CSN Message
Another Year....
Passes very quickly doesn't it. If you were dreaming of a "white one" you got it big style!! As usual throughout the last 12 months CSN has been emphasising deterrents to the criminal's activity. Securing properties, vehicles, being observant as to suspicious or unfamiliar activity and watching out for those rogue traders and informing the police of your concerns and suspicions.
Rogue Traders / bogus callers have been identified as a particular nuisance and often encompasses criminal activity. CSN has pioneered the alerting of such activity over the last couple of years. Often the message is repetitive but then so are the protagonists.
As a result of CSN police identified a number of vehicles used by such individuals and in informing you of activities by them in your area have hopefully prevented these persons taking financial advantage from the more vulnerable members of our community.
Police have carried out operations throughout the province to curb such deception and criminality, identify the culprits and deal with any criminality resulting from their activity. So please, do not feel that a call or message to police about such operators is a wasted one - for these criminals it is an extremely profitable and lucrative practice preying on the elderly and vulnerable.
Successes
We do have them. Many good ones throughout the year. Some big some small but all satisfying as a good result.
My recent favourite being the "hijacker" who stole a car in the Dunmurry area, subsequently abandoned it and made good his escape. Police on arrival unable to avail of canine support utilised their in depth arctic training and followed the footsteps in the snow - straight to the front door of said suspect.
The general response of "No mate - haven't been out tonight" was viewed as a dubious reply by the diligent Constables whose observations included the wet shoes, puddle in the hall and tide marked jeans resulting in one arrest.
It's great to have the "red handed" catch - it's the buzz in our job. However many successes require investigation and hard evidence - we know who the criminals are but Police have to prove their criminal actions before the courts. Information is vital in identifying such criminals and their activity and your continued support in this is both appreciated and encouraged.
Safety & Support
As mentioned your support for policing is vital. Please ensure when requesting police that all details asked for are supplied so that we can verify the call is legitimate. Please ensure emergency calls are not used unnecessarily.
Police do need to ensure their own safety when responding. The rising terrorist threat brings with it grave responsibility when responding to your needs. We have a duty to protect life and preserve property and that includes ourselves.
Appreciate that sometimes we are delayed. We have a huge area to police and distance is a factor. Officers may already be committed to an incident or the prior call may be more urgent or important than yours - this is not to belittle your requirement but each response is different and subsequent enquiries must be dealt with accordingly.
CSN
CSN continues to grow in support and membership. Thank you. This is a great encouragement as are your messages and contributions and cascading of details. Support for the project is generated by your selves as well as local Neighbourhood Policing Teams. The aim is as ever to inform and make people aware of suspicious activity in your area. Prevention, they say, is better than cure.
There have been a few odd occasions this year when CSN messages have been a little sparse. Apologies but it is unfortunately affected by other duty demands as the CSN project is a voluntary concept operating outside normal commitments. "The buck as they say - stops here". But hopefully I get there in the end and I trust you continue to find CSN messages beneficial.
And Finally.....
Take a moment and spare a thought for my colleagues. Many will be working over the festive period. We all wish those officers who served and sacrificed all still had that opportunity. They and their families are in our thoughts. Only today a police officer in Fermanagh and his family have been forced from their home due to a terrorist attack . For some "peace on earth and goodwill to all" may never be the thought or the experience.
As you prepare for the arrival of family and friends over the festive period those in our profession and associated emergency services will be working to ensure the safety of you all no doubt wishing they too could be at home celebrating with their family. Help make it easier and enjoyable for all by enjoying your festivities without going to excess and lapsing into incidents were police are required.
Trust me - its no party consolation when you receive a festive invite to a strangers house via the voice on the "in car entertainment" system as an unwanted guest to partake of your festive beverage fuelled family discussions, neighbourly debates over vehicle parking rights on your apparently personal public highway, unfounded allegations of who drank all the mulled wine and that age old party game favourite of "pin the frying pan on the wife's mother!"
Do not drink and drive.
Many of those of a sober disposition can't hack it in the present conditions nor will you with a few winter warmers on board. The scary ads on the TV are much worse in reality for both victim and perpetrator. When you are caught your life as you know it will be shattered and the despair exceeded only by those who may be a victim of such actions. The true spirit of Christmas is not several % proof.
Airports, rail, buses and roads are all suffering in the extreme as a result of the weather. Take care if you have to travel. My personal journey preference will be to the log pile to get another log for the fire, a good movie and hopefully a slot on the X-box.
Despite current travel delays I am reliably informed that "SC1", sole overnight flight out of the polar regions tomorrow, will not be delayed!
Indeed the Met Office indicate that prevailing conditions are deemed suitable for a speedy overnight progress worldwide for all necessary deliveries to those most important little individuals that have submitted their requests. I trust it is their most exciting time yet and long may they experience it.
May I take this opportunity to wish you and your families all a very Happy Christmas, enjoy what it means and may we all have a very peaceful New Year.
And please, please.............. no calls about the theft of your snowman!!
Thursday, 23 December 2010
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
General Rogue Traders - All Areas
Rogue Traders
We are all too familiar with such activity in the Lisburn area.
Trading Standards warn consumers not to ‘pour money down the drain’
Trading Standards Services are warning consumers not to ‘pour money down the drain’ when bogus workmen call at your home offering urgent repairs.
The warning follows a recent incident in East Belfast in which an elderly woman was approached by men who told her that a blockage in her drains was causing an emergency situation in the next street.
The lady felt pressurised by the alleged urgency of the matter and agreed that the men should start work immediately. The men returned, dressed in boiler suits, the following day and commenced work on the drains. The lady was charged £7,750 for the bogus work, and paid the amount in cash. It was later discovered that there was no problem with any drains in the area.
From Trading Standards Service: “Rogue traders frequently pressurise householders to hand over cash by convincing them that their homes require urgent repair work. In this particular case the trader even lifted up a drain close to the lady’s home to show her the alleged blockage. After paying the full amount, the elderly lady queried the price, as she thought it was too expensive. The workmen informed her that special parts were required, and implied that the job was cheap as they were already working in the area.”
Continued: “We would urge householders not to be pressured into agreeing to any alleged urgent repair work, building work, house repairs or indeed any other services with people who “cold call”. Always seek a second opinion from a trusted person and do not agree to a trader starting any work straight away. Reputable traders will allow a customer to take time to come to a decision.
“The law states that, where goods or services cost over £35, consumers are entitled to a seven day cooling-off period during which they can cancel the contract. Sellers must provide prospective buyers with written notice of these rights, along with a cancellation form. If traders do not comply with these requirements, any contract agreed with a customer will not be legally binding. More importantly, such traders will be committing an offence.”
To help consumers to stay in control if confronted by unwanted traders, Trading Standards issued the following important advice for consumers:
· Be wary of special offers or warnings about your home.
· Don’t hand over a large cash deposit or pay for work up front.
· Don’t agree to a trader starting any work straight away.
· Take time to consult with someone you trust for a second opinion.
· Remember your cancellation rights.
We are all too familiar with such activity in the Lisburn area.
Trading Standards warn consumers not to ‘pour money down the drain’
Trading Standards Services are warning consumers not to ‘pour money down the drain’ when bogus workmen call at your home offering urgent repairs.
The warning follows a recent incident in East Belfast in which an elderly woman was approached by men who told her that a blockage in her drains was causing an emergency situation in the next street.
The lady felt pressurised by the alleged urgency of the matter and agreed that the men should start work immediately. The men returned, dressed in boiler suits, the following day and commenced work on the drains. The lady was charged £7,750 for the bogus work, and paid the amount in cash. It was later discovered that there was no problem with any drains in the area.
From Trading Standards Service: “Rogue traders frequently pressurise householders to hand over cash by convincing them that their homes require urgent repair work. In this particular case the trader even lifted up a drain close to the lady’s home to show her the alleged blockage. After paying the full amount, the elderly lady queried the price, as she thought it was too expensive. The workmen informed her that special parts were required, and implied that the job was cheap as they were already working in the area.”
Continued: “We would urge householders not to be pressured into agreeing to any alleged urgent repair work, building work, house repairs or indeed any other services with people who “cold call”. Always seek a second opinion from a trusted person and do not agree to a trader starting any work straight away. Reputable traders will allow a customer to take time to come to a decision.
“The law states that, where goods or services cost over £35, consumers are entitled to a seven day cooling-off period during which they can cancel the contract. Sellers must provide prospective buyers with written notice of these rights, along with a cancellation form. If traders do not comply with these requirements, any contract agreed with a customer will not be legally binding. More importantly, such traders will be committing an offence.”
To help consumers to stay in control if confronted by unwanted traders, Trading Standards issued the following important advice for consumers:
· Be wary of special offers or warnings about your home.
· Don’t hand over a large cash deposit or pay for work up front.
· Don’t agree to a trader starting any work straight away.
· Take time to consult with someone you trust for a second opinion.
· Remember your cancellation rights.
Friday, 10 December 2010
All Areas - Miscellaneous
Arrests
A vigilant off duty officer noted three males in a vehicle giving undue attention to a cash delivery in the Sprucefield Park complex yesterday morning. A quick "exchange" of glances further prompted the officers instincts to make the phone call for assistance.
A quick response to the officers report by local colleagues resulted in the three gentlemen and their vehicle being stopped and searched.
The result - 3 arrests for several offences including the taking of a motor vehicle, drugs possession, handling stolen goods, fraud and possession of an imitation firearm with intent.
An excellent result and always be wary of giving the unknown cop the old "are you looking at me?!" stare........a good police officer is on duty 24/7.
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Burglary
The Centra Store at Glenavy Road Lisburn was broken into overnight. The incident was reported to police around 0330am. It is believed that the alarm activation deterred the criminals from gaining access to the property despite causing considerable damage to the property.
3 males are believed to have been involved and are thought to have left the area in a green Citroen estate car. This vehicle may have a registration similar to RBZ2255.
If you sight this vehicle please notify police asap.
A vigilant off duty officer noted three males in a vehicle giving undue attention to a cash delivery in the Sprucefield Park complex yesterday morning. A quick "exchange" of glances further prompted the officers instincts to make the phone call for assistance.
A quick response to the officers report by local colleagues resulted in the three gentlemen and their vehicle being stopped and searched.
The result - 3 arrests for several offences including the taking of a motor vehicle, drugs possession, handling stolen goods, fraud and possession of an imitation firearm with intent.
An excellent result and always be wary of giving the unknown cop the old "are you looking at me?!" stare........a good police officer is on duty 24/7.
************************************************************************************************************************
Burglary
The Centra Store at Glenavy Road Lisburn was broken into overnight. The incident was reported to police around 0330am. It is believed that the alarm activation deterred the criminals from gaining access to the property despite causing considerable damage to the property.
3 males are believed to have been involved and are thought to have left the area in a green Citroen estate car. This vehicle may have a registration similar to RBZ2255.
If you sight this vehicle please notify police asap.
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