Category: Police

Over 32 million suspicious emails have been reported to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS), with more than a third of all emails reported in the last year, new figures reveal.   The reports have led to more than 329,000 websites addresses being removed by the National Cyber Security Centre. Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service, launched a national phishing awareness campaign on 24 June 2024, as reporting reached its highest level since SERS launched. New data shows a rise of 44% year-on-year, with almost 11,611,400 reports made to SERS in 2023, up from 8,074,200 reports in 2022.   Alongside emails, there has also been a huge number of text messages reported to 7726. In March 2024, more than 60,000 malicious websites were removed as a result of being reported using 7726. This is a free service, offered by mobile network providers, allowing customers to report suspicious text messages in order to prevent other people from receiving them too.   Claire Webb, Deputy Head of Action Fraud, said: “When fraudsters go phishing for valuable information, anyone could be a target. They will hook an unknowing victim with a genuine-looking email, in a bid to get them to share personal information, or bank details.   “Year on year, the amount of people reporting phishing emails and texts is growing. Action Fraud is urging everyone to be extra vigilant of suspicious-looking emails landing in their inbox, which could contain malicious links leading to unknown websites.    “Remember, if you think you have received a phishing email or text message, make sure you report it. You can forward emails to report@phishing.gov.uk, or forward spam text messages to 7726.”   SERS was launched by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the City of London Police in April 2020, to enable the public to forward suspicious emails and report any malicious website links. Since its launch, more than 32 million reports have been made to the service.   What is phishing? ‘Phishing’, ‘quishing’ or ‘smishing’ is when criminals use scam emails, text messages, QR codes, or phone calls to trick victims. Whether it’s an email asking you to “verify” your bank account details, or a text message claiming you’ve missed a delivery and are required to pay a redelivery fee, the goal is usually the same – to trick you into revealing personal and financial information.   In 2023, a doctor from London lost more than £150 to a fake email claiming to be from TV Licensing. The email claimed that they needed to renew her TV licence as soon as possible. What made the phishing email so believable was that the victim’s TV licence had recently expired and the link in the email led to a fake TV Licensing website that replicated the real one.   Here’s some practical advice you can follow when it comes to dealing with suspicious messages and calls: ·  * If you have any doubts about a message, contact the organisation directly using the contact details on their official website. Do not use the number or web address in the message. Your bank, or any other official source, will not ask you to provide sensitive information by email. * Received an email that doesn’t feel right? STOP! Report suspicious emails by forwarding them to: report@phishing.gov.uk. Send emails to this address that feel suspicious, even if you’re not certain they’re a scam – they will be checked. * Always report suspicious text messages or scam call numbers, free of charge, to 7726. Your provider can find out where the text came from and block or ban the sender. * To report a scam text, forward it to 7726 and then send the sender’s number when prompted. * To report a scam call, simply text 7726 with the word ‘Call’ followed by the scam caller’s number. * If you’ve lost money or provided financial information as a result of a phishing scam, notify your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.

Please find below summaries of the latest news from our courts over the last week – click on each headline to read the full story.   Cambridgeshire Shoplifter threw pen at staff’s face Man threw knife at ex-partner Man who used suitcase to beat girlfriend is jailed Man jailed after targeting men through dating app Drug dealer caught red handed on CCTV Peterborough Jail for man who spat at shop staff Peterborough shoplifter has suspended sentence activated Man claimed he raped woman in his sleep Peterborough thief steals cash from car Coffee thief has suspended sentence activated Man jailed for Bretton cannabis factory Peterborough drug dealer to hand over £225k Prolific shoplifter banned from Peterborough stores Man attacked friend with knife County lines dealer forced child to sell drugs Paedophile sent inappropriate photos   Fenland Jail for paedophile caught with 140 images of children   You can find more news from the force online here.

Police urge people to check security after spate of burglaries

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Police are urging homeowners to check their home security following a spate of burglaries across the south of the county.
There have been burglaries and attempted burglaries in Mill Road, Cherry Hinton, King’s Hedges and Barnwell areas of Cambridge, as well as Gamlingay, Ely and Histon, between Monday, 20 May, and yesterday (Wednesday, 22 May).
Detective Sergeant Jon Lockwood, from the force’s Acquisitive Crime Team, said: “We’ve seen burglaries in Cambridge where victims are leaving doors and windows unlocked, which is being exploited by opportunistic burglars. There has been a spike of these, especially the Mill Road area.
“I would encourage people to report suspicious behaviour to us so we can get a fuller picture of what is happening in the community.
“None of these burglaries are linked and investigations are on-going.”
We recommend the following home security advice when you’re not at home:

• Lift, lock and remove the key from your doors and make sure it’s double-locked if possible.
• Make sure windows are secure and locked.
• Make sure that any valuables are out of sight.
• Keep handbags away from the letterbox or cat flap and hide all keys, including car keys, as a thief could hook keys or valuables through even a small opening.
• Never leave car documents or ID in obvious places, such as kitchens or hallways.
• In the evening, shut the curtains and leave lights on.
• If you’re out all day, then it’s advisable to use a timer device to automatically turn lights and a radio on at night.
• Set your burglar alarm.
• Make sure the side gate is locked.
• Lock your shed or garage.
• Lock your bike inside a secure shed or garage, to a robust fitting bolted to the ground or wall, like a ground anchor.
  Further home security advice can be found on the force website.
  Details of the most recent burglaries and attempted burglaries in the south of Cambridgeshire are below:
• Two purses with money, a licence and credit card were stolen between 4pm on Monday, 20 May, and 11am, on Wednesday, 21 May, from a home in Covent Garden, Cambridge city centre. Crime reference: 35/36594/24.
• Three men entered a property in Mill Street, Gamlingay, at about 1.30pm yesterday (Wednesday, 22 May) and searched a property. They were chased from the house and escaped in a blue car, driven by a man. Crime reference: 35/36428/24.
• A purse containing bank cards and money, a tin containing £300, and designer clothes were stolen from a home in Turner Drive, Ely, at about 2pm yesterday (Wednesday, 22 May). Crime reference: 35/36457/24
• An attempted burglary at a house in Cambridge Road, Ely, at about 2.30pm yesterday (Wednesday, 22 May), where two men were seen trying to break in. They ran off towards Witchford Road when disturbed. Crime reference: 35/36498/24.
• Jewellery was stolen from a house in Normanton Way, Histon, at about 3pm yesterday (Wednesday, 22 May). Three men were seen breaking in and leaving in a white car. Crime reference: 35/36449/24.
• An attempted burglary at a house in Fernlea Close, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge, at about 3.50pm yesterday (Wednesday, 22 May) where a man tried to get in through an unlocked door and ran away when the homeowner screamed. Reference: CC-22052024-0367.
• A burglary at a home in Nicholson Way, King’s Hedges, Cambridge, between 4.20pm and 8pm yesterday (Wednesday, 22 May). Reference: CC-22052024-0519.
• A wedding dress, passport and bank cards were stolen from a house in Wadloes Road, Barnwell, Cambridge, yesterday (Wednesday, 22 May). Reference: CC-22052024-0605.
  Anyone with any information or doorbell CCTV of any of these burglaries and attempted burglaries should report it through the force website using the relevant reference number.
  Anyone without internet access should call 101.
  In an emergency, dial 999 or you can report information through the force website.

Message Sent By
Matthew Brown
(Police , Communications Assistant , Corporate Communications )

Free older driver workshops

We were pleased as ever to help Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service run a recent older driver workshop at Cambridge Fire Station. Below you can see Nick Southern, our casualty reduction officer. The workshops are free, in person sessions designed for those over 65 and currently driving, to help them keep driving safely for longer.  They are delivered using community spaces and fire stations and so far, we’ve helped run more than 10 courses to more than 100 drivers.  Are you interested in attending a session, or do you know someone who might be? There’s more sessions lined up in the future in areas across the county including Sutton, Chatteris and Whittlesey.    Find out more via the fire service’s website. There is a limit of 15 people per workshop.

Message Sent By Tara Cox (Police, Communications Officer, Corporate Communications)

Latest court news 30/04/2024

Please find below summaries of the latest news from our courts over the last week – click on each headline to read the full story.   Cambridgeshire 100mph driver caught with class A drugs Woman fabricated scratch card wins Nurse stole from vulnerable patients Man assaulted and abused partner Paedophile snared by decoy account Dangerous driver killed woman in crash Jail for man who ignored restraining order   Peterborough Man jailed after threatening ex-partner Dealer hid class A drugs in pants Drink driver found “well over the limit” in Peterborough Cocaine dealer hid £84k stash in loft Man tried to kiss police officer while in custody Shoplifting twins jailed after assaulting police Millfield store closed following illicit sales Repeat shoplifter jailed after found with knife Drug dealer punched women in Peterborough nightclub Man jailed after knife attack Lorry driver attacked man with ratchet Shoplifter threw metal basket at guard’s head Fenland Driver ignored red light and seriously injured man     You can find more news from the force online here.

For those who haven’t attended before, Cambridgeshire Constabulary hold quarterly meetings, held online from 7pm-8pm. They allow members of the public to virtually meet their neighbourhood officers and hear about recent activity. Attendees will also get the opportunity to raise any concerns they have and help shape future priorities.

Please find below the dates for the forthcoming community engagement meetings:

28 February

22 May

28 August

27 November

If you would like to attend, please visit the neighbourhood page and click the link on the date. You will be sent to Event Brite to register for free and will be sent a meeting link – https://www.cambs.police.uk/police-forces/cambridgeshire-constabulary/areas/campaigns/nhp/neighbourhood-policing/South-Cambridgeshire/

On the neighbourhood page you will also see a survey which can be filled out by those unable to attend the meeting so all views can be take into account.

We hope to see you at one of our forthcoming meetings.

Kind Regards,

Tara

Tara Dundon

Senior Communications Officer (South) | Corporate Communications
Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Hinchingbrooke Park,
Huntingdon, PE29 6NP
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Cambridgeshire Constabulary are holding a bike marking event at the Longstanton Park and Ride on Friday 26th January 2024 between 4 – 7pm.

Please see the attached poster for more information and pre-registration details.

Here is a reminder of how you can contact Cambridgeshire Police, and when it is most appropriate to use each method of contact. 

Calling 999:

If you are involved or are witness to a situation where:

·  you think things could get heated or violent very soon,

·  someone is in serious danger or harm,

·  a disruption to the public is likely,

·  you require police assistance right away,

please call 999 – this is what we would classify as an emergency. If you accidentally dial 999, please stay on the line and tell the operator you’re safe and that no crime has occurred. If you’re in danger but you can’t talk on the phone, you should still call 999, then follow these instructions.

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, you can use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS service. If you’re a British Sign Language (BSL) user, you can call 999 BSL to use a remote BSL interpreter.

Calling 101:

101 is our non-emergency phone number. Please use 101 to:

·  report minor and non-urgent crimes

·  to report crimes that are not currently in progress (where a high-priority response is not required)

·  or to offer evidence in an investigation. 

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service on 18001 101.

When you call us on 101, call handlers will ask you for some information about the reason for your call so they can ‘triage’ the call, and direct you to the relevant team. 

During busy periods, you may have to wait for an operator to assist you. If you do have access to online services, these can be used to skip the queues on the 101 phone line.

We offer a live web chat service which can be accessed via our website (click the green speech bubble in the corner of the screen and you will be connected to an operator). Web chat can be used for advice, guidance or to report a non-urgent crime. Web chats are dealt with in the same way, and by the same people as 101 calls. 

You can also report non-emergency crimes via our website at any time using our online report forms. Again, these are dealt with in the same way, and by the same people as 101 calls. You will receive an auto-response with your crime reference number, your crime will be recorded by our operators and they will be in touch if they need more information from you. 

Please note that waste and litter, fly tipping, pests, noise complaints, discard syringes or drug paraphernalia, dangerous buildings or structures and burst water mains are all council issues, and not police. 

Social media

You can also direct message us on Facebook and Twitter to report non-urgent crime. Follow us on Twitter and on Facebook. Replies are not instant but our inboxes are monitored. 

Learn more about contacting us. 

Tool theft in Cambridgeshire has doubled since last year, and we’re on a mission to help you keep your valuable equipment safe  Whether you rely on tools for your profession or engage in DIY projects at home, these crucial tips below will deter tool-snatching thieves  * Store your tools in a locked and well-lit area, preferably out of sight from potential thieves.  * Invest in motion-activated lights and CCTV to act as a deterrent and capture any suspicious activity. * Avoid leaving tools in your vehicle overnight. If not possible, ensure you park your vehicle in a secure location and your tools are locked in a secure box inside. * Consider installing an alarm system that alerts you if there has been a break in. * Mark your tools with a unique identification number. You can also register your tools at www.immobilise.com , to help us identify owners of recovered stolen tools. * Be cautious of purchasing tools online and ensure you’re dealing with legitimate sellers.   Remember, if you see something suspicious, report it to us as soon as possible calling 101, or online at 👉 https://bit.ly/3Me9YvW For more crime prevention advice visit 👉 https://bit.ly/3HTso2v

Below are summaries of the latest news from our courts over the last week – please click on each headline to read the full story.

Huntingdonshire

Knife point Ramsey robber jailed

Fenland

Former mayor jailed for rape

Peterborough

Burglar stole Champagne and jewellery

Convicted paedophile sent back to jail

Robber walked victim to ATM and demanded cash
Pair broke into Peterborough pubs

Robber jailed for stealing boy’s bike

Burglar caught and detained by brothers

Cambridge

Lavish lifestyle ends for pair of drug dealers

Dangerously worn tyres caused life-changing crash

Jail for man who targeted the elderly

You can find more news from the force online here.

Read the Police and Crime Commissioner’s latest Annual Report.

Yesterday Police and Crime Commissioner, Darryl Preston published his second Annual Report following endorsement by Police and Crime Panel members last week.  The Report, which covers the financial year 2022/23, provides a snapshot of progress against the Police and Crime Plan which set policing priorities for Cambridgeshire Constabulary over a three-year period in 2021.   You can read the Report online here: PCC annual report 2022-2023 – A4 web edition (cambridgeshire-pcc.gov.uk) or alternatively contact the OPCC office if you require the Report in another format. Please subscribe to the monthly newsletter so you can keep up-to-date with my news and activities. You can do so by visiting the sign-up page on: PCC’s Newsletter (cambridgeshire-pcc.gov.uk).

Welcome to my July newsletter

This month, I share details of the huge progress being made across our Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) in Cambridgeshire following on from my £730k investment. The CSPs are delivering a stronger response to a wide range of issues including persistent anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping – problems that really matter to you – our local residents.

My Annual Report for 2022/23 has also been published and is available to the public. It reflects on the many milestones achieved during the past 12 months.  As always, the hard work continues to make Cambridgeshire and Peterborough even safer.   Darryl 

See the link below for the July newsletter

The latest news from Darryl Preston, Police and Crime Commissioner (govdelivery.com)

Our next South Cambs meeting will take place on 8^th August. The quarterly meeting hosted by your neighbourhood Inspector Simon Birch and his team. You will hear about work that has taken place across the area over the past three months, have the opportunity to address any concerns or ask and questions and help shape the local policing priorities for the coming quarter.

If you can make it, please register your attendance via the link and you will be sent a Teams invite for the evening – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/south-cambs-community-engagement-meeting-august-2023-tickets-491855191117

If you can’t make the meeting, please take a few minutes to fill in the survey. Every response is read and helps us to understand what concerns residents most – https://bit.ly/3Wx8krJ