| Courier fraud warning |
| On a balmy summer afternoon in Cambridgeshire, an elderly man received a series of worrying phone calls from the Financial Conduct Authority. The person on the line told him they were involved in an important investigation into gangs targeting elderly individuals and needed to know if he had anything valuable in his house that might put him at risk. He informed them he had some gold coins worth around £100,000. They explained they needed to collect the coins for his safety and to keep them safe from the gangs. The elderly man got the coins ready in a bag and later that day he received a knock at the door… He dutifully handed over the coins as instructed and later received a call thanking him for doing so and requesting he didn’t speak to the bank or police about their conversations. Shortly after these calls, reality dawned on the vulnerable man as he began to realise this was a scam. An investigation has been launched. For more on courier fraud and how to protect vulnerable loved ones, visit our website: https://orlo.uk/yp4tq |
Category: Police
ECops – A typical shift
ECops – Neighbourhood Watch Podcast
| Listen and subscribe to the new Neighbourhood Watch Podcast! |
| We’re delighted to launch the Neighbourhood Watch Podcast, bringing together well-known guests, powerful personal stories and insightful conversations about crime, community and the places that shape us. Hosted by Alfie Moore, a former copper turned award-winning comedian, episode one: Breaking and Entering with Penny Smith is available now. New episodes will be available, free to download, every Friday for the next six weeks. John Hayward-Cripps, Chief Executive of the Neighbourhood Watch Network, explained why we decided to launch this podcast: As a charity, our aim is to build stronger communities and reduce crime. This podcast is an engaging way to deliver important messages to new audiences. Almost everyone has been a victim of crime at some point; it can be traumatic, but it is also a near-universal experience. These conversations are fascinating and insightful, spanning the full spectrum of human emotion. We hope the show will help our members, and many others, feel part of our community. Forthcoming guests include: Ruth Dodsworth OBE, sharing her experience of coercive control; radio star Andy Bush, whose parents were cruelly scammed; journalist Kaf Okpattah, provides insights into the murky world of card fraud; author Becky Holmes, discusses the growing problem of online romance fraud; and Bobby Seagull MBE, broadcaster, educator and writer, talking about street crime. We’ve put a lot of work into this and hope that you enjoy it. |
E Cops – Crypto fraud warning
| Like many twentysomethings, Chloe spent much of her downtime on social media, scrolling the pages of her favourite influencers. She followed a well-known Instagram personality with an enviable lifestyle, a successful businesswoman who seemed to have it all. She claimed she’d made her money by investing in crypto and if she could do it, so could her followers… Chloe included. With dreams of trading in her unreliable old car and finally getting on the property ladder, the prospect of potentially growing the modest pot of savings she’d worked so hard to scrape together piqued Chloe’s interest. She followed a link on the influencer’s page and contacted her directly to ask how to go about investing in crypto. The woman was friendly and amenable and advised Chloe of the best crypto schemes to invest in, similar to the ones she had invested in herself. Chloe parted with every penny of her savings and the influencer helped her manage her investments, assuring her they were increasing exponentially every week. Chloe’s excitement at the thought of driving her new car and owning her own home began to build… until she spoke to her family about her investment ventures. Concerned it sounded too good to be true, they searched the influencer online and discovered multiple scam warnings associated with her. Chloe quickly contacted the influencer to request her money back, but her messages went unanswered and the influencer mysteriously disappeared… along with Chloe’s money. Fraudsters often use social media to advertise, frequently featuring celebrities to attract victims. They also target individuals searching for investment opportunities via search engines. Be aware: · Were you contacted unexpectedly? · Are you being pressured to invest quickly? · Are the promised returns unrealistically high? Remember, if an investment seems too good to be true, it probably is. For more on fraud and where to report, visit our website: https://www.cambs.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/ |
E Cops – Appeal
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. |
E Cops – July 2025
| Our News for July 2026 is here! |
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. |
ECops – Report Fraud
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. 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. |
Neighbourhood Watch – Ecops
| Our News June 2026 |
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. |
E-Cops – Can you Save a life?
| 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. |
E Cops – Neighbourhood Watch Volunteer Recognition Awards 2026 – Nominations open
| 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! |
ECops
| 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. |
ECops Bulletin
| 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. |
Confidential drink and drug drive hotline
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.
ECops Bulletin
| 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! |