Spring Park
Neighbourhood Watch
Notice Board
Extracted from “The Guardian” newspaper – March 2009
Burglars’ secret codes revealed
A gang of distraction burglars (bogus callers) are marking houses on Purley’s Webb Estate to show the ease in which they can be burgled. The Purley Safer Neighbourhoods team has released drawings, similar to those used by travellers, so people can see if their properties have been marked.
It is thought that the symbols are chalked on people’s wall and fences to indicate how fellow burglars should go about stealing from the property. Victims are said to be distracted by burglars pretending to be roofers or builders while their accomplices break in and steal valuables.
The symbols are not only reserved to chalk signs and can include anything from stones placed outside to small items indication that a house has been burgled before. Croydon Police would like to tell people that if they do see something unusual placed against a house or written on it to get in touch and let us know on 0300 123 1212.
WI-FI SAFETY TIPS
Laptops now outsell desktops, and more and more locations are offering free public Wi-Fi networks. Yet there are no formal recommendations on how one should secure a wireless laptop on a public wireless network. Here are some known problems with wireless laptop security and some suggested solutions.
Good behavior counts
By and large, security experts are all on record stressing that good behavior in public places matters most. The surfing that you do online in a public wireless environment should not be what you surf at home on a much more secured wired connection. For example, don't check your bank balance online, or type in your credit card number to order flowers online while sitting in an Internet cafe.
Some suggestions
The problem is that Microsoft designed Windows XP and Windows Vista to be convenient, especially when connecting via wireless, but convenience in the security world often carries a high price. Of course, it goes almost without saying that you should always have a suite of security applications including antivirus, anti spam, and anti spyware, as well as a personal firewall installed on your laptop. But to avoid having your laptop connect to the first access point that looks attractive, try these suggestions:
1) Use a wireless broadband card
Rather than use a public cafe's open wireless, get a wireless broadband account and use your laptop to connect to 3G networks via cell modem. Overall wireless broadband accounts are more secure--it's harder to hack into a cellular call--and, in some cases, more reliable than public 802.11 wireless.
2) Change your home default router name
Don't make your laptop vulnerable in the first place. To do this, access your home router's firmware (usually this requires typing a specific address into a browser's address bar), then change the default SSID (Linksys, D-Link, Netgear, or the like) to something original (for example, UpUpAndBeyond, or something similar). While you're at it, change the router's default admin ID and password, and most importantly enable some form of encryption (WEP, WPA, or WPA2). The settings on your laptop or any other computer you use should then be changed to match the new settings. Without encryption anyone can access your PC.
3) Disable the Windows networking automatic connect feature
Don't let your laptop connect just anywhere. To do so, right-click your current wireless network connection, click Properties, then click the Wireless Networks tab. Here you'll see a box with all of the last known connections you've made. After each, if it says "automatic," highlight and click properties, then select the connection tab for that network. Uncheck the box labeled "Connect when this network is in range."
The downside is that the next time you fire up your laptop; you won't be connected right away. Instead, you should see a list of available wireless networks. It'll cost you a few seconds to choose one and connect to the right network, but at least you'll know what you're connecting to.
5) Turn off the ad hoc connections option
This should already be disabled with most default Windows XP and Vista installations, but you should check anyway.
Attempted Letter box Fishing Crime
There has been an incident reported in Cheston Avenue at around 10.30pm, where a resident saw a young lad of approximately 14 years old looking through a neighbours letterbox and that there was a light coloured van with lights on waiting in the road. The police could only offer the explanation that he was looking for keys hanging from the letter box or near by table.
Please ensure that you do not hang your door keys behind the letter box or near by where they could be retrieved using a stick with a hook attached (fishing) .
Identity Fraud is one of the UK’s fastest growing crimes
Identity theft occurs when an individual’s personal and confidential information is obtained by another person without their knowledge. Identity fraud happens when criminals use this information fraudulently to obtain credit, goods or other services in that persons name.
Click here to download a leaflet for details on what to do if you think you’ve become a victim and advice on how to prevent identity theft, or visit the official NIDFPW website:
www.stop-idfraud.co.uk.
Bogus Caller Initiative
The police and Thames Water want to make everyone aware of the password system to help stop bogus burglary crime type crime.
If any residents would like to receive a pack on how to set up a password with Thames Water, or know of an elderly or vulnerable neighbour who would like to take part in the scheme, please email the Neighbourhood Watch team with your name and address to request a pack here >>
You can also download the Thames Water Bogus Callers leaflet which contains the application form for joining the password scheme.
If you feel that the caller at your door is BOGUS then dial 999. Don't become a Victim.
DNA Property Marking Kit for Spring Park Neighbourhood Watch Members
A forensic chemical marking kit with no renewal
licence fees (like Smartwater) has been offered
to our members at a preferential price of £35
only incl. VAT & delivery. The kit contains
30ml pot of SelectaDNA to mark over 50 items of
your property; Tamper proof warning labels;
“Marked Property” window stickers; UV Keyring
light and Lifetime registration on the company’s
secure database. There is also a special bulk
purchase price of £20 per kit, when ordering 20
or more kits.
Further
information can be found by clicking on the following link 
Householders and the use of force against intruders
It is a rare and frightening prospect to be confronted by an intruder in your own home. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Chief Constables are responding to public concern over the support offered by the law and confusion about householders defending themselves. We want a criminal justice system that reaches fair decisions, has the confidence of law-abiding citizens and encourages them actively to support the police and prosecutors in the fight against crime.
Read the full joint statement from the Crown Prosecution Service and the Association of Chief Police Officers here>>
Distraction Burglary
There has been another incident of distraction burglary this week in Elston Way, Shirley, and one in Croydon where the residents were told if they were not allowed entry they would be fined £100. When callers claim to be from the Water board, please remember the following:-
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Use your door chain and spy hole. If you have a secret password, insist the caller uses it.
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If unsure, keep the door shut.
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If the caller claims to be a Thames Water representative, but you are unsure, DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR.
RING 0845 9200 800 to check, and make the person wait outside, with your front door FULLY SHUT. Do not allow them to rush you into making a decision, if they are genuine, they will be happy to wait. If you think the callers are NOT genuine dial 999 for assistance.
POLICE WARNING RE BURGLAR ALARMS
We have been made aware that an alarm company called Sector Alarms is cold calling in the Woodside area of Croydon. It was suggested that they have a uniformed police officer with them. None of our officers are working in conjunction with this company. Croydon Police does not endorse any alarm companies. If you are considering purchasing an alarm in the near future ensure the alarm company is certified by the National Security Inspectorate and works to the European standard BS EN 50131.When a visit is unsolicited and the goods or services cost more that £35.00 than a cancellation notice with a seven days cooling off period must be given. Please remember IF IN DOUBT KEEP THEM OUT.
Also a N/W member has reported that a company called EEC Securities have cold called him to arrange to visit his home and give a quote for an alarm system. Trading Standards state that this company has come to their notice for pressure selling to the elderly. Apparently one lady paid thousands of pounds for a system that was for business use rather than domestic.
Mini Motorbikes
Buying a Mini Motorbike?, Electric Scooter?, Quad Bike? or Off Road Motorbike?
Although often sold as 'toys', machines with electric or petrol motors are classed as motor vehicles. They should not be driven on public footpaths, pavements, cycle paths, parks, car parks, recreation grounds and other public land. Use on public land can result in the police seizing the bike under powers in the Police Reform Act 2003. On the first seizure the owner will be liable to a penalty of £105, for the cost of recovery and storage charges of £12 per day for up to 21 days. After 21 days or second seizure the bike can be destroyed. Mini-motos and go-peds are not legally suitable for road use. Anyone found using them on a highway will be prosecuted under the Road Traffic Act. This may include fines and or licence penalty points.
To report nuisance or dangerous riding please contact your local Police.
Shirley Safer Neighbourhood Team 020 8721 2469
Heathfield Safer Neighbourhood Team 020 8721 2468
For more information on this campaign please contact the Community Protection Team on 020 8726 6000.
Don't Become a Victim
our identity and personal information are valuable. Criminals can find out your personal details and use them to open bank accounts and get credit cards, loans, state benefits and documents such as passports and driving licences in your name. You can a download copy of a leaflet on identity theft in PDF format, or visit the Home Office site for more advice and information on how to protect yourself and keep your personal information secure.
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Operation Delphinus
Counter Terrorism- Important Information
In order to re-assure and inform the public of the ongoing threat of terrorism to London
and the UK, the Metropolitan Police have produced a document 'Counter Terrorism - Frequently Asked Questions' . This document addresses a number of important issues, with the aim of raising awareness as well as seeking the help, co-operation and vigilance of the public in keeping London safe. The document is available to view here>>
Trading Standards
Your Rights to Cancel When Buying at Home
When you buy goods in your home, the salesperson can be in an advantageous position over you, as you may have difficulty in getting him/her to leave until you sign an agreement to purchase his/her products. Once you have signed and the salesperson has left, you may realise that you either do not need the goods or you cannot afford them. The law has tried to balance this disadvantage by giving you the right, in certain circumstances, to cancel agreements that have been signed in your home. These rights are found in the Consumer Protection (Cancellation of Contracts Concluded away from Business Premises) Regulations 1987 (as amended).
Click here for full details of your rights to cancel when buying at home.
There may be extra rights to cancel where you sign a credit agreement at home - see our leaflet 'Credit - Cancellation and withdrawal from credit agreements' for details.
Virtual Global Taskforce
The Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT) is an alliance of police agencies dedicated to fighting paedophiles online. The taskforce comprises agencies from the UK, Australia, Canada and the United States, as well as Interpol (which brings together police forces from 184 countries). The UK member is the National Crime Squad, whose Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) provide national and international co-ordination of investigations into online child abuse. Visit the VGT site for further information.
There is also a Virtual Global Taskforce Kids Page, with information on how to stay safe while online and for reporting abuse.
Carrying a knife, it's not a game
The Met Police have launched an innovative new marketing campaign aimed to discourage young people from carrying knives - see the leaflet and website for more information.' Knife City', a mock computer game demo that blends computer generated images with real life footage, has been distributed on DVD to thousands of unsuspecting teenagers across London during the past two weeks. The campaign illustrates the tragic personal and criminal consequences of carrying a knife.
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