CogNW

Welcome to Coggeshall Neighbourhood Watch! We're a local community group working in close partnership with Essex Police to help make our village a safer and better place to live.

The UK's first Neighbourhood Watch was set up in Mollington in Cheshire in 1982 following the success of a similar scheme in Chicago in the United States. Many more schemes followed throughout the UK, and 10 million people are now thought to be members.

We'll publish the latest information about crime in the village on this site. So if, for example, there's a sudden increase in burglaries or a door-to-door- scam running, we'll make sure you know about it straight away.

You can also email us with any questions. And, of course, we'd love you to be involved too. Take a look at how you can support the Scheme in lots of practical ways.

SEASONAL GREETINGS

We in NHW wish all our viewers a very Happy and Safe Christmas.

Our thanks to for those who take time to look at our items and hopefully gain from the information posted.

 

You are welcome to make contact to find out more about us or actively get involved; we shall be delighted to hear from you when you have time. The more members who sign up for the official National NHW the better. The more alert eyes and ears we have the better.

 

OVER THE LIMIT BUT NOT DRUNK?

AN EXTRACT FROM ESSEX POLICE:-

Alongside their Drink Drive campaign, a NEW drug driving campaign has already been launched to try and teach motorists that illegal substances stay in their system longer than they might anticipate.

Essex Police are now more likely to catch drug drivers than ever before and have launched the new initiative alongside the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP).

The force want to highlight that drugs are still in the system even if users do not feel stoned and could still show up in a roadside test and have produced amusing videos and graphics to attract attention but ram home the devastating consequences of drug driving. Their promotional video shows a man spending the day with a human-size cannabis leaf after smoking the drug one evening before being arrested for drug driving the next day. Check out the video at: -

https://www.essex.police.uk/police-forces/essex-police/areas/essex- police/campaigns/campaigns/20192/drug-driving-is-the-high-worth-the-low/

Head of roads policing Adam Pipe said: “By the end of this year we’ll have seen as many

drug-drive arrests in 2019 as in 2017 and 2018 combined. “Drug drivers tell my officers they don’t think they’ll get caught. "The reality is we’ve more than 600 officers trained to use drug wipes so you’re actually more likely to get caught than ever before. “Drug drivers also tell us that taking drugs is part of their lifestyle, part of their daily routine. "What they don’t realise is that drugs stick around in your system. “Even if you don’t look or feel stoned you could still be over the drug driving limit, and if you’re stopped and drug wiped you’ll be arrested. “Drugs are illegal so you shouldn’t be taking them anyway, but if you are going to please don’t get behind the wheel.” “We’ve talked a lot about drug driving in the last 18 months but it seems the message isn’t getting through so we’ve decided to take a different and radical approach to raising awareness to the issue. “We’re using humour to attract attention to it but that in no way means we’re downplaying the seriousness of it or how devastating the consequences can be. “Drug driving shatters lives. It’s a factor in a round a quarter of all the serious or fatal collisions we investigate. It is unacceptable and it is completely avoidable. “The way we’ve been talking about drug driving obviously hasn’t been working so we have to approach it in a different way. “If you’re convicted of drug driving you’ll lose your licence for at least a year. That could impact on your ability to work and pay your bills meaning you could also lose your job and your home. “Worse than that, if you drug drive you could kill yourself or someone else. “Is the high worth the low?” The campaign is being run during the traditional Christmas anti-drink and driving period but is not specifically festive related.

More people have been arrested on suspicion of drug driving in Essex in 2019 than drink driving, and around a quarter of all the serious or fatal collisions police investigate have a drugs element.

SERP chairman Nicola Foster added: “The number of arrests for drug driving is both shocking and saddening.

“Taking drugs and then driving are two things that simply don’t mix well. You might feel fine but if you are over the drug drive limit, you are risking your life as well as the lives of others.

“1,500 drivers arrested in Essex this year thought they wouldn’t get caught, or weren’t aware of the limit.

“Please don’t let your choices hurt someone else.”

Remember too, some prescribed drugs can also send you over the legal limit, have you read the instructions and warnings that come with your prescribed drugs? Don’t take chances with your life and the lives of others!

CARE STILL NEEDED

Once Christmas has gone and we are into the new year, although the days begin to get longer we still need to make our houses look occupied when we are not in and do what we can to protect our property.
Create the “Illusion of Occupancy”, when its dark make your home look like you are in. Leave lights on or put them on timers or daylight sensors to come when it gets dark. Remember though no one lives in the hall or on the landing so if you leave these lights on supplement these with lights on in rooms that you would normally occupy at that time of day i.e. lounge and kitchen. A carefully placed imitation TV or “Fake TV” can further add to that illusion of occupancy by making it look like the television is on. Some burglars may also listen at windows or letterboxes for sign of activity, so consider leaving a radio on within your home.
Don’t forget the outside of your property too, if burglars see that it is lit they are less likely to approach for fear of being seen.
Leave lights on, with energy efficient bulbs it costs very little now days and yet may save you lots!
A remotely monitored doorbell can let you know who is at your door and let you talk to them making it appear that you are in, there are number of these available now such as “Ring” and “Nest”.
Your Property: Be it a cycle, electrical goods, garden equipment or mobile phone it may have a serial , make sure that you keep a record of it, and there are a number of property marking products available like indelible pens, SelectaDNA, SmartWater, CRE mark by CRE products to name but a few to make your property less attractive to thieves.
With jewellery and antiques don’t forget to take photographs of it, include an “Object ID card” or ruler in a photograph to give it a scale. Some of these property marking products may also be suitable.
Mobile phone and personal music devices: Don’t forget to make a note of the IME number of a mobile phone, to find it key in *#06#, with this if it’s stolen you can block it. You can download an “App” on mobile phones to find your phone and more importantly wipe that data stored on it, check your “App store” or mobile phone provider. Many TV’s, mobile phones, computers and other electronics come pre-loaded with security and/or tracking software, make sure that it is activated. If you are storing valuable college work or other on that nice new laptop don’t forget to back up your work elsewhere just in case you lose the laptop.
A number of accredited property marking and security products can be found on the Secured by Design webpage www.securedbydesign.com .

KEEPING SAFE WHEN OUT AND ABOUT

OUT AND ABOUT AFTER DARK: Poor visibility and quiet roads exacerbate safety risks after dark. There are lots of things that you can do to avoid the attention of opportunists so take a moment to read our after-dark safety guide. Think safe – and avoid becoming a target.

Money and Cards: Assess where you are keeping your valuables when you’re out after dark. Choose a zipped or buckled bag (open bags are tempting for pickpockets), roomy enough to hold everything at once, with a secret compartment for high-value items. If you have more than one bag it can be easy to forget or drop one (or more!).

When you’re in a foreign city or out very late, it’s a good idea to keep spare cash (including change for a telephone box) in a different pocket. If the worst happens and you’re relieved of your wallet, you will have enough to get home. If you’re concerned, you could use a money belt – worn inside your clothing, it provides a safe and discreet home for your cards and money. Openly using an MP3, camera or mobile phone can make you a target; these items are the most commonly stolen, so tuck them away when you are walking after dark.

Choosing your Route: Use roads that are well-lit, avoiding dark alleyways and parks. Before leaving the house, store taxi and route finder numbers on your mobile phone. Walk confidently and purposefully, looking around – most crimes are opportunistic, so don’t give anyone cause to target you.

If you’re often walking at night, or you live near a busy road, it’s a good idea to buy reflective clothing. You needn’t be dressed from head to toe in bright yellow gear: you can buy shoes with reflective stripes, reflective wristbands, or reflective tape, which can be stuck onto your jacket or trousers. For joggers and walkers, reflective outer vests are great for making you visible to drivers and other people. Walk on the right side of the road, so that you are facing oncoming cars.

Walking and Using Public Transport: If you are getting home on foot, don’t use a mobile phone or MP3 player – you can be too distracted to notice things happening around you. Walk calmly and confidently; if you’re in a crowd, keep your bag tucked under one arm, and don’t try to push in the opposite direction. If you should get lost on your way home, there are now telephone directions services – for a monthly subscription, you have access to a local-rate number where operators are available to identify your location and talk you through your route home (or elsewhere). Public transport is another option. On a bus, sit close to the driver, and ask to get off if anyone makes you feel uncomfortable.

Women Travelling Alone: Women are particularly vulnerable to additional threats at night. Quiet streets, unlicensed taxi drivers and busy drinking venues can all pose threats. In bars or restaurants, don’t let your drink or food out of your sight, and don’t accept cigarettes from strangers either – they could be soaked in chemicals that inhibit your system. If you catch a taxi on your own, call it directly from your phone and make sure the taxi driver has your name. Don’t jump into the first taxi that pulls up – unlicensed cabs are increasingly common, with ten women being attacked every month in the capital

Safety Equipment: From personal alarms to reflective clothes and numbers on your phone book, a little forward-thinking means you will be well equipped to deal with an emergency. Before you leave, check for all the essentials, and add useful numbers to your mobile phone – local taxi firms, friends, local police and hospitals. You might also include a ‘Directions’ service if you subscribe to one. Personal alarms are cheaply available and give you extra moral support if you’re nervous about walking alone. The very best safety equipment you can take out with you after dark, a good friend to watch your back.

UNWANTED DRINK ADDITIVE

Drink spiking is a real, but often underestimated risk. It is a phenomenon to which a worryingly large number of people have fallen victim, and about which everyone should be aware.

Drink spiking is a very unpleasant thing to happen. But with a bit of caution and an understanding of the problem, you can help to minimise the risk of you falling victim.

So, What is, ‘Drink Spiking?’ Drink spiking involves someone putting a substance in your drink without you knowing about it. Rohypnol is perhaps the most commonly known (or most infamous), spiking substance, but in reality, there is a huge range of things that could be added to your drink.

The intention of drink spiking is normally to change your state of mind in order to make you act in a way that you would not otherwise act, or make decisions that you would not otherwise make. There is a range of potential motives for this. Some people spike drinks with the intention of robbing their victims, for example, while others intend to carry out a physical or sexual assault.

Am I at Risk? Broadly speaking, if you are in a public place and you are drinking, you could be at risk from drink spiking. This might sound dramatic – and of course, the vast majority, of people, will never experience drink spiking. But it is important that you are aware of the risks, in order, to protect yourself.

There are a few key things to remember that, first of all, you should understand that it is not just people drinking alcohol who are at risk of drink spiking. Whatever you are drinking, you should remain sensitive to the risk.

It is, however, people who are drunk who tend to be most susceptible. If your judgement is already impaired, then you are less likely to be thinking about the risks.

Finally, there is a common misconception that it is only women who are at risk of drink spiking. This is, absolutely, not the case. Both men and women could potentially fall victim to drink spiking, and you should therefore remain vigilant whatever your gender.

What Are the Signs? The signs of drink spiking can vary quite dramatically. They will depend on factors like the substance used, and whether, or not, you were already drunk at the time that your drink was spiked. It can therefore sometimes be difficult to determine whether, or not your drink has in fact been spiked.

You should pay, particular attention, however, to a few symptoms. These include amnesia, slurred speech, loss of limb control, or difficulty remaining conscious.

It is also important to understand that it can take some time for the effects of drink spiking drugs to be felt. While some begin to work within just a few minutes, others may not have an effect until as much as an hour after they are ingested.

How Can I Avoid it? Remaining vigilant is the single most important way in which you can help to reduce the risk of falling victim to drink spiking. All too frequently, drink spiking occurs simply because drinks are left unattended. If you go to the toilet, or go outside for a cigarette, make sure that someone is looking after your drink. Do not leave it out of sight.

You should also note that the risk of you having your drink spiked is significantly increased if you are already drunk. While you are out, try to make sure that you retain control over your actions. If you feel yourself becoming too drunk, or if you are having difficulty making decisions, stop drinking alcohol and switch to water. Where possible, tell a sober friend how you are feeling and have them look after you.

What if I Think my Drink Has Been Spiked? If you begin to feel unwell you should immediately tell a friend who you trust. Your next step will then depend on how you feel. If you feel that your symptoms are not particularly severe, you should contact the police first. They will advise you how best to proceed. If, on the other hand, you feel very unwell, you should go to A&E or contact a paramedic immediately. Where possible, hold on to the drink that you believe has been spiked. This can be used as valuable evidence in any criminal trial – and a successful prosecution can result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

SAFE DRIVING OVER THE FESTIVE PERIOD

While staying safe on the road must be a high priority throughout the year and during this festive season. It's certainly not the only safety issue that you may confront as you celebrate Christmas or ring in the New Year. However, with a little care and foresight, you can protect yourself from some of the more common New Year's risks. Follow the tips below, and your biggest challenge on New Year's Eve may be remembering all the words to "Auld Lang Syne."

Partying: Ensure you have a designated driver for the night . . . even better, make arrangements to stay, where you are celebrating New Year’s Eve.

You may be in fine condition, but you don’t know about the driver next to you or around the corner.

SAFETY IN THE CHRISTMAS HOME

Stay Safe this Christmas

It’s a little-known fact, that Christmas is the time of year when there are more fires in the home than at any other time of year.

As the decorations go up so do the risks of fire in the home, thousands of people will be putting candles and other highly flammable decorations up all around their homes' and many will be running the risk of becoming one of the 20 people hurt or killed by fires in the home every single day of December.

For example: In 2016 there were 2,700 accidental house fires in England in December, more than in any other month.

By following 12 simple steps everyone can make sure that they and their families are safe and sound throughout the Christmas period to ring in the new year. Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard. Always use an RCD on outdoor electrical equipment (safety device that can save lives by instantly switching off the power).

Never place candles near your Christmas tree or furnishings. Don't leave them burning unattended.

Make sure your family and visitors staying for the festive period know what to do in an emergency. Practice a fire escape plan.

Decorations can burn easily - Don't attach them to lights or heaters.

Switch off electrical appliances when not in use, unless they're designed to stay on. Take special care with Christmas lights. Always switch off and unplug Christmas lights before you go to bed.

Celebrate Christmas and New Year safely. The risk of accidents, especially in the kitchen, is greater after alcohol is consumed.

Most fires start in the kitchen - never leave cooking unattended.

If you are planning to celebrate with fireworks, store them in a metal box, read the instructions, never go back to a lit firework and keep a bucket of water nearby.

Make sure cigarettes are completely extinguished.
Check the battery in your smoke alarm every week and use Christmas as a reminder to clean it and remove dust.

Keep candles, lighters and matches out of reach of children.

Take the time to check on elderly relatives and neighbours this Christmas - make sure they are fire safe.

 

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.......

Gift scams: Each year there are 'must-have' gifts that shoppers scramble over each other to buy. Fraudsters realise this is a great opportunity to take advantage of your desperation, so be on your guard if you see links to competitions to win those goods or emails promising great discounts in your inbox or junk mail.

These may be phishing scams, designed to get you to reveal personal information or download malware. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is!

Auction scams: Working along similar lines, don't be duped by fake deals advertised on auction sites like eBay. Do your research on the seller before you even think about making a bid.

Otherwise you'll shell out for goods that are either a pale imitation of the real thing, or don't even exist.

Fake gift cards: Gift cards are always a popular gift, so you may see ads for hugely discounted gift cards on social media or in your inbox. But it could be from a third-party website that's selling fakes.

If you want to be sure, just get the gift card direct from the retailer or from a site that you know and trust.

E-Card viruses: These days many of us receive as many e-cards as we do actual Christmas cards through the post. They are more environmentally friendly, cheaper and often are more interactive and fun.

But they are also an easy way for scammers to send viruses or malware which may nab your personal information. So, if you don't recognise the email address of the sender, don't even open it.

Travel scams: The Christmas period is a time of travel for many of us, heading around the country – or even the globe – to meet up with our loved ones. And thus, it's a hugely expensive time to travel.

But don't let your hunt for a bargain on a flight or hotel room blind you to the fakers advertising deals that don't actually exist. Stick to reputable travel websites.

Charity scams: Many of us dip into our pockets to help out those less fortunate at this time of year. Fraudsters are wise to this, and have developed plenty of fake charity websites designed to steal your donations.

Make sure you are on the charity's legitimate website if you want to donate. Any donation page should have a URL beginning https: and show a padlock sign.

And make sure you ignore any requests to donate via Western Union or other money transfer firms.

Shipping notification scams: If you do a lot of your gift shopping online, there's a good chance that your inbox is full of order confirmations and shipping notification

emails. Be on your guard for fake emails, designed to get you to 'confirm' your personal details for the retailer.

What they actually want is for you to provide the info scammers need to steal your identity.

Fake texts: Recent years have seen plenty of text message scams around the festive period. The scammers will send you a text claiming to be your bank or other financial firm, warning that your account will be locked unless you urgently confirm certain details.

They may even include the first few digits of your account or credit card as a way of convincing you.

No financial firm will ever ask for your details in this way. If you're concerned, contact your bank directly.

Malicious apps: If you're using your smartphone or tablet to try to secure those last few stocking filler bargains, be on your guard when downloading apps that promise to help you find the best deals. Only download apps from official channels like the Play Store or iTunes.

Otherwise you may be exposing your device, and your personal details, to the scammers.

Dating site scams: Dating sites can offer a great opportunity for fraudsters. They build fake profiles, where the profile includes links to malware. Or they may simply try to convince you to send money to help them out of some dire trouble. Never, ever send money to someone you don't know and trust.

CARE AT CHRISTMAS

BE AWARE OF THIS BEFORE YOU TRAVEL OR GO SHOPPING THIS CHRISTMAS TIME!

A couple of years back the Daily Mail and Mail online, published this article which, with their agreement, was shared on social media: -

Criminal gadget can clone up to 15 contactless bank cards a second from victims who are simply standing nearby

Hi-tech device steals info such as the card number and name and address

• Details then written onto a blank card which is used on for spending spree.

• Ready-made con kits sell for £500 on London and south east black market.

• Device first to target contactless, which is becoming increasingly popular.

A gadget can be used by criminals to clone up to 15 contactless bank cards a second - from victims who are simply standing nearby.

The hi-tech device steals details such as the card number and the person's name and address contained on the credit or debit card.

The scanner - called the Contactless Infusion X5 - extracts the information where it can be written onto blank cards, which can then be used by thieves to go on spending sprees.

Ready-made con kits, including the device, special software and 20 blank cards, are being sold on the streets of London and the south east for £500.

The device was one of the first sold on the black market to specifically target the increasingly-popular contactless bank card.

The technology enables customers to pay for goods with a single tap of their card on a reader, without the need to provide a signature or enter their PIN number.

Card use is being boosted by the rising popularity of contactless ‘tap and go’ payments, with mobile payment services such as Apple Pay making payments ever more convenient.

Industry experts predict that by 2025, notes and coins will be used for just one in four payments, while credit, debit and charge cards will account for more than half of all payments made.

The tipping point at which cash will no longer be king is expected to come in 2021, when it is predicted 14.5 billion debit card payments will be made, overtaking the 13 billion cash payments forecast for the first time.

The device is thought to be the first sold on the black market to specifically target the increasingly popular contactless bank card.

The following advice was also shared by BT a couple of years back, but is still relevant today: -

Christmas may be a season of goodwill, but it's also a time when scammers try to take advantage of our generosity of spirit. Don't fall victim to these sneaky Christmas scams.

THE WATER BOARD??

A water company is urging customers to be aware of bogus callers. A number of bogus calls have recently been reported. A spokesperson from Anglia Water says a lot more vulnerable people are being targeted.

Employees at Anglian Water all carry identification cards, a phone call to the company will be able to confirm if a person is a genuine employee, the number to call is 03457 145145 and not one offered by the peson on your doorstep.