid solution can be applied to your valuable items, including jewellery, ornaments, electrical items and even vehicles. This is forensic marking, the liquid solution gives your property a chemical ‘code’, which is unique to your items and you. It cannot be seen by the naked eye and is very difficult to remove. The solution glows under ultraviolet light, allowing police to detect it.

Criminals are aware of forensic marking, they know that it can be used as evidence and forensically link them to a crime, such as theft, robbery and housebreaking.
Below are links to UK based forensic marking providers. Their websites have loads of useful information to guide you to what may be right for you:-

SelectaDNA   https://www.selectadna.co.uk/
Smartwater  https://shop.smartwater.com/household-products/

Neighbourhood Watch Scotland does not specifically endorse any one of these products. In our view, they are all equally effective.

The above are all accredited by: Secured by Design www.securedbydesign.com which is the UK police flagship initiative supporting the principles of ‘designing out crime’ by using effective crime prevention and security standards for a range of applications.