Get Your Free Anti-Scam Guide

Every year the British public loses billions of pounds to 'scammers' who bombard people with on-line, postal, door-to-door and telephone scams.  Officers from the Met's Specialist and Economic Crime Directorate have produced a comprehensive fraud prevention booklet entitled, The Little Book of Big Scams.  The guide explains some of the most common scams, ranging from the simple to the sophisticated, and provides the reader with essential advice to reduce the chances of them being parted from their money.  Tips are included on how to avoid door to door scams, bank and payment card scams, mobile phone scams and Internet scams as well as handy hints everyone can read to protect themselves.

Scammers target people from all backgrounds and income levels - anyone can fall victim to fraud.  This booklet is primarily aimed at the elderly and vulnerable in society, as they are particularly at risk, but anyone who reads it will benefit.  The MPS Commissioner, Bernard Hogan-Howe, who was joined by Esther Rantzen and Gary Fitzgerald, (CEO of Action on Elder Abuse), to launch The Little Book of Big Scams, on Friday 15 June, to coincide with 'World Elder Abuse Awareness Day’, said:

"We know the best way to fight these fraudsters is to take steps to prevent people from being caught out in the first place. That is why we have produced The Little Book of Big Scams.  My officers have seen the devastating effects scams have on people and their families.  This comprehensive guide will go a long way in helping to reduce the number of victims of fraud and will undoubtedly make it harder for the scammers of this world to succeed. There are a number of people out there intent on conning people out of their hard earned money so I urge people to take caution when confronted with what appears to be a deal of a lifetime; remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is."

Download your copy here

Oakleigh Park Car Key Burglaries

Police dealt with several car key burglaries on the Oakleigh Park estate during the night of Thursday 14th June. One resident in Oakleigh Park South was targeted at around 3 am in the morning and said that they disturbed the intruder who had peeled back leaded diamond panes but had not got past the locks. The intruder escaped in a hurry down the garden and over a fence into a garden in Oakleigh Avenue.

Do ensure that your car keys are not left lying around especially in the hall.

Barnet Survey: Controlled Drinking Zone

As part of its commitment to keep Barnet safe, the Council is proposing to introduce a borough wide Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) more commonly known as Alcohol Control Area or Controlled Drinking Zone.

To make your views known, please consider completing a survey.

Beware Distraction Burglaries

We have had a distraction Burglary in Kenilworth Road.

The suspect posed as a workman saying that he needed to turn off the victim's water. Suspect asked the victim to stay in the kitchen and to tell him when the water stopped or changed colour. During this time the suspect while made a tidy search of the premises.

Please ask people to be aware yet again of people posing as workmen to gain entry to their property. Do not let them in. If in doubt call the company they say they are from (get the number from the phone book) or call police.

Also please get a description of what they look like and what they were wearing.

Nicola Pettitt 7345 SX
Police Community Support Officer
Hale SNT
Barnet Borough Police
SNT Phone: 020 7161 9335
SNT Mobile: 07920 233741

Petition to Stop Barnet's traffic-light controlled crossings being removed.

On 20 Feb the Cabinet of Barnet Council agreed to Councillor Brian Coleman's plan to review every traffic light controlled crossing in Barnet, with the intention of removing them if possible. All decisions on individual crossings would be made under delegated powers.

Julia Hines of Age UK Barnet has created an online petition that states:

Pelican crossings are vital for older people, those with disabilities, including sensory impairment, physical disabilities and learning disabilities and children. Given Barnet Council's record on road safety, we believe money would be better spent improving road safety rather than reducing it. In 2010 Barnet had the highest number of road deaths of any London Borough (9) and the second highest number of accidents causing injury (1520).

To sign her petition, please click here.

Make this post viral by sending this link to your friends and neighbours in Barnet:
www.opra.me.uk

Petition to Barnet Council to Reverse Parking Charges

Cllr Kath McGuirk of Barnet Labour Group has submitted a petition to Barnet Council to reverse the parking charge increases implemented in 2011. To read the petition and sign it please go to:

http://petitions.barnet.gov.uk/parkingcharges/

Planning Appeal: 65-67 Oakleigh Park South

When the Barnet Planning Committee refused planning application B/03174/10 to convert the family home at number 65-67 Oakleigh Park South into 5 flats with 20 beds and only 5 car parking spaces the applicant made an appeal to the Secretary of State.

The Planning Inspectorate has since turned down the appeal. The Inspector found that it would constitute a loss of a single-family house, contrary to emerging policy and that it would have an adverse effect on the character of the area and on the living conditions of neighbours.

Click here to read the full Appeal Decision.