Archive for category: News

Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP)

The Council’s NDP was formed in September 2019, and has been subject to regular monitoring by the Parish Council. In 2023 the Parish Council noted the need for a more formal review to coincide with the end of the 5th year, and has undertaken initial research and consultation in order to undertake a proportionate review.

For a number of reasons the completion of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review (SWDPR) has been delayed. This has impacted on completion the Parish Council review of its NDP, as it is important that any amendments can be fully compliant with the SWDP.

We now understand that it could be another year until the District Council and partner councils, will have completed its review.

On the basis of ongoing monitoring and an initial review of the NDP the Parish Council has formally resolved at its meeting held on the 19th June, 2023 , to undertake a fuller review process (see below), and noted that:

• The NDP remains fit for purpose and meets the needs of the residents of the Parish, as these are presently understood .
• It is fully compliant with both the current SWDP and is likely to be compliant with the SWDPR, when finalised.

The Parish Council has therefore resolved to complete a review of its NDP to ensure that the best interests of parishioners are served.

The Parish Council therefore is committed to undertaking its review in a timely and proportionate way. In order to reduce and mitigate any impact resulting from the delay in the completion of the SWDPR.

 

Broadwas and Cotheridge Parish Council

17th July 2024

Broadwas Village Hall has a family fun day on Sunday 21st July 10.30am-3.00pm then after from 3.30pm-9.30pm there is a pop-up-pub with Alfie’s Kitchen as part of the family day, something for everyone.

 

COURIER FRAUD

Incidents of Courier Fraud continue to feature highly within reported Fraud Crime within our region, and so we have to continue to raise awareness of this type of crime.

Courier Fraud occurs when a fraudster contacts victim by telephone usually claiming to be a police officer, bank official or other law enforcement official.

The caller may also be able to confirm some easily obtainable basic details about the victim such as their full name and address. The caller will try and build up trust with the potential victim before proceeding.

Their aim is to get the victim to reveal their PIN, credit or debit card and /or bank details, and more than often will target the elderly as potential victims.

How does it work?

·           The scammer calls you claiming to be from your bank or as a police officer and will tell you either a fraudulent payment on your account needs dealing with, or sometimes that a person has been arrested using your details and cards

·           You may be asked to call the bank back to convince you the call is genuine using the number on the reverse of your card. However, the Scammer has still kept the line open so you are still touch with the Scammer

·           If you do try to call your Bank back, always wait at least 5 minutes for the line to clear or use another phone

·           They will either ask you for your card PIN number or tell you to key it into the phone – you should never be asked for your PIN or pass it over on the phone

·           The Caller then tells you they will send a Courier to pick up your card – they may often provide a “password” to give to the Courier to make it sound even more genuine

Once they have your card and your PIN they then have access to your money.

Other versions of this scam include:

·           Asking you to withdraw a large sum of cash which the police will mark and return to the banking system in an effort to identify a corrupt banking person – once you hand over the cash to the courier – it is gone

·           Scammers have also realised now that when a more vulnerable person goes into the Bank to withdraw large sums of cash the Bank staff become suspicious, so the Scammer may tell the victim to withdraw the cash in Euros from a Foreign Exchange outlet

·           A person claiming to be a Police Officer and is investigating sales of counterfeit goods then asks you to buy an expensive item such as a watch or jewellery from a specific retailer. You are then asked to hand it over to the Courier to deliver to the “Police” and again that is the last you see or hear of it.

·         A further common variation is to tell you your bank account has been compromised and you need to transfer all your money into a “Safe Account”. Once again you have delivered your cash directly to the Scammer.

Protect yourself

• Your bank or the police will never call you to ask you to verify your personal details or PIN by phone or offer to pick up your card by courier. Hang up if you get a call like this.
• If you need to call your bank back to check, wait five minutes; fraudsters may stay on the line after you hang up. Alternatively, use a different line altogether to call your bank.
• If you think you have been scammed use the dedicated “159” telephone number for direct access to your Bank

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE BEING SCAMMED

OR DO NOT RECOGNISE THE CONTACT

Take Five to Stop Fraud

• STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
• CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
• PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam

             and report it to Action Fraud

If you’ve fallen for a scam, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk.

Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks.

Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk

For further information visit:

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/    https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/