We had a great turn out on 7 Feb, so thanks to all those that could make it.
Paula ran through the problem of rogue traders in the area. She didn’t seem too bothered about the smaller issues like whether or not a doorstep trader might have a license (if you want and like the duster, it’s up to you whether or not you want to buy it), but warned that there is a man that has been working in NW Bristol who has been reported as being very aggressive and insistent, making vulnerable people buy things they didn’t want and forcing his way into their homes. He is a smartly dressed white guy with ginger hair.
She also warned us of getting quotes for work from people who come to your door or put a leaflet through your letterbox. Rogue traders have been known to send one man to provide a quote upfront, and then others to do the work who demand a much higher price, claiming the first guy was wrong with his quote. Or they get money in advance and then not turn up. Or steal things while they are there. Or claim problems which pushes the price up. Also, if they are not bona fide tradesmen with proper premises, then you will not be able to reach them in the event of any problems.
If you have any problems with doorstep traders or anything else that is a problem you want to report, but not an emergency such as a crime in progress, call 101 or email: [email protected]
Also raised was the Community Speedwatch scheme which trains volunteers in the use of a high-vis jacket and speed gun, and provides a reporting procedure so that people in the local community can help to deter speeding on problematic roads in their area. Monitoring is done by 3 volunteers at a time (so you are never alone!) over one hour and those caught speeding are sent a warning letter. You can’t just do it on any road, it has to be one that has been risk assessed and deemed an issue, but you can ask for a road to be assessed. Mike and/or Angela Blott (Mike volunteered but I think Angela said she’s doing it!) and Stephanie Perry bravely volunteered to go along to one of their training sessions so you can look out for them along a road near you soon! If anyone else is interested in doing this, let me know and I’ll pass on your details. More info here.
Paula recommended the use of a segment timer for having lights going on and off when you are away so that your house doesn’t look empty, and of course the ideal solution is to ask a neighbour to pop round and draw the curtains for you. She also brought along some alarms to show us: a shed/garage alarm that you can hang on a nail inside and it will go off when it senses motion caused by someone breaking in; a padlock alarm that screams if attacked, and an alarm to hang on the inside of patio doors which will go off if someone’s breaking in. Obviously these don’t replace a proper burglar alarm, but are a useful addition particularly for external areas not covered by your alarm. There are lots of different types of motion sensing alarms that you can find with an internet search.
For loads more information, have a look at the Avon & Somerset Constabulary website: http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/
They’ve currently got a great article about how they were able to ‘steal’ 28 phones on one night from people in pubs, bars and clubs in the city centre, and information about the new national fraud reporting centre, Action Fraud, for any fraud or financially motivated internet crime.
And finally, Paula reminded us about the local Forum meetings for Henleaze which are run by the Neighbourhood Partnership (Neighbourhood Partnerships bring public sector decision making to a local level where local residents can influence how they would like to see their neighbourhood improve. They meet regularly, and bring together: local councillors, neighbourhood police teams, community groups and local residents to shape services such as street cleaning, park maintenance, local recycling schemes, minor traffic schemes, highway maintenance and community safety.)
Our Partnership area covers Henleaze, Stoke Bishop and W-o-T. I don’t know when the next Partnership meeting is because it’s still listing the last one, but the next Forum meeting in Henleaze is 16 May, 7-9pm at Henleaze Library.
Paula ran through the problem of rogue traders in the area. She didn’t seem too bothered about the smaller issues like whether or not a doorstep trader might have a license (if you want and like the duster, it’s up to you whether or not you want to buy it), but warned that there is a man that has been working in NW Bristol who has been reported as being very aggressive and insistent, making vulnerable people buy things they didn’t want and forcing his way into their homes. He is a smartly dressed white guy with ginger hair.
She also warned us of getting quotes for work from people who come to your door or put a leaflet through your letterbox. Rogue traders have been known to send one man to provide a quote upfront, and then others to do the work who demand a much higher price, claiming the first guy was wrong with his quote. Or they get money in advance and then not turn up. Or steal things while they are there. Or claim problems which pushes the price up. Also, if they are not bona fide tradesmen with proper premises, then you will not be able to reach them in the event of any problems.
If you have any problems with doorstep traders or anything else that is a problem you want to report, but not an emergency such as a crime in progress, call 101 or email: [email protected]
Also raised was the Community Speedwatch scheme which trains volunteers in the use of a high-vis jacket and speed gun, and provides a reporting procedure so that people in the local community can help to deter speeding on problematic roads in their area. Monitoring is done by 3 volunteers at a time (so you are never alone!) over one hour and those caught speeding are sent a warning letter. You can’t just do it on any road, it has to be one that has been risk assessed and deemed an issue, but you can ask for a road to be assessed. Mike and/or Angela Blott (Mike volunteered but I think Angela said she’s doing it!) and Stephanie Perry bravely volunteered to go along to one of their training sessions so you can look out for them along a road near you soon! If anyone else is interested in doing this, let me know and I’ll pass on your details. More info here.
Paula recommended the use of a segment timer for having lights going on and off when you are away so that your house doesn’t look empty, and of course the ideal solution is to ask a neighbour to pop round and draw the curtains for you. She also brought along some alarms to show us: a shed/garage alarm that you can hang on a nail inside and it will go off when it senses motion caused by someone breaking in; a padlock alarm that screams if attacked, and an alarm to hang on the inside of patio doors which will go off if someone’s breaking in. Obviously these don’t replace a proper burglar alarm, but are a useful addition particularly for external areas not covered by your alarm. There are lots of different types of motion sensing alarms that you can find with an internet search.
For loads more information, have a look at the Avon & Somerset Constabulary website: http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/
They’ve currently got a great article about how they were able to ‘steal’ 28 phones on one night from people in pubs, bars and clubs in the city centre, and information about the new national fraud reporting centre, Action Fraud, for any fraud or financially motivated internet crime.
And finally, Paula reminded us about the local Forum meetings for Henleaze which are run by the Neighbourhood Partnership (Neighbourhood Partnerships bring public sector decision making to a local level where local residents can influence how they would like to see their neighbourhood improve. They meet regularly, and bring together: local councillors, neighbourhood police teams, community groups and local residents to shape services such as street cleaning, park maintenance, local recycling schemes, minor traffic schemes, highway maintenance and community safety.)
Our Partnership area covers Henleaze, Stoke Bishop and W-o-T. I don’t know when the next Partnership meeting is because it’s still listing the last one, but the next Forum meeting in Henleaze is 16 May, 7-9pm at Henleaze Library.