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Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter (March 2010):  by Valerie Thorpe OFFICE NEEDED BY SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD FOLK A Plea from the Duffield Safer Neighbourhood team:  For some while now Paula and Dave have been trying to find somewhere in Duffield which has space for a small office that they could use as a base saving them unnecessary travelling to and from Belper. It would enable Duffield residents to have somewhere to meet them if required, to report incidents or to pick up security information.  If anyone does have anywhere suitable or any ideas then please will you contact PCSO Paula Martin on 03451233333. This would be of benefit to all of us in Duffield. A Reminder: This is a reminder to not leave your vehicles open and unattended if defrosting them on chilly mornings.  In frosty conditions, the temptation can be to leave the car on the drive or on the road with the engine running to defrost the windscreen.  This is an ideal chance for an opportunist thief to steal the vehicle or property.  The majority of insurers are unlikely to cover claims for theft or damage to your vehicle in these circumstances.  It is also an offence to leave a car unattended on the road with the engine running. Information: SPODA, a group which supports families affected by drugs, has received £1,000 - money which has been confiscated from criminals in Derbyshire.  SPODA offers help and advice to people across the county who have a drug user in the family, or who have lost a loved one through drugs misuse. The cash is just some of the money police seize from criminals each year under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).  The act means that anyone who profits from crime can lose the financial and lifestyle gains they have enjoyed.  For example, people who may have earned money by drug dealing can have this money taken from them.  The money seized is split between the Treasury, police, Court Services and the Crown Prosecution Service. Derbyshire Constabulary often donates the money it receives to local charities.  For more information about SPODA, visit www.spoda.org.uk Another reminder: Please do not leave any items in your vehicles on display.  If you have coats, bags or boxes put them out of sight in the boot and remove them completely at night, especially work tools. It only takes a hint of something valuable inside to gain the attention of an opportunist thief.  This is also the case for sat navs and other electronic items, put them in the glove box and remove any evidence like the cradle or ring on your window.  Recently there has been a rise in thefts and these can occur anywhere. Before you get out of your vehicle just have a look around to see if anything could be of interest if left on display. A Virus Warning: A recipient has reported a recently received email regarding a failed package delivery from DHL.  His virus protection detected that a possible virus was within the attachment.  Always make sure your virus protection is up to date and never open anything that is from an unknown source. Simply delete the email. A Reminder: Please remind anyone who has a bike to be vigilant when storing it or when out and about. If you have a bike lock make sure it is locked around a sturdy fixed object. If possible get a lock with a built-in motion detector sensor alarm hat will alert you if the bike is is being tampered with. Another reminder: Please be vigilant when using bank cards at cash machines or when out and about. never allow anyone to see the number you are in-putting by covering the key pad with your hand and never use a machine if it looks as if it as been tampered with or is usual. If you suspect anything talk to the staff in the bank or call Derbyshire Constabulary on 0345 123 3333 Parcel Delivery Warning: This scam has been around for a while but with Christmas approaching it is worth repeating.  A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a premium rate number).  Please do not call this number because as soon as you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £15 for the phone call.  If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud or ICSTIS (the Premium rate service regulator) at www.icstis.org.uk Telephone Scam Warning: Someone received a call from a ‘representative’ of BT, informing him that he would be disconnected because of an unpaid bill. The ‘representative’ demanded payment immediately of £31.00, or it would be £118.00 to re-connect at a later date, and was not even fazed when it was pointed out that he wasn’t with BT. The ‘representative’ realised he wasn’t being believed and so offered to demonstrate that he was from BT by asking the potential victim to hang up & try phoning someone and that he would disconnect the phone to prevent this. Which he supposedly did as the phone was dead until he phoned the person again.  The ‘representative’ then asked for payment by credit card which was refused as the potential victim did not believe him and the call was terminated.  The police had already heard about this scam.  The fact that the phone does go off would probably convince some people it’s real.  The cutting off of the line is very simple , he stays on the line with the mute button on and you can’t dial out but he can hear you trying (because the person who initiates a call is the one to terminate it). When you stop trying he cuts off and immediately calls back..  It is convincing and may well fool some people and once they have credit/debit card details, there is nothing to stop them cleaning out the account.