Category: Police

Appeal after motorcyclist dies in collision We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a fatal collision between a farm vehicle and a motorbike. Officers and paramedics were called to the B1050 Earith Road, at Willingham, at 8pm on Thursday (2 July) following the collision between the yellow and black crop sprayer and an orange Triumph motorcycle. The motorcyclist, a man aged in his 40s, from Over, near Willingham, was pronounced dead at the scene. The crop sprayer driver, a man aged in his 30s from Willingham, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been bailed until 1 October.  Sergeant Mark Atkins said: “I am appealing to anyone who might have seen the collision or the vehicles in the moments before to get in touch. I would also like to hear from anyone with dashcam footage. “Thank you to the local community for their patience while the road was closed.” Anyone with information or footage should use reference 35/49548/26 and report it through the force website.

Our News for July 2026 is here!

Hello Neighbours,  It’s been so hot over the last month. We’ve already shared tips on how to stay safe and be a good neighbour in the heat on our social channels. We’ve also got practical advice from ERA in this edition.  Other highlights this month include:  ·  More powers for the police to tackle vehicle-related antisocial behaviour (ASB) ·  Watch our ASB week webinar with Resolve ·  Community spotlight on Trelewis and Bedlinog Vehicle-related ASB seizures coming into force via the Crime and Policing Act The measures remove the requirement for police officers to give a warning before seizing a motor vehicle used in an antisocial manner. There is also a change in the law to shorten the time between vehicles being seized by the police, and when they can be disposed of. You can read more about this here.  Concerned about a vacant property in your neighbourhood?  Empty properties can become vulnerable to antisocial behaviour, vandalism and unauthorised access, creating concern for residents. Neighbourhood Watch is working in partnership with Ad Hoc Property Management to help members raise concerns about vacant buildings in their area. If you know of a vacant property causing concern, find out more and report it here.  Antisocial behaviour awareness week webinar: reporting ASB Reporting antisocial behaviour (ASB) is everyone’s business, but it isn’t always easy. It can really help to know where and how to report it. We hosted a webinar with Resolve ASB on the topic to help provide some practical advice. If you could not join the event, you can watch the recording of it here. It’s everyone’s business: working together to tackle antisocial behaviour Our head of membership and community engagement, Cheryl Spruce has written a blog about why it’s vital that we all take responsibility for reporting antisocial behaviour. She shares her view that it is also  important that we build community connections and partnerships to tackle issues effectively. Read her blog here.  Protect your motorhome Don’t give thieves the opportunity to operate, VanGuardian provides a visual deterrent and delivers a powerful 113dB+ alarm that activates on contact, exposing a thief, forcing them to retreat and alerting you in time to take action – protecting your campervan and keeping you safe inside. All in a simple end-user fit, find out more here. Community spotlight – Congratulations Trelewis and Bedlinog!  Neighbourhood Watch Trelewis and Bedlinog District has secured £20,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund/ Cronfa Gymunedol y Loteri Genedlaethol Awards for All programme. The funding supports their Community Events and Activities Programme over the next two years, reducing isolation and helping people feel connected, supported and safe. Congratulations to Michelle Symonds and the dedicated team of volunteers. You can follow their fabulous work on Facebook here. Protect your home in warm weather Warm weather can lead to increased antisocial behaviour and opportunistic burglaries within our communities. The home security experts at ERA share some tips to help you protect your property and support safer neighbourhoods throughout the summer season, from securing doors and windows to planning for holidays. Read more here. Learn about ERA’s range of smart home security solutions, visit https://eraprotect.com Social media policy and guidance A lot of our members and groups use social media, and we encourage people to share crime prevention and community advice. We thought it would be a good time to remind everyone that we have a comprehensive policy and a shorter guide for members and groups using social media as representatives of Neighbourhood Watch. Neighbourhood Watch is a trademarked name and logo, so breaches of policy or inappropriate behaviour may result in disciplinary action. Find the policy and short guide here.  The Co-op Local Community Fund is looking for applicants Co-op is still looking for applications in some communities across the UK. Use their postcode checker to find out if you can still apply. Applications in these areas close at midnight on Friday 10 July 2026. Check if your area or scheme is eligible here.  Neighbourhood Watch Lottery Summer Prize Draw On Saturday 29 August, one lucky lottery supporter will win a £2,000 luxury holiday, (or choose a £2,000 cash alternative instead). 50% of all tickets sold from our page go to the Neighbourhood Watch Network. Buying a ticket through One Lottery means that we can continue to support the network throughout England and Wales. Find out more and buy tickets here.  Are your bins looking a bit sad?  Could they use some colour? Why not brighten them up with some Neighbourhood Watch bin stickers! It may sound like I’m not entirely serious, but there is a serious point to them. The stickers act as a crime deterrent, because they signal an active, watchful community. Also, we’ve got some in the shop, so check them out!  P.S. A couple of people mentioned that they find the newsletter’s font size too small. I’m afraid, the newsletter system doesn’t let me change the text size. However, it is set up so it should default to the settings on your device. I’ve added some basic instructions on how to adjust your devices below, I hope it helps.    Phone or Tablet iPhone or iPad ·  Open Settings. ·  Tap Display & Brightness. ·  Select Text Size. ·  Move the slider to increase or decrease the text size. Android phone or tablet ·  Open Settings. ·  Tap Accessibility. ·  Select Display size and text (the wording may vary depending on your device). ·  Adjust the text size using the available options. Desktop or Laptop Computer Windows computer ·  Open the Start menu and select Settings. ·  Choose Accessibility. ·  Select Text size. ·  Move the Text size slider to the right to make text larger. ·  Click Apply to save your changes. Mac (Apple) computer ·  Open the Apple menu and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions of macOS). ·  Select Accessibility. ·  Choose Display. ·  Adjust the Text size setting to make text larger.

Courier fraud alert: Over 70s targeted as courier fraud exceeds £21 million in 2025. City of London Police are issuing a renewed warning to the public as courier fraud continues to evolve across the UK, with criminals using increasingly sophisticated and persistent tactics that are driving significant financial harm to victims. New figures show reports increased by nearly 10 per cent year-on-year, rising from 1,721 in 2024 to 1,891 in 2025. Over the same period, total losses climbed from £19.5 million to more than £21 million, with the average amount stolen per victim now standing at £15,311.08, underlining the significant financial harm caused by each offence. A key feature of this threat is the disproportionate targeting of older people, particularly those aged 70 and above. This group makes up majority of victims, with those aged between 76 and 96 alone accounting for around 62 per cent of all reports. Fraudsters often deliberately focus on older victims, exploiting trust in institutions such as the police and banks, as well as using pressure tactics, fear and urgency to manipulate them into complying with instructions. A growing trend identified in 2025 involves the use of jewellery and gold to carry out high-value frauds. In many cases, victims are persuaded to visit multiple jewellers to purchase expensive items over a period of time before handing them to a courier. This method often results in the highest amount stolen and can involve repeat victimisation, with offenders maintaining contact to extract as much money as possible. How to spot the signs of courier fraud Courier fraud typically begins with an unexpected phone call from someone claiming to be a police officer or bank employee. Victims are told their account is at risk or that they are assisting with an investigation, before being instructed to withdraw money, purchase items, or disclose sensitive information. A courier is then sent to collect the items such as jewellery, cash, bank cards and PINs. In reality, this is the work of criminals and anything handed over is lost. How to protect yourself from courier fraud: ·  Transferring money:  Your bank or the police will never ask you to transfer money to a safe account. · Couriers:  Your bank or the police will never send a courier to your home to collect bank cards, cash, or other valuables such as jewellery. ·  Check if it’s genuine: Contact the organisation directly using contact details you know are correct, such as those on official websites, the back of your card or by calling 159 for your bank. ·  Caller ID:  Don’t trust the Caller ID display on your phone – it’s not proof of ID. ·  Report suspicious calls:  You can report suspected scam calls by sending a text to 7726 with the word ‘Call’ followed by the caller’s number. If you think you have been a victim of fraud contact Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via the website: reportfraud.police.uk.

Our News June 2026

Hello Neighbours, Welcome to our second June newsletter. First, I must apologise for accidentally labelling our last newsletter as an April edition. I’m so sorry for any confusion, it was human error. It is very embarrassing, and I’ll do my best to make sure it doesn’t happen again. I’d like to think the mistake serves as a reminder that this newsletter is written by a real (and slightly flawed) person, not an AI robot – but I suspect not! We’re sharing a second newsletter this month because a whopping 75% of responders to our poll said they’d prefer a shorter, more frequent format. Please do let me know what you think. Highlights ·  Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) Awareness Week events and resources ·  PoliceAI launch ·  Neighbourhood Watch Week round-up Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) Awareness Week webinars  ASB Awareness Week 2026 takes place from Monday 29 June to Sunday 5 July across the UK. It highlights the impact of antisocial behaviour.  We are hosting two webinars to provide some practical advice on what to do if you, or your neighbours, are having issues.  ·  ASB reviews with Mark Johnson You may be aware of recent changes in the law relating to ASB and the process for requesting a review of your case. Mark Johnson from the charity ASB Help will host a session on best practice. Monday 29 June, 10–11am, Online. Register here. Reporting ASB is everyone’s business with John Hayward-Cripps It can really help to know where and how to report ASB. Join our Chief Executive, John Hayward-Cripps to learn more about reporting ASB. Tuesday 30 June, 2–3pm, Online. Register here.  We also have information and resources, including an ASB diary and a downloadable guide, on our website.  Report, reduce and prevent domestic abuse during the World Cup Did you know that reports of domestic abuse increase by 38% when England lose a match? Even in the event of a win, there is still a 26% increase. Alcohol Concern Cymru has also pointed to evidence from police which shows a link between major sporting occasions, heavy drinking and a surge in reports of abuse. Events like the World Cup should bring people together, but this data shows we need to look out for vulnerable families. Crimestoppers is encouraging everyone to call time on abuse, recognise the signs, and report anonymously. Find out more.  PoliceAI launched A new national centre, PoliceAI, has been launched to develop and scale artificial intelligence in policing. The centre will work across all forces to identify, test and scale AI tools. Trials have demonstrated its potential, for example, 800 hours of footage in a kidnapping case were reviewed in just 3 hours, helping to secure an early guilty plea. Read the full story on our website.  Neighbourhood Watch Week – thank you Thank you to everyone who made Neighbourhood Watch Week such a success. From volunteer awards in Durham to new member recruitment in Milton Keynes, village green improvements in Pontypridd, and litter picks in Eaglesfield Park – it’s been an inspiring start to the Month of Community. It’s fantastic to see people coming together. Read our round up of the week here.  What makes a good neighbour? That’s the question Paula White from BBC Radio explored with Heather Thompson, Chair of Cheshire Neighbourhood Watch Association. They discussed the importance of trust, especially in an increasingly fragmented society. You can listen here (scroll to 17.50). You can also explore the nominees for the Great Neighbour category in the BBC Make a Difference Awards here. Support our Community Grants Fund Great community projects need resources. Our Community Grants Fund helps volunteers access funding for local initiatives that bring neighbours together, support vulnerable residents, and strengthen communities. If you’re able, please consider donating. Your gift will help volunteers turn community spirit into community action. Donate here.  Neighbourhood Watch Strategy webinar We’re now six months into the new strategy shaping our work through to 2030. We recently hosted an online event covering national policy changes and our strategic aims: Watch, Connect and Act. If you missed it you can catch up with the recording here.    As always, there is also an online version of this newsletter on our website here.

Can you save a life?

Jude Bellingham’s 92-minute winner has just put England through to the World Cup final, the atmosphere in the pub is electric, three Lions has begun playing from the jukebox.  During the celebrations you notice the man at the bar, who has been drinking for the past three hours, has headed to the car park.  Looking out the window you see him stumbling into his car and starting the engine.  Your conscience is piqued; you call us to report a drink driver.  You have potentially just saved a life before the dulcet tones of Baddiel and Skinner have even ended. While the first paragraph is optimistic to say the least, what follows is a very realistic scenario where you can help keep South Cambs safe from drink and drug drivers.  During the last mens tournament (Euro 2024) we arrested 7 people in South Cambs on suspicion of drink or drug driving.  If you suspect someone is about to leave the pub and drive home, or you’ve seen erratic driving on the roads, call us immediately on 999. We also have a dedicated confidential hotline you can call, 0800 032 0845 – and it is available 24/7.  One call could save a life.

Neighbourhood Watch Volunteer Recognition Awards 2026 – Nominations Now Open!

Our volunteers are the heart of Neighbourhood Watch. Every day, they make a positive impact in their communities by supporting neighbours, promoting community safety, tackling local issues, and helping to bring people together. Their commitment, passion, and hard work deserve to be recognised and celebrated.   Do you know a Neighbourhood Watch volunteer who consistently goes above and beyond?   This could be a local Scheme or Area Coordinator, a Cyberhood Watch Ambassador, a Membership Support Administrator (MSA), an Association Lead or committee member, a member of our Youth Council, or one of our Trustees. We also encourage nominations for our Young Volunteer Award, which recognises young people who champion Neighbourhood Watch values and make a meaningful contribution through their volunteering.   The 2026 Volunteer Recognition Awards categories are: • Crime Prevention • Community Health and Wellbeing • Innovation and Reach • Young Volunteer • Special Recognition Award   We are delighted to announce that nominations for the Neighbourhood Watch Volunteer Recognition Awards 2026 are now open.   To nominate a volunteer, please click HERE. Nominations close on Sunday 5 July 2026.   This is your opportunity to recognise the individuals whose dedication helps make our communities stronger, safer, and more connected.   We look forward to receiving your nominations.   Get nominating today!

Elderly widow’s murder to feature on 24 Hours

A cold case involving a “ferocious” knife attack on an elderly woman in her own home is set to feature in a two-part special of a popular TV show. 24 Hours in Police Custody will follow Detective Superintendent Iain Moor and colleagues in the Major Crime Unit as they re-open the investigation into the 2013 murder of retired postmistress Una Crown. Family members and a neighbour discovered the widow’s body in her bungalow in Magazine Lane, Wisbech. Una, 86, died from stab wounds to her neck and chest, and her clothing had been set alight in a bid by the killer to disguise her injuries and destroy evidence. The two new episodes, entitled, “The Last Roll of The Dice”, follow the case as detectives try to piece together more than a decade of evidence and uncover any new information which might help catch her killer, who they believed could be hiding in plain sight. They then show how new forensic techniques revealed male DNA under Una’s fingernails, protected under her body and in her clenched fist when she fell to the floor. The DNA matched a man who still lived a stone’s throw away from her bungalow – David Newton, now in his 70s. Murder detectives had to rule out all male relatives in Newton’s paternal line, travelling all over the country, and pieced the DNA breakthrough together with new evidence to form a strong prosecution case. In February last year, Newton was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 21 years, with Judge Justice Neil Garnham telling him he had launched “a ferocious and sustained knife attack on a defenceless old lady in her own home”. Det Supt Moor said: “For more than a decade David Newton thought he had gotten away with this most horrendous crime. He was hiding in plain sight, but jurors saw through his lies and as this programme highlights, you cannot hide forever. “Also demonstrated in the two episodes is the police commitment to continually reviewing unsolved cases and seeking new lines of enquiry. No unsolved murder case is ever closed. “When I joined the Major Crime Unit, the first thing my wife said to me was, ‘you’ve got to solve this murder’. “I’m immensely proud of bringing Newton to justice after more than a decade, and finally getting justice and closure for Una’s family. Una, by the actions she took on that night, solved her own case as she fought her attacker.” 24 Hours in Police Custody: “The Last Roll of The Dice”, is due be shown at 9pm on Channel 4 on Monday and Tuesday (13 and 14 April). Kind regards,

Criminals stole over £879 million through investment fraud in 2025.

Victims of investment fraud lost an average of £1,675 every minute last year, new figures from the City of London Police, the National Lead Force for Fraud, have revealed.   Criminals stole £879.8 million through investment fraud last year – an average of £2.4 million a day.   In 2025, 34,673 people reported investment fraud to Report Fraud, the national service that replaced Action Fraud in December 2025. This marks a 31 per cent rise on the previous year. The rise in reporting is not only linked to an increase in investment fraud, but also due to the point at which victims realise what has happened. Reports began climbing steadily from March and spiked in July and September when many people review their investments, move money into new products or check their returns ahead of the new financial year.   As part of wider fraud‑prevention work, we are urging the public to take simple steps to protect themselves. ·  Before making any investment, use the FCA’s firm checker tool, to confirm whether a firm or individual is authorised. The tool can be accessed via the FCA website and is one of the most effective ways to avoid cloned firms and bogus advisers.   ·  We encourage anyone considering an investment to be cautious of unsolicited messages, adverts promising unusually high returns, or requests to keep the offer “confidential”.   ·  You can also contact the Financial Conduct Authority’s consumer helpline on 0800 111 6768 or report suspicious businesses or individuals by using the reporting form on their website. Any suspicious activity should be reported to Report Fraud as soon as possible at www.reportfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, victims of fraud and cybercrime should report to Police Scotland on 101.

Have you got our number? We don’t mean 999, or even 101.

We’re talking about our confidential drink and drug drive hotline. In the first three months of the year we’ve made more than 170 drink or drug driving related arrests.

Some of these arrests came as a result of carrying out roadside breath tests after a collision, or proactive regular patrols.

However, others came from concerned members of the public – worried a driver was putting lives at risk.

Our 24/7 hotline – 0800 032 0845 – allows you to anonymously report anyone you suspect of drink or drug driving. One call could save a life. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

For more info about drink or drug driving, including the legal limits, potential penalties and dangers it can cause, visit our dedicated web page.

Tell us your priorities: Online community policing meeting invite

We’re inviting you to take part in our quarterly online meeting, where you can share your views and help shape local policing priorities. This is a great opportunity to: ·  Meet your local policing team virtually ·  Hear about the work we’ve been doing in your area ·  Ask questions and raise concerns that matter to you There will also be an update on the priorities set for December-March ·  Knife crime focusing on youths suspected to be carrying ·  Youth anti-social behaviour in Cambourne and the Guided Busway Your voice matters, and together we can make a real difference in keeping our communities safe. Event Details 📅 Thursday, 12 March 2026 🕖 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM 💻 Online Meeting To receive your invite, simply email ‘SOUTH to: 📧communitymeeting@cambs.police.uk or reply to this eCops. Don’t miss this chance to have your say and help shape the future of policing in your community!

The next Coffee with a Cop session is being hosted at Willingham Library 65 Church Street Willingham CB24 5HX on Saturday 7th March from 10am to 12pm.

Everyone is welcome

Report Fraud launches

This week, the City of London Police, the national lead force for fraud, announced the full public launch of Report Fraud, which has now officially replaced Action Fraud.   A new media and advertising campaign is going live from Monday 19 January to help raise awareness of the brand-new service for reporting cyber crime and fraud.   The advertising campaign will run across radio and social channels, featuring the service’s clear new visual identity and message, ‘Every Report Counts’.    Please see our campaign hero film here: https://youtu.be/CpZRbpNxCOM   For more information, you can read more of our press release here: Report Fraud launches | City of London Police.   To report cyber crime and fraud: UK’s Home for Reporting Cyber Crime & Fraud – Report Fraud.

Our News – January 2026

Happy new year Neighbours!  I hope that 2026 is treating you very kindly. For me, January arrived with a bang, or two bangs actually. I toppled over on an icy patch of pavement, not once but twice. It was *extremely* painful. Please take extra care of yourselves. I feel very fortunate to only have a couple of bruises.  The advice from RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) and at least one NHS Trust, for navigating slippery pavements is to walk like a penguin. I know it sounds silly, but it’s better than a broken bone. Take small, careful steps and keep your knees slightly bent to stay balanced. Find more guidance on how to stay safe in the cold weather here. Neighbourhood Watch launches new strategy As you may know, 2025 saw Neighbourhood Watch come to to the end of our five-year strategy. We started work with members, staff and stakeholders to develop a new strategy which will shape our work until 2030.    After extensive collaboration and consultation, the strategy has now been published. We are very grateful to all the members, staff, volunteers and stakeholders who gave up their time to contribute to this important and inspiring work. Read the full strategy document and find out more on our website.   National Crime and Community Survey The results of the 2025 National Crime and Community Survey are in, and they reveal a nation feeling increasingly on edge. More than thirty-eight thousand respondents shared their experiences.    What emerged is that nearly 42% of respondents believe crime levels in their neighbourhood have risen in the past year, similar to the figure reported in the previous year’s survey. Read the full story on our website.  Staying Cyber Secure with ERA  The latest Neighbourhood Watch Crime and Community Survey found that almost half (45%) of members were worried about experiencing cybercrime. But what steps can you take to make sure you’re protected?    Sumier Foster-Shah, Customer Service Manager at ERA, shares his top tips to help keep yourself safe from cybercrime – discover his advice here. – AD   Do you have what it takes to be a Cyberhood Ambassador? Cyberhood Ambassadors educate, help and protect people from online crime. They share information, answer cybersecurity questions and concerns, and deliver Cyberhood Watch events and activities.   Find out what our ambassador Anthony, based in Devon did to support his local community here.  Funding for police announced by Home Office The Home Office has announced that police forces across England and Wales are set to receive a funding boost of up to £798 million in the next financial year. This brings total funding up to £19.5 billion.    The majority of this funding is for local forces, with an additional £746 million allowing them to prioritise the crimes impacting their communities, including knife crime, anti-social behaviour and shop theft. Full story here.  Protect what matters: start the year future-ready As a Neighbourhood Watch member, you already believe in protecting people and property. Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) do the same for your household, making sure your wishes are followed and trusted people can step in if something unexpected happens.   The New Year is a natural time to get organised and put your affairs in order – making sure the right people are in charge, your wishes are known, and your hard-earned assets go where you want them to. A few documents can make all the difference. Future Proof Estate Planning shared their advice on where to start. – AD Happy 100th birthday Laurence! Our oldest Coordinator in Cambridgeshire, and indeed the country, recently turned 100 years old. Laurence Medlock was presented with an award by local Chairman Stan Geering. He said that now he is 100, it is time to retire!  Kevin Evans organised a surprise presentation and celebration – you can see photos on our Instagram page. Congratulations and many happy returns of the day Laurence. Thank you so much for decades of volunteering, what an inspiration you are.    Have you heard about the switch to digital landlines?  Landlines are changing, and the UK’s telephone network is going digital by January 2027. If you have loved ones with additional needs such as elderly relatives or someone who uses a telecare device or pendant alarm, BT’s Connected Together initiative encourages you to take a few simple steps to support them through the switch.    BT’s Connected Together website is where customers, can access all the guidance and support they need. Start the conversation today. – AD    Congratulations to our Christmas giveaway winners Well done to our Christmas giveaway winners. Rebecca in Littleborough got the SimpliSafe bundle, Nicola in Crewkerne was our lucky ERA winner and Cindy in Plymouth was the recipient of the Patlock. Our ERA winner, Nicola said:  “This was a lovely surprise over Christmas. I’m delighted to get the ERA bundle. I’d been looking at getting a smart security system to keep our home safe. I was so pleased when it arrived, and the M&S voucher was great too.” Don’t miss out on our next giveaway – make sure you are following us on Facebook and Instagram.    Stuff you should know… The ‘Stuff you should know’ podcast recently did a short show about the history of the Neighbourhood Watch in the US. It’s a fascinating look at the similarities, and differences, between the two cultures.  Our need to feel safe and part of a community is universal but some of the challenges and histories differ. Listen to it here.  That’s it for our news this month,. I’m always keen to know how we can improve and to share the best of our wonderful network.  Hope you have a very safe and warm January.  Best wishes Charmian

Report Fraud service goes live From 4 December 2025, the existing Action Fraud support will be replaced by our new Report Fraud service.   Report Fraud is the new service that has now replaced Action Fraud.   You should report cyber crime and fraud here from now on – reportfraud.police.uk.