Shortlands Residents' Association
Car theft Warning
Bromley Borough, (including Shortlands Safer Neighbourhood Team) have seenan increase in theft of high value motor vehicles, namely, Porsche, Audi, BMW etc. recently.
To obtain the vehicles, the offenders are breaking into properties by smashing through the front doors, literally. The property is searched untidily for keys whereupon the car is stolen. At present times vary but in general around school times in the afternoon and early evening. This appears to be a spin on the early spate of similar offences.
A second vehicle is being used as transport. If you have any sightings that you think are suspicious we ask that you contact the police.
Rogue Trader advice
Rogue traders prey particularly on elderly vulnerable people, but will target anyone they think they can con. In some cases victims have lost tens of thousands of pounds.
We are currently aware of companies putting leaflets through doors in nearby Beckenham and West Wickham, offering a range of services especially on the home maintenance side. Whilst there is nothing to suggest that these companies are not legitimate, unsolicited leaflets and calls should be treated with great care.
But, don't be afraid of genuine contractors coming into your home, if necessary, or avoid dealing with important household maintenance. Just remember some basic advice...
? Check through the door or window to see who is at the door, and if you do open the door, make sure the chain is on first
? If they are ''cold-
? Get a quote or estimate in writing on headed notepaper before agreeing to any work being done, and get quotes from other companies to compare prices before deciding on which company should do the work
? If you are nervous or unsure about anything, ask a friend or neighbour to be with you when they call
? If you feel intimidated or unsafe, then call Trading Standards rapid response number...07903 852090
Do not pay by cash for any job over £50
If you are over 60, Age Concern Bromley's First Check Point Service can help you find genuine home maintenance and cleaning contractors. For more information contact Age Concern Bromley on 0208 315 1850.
Police warn residents to be wary of card scam
Bromley Police are reissuing their warning about a scam in which fraudsters use false pretences to try and get people’s bank cards, after 25 attempts to perpetrate this scam across the borough in the last two weeks.
The scam works by the victim initially receiving a phone call, or number of phone calls, from someone claiming to be from their bank or credit card supplier. The caller obtains personal details from the victim before advising them that they need a new card and telling them that a courier will visit them shortly to collect their old card. A person, dressed to look like a courier, then arrives at the door to take the card.
A spokesman for Bromley Police said: “It is important that residents are aware of
the tactics used by con-
Accidents and Emergencies . ICE -
Most people carry a mobile ‘phone with many names and numbers stored in its memory. But if they were involved in an accident or taken ill, the people attending to them wouldn’t know who to call. “ICE” is a means by which emergency services personnel hospital staff and others can contact the right person without delay. Simply store the telephone number of the person you want to be contacted under the name “ICE” (or for more than one person, you can use ICE1, ICE 2 etc.) The idea was the brainchild of a paramedic who found that whenever he attended the scene of an accident the patient had a mobile ‘phone which could have been extremely useful if only the relevant numbers were identifiable.