JANUARY 2021 EDITION Newsletter

>THE E-NEWSLETTER FORNEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SUPPORTERSINSUFFOLK

Welcome to the January edi�on of our newsle�er.

Having put behind us a difficult year, we must start this new year with op�mism, and hope that as the vaccina�on programme gathers pace, we will all be in a be�er posi�on over the coming months. Although it is a new year, we know it will s�ll be just as challenging as the last, and therefore we rely on all our volunteers and coordinators to con�nue to follow the government restric�ons and guidance as we con�nue to support our communi�es. You are all key to our success as an organisa�on. So thank you. As always, please remember to check our “news” page on our website for updated news in between newsle�er edi�ons, and if you use social media, why not visit ourFacebook page, follow us and give us a “like”. We hope you enjoy the newsle�er.

The Executive Committee

INSIDE THIS EDITION:

NWN News PG 2 NWN Impact ReportPG 7 AVAST CyberWatchPG 9 Crimestoppers PG 10 Suffolk Trading StandardsPG 11 Action Fraud PG 12

Have you got a story you would like to share?

Sharing your stories help give other schemes ideas that can help communi�es engage more. It’s not always about crime and policing - but it’s always about togetherness. With the Remembrance and Armis�ce days during November, did you arrange anything for your community or scheme? Let us know!

Send us your story via email to the Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch Associa�on Comms team:[email protected]

JANUARY 2021 EDITION | PAGE1 Newsletter

Suffolk Police & Crime Commissioner and Suffolk Constabulary: Council tax precept survey 2021/22

Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore has published his proposals for the policing element of the council tax precept for the next financial year.

The details can be found here:pcc-proposes-more-officers-for-the-county-through-policing-precept .

Tim is asking Suffolk residents and businesses for their thoughts on his proposals by means of an electronic survey which can be accessed through the website link here:Suffolkpreceptsurvey

The survey is open until 9am on Thursday 28th January.

Suffolk CoronaWatch: Bulletins

Suffolk's CoronaWatch is the home of data and information produced under the Suffolk Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). Regular bulletins provide an update on the current Covid-19 situation in Suffolk along with updates on the work being carried out as part of Suffolk’s Local Outbreak Control Plan. Clickhere for all the latest information, and the local data dashboard for Suffolk

Neighbourhood Watch Network: National news

The CEO writes: The new 5-Year Strategy is now finalised and I believe we are creating a momentum that will enable Neighbourhood Watch to develop and lead the way in grassroots crime prevention and community resilience.

We would have a challenging year ahead implementing the first year of the new strategy even without the pandemic and the impact it brings to the economy, society, etc. but we are confident that we can achieve the ambitions set out in the strategy with the vital support and collaboration across the Neighbourhood Watch community.

The past year has shone a light on the significant benefit and value of Neighbourhood Watch beyond our well-known and core role to help prevent crime, and this will help us develop and remain relevant with younger families and different people into the future. Prevention, awareness and working within communities is a priority

Whilst traditional crimes such as burglary and car crime are still a concern, new types of criminal activity have sprung up and these new crimes require new solutions if they are to be tackled effectively. NWN have developed a range of toolkits to help tackle both traditional and modern crimes - For more information, visit the Crime Types page of the NWN website here.

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Area Network Coordinators: We need you!

The role of an Area Coordinator is to act as a channel for engagement with NW scheme coordinators within a given local area. This role is critical to the success of the Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch Association, and enables a communication network for all NW schemes across Suffolk, whilst at the same time providing important links into the constabulary.

The policing model for Suffolk Constabulary means the county is divided into three operational command areas - East, West, and South, and to align with this, we identified our own area network model to enable single points of contact for Safer Neighbourhood Teams, Community Engagement Officers and local Neighbourhood Watch schemes. A number of Area Coordinators are already in the role, but we are also still looking for volunteers to fill the vacant areas.

The areas below (and the parishes/wards they cover) show all the networks which still require area coordinators. Please remember, you can find out details of area coordinators already in the role, by visiting our network page on our website.

If your area is vacant, and you are happy to act as a point of contact for other NW schemes in your area, we would welcome you tocontact us.

EAST AREA NETWORK

Beccles Area B , ,

Worlingworth, Redlingfield, Denham, Horham, Hoxne, Syleham, Fressingfield, Laxfield, Eye Area B Tannington, Brundish, Wilby, Southolt, Athelington, Wingfield, Stradbroke, Weybread, Mendham, Metfield

Brome and Oakley, Eye, Palgrave, Thrandeston, Braiseworth, Stoke Ash, Stuston, Eye Area C Yaxley

Kenton, Bedingfield, Monk Soham, Bedfield, Debenham, Mickfield, Aspall, Thwaite, Eye Area D Wetheringsett cum-brockford, Ashfield cum Thorpe, Winston

Peasenhall, , Walpole, , Holton, , , , Halesworth Area B , Bramfield, with Mells - Hamlet, , ,

Ubbeston, , , , St. John - Ilketshall, St. Margaret - South-Elmham, Flixton, , Huntingfield, Cookley, , , , St. Andrew - Ilketshall, St. Margaret - Ilketshall, St. Peter - South Elmham, All Halesworth Area C Saints & St. Nicholas - South Elmham, St. James - South Elmham, St. Cross - South Elmham, St. Lawrence - Ilketshall, St. Mary - South Elmham, St. Michael - South Elmham

Aldeburgh, cum Thorpe, , , Snape, , , Leiston Area A , cum Carlton, Middleton,

Easton, , , , , , , Leiston Area B , Hoo, , Brandesto

Badingham, , , , , , Little Leiston Area C Glemham, , Parham, , Stratford St. Andrew, Swefling, Farnham

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Area Network Coordinators: We need you! (continued)

WEST AREA NETWORK

Mildenhall Area A , , , Mildenhall, Red Lodge, Worlington.

Mildenhall Area B Moulton, , , , , Higham, ,

Brandon Area B Beck Row, Holywell Row, and Kenny Hill, ,

Pakenham, Honington, , Bardwell, Stanton, , Barningham, Area A , , Euston, Thorpe, Hopton, Ixworth, Hepworth, Thelneatham,

The Saxhams, , , Risby, , , Bury St Edmunds Area C , Barrow, Denham, , Westley

Wordwell, Barnham, , , , , , West Bury St Edmunds Area D Stow, , , , , Ingham

Drinkstone, Hessett, Beyton, Thurston, Woolpit, Elmswell, Wetherden, Haughley, Stowmarket Area C Harleston, Onehouse, Buxhall, Great Finborough, Combs, Felsham, Gedding, Tostock, Norton, Shelland, Rattlesden, Little Finborough.

Great Bricett, Ringshall, Somersham, Baylham, Nettlestead, Barking, Coddenham, Creeting St. Mary, Stonham Earl, Stowupland, Stonham Parva, Pettaugh, Helmingham, Stowmarket Area D Offton, Willisham, Battisford, Badley, Creeting St. Peter, Stonham Aspal, Framsden, Ashbocking, Gosbeck, Crowfield, Darmsden

Langham, Badwell Ash, Wyverstone, Cotton, Gislingham, Mellis, Old Newton with- Dagworth, Thornham Magna, Thornham Parva, Wortham, Wattisfield, Stowlangtoft, Stowmarket Area E Hunston, Great Ashfield, Gipping, Mendlesham, Walsham-le-Willows, Wickham Skeith, Finningham, Bacton, Hinderclay, Burgate, Westhorpe.

Stowmarket Area F Stowmarket

Sudbury Area A Chilton, Great Cornard, Sudbury

Acton, Alpheton, Assington, Bildeston, Boxford, Boxted, Brent Eleigh, Brettenham, Bures St. Mary, Chelsworth, Cockfield, Edwardstone, Glemsford, Great Waldingfield, Sudbury Area B Groton, Hartest, Hitcham, Kettlebaston, Lavenham, Lawshall, Leavenheath, Lindsey, Little Cornard, Little Waldingfield, Long Melford, Milden, Monks Eleigh, Newton, Preston St. Mary, Shimpling, Somerton, Stanstead, Thorpe Morieux, Wattisham

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Area Network Coordinators: We need you! (continued)

SOUTH AREA NETWORK

Rushmere St. Andrew - Village, , , , Playford, Woodbridge Area A , , Tuddenham St. Martin,

Woodbridge Area B Woodbridge, Melton, , Ufford

Hollesley, Orford, , , , , , , Woodbridge Area D , Sutton, , Campsey Ash, , Tunstall, , , , , Butley, Boyton, Capel St. Andrew, Alderton

Debach, Otley, , , , , Burgh, , Woodbridge Area E Clopton, ,

Ipswich East Area C

(South East Ipswich) - comprising Priory Heath ward, Gainsborough ward, Holywells Ipswich East Area D ward

Brantham, Tattingstone, Freston, Chelmondiston, Stutton, Holbrook, Woolverstone, Hadleigh Area B Harkstead, Arwarton, Shotley

Elmsett, Aldham, Flowton, Bramford, Great Blakenham, Barham, Claydon, Little Hadleigh Area C Blakenham, Akenham, Hemingstone, Whitton (rural), Henley

Hadleigh, Kersey, Layham, Nayland-with-Wissington, Nedging-with-Naughton, Hadleigh Area D Polstead, Semer, Shelley, Stoke-by-Nayland, Whatfield

Ipswich Central Area C Westgate ward

JANUARY 2021 EDITION | PAGE5 Newsletter

Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service:Did you know?

Hard Wired smoke alarms need replacing every 10 years.

Check the date on yours. Remember - You will need a qualified electrician to replace hard wired alarms.

Recycle unwanted clothes Have you recently had a clear out, or did you get new clothes for Christmas and need to make room for them?

Please support the Fire Service and recycle your old clothes. Every station in Suffolk has a recycling bank.

Suffolk Libraries: Phone a friend service

Suffolk Libraries has launched a new service to reach out to older or isolated library customers.

The new ‘Phone a Friend’ service will provide regular phone calls to anyone who would benefit from a friendly chat and someone to talk to.

Older people have probably been missing libraries the most as the regular social interaction with staff and other people in libraries has been found to make a real difference in tackling isolation. Those who aren’t online will have also found lockdown particularly difficult.

Read more

JANUARY 2021 EDITION | PAGE6 Newsletter

Demonstrating NWN impact within communities

IMPACT REPORT 2019/20 We are delighted to publish our very first Neighbourhood Watch Impact Report 2019/20.The report highlights all the incredible achievements across the organisation. The huge array of impacts and benefits Neighbourhood Watch has in so many communities is inspiring to read and a real spur to spread good practice and reach more supporters. A link to the report can be found at ourwatch.org.uk/impact.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH CRIME AND COMMUNITY SURVEY 2020 FINDINGS The survey, which was conducted last year, had over 30,000 respondents across and Wales. The purpose of the survey was to better understand the impact of Neighbourhood Watch on: • levels of crime victimisation • fear of crime and feelings of safety • neighbourliness • community cohesion and isolationand to better understand the current reach and diversity of Neighbourhood Watch

The results show some great benefits of being a member of Neighbourhood Watch and living in a Neighbourhood Watch area. We will be sending out regional reports to local leads that illustrate differences in local responses compared to the wider report. Overall findings and all local reports can be found at ourwatch.org.uk/impact.

New linguistics of romance fraud booklet launched

Romance fraud happens when the victim thinks communities. It dispels the myths of shame and theyʼve met the perfect partner through an online embarrassment often associated with this crime by dating website or app, but the other person is highlighting the link to coercive control. using a fake profile to form a relationship with them. Theyʼre using the site to gain the victimʼs trust and ask them for money or enough personal Detective Inspector Duncan Wynn of Thames information to steal their identity. Valley Policeʼs Economic Crime Unit said: “Romance fraud can have a catastrophic impact, from the emotional devastation to the financial Romance fraudsters are masters of manipulation losses. Itʼs so important that if you feel you have and will go to great lengths to create a false reality fallen victim to a romance fraudster that you seek in which an individual feels that they are making help by reaching out to Action Fraud or Victim reasonable and rational decisions. The challenge Support.” for family and friends of those affected by romance fraud is being able to disrupt the false reality created to enable them to see the situation for Dr Elisabeth Carter, Senior Lecturer in Criminology what it really is – a fraud. and Forensic Linguist at the University of Roehampton said: “Romance fraudsters are masters of disguise and deception, and this A new booklet, developed by Thames Valley publication shines a light on the tactics they can Policeʼs Economic Crime Unit alongside Dr use, so you can keep yourself and your loved ones Elisabeth Carter, Senior Lecturer in Criminology safe.” and Forensic Linguist at the University of Roehampton, has been designed to demonstrate the clever tactics used by romance fraudsters You can access the booklet here. with a view to improving the knowledge of our

JANUARY 2021 EDITION | PAGE7 Newsletter

NWN Community projects in action

COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS

In late 2020 we launched our new CommunityChampionsproject. The project involves recruitingmembers of the community to become Community Champions and promote positive crimeprevention messaging across many platforms and networks. The Community Champions receive a training package to help them carry out their role and promote community cohesion, encourage crime prevention behaviour and encourage community wellbeing. This is an exciting project which enables us to engage with community members and volunteers in more flexible ways and about the issues which matter to them and their area. Find out more here: ourwatch.org.uk/community-champions

COMMUNITIES THAT CARE

We are delighted to say our Communities that Care project, which inolves listening to to olderpeople to help tackle fraud in their community, has been picked up in several areas following our successful pilot in Thames Valley. More than 53% of over 65s have been targeted by fraudsters, though it is estimated that only 5% of offences are actually reported. When older people are affected by fraud, their losses are more significant, and they have a greater risk of being targeted repeatedly. The consequences forphysical and mental health can be severe and long-lasting. We are currently running, or are soon to run, projects in West Yorkshire, Ruabon in Wrexham,Barnet, Newham and in Dyfed Powys. Find out more here: ourwatch.org.uk/communities-that-care

JANUARY 2021 EDITION | PAGE8 Newsletter

AVAST: New year, new cybercrime

We can all be at the mercy of enormous events that are never completely up to us. A natural government advice thanks to the support from disaster, the Covid-19outbreak, a cyberattack. Neighbourhood Watch However, we are in control of the ways we can partners NCSC. respond to them - we can lower our carbon footprint, we can stay at home, and we can You can find these guides learn how to protect ourselves from the risks at www.avast.com/uk-cyberhood and download online. them to share with family, friends and your local community. Examples of topics covered include: The purpose of the Cyberhood Watch initiative What are password managers? we run in partnership with Avast is not to end • Popular threats on iOS and Android and how to avoid all cybercrime - an impossible feat at the speed them criminals evolve -but to put people in the best • What is the Internet of Things? possible position to stay protected online, and • What is Two-Factor Authentication? help others to do so, through education and • How to Fight Phishing access to important tools and services, no • Cyber Security Terms & Metaphors matter where they are or how they connect to We will be regularly adding to our toolkits and the internet. resources throughout 2021. Upcoming guides include advice on how to manage Cookies, how to become a cyber-savvy parent, and how Last year, we held several events with to deal with cyber-enabled crime. Weʼd love Neighbourhood Watch members and Cyberhood to hear from you on other topics that are of Watch Ambassadors in which we listened to, interest and concern. To get in touch, email and gathered feedback on, the most important [email protected]. cybersecurity and privacy topics in their local communities. The responses helped us to prioritise the development and distribution of content toolkits, which are aligned with

Could you be a Cyberhood Watch Ambassador?

We are looking to recruit more Cyberhood Cyberhood Watch Ambassadors will also be Watch Ambassadors this year, and will be provided with: running a full training session at the end of • A Cyberhood Watch accreditation to help January (more on this to come). Ambassadors you speak with confidence on cybersecurity will be trained by Avast and will receive and privacy topics Cyberhood Watch accreditation. The role of the • Regular training on how to effectively Cyberhood Watch Ambassadors includes: deliver preventative cybersecurity advice to community members • Early access to Avast Toolkit materials and • Regular advice to help communities stay taking an active role in sharing them with protected from new and emerging cyber local Neighbourhood Watch groups threats • Becoming a designated point of contact • Early access to cybercrime prevention toolkit for cybersecurity concerns within the local content and invitations to local events community • Connections/get-togethers with fellow • Acting as a local media spokesperson for the Cyberhood Watch Ambassadors, to share initiative where appropriate best practice and challenges • Sharing feedback on local cybersecurity concerns All we ask is that you are IT literate, have a • Taking an active role in promoting local basic understanding of online security, and are Cyberhood Watch events, where appropriate willing to be a vocal point of contact for your • Helping shape the way that Neighbourhood community. If you are interested in becoming an Watch responds to cyber protection Ambassador and wish to find out more please • Input into future cybersecurity resources and contact [email protected]. content • Support with other publicity activation, including press releases and research

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Suffolk Crimestoppers:Report Crime Anonymously

Crimestoppers is an independent charity that gives people the power to speak up and help stop crime – 100% anonymously. It means, that when you call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or contact us online at crimestoppers-uk.org via an untraceable form, they have no way of knowing who you are. Crimestoppers’ agents at the National Contact Centre, know it can be difficult to come forward with information. They won’t ask your name. They won’t judge. Just listen to what you know.

Translation If you don't speak English or if English is not your first language, you can still give information anonymously using a translation service. Your call will be answered by someone who speaks English and you will need to tell them which language you would like to speak. Crimestoppers take information in more than 150 languages. When contacting Crimestoppers you will not be asked your name or any personal details. They will listen to information you have on a crime. Your call will not be recorded. They have no caller line display and no 1471 facility. Online reports have the same anonymity as phone calls. Crimestoppers do not make a note of gender, accents, apparent age or ethnicity of callers. Even if you do give personal details, that information will not be included in the report.

When your call is completed or you send on a computer, then you are gone. Crimestoppers have no trace of you. The reports received cover all aspects of crime, such as scam texts, racial abuse, attempted kidnapping, plans to skip the country before trial, weapons or drugs possession.

Since Crimestoppers was founded in 1988, more than 144,000 people have been arrested and charged because of information given anonymously to the charity. About 10 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information passed to Crimestoppers. Surveys undertaken for Crimestoppers show that about 20% of people who have information about crime find it difficult to talk to the police for fear of being traced as the source of information. Many of those people want to do the right thing and Crimestoppers provides the avenue for them do that safely without revealing their identity – 100% anonymously. Every year tens of thousands contact Crimestoppers to report information about crime and that number continues to grow as more people learn how Crimestoppers keeps them safe.

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SUFFOLK TRADING STANDARDS

Departing the EU

Britain’s departure from the EU will provide criminals with an opportunity to target you with fraud and scams. These may include:

• Tricking you into purchasing European Health Insurance Cards from unofficial websites • Fake HMRC websites urging businesses trading with the EU to register for a “UK trade number” • Unsolicited calls/emails, using the current news around Brexit, to encourage you to make new investments

Stay ahead of the criminals by always taking a moment to Stop and Challenge any requests for your personal/financial information or money. Remember they’re experts at tricking you into believing they’re from trusted organisations using urgent language and even easily obtainable personal information so ensure you Take Five.

You can protect yourself by seeking advice directly from the gov.uk website below and contacting organisations directly using a known email or phone number. If you’re planning on making any investments, check the Financial Conduct Authority’s register for regulated firms, individuals and bodies. Additionally, HMRC will never ask you for your personal or payment information via emails or text messages.

https://www.gov.uk/transition

Look out for illegal “Ear Cropping”

We’re calling for members of the public to report incidents of people carrying out ear cropping or arranging for dogs to be cropped abroad by calling the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.

A recent spike in cases of illegal ear cropping points to the need for urgent action by the veterinary profession and the wider public to curb this worrying trend.

Ear cropping is illegal and it’s time for action to stop it happening in the UK.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) have launched the #CutTheCrop campaign to stop the normalising of this mutilation. Please note, this blog contains graphic images some may find upsetting:https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/blog- article/why-an-alarming-new-trend-has-vets-saying-cut-the-crop/

JANUARY 2021 EDITION | PAGE11 Newsletter

As of 7 January 2021, Action Fraud had received 57 reports from members of the public who have been sent text messages claiming to be from the NHS, offering them the opportunity to sign up for coronavirus vaccinations. The texts ask the recipient to click on a link which takes them to an online form where they are prompted to input personal and financial details. In some cases the online form has looked very similar to the real NHS website.

Pauline Smith, Head of Action Fraud, said: “Remember, the vaccine is only available on the NHS and is free of charge. The NHS will never ask you for details about your bank account or to pay for the vaccine. If you receive an email, text message or phone call purporting to be from the NHS and you are asked to provide financial details, this is a scam.”

How to protect yourself:

In the UK, coronavirus vaccinations will only be available via the National Health Services of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. You can be contacted by the NHS, your employer, a local GP surgery or pharmacy, to receive your vaccination. Remember, the vaccinations are free of charge and you will not be asked for a payment.

The NHS will never: ask for your bank account or card details ask for your PIN or banking passwords arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine ask for documentation to prove your identity, such as a passport or utility bills

If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you are suspicious about an email you have received, forward it to [email protected]. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726, which is free of charge.

If you believe you are the victim of a fraud, please report this to Action Fraud as soon as possible by calling 0300 123 2040 or visitingwww.actionfraud.police.uk.

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Loan fee fraud

2020 was a hard year. However, there are scammers out there looking to make it even harder. Loan fee fraud occurs when people pay an upfront or advance fee for a loan they never receive. Itʼs an increasingly common scam which is reported to the Financial Conduct Authority, with peoplelosing £220 on average. The good news is that you can protect yourself with this quick three-step check: • If youʼre asked to pay an upfront fee, it could be a scam • If youʼre asked to pay quickly, it could be a scam • If youʼre asked to pay in an unusual way, such as vouchers or money transfer, it could be a scam

Always check that the provider is authorised by the FCA before you borrow. Visit the FCAʼs FinancialServices Register.

Neighbourhood Watch Benefits

AFFILIATE MEMBER

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Clickhere to order a Patlock at the Neighbourhood Watch discountedrate of £42.50

JANUARY 2021 EDITION | PAGE14