MOBILE POLICE STATION’S NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NEWSLETTER

(Monday 23^RD February 2004 – Friday 5^TH March 2004)

WARNING

Trading Standards are warning of traders currently operating in the area offering to do work on driveways. The offer is made with a price that seems very attractive; it is only later that householders find this has gone up considerably.  In one recent incident an elderly gentleman agreed to have some work done as the trader was already in the area and the price of £800 seemed good. When the work was done the trader demanded over £7000, and threatened the customer when he refused to pay. Although the extra money has not been paid and the trader has now left the premises the customer is extremely worried in case he returns. These incidents are not uncommon, and I urge residents not to be duped into having work done this way. If you have concerns about traders working in your area please contact Trading Standards on 01245 341888 or call the Doorstep Hotline on 0845 60 444 66

Judging by the number of telephone calls I get from you many of you still receive telephone calls from companies who try and book appointments with you for various reasons. One person recently had a call from a company who wished to book an appointment to inspect his electrical fuse box etc. We do contact a lot of these companies, including this one, to check them out and advise them but of course what they do is not strictly illegal. This company book appointments with the customer, they offer a password system that protects vulnerable households and all their representatives carried colour ID. A lot of these companies are genuine and because so many of you still wish to buy goods from the doorstep they still employ people to use this system. If you must use this system then please make sure you book a timed appointment with them. Then, make sure you have a friend or relative with you because it is so much easier to discuss it with someone you know. No appointment, do not answer the door.

WAXING

A new problem has arisen recently and one that perhaps many parents are not aware of. That is waxing the kerbs for skateboarding. I am told that waxing the edge of a kerb makes it easier for the skateboard to slide along. The problem arose when a Senior Citizen slipped on the wax. I have asked around and this is still a very small problem, therefore, as I do not want to start a new craze I just ask parents (very quietly) to keep an eye open for missing wax!!

Can I also just remind parents that the Motorised Scooters known as Go-peds, which are still seen on our footpaths and roads, are illegal. In fact, they never will be legal. If your child has one then you, as a parent, could well end up in court having penalty points being placed on your driving licence. You could also end up in civil court paying damages for any accident or incident involving that machine. If you know someone locally who uses these machines, tell them or ask them to have a chat with me, before it is too late.

TELEPHONE SCAMS

I have had many of you calling regarding telephone scams. The most popular one at the moment involves a recorded message on your landline stating that you had won either a large cash prize or a holiday in Greece, Spain, Tenerife, etc. You have to push to ‘0’ to proceed. It is of course your choice whether you wish to proceed or not but unless you have ‘Loads of Money’ to waste, I would not bother. It is like a few of the 0800 free phone numbers. The initial telephone call is free but then they re-connect you onto a business line and that is not free. You need to ask when you phone whether you will be charge if the call continues.

ADVANCE DRIVING

Epping Forest District Council are starting their Proactive Driver Training Course in March and April. This course consists of individual assessment in your own vehicle, lectures and the use of the Skid car. Kenny Roberts, who I have known for many many years, will be the instructor and course leader. The cost of this is £65 and can be booked via Linda Hague on 01992-564094. How many of you had driving problems recently with snow on the roads? This course will help you deal with conditions like these. I know that £65 is a lot of money but it is worth it. I am not only a qualified police advanced driver but I am also qualified to drive HGV Class 1 and Double Decker Buses that I have driven in Europe as well. I have also driven all these vehicles on a skidpan. I only mention this because I got a lot of fun and knowledge out of the Skid Car; it was still a challenge. The instructor is capable of spinning you in any direction at any time. That experience should not be missed. It could save your life and is well worth £65.

BIG CAT SIGHTINGS

Yes, OK, I know what you’re going to say; until you see one they don’t really exist and I agree with that to a point. However I have spoken to some really trustworthy folk, people that I know well, who state that have seen them. So with over 1000 reported sightings of big cats in the UK last year I ought just to ask you to report any sightings you may have. You can report them to me or to Rob Hance at Ongar Police station, mobile 07968354018. There is also a good web site on these sightings.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH GROUPS

Have you considered running a Neighbourhood Watch Group? It is not hard work and has many benefits including discount on your Household Insurance. Crime is not going to go away so any interest shown by you in this direction will help safeguard your property and welfare. Many of you already claim discount on your Insurance for belonging to a watch but you do need to know the details of your Co-coordinator just in case you make a claim. Your Insurance Company may well demand this information. Repeating myself I know, but one such person did not know that the local neighbourhood watch co-coordinator had died two years before the claim. Oops!! The claim went the same way.

MESSAGE IN THE BOTTLE SCHEME

So, the emergency services have broken into your home and found you lying on the floor unconscious. They have no knowledge of your medical condition, no knowledge of your next of kin and no knowledge of your doctor’s details. You may well have been on the floor for hours even days and therefore those first few minutes are important, your life could well depend on the action taken. It may well be that you suffer from diabetes; your life could be saved if we knew that.

So, the Message in the Bottle is a scheme that is used throughout Essex and is recognized by all the emergency services. The bottle is in fact plastic; it has numerous green cross stickers that are placed inside the front door, on your fridge door and around the plastic bottle. The bottle is placed inside the fridge. All details are placed inside the bottle for our use. Age also has little to do with this; I know a twenty year old who suffered from Asthma who collapsed at home. These bottles are free and can be obtained from the Mobile Police Station. Well worth the effort!!

Chris Caten