The neighbourhood police are issuing warnings about bogus callers as well as about computer fraud. Here is their advice:

FRAUD
Please be aware of messages being displayed on computer monitors and laptops asking the users to pay a fine. These are not legitimate people from the police. If you are in any doubt then either ring the police on the non-emergency number 101 or contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

BOGUS CALLERS
When someone calls at your door and offers to do repairs to your home or to ask for urgent help, or when someone official knocks on your door, follow these simple steps to help protect yourself and your home from bogus callers.

LOCK: Keep your front and back doors locked, even when at home.

STOP: Before you answer, stop and think if you are expecting anyone. Check that you have locked any back doors and taken the keys out. Look through the spyhole or the window to see who it is.

CHAIN: If you decide to open the door, put the door chain or bar on first. Keep the bar or chain on while you are talking to the person on the doorstep. (Normally when the door is shut and locked, leave the bar or chain off in case you need to get out in an emergency.)

Some bogus callers call on older and vulnerable people saying they need help urgently. They may ask you to help them outside the house or ask to come in to make a phone call or have a glass of water. Only go to help them if you have someone else with you. Don’t worry if you choose not to help – it is not rude or unfriendly.

CHECK: If someone who looks official calls at your door, always do the following. Ask for and carefully check their identity card, even if they have a prearranged appointment (all genuine callers will carry one). Do they look like the person on the card? Is the name the same as the one on your letter? Close the door while you do this. If you are not expecting them and they have not shown you an identity card, do not let them in until you have checked and double-checked that the caller is genuine.

Queen Edith’s crime

The police report one two cycles (a man’s Giant bike and a Viking woman’s bike) have been stolen from a garage in Hartington Grove.

There have been other bike thefts in or near Babraham Road, Hills Road, Long Road and Marshall Road.

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